Project 55.5 - Part 15

9th December - 7:35 p.m. (PST)

It's all about pictures. Screw the memory.

Says Jess, the tour guide.

I hold my phone so tightly my fingers start to bleed. Can't be helped. It's either bleed or drop 70m to the river.

True enough, this tour is costly but enough satisfying. I speak my name out to the aging forest, trees and branches, hopefully they will remember me when I return in the future.

And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

All at once everything looks different

The totem poles in Capilano.

It is said to be the world's tallest living Christmas tree.

 The suspension bridge and the treetops.

From the treetop.

Reflection.

The bridge.

Santa house.

Panorama of a bit of every thing.

Manage to spot a sweet and cute Japanese couple while making a line into the bus. But have no chance to snap their picture is the sign of losing touch on my skill.

Anyway my phone rings. With a tap, the message appears.

Hey dinner yet?

No. Hungry like fuck.

Eight thirty... Eight thirty... That's when we're gonna date for dinner.

9th December - 4:00 p.m. (PST)

Sea to Sky Gondola? Yeah I know about it.

What would you like to know?

The shuttle bus booking to Sky Gondola is not available on the website. While I am hitting the dead end, the helpful assistant, Melissa in Visitor Information Centre does a great job! For travellers, it is never a crime to ask. Things I tried to work out for a night, she does it in 10 minutes!

[Jino] - A man's not a man unless he knows how to shoot

Project 55.5 - Part 14

9th December - 3:30 p.m. (PST)

It's good day today for Capilano. The weatherman (himself) says so. He lives here.

The bus driver has been very engaging through the journey to Capilano. He makes every one talks and responds to his questions. Maybe that's part of his job description?

Indeed it is sunny today. Not knowing it's a night tour, I waste most of the day time already for nothing. Well, not exactly nothing. There are two cute Taiwanese with me for lunch and kill some time till 2 p.m.. Have I mentioned they are really adorable?

Greet the sun, from Robson Street.

Another obsession in clocks.

Do you like Wang Li Hong? Yes.

Do you like Jay Choy? No.

Who do you prefer? Wang Li Hong or Takeshi Kaneshiro? Takeshi!!!

I know who you will like. You will like Stephan. Who is Stephan =.=

9th December - 11:19 a.m. (PST)

The sun! I can see the sun with my naked eyes! After every storm the sun will smile. So speaks Alger.

I am no expert in Mexican dishes but I like the cheese in wrap.

I've subscribed tour package to Capilano Suspension Bridge as today's activity. The thing is, the bridge is already in my itinerary to begin with. Hitching the tour with lower entry fee makes me happy. Transportation is provided. I am a happy man. Really looking forward to this tour.

While waiting for the time to pass, I look up information on Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish. With little luck, I didn't manage to stop by Grouse Mountain the day before. It's definitely wise to have more plan. The local friends agree.

You don't ski?

You should check out Sky Gondola then.

[Jino] - A man's not a man unless he knows how to shoot

Project 55.5 - Part 13

8th December - 11:05 p.m. (PST)
The redness get my attention. All staff are in red and the store is crowded. My Malaysian brain swiftly assumes promotion is in place.

Apple as a group is giving rebates to students from selected institutions on selected products. Mainly Macbook and iPad. This is an effort under Apple and Education which is not widely introduced in Malaysia. I am really tempted to get myself a Macbook. Yes I am thinking about Macbook till...

/yuck!

Tim Horton sucks! Chocolate and espresso come out from automated dispenser. Tim uses hot milk instead of milk froth for my latte. I can't imagine I pay for this.

Don't quite remember what I ordered, Sushi Ville.

Colleagues update me with the progress in office while I am closing my eyes for rest. I swear, I will manage my hand over properly before I leave. And switch off my phone too.


8th December - 3.55 p.m. (PST)

/pant

I'm glad I made it. Sunset. People take a boat ride to Maritime Museum but I choose to run. And it is certainly not easy to race against time. The sound of waves echoes. Dogs are chasing after frisbee. Seagulls dominate the sky. Refreshing!

Gate to the Northwest Passage

Vancouver Maritime Museum 

Still looking at the rain cloud, my dear?

George, an aging man probably in his sixties sits on a rock next to mine.

Can't get a good day for sun set.

He shares his story - as a single man like me, on how meaningful his life is. And how his lover moves to a better place - heaven. He is leaving when he asks me to come over to his place for dinner. So kind of him, but I have rejected.

Hello, it's me.

I wonder if all these years you'd like to meet.

Melancholic. I continue with my view for an indeterminate amount of time (when I calculate, it 120 minutes - till the last boat to the town comes). Will I meet you tomorrow?

At Hadden Park, facing west.

Sunset from English Bay, heading to city centre.

I wish you are here. A moment will do.

[Jino] - A man's not a man unless he knows how to shoot

Project 55.5 - Part 12

8th December - 1:35 p.m. (PST)

Before I realise, I have started walking again, sober and conscious. There's no ground high enough to view the entire island.

I don't have big dreams. I just want to own a house as simple as this.

Boo. I follow his FB page 'coz of you. $49 is expensive yet I regret not buying it.

Regret not buying this too. The Granville Island Toy Company.

Self explanatory?

Karen Cooper Gallery.

Broom Co.

Can't try every one of them, but pain au chocolate is terrific. Terra Breads, Public Market.

 Candies, chocolates, fruits and vegetables are nicely displayed.

Too many details that I have not managed well. Many words escape my mouth to describe how amused I am while wandering False Creek. These words then slip my mind. There's no rain today despite the dark clouds, surprising. I don't feel a single drop of rain. While exploring the east of Granville Island I find a walkway that links to the mainland. It seems easy and impressive with city view so I take a stroll. The Aquabuses are sailing slowly.The children behind me are overjoyed in the playground. The dark clouds glide towards the city centre.

I like what I watch - Yaletown and its high rise buildings from Calerson Park. I didn't manage to tour around Yaletown on Day 1. So hopefully this compensates.

One of the spots in Ron Basford Park.

False Creek divides Granville Island from the main land.

Viewing Yaletown from Calerson Park.

[Jino] - A man's not a man unless he knows how to shoot

Project 55.5 - Part 11

8th December - 12:54 p.m. (PST)

OK I don't have to drag my feet out of the room. My emotion switched from bad to good, thanks to my pair of eyes and gluttonous tummy. I am getting used to the sun hiding behind the clouds. It's perfect the way it is.

Again I skip the bus to walk to the Aquabus dock in Hornby Street. The possibility of losing my way is high, but I am cautious enough to print the maps from home. The 2 minutes ferry ride brings me to Granville Island, my place to visit today.

Standing at the Granville Island dock, facing Downtown.

Yes the main attraction is the public market. It's slightly way organised than our indoor pasar in Sri Petaling.

My first fish and chips, served with duck fat fries. Cider comes separately to warm my body. Edible Canada.

Me flushing and the cider is only half done. /tipsy.

May I get your ID?

Huh?

I'm sorry I don't get you.

To them, HUH is not a word. She asks for my age and I show her my passport. Part of me is a bit happy 'coz I look too young for drinking. I choose to think this way so don't judge please. I don't leave immediately after finishing my food. Too drowsy.

Vancouver Bienalle, mural on six concrete silos.

8th December - 10:15 a.m. (PST)

Finally I open my eyes from my much needed sleep. The feeling when you think of work on your holiday - PATHETIC.

FUCK IT ALL!!! I know I will get screwed when I return, for sure. Stop thinking and get on to the plan today.

The itinerary today starts at 6 a.m. so it's obvious I am behind my schedule already. Part of me is contemplating if I should I stay in the room today, since I am late for 4 hours. But I missed Grouse Mountain already. It's rude to allow another day wasted.

[Jino] - A man's not a man unless he knows how to shoot

Project 55.5 - Part 10

7th December - 11:56 p.m. (PST)

There are plenty of shits in office that I have forgotten to clean before I leave. Colleagues are probably praying I have not slept. Receiving texts from them at this hour is tormenting not because they ruin my vacation. I feel sorry to be irresponsible and let them handle what I am incapable of. I wanna resign.

After numerous exchanges of text, I choose to be irresponsible for once and call it a day.

Another night without a word from you. Looks like I am getting better at this. Goodnight.

7th December - 8:52 p.m. (PST)

Grouse Mountain is gone! If I can't see from the bottom, I will not get good view from the peak of Grouse Mountain.

Maybe next day.

Can only see half the mountain.

Some say Vancouver Port is one of the cleanest ports in the world.

The other side of the town.

In my itinerary I include Sea Vancouver after Grouse Mountain. No... not in the rain >.<. Moreover it's quite costly so I pass and opt for Vancouver Lookout. It's cheaper and I can return here as much as I like.

The weather is seriously getting on my nerve. My body shivers and my dick shrinks so much. Without Grouse Mountain, the day has been very unproductive. I take several bus rides around the towns, up to Burnaby and return to Downtown for some night shots.

Taken from Vancouver Lookout. It's Downtown.

BC place with lighting.

Canada Place. Oh it's 4.30 p.m. by the way.

Waterfront Station at night.

One of the Christmas trees on the street, Canada Place.

I am amazed how they can be so into Christmas. St. Paul's Hospital.

[Jino] - A man's not a man unless he knows how to shoot

Project 55.5 - Part 9

7th December - 11:00 a.m. (PST)

Again the weather is not too pleasant to walk in, mainly because of the rain. I walk towards Waterfront and snap a few photos before heading to Gastown.

Kinda obsessed with clocks. Sinclair Centre.

Waterfront Station houses skytrain and seabus.

Interior of the station.

Angel of Victory is located at the entrance of Waterfront Station.

Canada Place in the day time.

Vancouver Harbour Flight, facing Stanley Park where I spent my day yesterday. The sky is dreadful.

Olympic Cauldron built for 2010 Olympic. It's not lit >.<.

Enough of the shores, I walk further to Gastown.

It's $42.99. The lady says, referring to the photo frame I am holding. It's a pewter frame and I expect nothing less in Gastown. This place is a tourist attractions itself so the price could be unreasonably high. Could be... While deciding, I check the pictures in my phone. Sadly, none of them is considered good to fit into the frame. Things will be different if you are around. Your smile fits in, perfectly. I can imagine that.

The signature attraction in Gastown. The Steam Clock. The needle is inaccurate anyway.

The town is named after this person, Gassy Jack.

The narrow building.

The waiter serves the wrong The Flying Pig Salad and I manage to snap a picture before he takes it away. My Caesar Salad is perfectly creamy. The pork bellies are perfect accompaniment to give this dish some depth. And the chicken cutlet to fill in the rest of the gaps in my stomach.

That aside, I start chatting with a boy from Japanese who's on working holiday visa. There is also a student from Hong Kong whom I find interesting to chat with. Both show interests in meeting this week. Let's see if they are serious about this.

[Jino] - A man's not a man unless he knows how to shoot