About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

A is for AIRPORT

Vancouver was recognized as the top city in Canada in Travel + Leisure magazine's 2014 World's Best Awards.  The city was also named the Top Destination in Canada in Trip Advisor's 2014 Travellers' Choice awards, and was chosen as the world's "Most Liveable City" in 2010 by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a title it has been awarded eight times since 2002.
Vancouver offers travellers both outstanding opportunities for outdoor adventure and the sophisticated amenities of a world-class city. Take advantage of the city's ocean-side location, with plenty of green space and many recreation opportunities in the mountains 20 minutes north of downtown. After a busy day, linger over a glass of BC wine and a locally inspired meal, or unwind at one of Vancouver's unique spas.  While this sea-level port city is known for its temperate climate, the surrounding snow-covered slopes are perfect for winter sports and breathtaking views of the city twinkling below. Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where it's possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon.  From here

As I was considering what to write for Round 15 of ABC Wednesday, I came upon an article in the Sunday Province newspaper (by Paul Luke) about some of the film sites that Hollywood crews use.  It gave me an idea for Round 15, so I'm going to do my best to create a sort of travel blog highlighting areas of the city of Vancouver with suggestions of what to see if you do indeed decide to visit this world-class city. 

First up, the Vancouver International AIRPORT, located about 7 1/2 miles south of the city of Vancouver in Richmond (where I grew up).  In 1927, Charles Lindburgh refused to include Vancouver in his North American tour because of the lack of a proper airport. Two years later, the city purchased land on Sea Island (in Richmond), which replaced the original grass airstrip at Minoru Park.  During WW2, the airport and its original terminal, now the South Terminal, were leased to the Federal government and operated by the Department of National Defence and the Department of Transport. The airport was a base for RCAF training and the crews and their families were housed in a new town site on the island, named Burkeville after Boeing president Stanley Burke.  The present main terminal was completed in 1968, and has since been expanded to include separate domestic and international terminals. A north runway was completed in 1996.  Since 2011, there has been an increase in flights between Vancouver and Asia

The airport has a uniquely British Columbian theme with artwork of Pacific Northwest Coast native art featuring blues and greens to reflect the colours of the land, sea, and sky.  There is a lot of glass, which reflects the natural light, and arriving passengers walk across a platform featuring a large waterfall.  The aboriginal art collections include totem poles, wooden sculptures, and Bill Reid's famous bronze sculpture called "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, The Jade Canoe."

So, welcome to Vancouver International Airport where, for the next 26 weeks, you will be treated to an assortment of Vancouver highlights.  These are the welcoming totem poles and other aboriginal works of art, concluding with the famous Jade Canoe.
Be sure to tell your friends and families about ABC Wednesday and how much fun it is to participate.  Also, be sure to let Roger know if you're interested in helping out a bit on the team.  With thanks to the adorable and amiable Denise Nesbitt, creator of ABCW, and to the astonishingly amazing Roger, who is our admirable administrator.

22 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

astonishing AND amazing? Not sure I van love up to THAT!

ROG, ABCW

Roger Owen Green said...

or CAN live up...

Reader Wil said...

The airports in the world are getting more and more interesting and beautiful! Thanks Leslie! The artwork is excellent! I like the bird and the totem poles.
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team

Lmkazmierczak said...

It is a world class airport! While we visited Vancouver last month, there was a show being filmed and artificial snow was flying...we never found out what show was being filmed♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/abstracts/

Anita Sabat said...

It has been Absolutely Amazing so far with ABC :)
Kudos to the Team!
keep up the Awesome work :)

Hildred said...

It has been awhile since I was in the Vancouver airport, and wonderful to see the Art and to read your history notes, Leslie.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Absolutely AWESOME airport!!1 Can't wait to visit (although not sure when). Also love your idea for Round 15....awaiting with anticipation!

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Perusing through these amazing pieces of art would definitely be much more entertaining and enlightening than people watching during layovers. Blessings!

Photo Cache said...

beautiful airport. the city of vancouver has the same vibe as that of san francisco and portland (oregon). i can totally live there. i love it there.

frankly my dear

Indrani said...

Wonderful theme at the airport!
I am reminded of Bangkok airport which too has a wonderful theme.

Susan Moore said...

I love Vancouver airport - especially the international terminal - always a treat to fly to/from Vancouver!

Kate said...

Pacific Northwest ART is outstanding and the AIRPORT ART is AWESOME.

magiceye said...

Fascinating post!

Tina Basu said...

that's an interesting airport


Tina from The Sunny Side of Life

Rajesh said...

Great shots of the airport.

Tanya Breese said...

what a neat airport!

Trubes said...

Amazing art work Leslie, I particularly liked the Totem Poles awesome!
I have to ADMIT I ABSOLUTELY loathe AIRPORTS and now, getting through in a wheelchair is a nightmar., last time, going through through security I was airportmade to stand whilst they almost dismantled my wheelchair...does a blonde haired blue eyed English lady of a certain age really look like a threat to a nation... I couldn't knock the skin of a rice pudding! Sorry, rant over.
However I shall put my negative face away and I shall look forward to reading all about Vancouver through the eyes of such an ARTICULATE lady with an eye for the Art work of others,
I would dearly love to fly over to visit your beloved City, but fear the effects a long flight would have on my joints...I rather fancy a log cabin on the edge of a lake, surrounded by mountains, well a girl can dream, can't she? never mind, I'm sure your forthcoming posts will keep me suitably informed and amused,
love Di..btw I think I've done it again and managed to get my post up (I hope) xx

SamuraiFrog said...

What beautiful airport art. I haven't been in an airport since I was about 20, and O'Hare didn't have anything like these amazing figures. Thanks for the post!

Joy said...

I love public art in places of transit. The canoe reminded me of a soapstone sculpture of an Inuit sailing umiak used on one of Canada's stamps years ago, such a crowded boat it stuck in my mind Looking forward to your home town travelogue.

ChrisJ said...

I blog with Bikesbirdsnbeasts and they live in Vancouver, taking bicycle trips all around their area. It is fascinating.

Louisette said...

Very beautifull créations art in this airport.greeting from Belgium , tomorrow it is national day in Belgium.


http://louisette.eklablog.com

Powell River Books said...

As I write this I am sitting in the South Terminal of Vancouver Airport waiting for a plane to get home to Powell River. I will get to see the main terminal next month when we fly to Newfoundland. That will be a fun trip (except maybe for sitting so long in a cramped airplane cabin). - Margy