A gift I didn’t know I’d rely on, but it ended up being exactly what the moment called for

 

We just came through a ten‑hour power failure, and let me tell you — one small gift made all the difference.

Yes, we have the usual flashlights tucked away, but a few months ago my nephew Brad surprised me with a rechargeable lamp. I charged it when I first got it, checked it again a couple of weeks ago, and topped it up. USB charging — simple, quick, and no fuss.

When the lights went out, this little lamp lit the entire room. Not a dim glow, not a corner light — the whole space. And while it was keeping us out of the dark, it was also charging my phone at the same time. I couldn’t believe how useful it turned out to be.

If you don’t have a reliable light source for power failures, get one. Truly. And if you’re hunting for a practical, thoughtful gift for someone, this is one they will genuinely appreciate.

Thank you, Brad, for giving us something that turned a long outage into a much easier night.

Tom Hanks’ WW2 Docuseries: A Powerful Tribute to Courage, Sacrifice, and the Stories That Shaped Our World

 

Some stories never fade. They echo across generations, carried by the voices of those who lived them and the artists who refuse to let us forget. Tom Hanks has long been one of those artists — a steward of memory, a guardian of history, and a storyteller who approaches the Second World War with deep respect and unwavering sincerity.

His WW2 docuseries, created with longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg, is more than a historical recounting. It’s a living memorial. A reminder of the extraordinary courage of ordinary people. And a testament to the belief that understanding our past is essential to shaping a better future.

A Legacy of Storytelling Rooted in Honour

Tom Hanks’ connection to World War II storytelling didn’t begin with this docuseries. It grew from the monumental success of Saving Private Ryan and the groundbreaking miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Each project revealed something deeper: Hanks wasn’t just producing entertainment — he was preserving history.

The docuseries continues that mission. Through archival footage, personal letters, interviews, and carefully researched narration, it brings to life the human experience of war:

• The fear and uncertainty

• The friendships forged in impossible circumstances

• The resilience of those who fought and those who waited at home

• The cost — in lives, in innocence, in the shape of the world that followed

Hanks approaches these stories with humility. He never sensationalizes. Instead, he shines a light on the quiet heroism that defined an entire generation.

Why This Series Matters Today

We’re living in a time when the last surviving veterans of the Second World War are in their nineties or older. Their memories — vivid, painful, courageous — are precious. And fragile.

This docuseries captures those memories before they slip beyond reach.

It reminds us that:

• Democracy is not guaranteed

• Peace is not permanent

• Freedom is not free

• And the world we know today was shaped by people who risked everything

For younger viewers, it’s an education. For older viewers, it’s a remembrance. For all of us, it’s a call to gratitude.

We have thoroughly enjoyed every episode. It's great to see this history for those who were too young to have parents that lived throught the war years. My parents taught us about what they went through. When we visited the UK, we heard the devastating stories about what our relatives experienced during the blitz. The story I will never forget is my aunt and her friend were in central London at midnight December 31, 1999 to watch all the festivities. When the fireworks started going off, they both thought it was 1941 all over again. Frightened and upset, they went right home. These horrible noises never leave you.

I have a friend whose mother was 16 when she was taken to Auschwitz. She was saved by working in the kitchen. Her job was to peel potatoes. When the war was over, she met a boy who survived the same camp. They got married and moved to Surrey, B.C. Her daughter said everyone who came over would watch her mom peel potatoes. She was so fast. They are both gone now, but I am sorry I never met her. I'm glad they lived a wonderful life together in Canada.

Do the Math: What an Ocean Cruise Really Costs

Most people think the cost of a cruise starts with the deposit and ends with the final payment. I wish. The truth is, the real spending begins long before you ever step onboard — and it continues every single day of your sailing.

After booking our upcoming 23‑day cruise, I sat down and did the math. And wow… the numbers tell a very different story than the glossy brochures.

The Daily Packages: Worth It or Not?

Cruise lines love their “packages.” They bundle drinks, Wi‑Fi, tips, and a few extras and sell it at a daily rate. For our sailing, the Princess Plus package is:

US $70 per person per day × 23 days = US $1,610 per person = US $3,220 for two people

That’s before you’ve even had a sip of anything.

Now here’s the thing: I’m not drinking alcohol or pop. I’ll happily exchange the bar package for bottled water. I also get 50% off Wi‑Fi, which changes the math dramatically.

Wi‑Fi: The Hidden Budget Buster

Princess Plus only includes one device per person. That doesn’t work for us. We each use: one phone and one computer each = 4 devices

So I always buy the full package for four devices.

I paid:

CAD $746.45 / US $525.87 (for 4 devices, for the entire cruise that includes my 50% past passenger discount)

Worth it for peace of mind and not having to sign on and off like a circus act. For 23 days, I’m not playing that game.

Gratuities: Included… or Not?

Princess Plus includes tips, but I prefer to pay them myself.

US $18 per day × 23 days = US $414 per person = US $828 for two

Who Does the Package Work For?

If you:

• Drink 6 alcoholic drinks a day

• Like bottled water

• Enjoy fancy coffees

• Plan to use only one Wi‑Fi device

• Want casual dining included

…then yes, the package might be worth it.

But for people like me? Do the math. Every time.

I did and I saved US$1,866.13

Canadian Food Inventions

• Butter Tarts - Barrie 1900
• Nanaimo Bars - Nanaimo 1952
• Poutine - Montreal late 1950's
• Hawkins Cheezies - Belleville 1949
• Ginger Ale - Toronto 1907
• Canola Oil - Sask/Manitoba 1960's
• Pablum - Toronto 1930
• Instant Mashed Potatoes - Ottawa 1962
• Yukon Gold Potatoes - Guelph 1960's
• Peanut Butter - Montreal 1884
• California Rolls - Vancouver 1971
• Cuban Lunch - Winnipeg 1948
• The Caesar Drink - Calgary 1969
• Beaver Tails - Ottawa 1978
• Maple Syrup - Quebec Pre 17-1800's
• Hawaiian Pizza - Chatham 1962
• Ginger Beef - Calgary 1975
• Chewing Gum - Toronto 1860's

My favorite Canadian Food Invention is Nanaimo Bars.  Peanut Butter, Ginger Ale and Yukon Gold Potatoes are next.  I've never had a Beaver Tail.  We didn't have one when we were in Ottawa but there is a Beaver Tail pastry shop in White Rock a couple of doors east of Moby Dicks.  I was going to get one until I read this: 

BeaverTails pastries range from 385 to 640 calories depending on the flavor. Classic cinnamon-sugar and lemon options sit on the lower end, while heavily loaded, chocolate-drizzled, and candy-topped varieties push into the higher calorie spectrum.

I'd never heard of Cuban Lunch so I looked it up:

The Cuban Lunch is a nostalgic Canadian chocolate bar originally made in Winnipeg. Discontinued in 1991, this classic treat consists of a block of dark chocolate packed with crunchy peanuts, famously served in a distinct red frilly paper cup. It was successfully revived by an Alberta couple and is now manufactured in Delta, British Columbia. 

Honouring Vivian Jung: A Hidden Hero of Vancouver’s History

Every May, Asian Heritage Month brings a burst of celebrations across Canada — festivals, talks, performances, and community gatherings that honour the depth and diversity of pan‑Asian histories. I was born in Vancouver, yet it wasn’t until about five years ago that I first learned about the remarkable Vivian Jung.

Tecumseh Elementary School in East Vancouver held a special project celebrating Jung’s legacy. She taught at Tecumseh for 35 years. It was an opportunity not only to honour her achievements as the first Chinese Canadian teacher hired by the Vancouver School Board in 1950, but also to recognize her courageous role in challenging racial segregation at a local public pool — a chapter of our city’s history that far too few people know.

A 1941 Vancouver Sun clipping shows the stark reality of that era: public pool rules that explicitly segregated swimmers by race. While many of us are familiar with Jim Crow laws in the United States, fewer realize that British Columbia had its own mix of formal and informal segregation. It appeared in public pools, movie theatres, restaurants, hospitals, workplaces, and even in attempts to segregate schools. Social change didn’t arrive overnight — it came because ordinary people, including Jung, refused to accept discrimination as the status quo.

Born in Merritt, B.C., Jung faced barrier after barrier in her pursuit of becoming a teacher. In a 2012 interview with educator Bill Barazzuol, she spoke about her father arriving in Canada at just 16 years old to work on the railroad — a reminder of the sacrifices and resilience that shaped so many early Chinese Canadian families. Jung carried that resilience forward, using her voice and her presence to open doors for those who would follow.

Her story is a powerful reminder that history isn’t only made by headline figures. Sometimes it’s shaped by quiet courage — by people who simply insist on fairness, dignity, and the right to belong.

She passed away on March 30, 2014 at the age of 89.

Alaska Then and Now: Reflections From 40 Years on the Inside Passage

 

Two ships docked in Skagway in 1990

When I first sailed to Alaska in 1986, the journey felt like stepping into a private world. The ships were small — real small — and they travelled the true Inside Passage. We slipped north between Vancouver Island and the mainland. All the way up the coast, we saw islands on either side of the ship all the way to Juneau. We were sheltered by the islands, gliding through calm water that felt like a hidden marine highway known only to a lucky few.

Those early voyages were quiet, personal, and deeply connected to the coastline. You didn’t just see Alaska — you felt it. The ship hugged the shore, weaving through narrow channels where you could watch eagles perched on driftwood and fishing boats heading home at dusk. It was the kind of travel that made you slow down and breathe.

The Golden Age of Cruising — At Least, That’s How It Felt

Cruising in the 1980s had its own charm. There were no specialty restaurants charging US $60 per person. The dining room was the heart of the ship, and the food — well, it was genuinely excellent. Every meal felt like an occasion.

And people dressed for dinner. Formal night meant long gowns, sparkling jewellery, and men in tuxedos. The ship would hum with that special kind of excitement that comes from everyone putting in the effort. It wasn’t about being fancy — it was about honouring the moment.

Fast Forward to Today: The Era of the Mega Ship

Now Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. Mega ships carry thousands of passengers, and the Inside Passage has become a highway of its own. Princess has 50% of their fleet in Alaska, sailing from San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver. Prices this year have jumped sharply — partly because so many sailings are sold out. Alaska isn’t a hidden gem anymore; it’s a global favourite.

Today’s ships are floating resorts: • Dozens of restaurants • Broadway‑style shows • Go‑kart tracks, zip lines, and multi‑storey atriums • Specialty dining that can cost more than a nice dinner out at home

It’s impressive, no question. But it’s different.

What Hasn’t Changed

Alaska still has a way of getting under your skin. The glaciers still crack like thunder. The whales still rise out of the water like they’re greeting you. The air still smells like cedar and salt and something ancient.

Whether you’re on a 200‑passenger ship or a 5,000‑passenger one, Alaska remains Alaska — wild, humbling, and unforgettable.

What I’ve Learned After Four Decades

Travel changes. Ships change. Trends come and go. But the magic of Alaska endures.

If anything, having seen both eras — the quiet, intimate Inside Passage of the 1980s and the bustling, high‑demand Alaska of today — makes me appreciate the journey even more. I’ve watched Alaska cruising grow from a niche adventure to a worldwide phenomenon, and I feel lucky to have experienced it from the beginning.

And every time I sail north, I’m reminded of that first trip in 1986, when the ship was small, the water was calm, and Alaska felt like a secret whispered just to me.

Azamara Pursuit

Yesterday I received an invitation to tour the Azamara Pursuit.  She was berthed at Canada Place and on it's way to Alaska.  Azamara is a high-end, upscale boutique cruise line.  It bridges the gap between premium lines like Celebrity and ultra-luxury brands like Seabourn or Silversea.  Azamara has four ships that carry no more than 702 passengers.  They are small and elegant.

This is the view from the aft of the ship.  The Disney Wonder was boarding yesterday also was the Oceania Riviera.  Canada Place was handling all the passengers well.  We didn't see any long lines.  They are now doing staggered boarding so everyone doesn't show up at 10:30.

An Oceanview Cabin

A Balcony Cabin

The nicest suite is a Spa Suite!

Bathroom with jacuzzi on the patio

A huge bedroom in a Bordeau Suite with plenty of cupboards, a sliding glass door to the balcony and another gorgeous bathroom.

One of the many bars

Dining Room

The Buffet.  I've never been on a ship with wine and water glasses on the buffet tables!

Your base cruise fare with Azamara includes:

• Beverages: Select spirits, international beers, and wines, plus bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and teas throughout the ship.
• Gratuities: Standard onboard gratuities for housekeeping, dining, and bar staff.
• Dining: All meals in the main dining room (Discoveries Restaurant), buffet (Windows Cafe), and daytime casual snacks.
• AzAmazing Evenings: One signature, immersive evening shore event per voyage (excluding Transatlantic/Transpacific sailings).
• Practical Perks: Self-service laundry, and shuttle service to and from port communities (where available). 

I was really impressed with this cruise line.  They were formerly owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.  In 2021 they were aquired by a New York Equity Fund.  They have more time in ports than any other cruise lines.  They also offer many overnight stays in ports.  This is a way to really see cities.  There is no casino but a lot of enrichment talks and a gorgeous library.