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.  

Tipping

 This is an interesting view  I don't agree with it, but he does make his point.

My daughter worked for the IHOP through high school and university.  In those days people left cash on the table.  The waitress picked up the cash tip and they shared the tip with the kitchen staff, hostess and kept the rest.  

Now when you tip from your credit card, you don't know if the waitress is actually receiving the tip or if the employer is using the cash for payroll.  I liked the way it was.  I ordered food on the app, went to the store and picked it up and a tip came up when I checked out.  I wish they would include the tips in the price.  That way people would get a proper wage and wouldn't be reliant on their tips.  

When the service is excellent, I give the waitress a cash tip.  

I've been waiting and watching and it finally happened!

In the 1960's when I bought my first car, my dad told me, "buy new, keep it for 50,000 miles and then get another one".  I did that for many years.  My husband bought a Honda Pilot and I still had my Honda Civic.  Once I drove the Pilot I never wanted to drive the Civic.  The vision in the Pilot was great and it was so comfortable.  The Civic sat in the driveway for a few months and my neighbour asked if I would like to sell it.  A lady he worked with had a Civic and it was giving her problems.  She came to my house in a very old Civic and told me it had 400,000 miles on it!   She bought my Civic.

My friend Donna had a Honda Pilot but one year older than ours.  They sold theirs at 220,000 KMS!  I decided I would keep ours until it started to give us trouble.  We've only replaced the battery, tires and the timing belt.  We always get our servicing done at the Honda dealership.  We know they charge us more, but we also know their mechanics are qualified.

This happened yesterday as I was driving into my garage:

🤞🤞🤞

When a ship has problems.....

I was on a ship that lost power in port.  We returned from a visiting a port and all the people with walkers and wheel chairs were sitting near the entrance.  They told us to use the stairs as the elevators were not working.  It wasn't until we got onto another floor, we saw all power was lost.  We parked ourselves in a lounge and talked to other passengers.  No problem, it happens.  We were only without power for about 20 minutes but they said later the power was off for two hours.  Good thing we enjoyed our port day.  It was before sail away and the rest of the cruise was perfect.

Imagine waking up on a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean… to find the lights off, the air conditioning silent, and the ship completely drifting in the open sea.

That's exactly what happened to 3,140 guests aboard Caribbean Princess on the early morning of June 5, 2026. The ship lost ALL main power TWICE in the Caribbean heat — and the situation drew immediate comparisons to Carnival's infamous 2013 "Poop Cruise."

Here's exactly what happened:

🔹 Date: Early morning of June 5, 2026

🔹 Location: Caribbean Sea, en route from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Port Canaveral, Florida

🔹 Ship: Caribbean Princess (3,142 max passengers, 23 years old, 112,894 gross tons)

🔹 Power outages: TWO complete blackouts, separated by about 15 minutes

🔹 Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes of disrupted power

🔹 Impact: Loss of propulsion, air conditioning, lighting, and most onboard systems

🔹 Speed: Ship limped along at just 2 knots during the crisis

What the passengers experienced:

🔹 Total darkness in the early morning hours

🔹 No air conditioning in sweltering Caribbean heat

🔹 Sudden silence as engines went dark

🔹 The ship literally drifting in open water for a period

🔹 One passenger sitting on their balcony described the ship suddenly going quiet

🔹 Another said: "Just floating around again and the ship is going to hit some winds on the starboard side"

🔹 Family members on land briefly connected with worried passengers

How the crew handled the situation:

🔹 Captain immediately addressed passengers over the public address system

🔹 Engineers worked around the clock to restore power

🔹 First outage was resolved within about 15 minutes

🔹 A second total blackout occurred shortly after

🔹 Full power was restored after the extended outage

🔹 The captain still made it to a pre-scheduled "Coffee with the Captain" Q&A

🔹 One Reddit commenter praised the captain's communication: "He made it to the scheduled Coffee with the Captain Q&A and answered questions in a way everyone could understand. Well done."

Why this draws comparisons to the 2013 Carnival "Poop Cruise":

🔹 The Carnival Triumph incident in 2013 left 4,200 passengers without working bathrooms for days

🔹 Power outages create the worst possible conditions for cruise ship operations

🔹 No AC + no working systems + tropical heat = a quickly deteriorating situation

🔹 Caribbean Princess passengers were extremely lucky power was restored quickly

🔹 If the outage had lasted longer, sanitation, food preservation, and safety could have all been affected

The good news for Caribbean Princess passengers:

🔹 Power was fully restored after about 1 hour 15 minutes

🔹 The visit to San Juan on June 4 was the final port stop — no further ports to miss

🔹 The ship continued to Port Canaveral with no further issues

🔹 Disembarkation on June 7 happened on schedule

🔹 The next embarkation day (June 7) was NOT impacted

🔹 No one was injured

What this incident reveals about the cruise industry:

🔹 Even 20+ year old cruise ships can experience major system failures

🔹 Modern cruise ships are remarkably complex floating cities

🔹 Power redundancy is built in, but rare cascading failures CAN happen

🔹 Crew training for emergency situations is generally excellent

🔹 Most cruise ship incidents are resolved much faster than headlines suggest

🔹 Communication during incidents is critical — and Caribbean Princess's captain did this well

Lessons for cruisers:

🔹 Bring a small battery-powered fan in your luggage (just in case)

🔹 Have a flashlight or headlamp accessible in your cabin

🔹 Keep cell phones charged in case of an emergency

🔹 Know where the emergency stairwells are

🔹 Pack basic supplies — water bottles, snacks — that could last hours if needed

🔹 Travel insurance with trip interruption coverage is always smart

The reality is that most major cruise lines have outstanding safety records. Caribbean Princess has been sailing for over two decades without major incidents. The June 5 power outage was unusual, scary for those onboard, but resolved without injury or extended disruption.

Still, the incident is a sobering reminder that being out at sea on a giant ship means relying entirely on that ship's systems working. When they don't, even briefly, the consequences can be very real.

Our former Steveston neighbours were on a cruise from Tahiti to Hawaii and lost the air conditioning.  Everyone slept on the deck.  She said the crew were wonderful.  They didn't get air conditioning for most of their cruise.  They got 100% future cruise credit for their inconvenience. 

Robert Bateman

Cec and I went to Victoria in May 2013 to see the new Robert Bateman Gallery.  To our surprise, he was there.  We purchased his book, which he autographed and let us take a picture with him.  We've always loved his art work.  He's a very talented Canadian.

Robert Bateman is one of Canada’s most extraordinary wildlife painters. He also happens to live in Saanich-Gulf Islands!  He recently celebrated his 96th birthday and still paints daily.

Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich Gulf Islands presented a petition calling on the government to speak with the National Gallery and encourage them to showcase the lifetime work of Robert Bateman.

The mandate of the National Gallery is to showcase artists who contribute significantly to Canadian culture and identity. Mr. Bateman’s work meets this standard in every way, yet it has never been exhibited at the National Gallery.

If you want to see his work in the National Gallery, please sign this petition:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7456

Robert Bateman Honours and awards

• Life Member, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
• Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, 1977
• Officer of the Order of Canada, 1984
• Member of Honour Award, World Wildlife Fund, 1985 (presented by the Prince Philip)
• Society of Animal Artists Award of Excellence 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1990, 2008; Lifetime Achievement 2010
• Lescarbot Award presented by the Canadian Government, 1992
• Rachel Carson Award presented by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Washington D.C., 1996
• Order of British Columbia, 2001
• Rungius Medal presented by the National Museum of Wildlife Art, 2001
• Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, 2002
• Roland Michener Conservation Award presented by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, 2003
• Ideas for Life Award, Canadian Environment Awards, 2006
• Human Rights Defender Award presented by Amnesty International, 2007
• Niagara Escarpment Lifetime Achievement Award, 2009
• Royal Canadian Geographical Society Gold Medal, 2013