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“150 Years in Golden Mountain” – Gala dinner and awards in Victoria on August 8/08

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August 3-10 is Chinese Canadian Heritage Days, in honour of 150 years of Chinese Canadian achievements – throughout many municipalities on Vancouver Island.

http://www.150goldenmountain.ca/EN/main/18.html

Victoria Chinese Commerce Association is hosting two events Friday August 8, and Saturday August 9th to celebrate 150 years of
achievement of Chinese Canadians in Canada.  August 8th is a gala dinner and awards event celebrating the achievements of individuals and organizations.  August 9th is a theatrical “pageant” celebrating 150 years of historical events.

Victoria, British Columbia,
(which the Chinese call 'Dai Fau' or Big Port) is where the early
Chinese created the first Chinatown. Historically, Chinatowns were the
focal points of the early Chinese communities, each being a “haven” and
a base from which new immigrants could begin their new lives.

My grandmother's granfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan arrived in Victoria in 1896, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai, who had come to Canada in 1888 at the invitation of the Methodist Church of Canada, to help found the Chinese Methodist Church of Canada.  Many of Canada's pioneer Chinese all came through Victoria, as they traveled to Nanaimo, Vancouver, New Westminster, Barkerville, and throughout Canada to mine the Caribou goldfields, build the railway, or find other work.

The awards nominees represent some of the best, brightest and most creative Chinese Canadians ever.  They are:

ANA vets
Pacific Unit #280, Philip Chan, Chinese Canadian Veterans, Denise
Chong, Wayson Choy, CHMB AM 1320, Hon. Ida Chong, Derek Chow, John
Chew, Adrienne Clarkson, Mel Cooper, Won Alexander Cumyow, Fairchild
Group, Chow Dong Hoy, Shouying (Sue) Jiang, Douglas Jung, Lee Mong Kow
Family, Larry Kwong, Hon. Norman Kwong,
Cynthia Lam, Dr. David Lai,
Dr. David Lam, Dorothy
Lam, Howe Lee, Jack Lee, Dr. Hua Lin, Dr. Victor Ling, Ronald Lou-Poy,
Q.C., Frank Low, Alan Lowe, Alexina Louie, H.Y. Louie Company Limited,
Hok Yat Louie, Tong Louie & Brandt Louie, H.Y. Louie Company Ltd
& London Drugs, Willis Louie, Sgt. Roy Quock Quon Mah,
Tak Wah Mak, Gary Mar, Hon. Inky Mark, Fairway Market, Wayne Ngan, Senator Vivienne Poy, Gordon Quan, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, James Sing,
Rev. Chan Yu Tan, Jack Tang, Victoria
Chinese Presbyterian Church, Victoria Chinese Public School, Milton
Wong, Sheung Wong, Dr. Yuen-Fong Woon, Don Yuen, & Jim Yu.

I am attending as a descendant of Rev. Chan Yu Tan, who was earlier announced as a Community Achievement winner.  My grandmother's brother –  Daniel Lee is representing Army/Navy/Airforce veterans Unit #280.  My grandmother's cousin Victor Wong is representing Chinese Canadian Veterans of Victoria.

Today I talked with Amanda Mills, co-chair for the event.  Amanda said that she is really pleased that everything is unfolding for a grand event that will be very special. 

She told me that some of the “celebrity” Chinese Canadians attending on Saturday include: Hon. Norman Kwong, now the Lt. Gov. of Alberta – the famous “China Clipper” Edmonton Eskimos football player who not only won the Grey Cup, but also the Stanley Cup as an owner of the Calgary Flames.

Sen. Vivienne Poy, the patron senator of Asian Heritage Month in Canada is attending, from her home in Ontario.

MLA Ida Chong will be representing the BC Govermnent.  Ida was also recently invited to “The Party” at the Royal BC Museum.  She is the first Canadian-born BC MLA of Chinese ancestry.

MLA Jenny Kwan is also attending.  Jenny was the first Chinese-Canadian MLA and cabinet minister.  MLA Carole James, leader of the Opposition, is also attending.

It's going to be a star-studded night in Chinese-Canadian history.

Hmmm…. Should I go as Todd Wong, great-great-grandson of Rev. Chan Yu Tan, or as Toddish McWong and wear my kilt?

Amanda says she is looking forward to finally meeting me, after many phone and e-mail conversations.  She is hoping I will wear my kilt.

Barb Waldern July Report from South Korea: dragon boat experience comes in handy on rubber rafts

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Barb Waldern is a Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team member who has now been in South Korea teaching English since June last year.

Barb is sending correspondence back to us describing her intercultural experiences in South Korea.

Hello, all.

Another month has passed. How was July?

There's
me at a company event at a youth camp at a seashore facility posing
with co-workers. Super co-workers. We're wearing company t-shirts. We
were bored–very little planned activity for us so we just sat around
watching, mostly. Kids bored a lot of the time too, about 500 being
confined to a big auditorium when not left hanging around the muddy
beach.

We did get to experience rubber rafts, though. The
dragon boat training came in handy because the camp leaders got us into
a raft and left us, an assortment of teachers with little paddling
experience, to drift, sink or swim. A guide was waiting in a motor boat
and he pulled us part of the way. I was the only foreigner on the raft
and I didn't understand his tour guide presentation except something
about that being an ancient place of traditional fishing.

Had a
couple of trips to Seoul. Met some Filipino migrant workers. Went to a
rally–see photo of me and Chinese teacher at huge (1/2 million) vigil
against US beef imports, Pres. Lee and undemocratic governance,
privatization, free trade, US military, and more (in that order of
priority). We two also visited an historic park and posed in 19th to
early 20th century garb. (See photo of “princess”). It's mind boggling
to see photos of people wearing that stuff and living a completely
different life barely 100 years ago. And a lot of people wear
traditional clothes, the fancy or everyday wear, still. You can see
elders carrying things on their head, too.

My
second trip to Seoul followed the camp thing in a week of vacation
time. Didn't do much, enjoyed hiding away undisturbed to sleep a lot or
watch movies most of the time. (I've been getting the oddest phonecalls
at the oddest hours and out of the blue since my name's been circulated
as a teachers' advocate.) These days I lock my phone away in another
room when I want to sleep!)

Did visit Seoul Tower
at and after sunset. A window  posted distance between Seoul and other cities. Seoul-Vancouver: 7,124 km.

On
my first vacation day in Seoul, however, I attended a meeting of a
progressive peace coalition as a special guest. That was cool. The
chairperson welcomed me by name. There's a photo of me tying
multicolored ribbons of unity strong enough to pull in genuine and
lasting peace.

I really wish I could get to the Nagasaki peace
ceremony. But I can't make it by 11:00a.m. on Saturday. I hope to visit
the city another time. There are probably memorials in Korean cities.

On
the last part of my vacation week, I went to a couple of beaches to
catch the annual Sea Festival in Busan. Lots of free outdoor
entertainment during the Fest. I met friends at a free rock concert on
one of the beaches. Nice location and the music was mostly good.

I
continue to plan for the winter return to Vancouver. Keep in mind my
appeal for temporary cheap lodgings Nov-Feb. Don't want to blow my wad
on living expenses. (Done that before!) Besides, Revenue Canada is
competing for it. They were thoughtful enough to send me a letter,
yeah–demanding more money when I'm supposed to be tax exempt for half
of 2007! You know me. I'm protesting of course.

I
like to get calls from afar. Just remember the time difference: 16 hrs
the next day. So best to call between 4pm and 9pm your time in BC
(except Weds & Thurs in BC time–I'm on summer schedule and start
work earlier two days a week). Thanks to those who've called so far,
but I won't answer between midnight and 7a.m.!

Have fun in what sun you can get over there this August. Talk to you later.

Barb

Gung Haggis dragon boat team cancels practice due to coliform count in False Creek, rescheduled for Thursday

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The most recent coliform count in False Creek is playing havoc with dragon boat team practices. 

On Tuesday, GVRD team had to cancel early in the day due to low turnout.  Gung Haggis team only had 5 team members show up.  Eye of the Dragon also decided to cancel practice due to low turnout, and water contamination.

We are going to join Gayle’s G-Force dragon boat team for a practice on Thursday meet 5:40pm  – boat leaves at 6pm.  Call if you have to be late.

Tuesday’s practice had to be canceled because of low paddler turnout.  We only had Gayle, Stuart, Tony, Dave & myself turn up.  We understand that people are concerned about the coliform count in the water… but if we don’t go on the water – we will do other team activities.

We also had 3 guest paddlers from South Carolina visiting with their grandparents in Vancouver – They are competitive rowers and really really want to try dragon boat paddling. 

Alas 8 paddlers minus a steers person does not meet the safety  standards to take out a dragon boat.so Gayle invited everybody to come back on THURSDAY for a 5:40pm practice.

According to Coastal Health, the water will be swimmable by the end of this week.  Paddling should be fine. Yesterday I  talked with Mr. Losito at Coastal Health.  He says that False Creek water is presently 5 times above permisable levels for swimming.

He recommends checking the website: http://www.vch.ca/environmental/docs/water/recreationalwaterquality_falsecr.pdf

The million+ tons of sewage came through the Terminal sewage outflow, due to changes from Burrard system.  They are re-routing some of the sewage because of Columbia St. construction for Olympic Village.

He says that the two incidents this summer are very unusual.

He says regular sewage overflow after a rainstorm is usually heavily diluted with rainwater
He says infections from virus such as Hepatitis would be unlikely, because virus have short life span in salt water. He says that the only health implications would be gastro-instestinal.

He says East Basin of False Creek is a pollution problem because of the lack of water flow – mostly due to the blockage caused by the Cambie Bridge. The “Island” also contributes to flow blockage. 

Vancouver Coastal Health is working on a better alert system for when pollution issues occur within the False Creek area.  Here is a link to the CBC article –
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/08/06/bc-false-creek-water.html.

Celebrating BC Day Weekend in the Okanagan on Kalamalka Lake

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The best way to celebrate BC's 150th birthday is to do what BC does best…. Be in supernatural BC's nature!  This weekend I am at Kalamalka Provincial Park.


Todd jumping into Kalamalka Lake to test his PFD – photo Deb Martin 2008

My buddy Craig and I left Vancouver just after 7:30am, Saturday morning.  We drove up the Coquihalla Hwy, and had lunch at Merritt.  Then we headed on the Connector in time for bumper to bumper traffic through Kelowna.  I thought the new 5 lane Bill Bennett Bridge was supposed to make traffic go smoother and faster, but we were backed way up the hill.

Before you reach Vernon, you drive along Kalamalka Lake, also known as the “Lake of Many Colours.”  The Highway starts off at lake level, as you pass through the town of Oyama, then it rises in elevation, allowing a great view down and across the lake.  We checked the odometer, and it was about 9 miles long.  We looked across the lake, and we could see our destination.  One of the last houses on the point, beside Kalamalka Park – my girlfriend's parents' lakeside home.  We arrived just after 1pm.

We are soon at their private dock, swimming in the lake.  It is refreshing after the long drive.  Kalamalka Lake is beautifully clean and clear tourquoise water.  The high desert hills rise around it.  There are micro-climates all around, evident by the dry barren Western shore, and the Ponderosa Pine laden Eastern Shore.

Lots of water skiers and wake boarders are riding behind power boats.  Personal water craft are noisy Sea-doos.  Quiet kayakers paddle past the dock, moving much faster than the relaxed canoe paddlers who all wave to us.  It's definitely a busy holiday weekend on the lake. 

We sun bathe, sip our cool drinks, read books, admire the scenery, and go for another swim.  We watch bald eagles flying over head calling in staccato burtsts,  “A-a-a-a-a-a-aaaaaa. A-a-a-a-a-a-a-aaaaaa…..”
– photo Deb Martin 2007

Sunday morning we are up around 9am.  My friend Craig is having a hearty breakfast with lots of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.  We feed him bacon, smokies and pan-fried mashed potatoes.  He is going over to Okanagan Lake for a 42km outrigger canoe races with changes.  This means that every 20 minutes, an accompanying power boat will drop off 3 paddlers into the water.  These 3 paddlers will climb into the boat, as 3 other paddlers climb out, while 3 remaining paddlers keep the boat moving.  It's an annual race organized by the Vernon Racing Canoe Club.  He heads over at 10am, to meet his team of paddlers from Penticton.  Their Mixed Race starts at 12 noon.

Meanwhile at 11:00 am, I hop into a cedar strip canoe with my girlfriend Deb and her friend Zsuzsanna.  We paddle past Jade and Juniper Bays, and around Turtle Head Point.  There are some cliffs here that people jump off into the deep water, but nobody is jumping today.  Lots of power boats are driving by, on their way to Cousins Beach, and the waves rock our canoe.  Zsuzsanna does a good job steering a canoe for the first time in 8 years.  I am sitting in the middle relaxing with Tess, the little border collie, while my girlfriend paddles in the front.  I drink my water and pass them drinks.

We paddle all the way into Cousins Bay, to the beach where I count 11 power boats pulled up to shore.  We are the only canoe I see.  Lots of mountain bikers and hikers have also made their way to the beach.  I play in the water with Tess.  She loves chasing the water splashes I send in her direction.

– photo Deb Martin 2007

On the way back, I paddle in the front of the canoe.  Zsuzsanna remarks how fast the boat is moving, and it's great having a dragon boater paddle the canoe.  Deb explains how important it is that 20 dragon boaters all paddle in time together.  When I speed up, Deb tells me to slow down and relax, remarking “You're not in a race.”

Back at the house, we head up for a quick lunch, then back to the dock for more swimming, reading and sun bathing.  We watch an osprey flying over the lake, then swoop down to pick up a fish.  Unfortunately a sea-doo buzzes nearby with a boat towing a water skier, and the osprey flies away over the lake.  It suddenly appears over our dock.  It's white speckled body, a marvelous wonder to see, with its long dark  pointed wings flapping overhead.

– photo Deb Martin 2008

I go swimming, wearing with my personal floatation device.  I discover it's a great and easy way to float.  I don't have to tread water.  My girlfriend always teases me that I have so little body fat, I sink easily making it such an effort for me to swim.  I have such fun floating and swimming with ease, I decide to swim over to Jade Beach in Kalamalka Park.  Over at the park, there are lots of people swimming and having picnics.  Two power boats are anchored just outside the swim area.  Meanwhile, there are other power boats on the other side of Jade Bay.  Lots of Sea-doos are racing around in mad circles.  Some of them come dangerously fast close to the swimming area.  It would be a tragedy if somebody lost control doing a fast turn and the machine careened into the swim area.  Unfortunately such accidents always happen somewhere in the summer.  Thankfully no accidents occur.  But I find it noisy, and decide to swim back to our dock, where I play water splashing with Tess the border collie.


Todd bobbing in the water – photo Deb Martin

A small flotilla of kayaks and canoes paddle by, and I swim out to greet them, bobbing in the wake of yet another power boater or jet-skier.  It's a BC Day long weekend, and a popular BC lake is BC crowded.

150 Ways to Love BC from Victoria Times Colonist

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150 Ways to Love BC.  Happy Birthday British Columbia!

150 Years ago a colony was named British Columbia, in 1858.  It wasn't until 1871, that British Columbia joined Canada and became a province.

Ian Haysom writes 150 reasons to love British Columbia

One reason for each of its years to love BC
Times Colonist – Victoria,British Columbia,Canada
… Joy Kogawa

Special notes

13. Great writers: Carol Shields, Joy Kogawa, Susan Musgrave.

14. The Okanagan, our desert. Blisteringly hot.  (I am enjoying the weekend at Kalamalka Lake just south of Vernon)

34. Terry Fox. Would have been 50 this week.

48. Wineries: Okanagan and Island.  (I visited 3 wineries last week – now to visit Summerhill and Sumac Ridge tomorrow)

84. The Royal B.C. Museum. (especially because “The Party” exhibit includes “Toddish McWong”)

117. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens. (first and only music video was shot of The Paperboys for CBC “Gung Haggis Fat Choy” TV performance special)

Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre presents Sketch on 2 at Powell St. Festival featuring SFUU MAN CHU and The Yangtzers.

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Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre presents Sketch on 2 at Powell St. Festival featuring SFUU MAN CHU and The Yangtzers.

Here is something new happening at Powell St. Festival:

Buy Tickets Today

SFUU MAN CHU and The Yangtzers
SKETCH ON 2!
THE POWELL STREET FESTIVAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2008 @ 8:30PM
AT THE FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE, 280 E. Cordova Street

**ALL NEW SKETCHES HIGHLIGHTING JAPANESE CANADIAN HERITAGE**

**with dancers from studioone and Host Tom Chin**

Tickets:
$5 for students/seniors, $10 in advance plus service charges
$12 cash at the door, plus $1 Firehall Improvement Fee
Tickets may be purchased online here

Seating is limited for this one-time only SKETCH COMEDY show!

[Visit www.vact.ca for more information]

Sewers flow into False Creek again! We are canceling dragon boat practice, as warning is from Burrard Bridge to Science World.

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3 Sewers have flowed into False Creek AGAIN!


“Vancouver Coastal Health issues warning over False Creek water quality”

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=ec729ea2-5735-4c57-acac-ea0d9aa2cd6f&k=60005

Worse than last time, on the Canada Day weekend.  Affected area is now Science World to Burrard Bridge, not just the East Basin – East of Cambie Bridge.

We have now canceled the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team practice scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd.

Stephen Wong sent us this advisory, I have just talked with Stephen Mirowski.

PLEASE ENJOY BC DAY LONG WEEKEND – Away from False Creek.

alternatives:  go to Pride Parade…. or go to Powell St. Festival…
or go to BC 150 celebrations in Victoria.

Pollution in False Creek is fast becoming a civic issue.  This is an unnecessary serious health risk to a popular recreation area in Vancouver, as well as a structural issue for outdated sewer and overflow pipes in our city.

Cheers, Todd

Royal BC Museum invites 6 new people to “The Party” including Trevor Linden, Dal Richards, Red Robinson, Ida Chong and Todd Wong!

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Trevor Linden, Red Robinson, Dal Richards, Ida Chong and Todd Wong are the newest invitees to the Royal BC Museum's exhibit “The Party” to celebrate BC's 150 year history.

If you could invite 150 of BC's most colourful citizens throughout it's 150 year history to “The Party” who would you invite?

Governor James Douglas or Pamela Anderson?  Architects George Rattenbury, Arthur Eriksen, or James Cheng?  Athletes Joe Sakic, Karen Magnusson, Steve Nash or Nancy Greene?  Artists Emily Carr, Toni Onley, Jack Shadbolt or Robert Davidson? Community Activists Nelly McClung, Rosemary Brown or the Raging Grannies? 

Inspirational icons Terry Fox or Rick Hansen?  Politicians Svend Robinson, Grace McCarthy, Dave Barrett, Kim Campbell or Amor de Cosmos?  Musicians Bryan Adams, Diana Krall, David Foster or Sarah McLachlan? Authors Jane Rule, Douglas Coupland, Dorothy Livesay  or Joy Kogawa? 

Actors Chief Dan George, Yvonne De Carlo, Kim Catrall or Bruno Gerussi?  Environmentalists David Suzuki or Roderick Haig Brown?  Business leaders Tong Louie, Jimmy Pattison or Nat Bailey? And what about “Hanging Judge” Begbie, Expo Ernie or Mr. Peanut?

The Royal BC Museum's website says”


The history of our province is filled with fascinating people. Find out who they
are. Uncover their stories. These are the guests invited to The Party so far.


All of the above are all invited as guests… and now… Gung Haggis Fat Choy founder Todd Wong has joined them along with new invitees Trevor Linden, Ida Chong, Dal Richards, Red Robinson, and Jennie Butchart – the inspiration behind the Butchart Gardens.

Photo Library - 2904 by you.


Todd Wong stands beside BC hockey player Sakic, beneath author & friend Joy Kogawa, activist Betty Krawcyk, and nearby Gov. James Douglas, when he visited the exhibit on April 23rd – photo Deb Martin.

To see the picture of me in the exhibit check out http://www.freespiritbc.ca/virtualexhibition/theparty.aspx
and scroll to the far right.  The picture was taken by my friend
Richard Montagna. So far only six of the most recent invitees are on
website.  The official press release announcement will be on August 6th.

Read Todd's August 8th account of visiting his picture at the Royal BC Museum:

“Toddish McWong” installed at the “Free Spirit” exhibition at Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum website says:

Todd Wong
“Passionate about intercultural adventures, “Toddish McWong” founded Gung Haggis Fat Choy, a Robert Burns / Chinese New Year event that has been celebrating with an annual dinner since 1997.”


It is indeed an honour to be included with so many illustrious and
creative BCers.  It's amazing to think that Gung Haggis Fat Choy has
created such an impact, inspiring dinners in Seattle, Whistler, Ottawa, Wells BC
and Santa Barbara California (that I know about).  As well there has been the 2004
CBC television performance special “Gung Haggis Fat Choy“, and the SFU Gung Haggis Fat Choy Festival.

I had visited the exhibit on April 23, when I traveled to accept my BC Community Achievement Award.  We were excited to see the picture of Joy Kogawa, which I had taken.  Joy was one of the original 132 persons chosen for the exhibit, but it was challenging to find a full length picture of her, so I volunteered myself and girlfriend as photographers for her. 

Check out my story about bout finding Joy's picture and visiting the exhibit “The Party”:

CIMG0087 by you.
Todd stans in front of “The Party” in front of his friend Joy Kogawa. – photo Deb Martin

Todd's adventure in Victoria: Traveling to “The Party” at BC Royal
Museum

I guess it is time to write that  “Gung Haggis Fat Choy” book I have wanted to for awhile… or a theatrical play about the mythical Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner called “Gung Haggis Fat Choy.”

I personally really think it is time for post-multiculturalism, when we can embrace a mix of cultures as well as creating our own new cultures and traditions out of that mix. 

150 years ago, James Douglas was BC's first governor.  But a lot of people don't realize that he was born of mixed Scottish and Creole bloodlines in Guyana. He married a Metis woman, Amelia Connolly,
whose father
was an Irish-French fur trader and whose mother was a Cree Chief’s
daughter. Author and friend Terry Glavin told me that Douglas had envisioned a new land where people from all over the world could come and live harmoniously in peace.

Racial and cultural issues have always been part of our province's history, whether it was wars between the Haida and the Kwakiutal, Black American or Chinese miners coming to BC for the gold rush, the Potlatch Law, the Chinese Head Tax, the Komagata Maru incident, the internment of Canadian born Japanese-Canadians during WW2, or even the present day First Nations treaty negotiations, migrant farm workers from Central America, nurses and nannies from the Phillipines, rising immigration from Hong Kong and China.

Here are the write-ups for my fellow newest invitees to The Party.

Ida Chong:
This Victoria native first entered politics in 1993 and three years later became the first Canadian-born  person of Chinese ancestry elected to the British Columbia legislature.

Dal Richards (1918 – )
A member of the Kitsilano Boys Band in his youth, this Vancouver native began his professional musical career 70 years ago, and is now playing more gigs than ever.

Red Robinson (1937- )
At the age of 16, he was one of the first Canadian disc jockeys to play Rock'N' Roll.  He is a member of the Canadian Broadcast hall of fame, and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Trevor Linden  (1970 – )
This National Hockey League All-star played 16 of his 19 seasons as a Vancouver Canuck.  A holder of many team records he retired in June 2008.

Jennie Butchart (1866-1950)
Wife of Portland-cement pioneer Robert Butchart.  Her inspired creations of Butchart Gardens in the limestone quarry at Tod Inlet became a world-renowned destination for visitors to British Columbia


http://www.freespiritbc.ca/virtualexhibition/theparty.aspx

Okanagan Wineries: Mission Hill, Quail's Gate and Gray Monk

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The Okanagan Valley has some of the best wineries in the world.

For the past 4 years I always try to stop for a visit after dragon boat racing in Vernon.  I first visited Mission Hill Winery back in 2001 after my first visit to the Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival.  Mission Hill has always been a favorite wine of mine, ever since tasting their Grand Reserve Barrel Select Chardonnay that won the IWSC trophy for Best Chardonnay.  The legendary story is that the judges couldn't believe it was a BC Canadian wine that won, and re-tested.  Mission Hill won again.

This year's Okanagan road trip began last week on Friday July 25.  On our way to a dragon boat race meeting at Kalamalka Lake, I thought there was enough time to stop at Gray Monk Estate Winery.  It is just a 15 minute drive West  to Okanagan Centre, just north of Winfield, between Kelowna and Vernon on Highway 97.  We drove past Arrow Leaf Cellars, which also has some nice wines I have tried.  We crested the hill, and looked out over the expanse of green vineyards overlooking a beautiful blue Okanagan Lake.

The wine-tasting service was very friendly at Gray Monk Estate Winery, and the tastings were free!  There also a large new patio restaurant where we saw musicians setting up at for the 6pm dinner crowd.  We tried the Chardonay unwooded, the Seigerebbe, Gewertztraminer, Reisling.  For reds we tasted the Merlot . One of our friends doesn't usually drink reds, and the tannins really puckered her face.  But she did try the Odyssey Series Merlot which was remarkably smoother.  I walked out with the Gewertztaminer ($16.99) which had wonderful sweet lychee accents, as well as the Kerner Late Harvest ($16.99).  My friends bought a Seigrebbe ($16.99) and a delicious Pinot Gris ($17.99) that we drank that night with dinner.

Dragon Boat weekend was spent mostly consuming Peach Cider and lager beers.

But on Monday, we headed to Mission Hill Winery.  This is definitely a recommended stop for any Okanagan vacation.  My traveling mates Dave and Brooke were excited to visit these Northern Okanagan wineries.  It was Brooke's first time in the Okanagan.  If you can take the tour, you will see a commissioned Chagall tapestry, and see a video that identifies the top wine growing areas in North America as Napa/Sonoma Valleys in California, the Williamette Valley in near Portland Oregon, and BC's Okanagan Valley.  A rose garden greets visitor's arrival.  And an archway marks the entrance to the winery grounds.  On Monday night, Mission Hill was also hosting a music concert in it's amphitheatres.

It's now a Gung Haggis dragon boat team tradition to take a group picture in front of the Archway, with any of our winery tour travelers on the Monday.  We had 11 people for our picture, all made more exciting because of the recent engagement of two of our paddlers who met on the team in 2006. Richard offered to take some “engagement” pictures of Wendy and Jonas at the winery grounds.

Inside we tried the 3 tastes for $5, sharing with each other to try some of the other wines.  The wine sommelier asked if we were a tour group.  When we identified ourselves as a dragon boat team, she said that Mission Hill had a brand new dragon boat team. We offered a race duel for a wine prize!

I chose to sample the 2005 Reserve Merlot, 2005 Reserve Shiraz, 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  With my friends I also sampled the Reserve Pinot Gris, as well as the 2004 Oculus ($69.99), Mission Hill's signature blended wine.  The Oculus is a very smooth full-bodied wine that is saved for special occasions.  I opened a bottle of of the 2002 Oculus in Victoria, when we celebrated my receiving the BC Community Achievement Award.  It seemed fitting to celebrate BC excellence together.  I walked out taking the Reserve Cab Sauv and the Reserve Shiraz with me.

Next we went to Quail's Gate Winery, which is a short 2 km from Mission Hill.  Both wineries also have restaurants.  But last year, Quail's Gate opened up a new tasting room and wine store, as their previous “cabin” had been outgrown. This year it had been Mission Hill's turn to expand their wine store and tasting bar, nearly doubling their space.  But it is Quail's Gate's tasting bar that has a large window that overlooks Okanagan Lake.  It is so tempting to just stay there all afternoon sipping wines and gazing at the scenery.

Quail's Gate serves up samples of their dessert wines in little chocolate tasting cups. As a special engagement treat, I bought tastings of the Riesling Icewine ($34.99) an Optima  ($32.99) for Wendy and Jonas.  The wine host slowly poured the icewine into the chocolate cups until it just rose just above the edge.  He said to be careful handling the cups, and described it as “liquid gold.”  Wendy really liked the icewine. My girlfriend usually likes the Optima because it is less sweet.

Wendy and Jonas bought the Gerwertztraminer, and we decided to have a dinner party and I would bring the Gray Monk Gerwertz for comparison tastings. 

Nice wines… always good for an excuse to go dragon boat racing in the Okanagan

Gung Haggis paddles hard for 2nd place in Mixed C Championships Vernon Dragon Boat Race

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Gung Haggis paddles hard for 2nd place in Mixed C Championships Vernon Dragon Boat Race

Gung Haggis group picture - photo Samis by you.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team: front row kneeling – Steven, Jane, Debbie, Todd, Marion, Julie, Tzhe, Stuart, Brooke; standing – Kristine, Pat (host), Jim, Ernest, Dave, Deb (host), Hillary, Wendy, Jonas (back), Ashleigh, Tony, Alissa, Richard (back), Gayle, Mary, Stephen (back), Raphael, Dan.

Winning vs Fun….  Vacation vs Serious Competition.

We put FUN first… and “WINNING at all costs” last, with Haggis somewhere in between…..

Jim Blatherwick and the team - photo Brooke Samis

Jim and Jonas warm up with the team.  Lots of kilts worn by team members Marion, Stuart, Todd, Tzhe and Jim! – photo Brooke Samis

Julie, Ashleigh and Brooke - photo Dave Samis

Drummer Julie, 3 year veteran Ashleigh, rookie initiate Brooke – all happy to be on the team and in Vernon – photo Dave Samis

Gung Haggis passing the swimming dock - photo Brooke Samis by you.

Gung
Haggis team paddling out past the dock, Todd steers dressed in kilt
with Julie as drummer dressed in Hawaiian style grass skirt. Our hosts,
Pat and Bill Martin's waterfront home where many of us stayed and where
we held team bbq Saturday night, is in the background  – photo Brooke
Samis.

We were in C Championship semi-final… on Sunday morning.  We were boat #3.

It was exciting with all the wind swept waves in the tourquoise green waters of Kalamalka  Lake, like paddling in Hawaii.

“Hawaii 5-0 paddling,” I yelled out to the team.  “Lean out, paddle hard – just like outrigger paddling!”  We did a start piece and a power series.  We turned the boat around with our back to the wind to await being called to the start line.

Wind kicked up…. all boats called to start line…  Boat #2 turned sideways and was hit by
a broadside wave, and gently tipped over.  All paddlers in the water….  Chase
boats on scene.  All boats recalled to start line.  Races delayed for
an hour afterwards….

Races started up again at 12 noon, after winds died down.
I steered…  water is still bouncy….  can't hold the boat on
course.  Boat veering right.  Let it run… hold the boat.  Boat beside us narrowly passes us.  Gain control.  Start again… 
We are way behind 3 of the teams, but we still pass a team on far right.  We feel good about our finish, we recovered well.  I feel I made the right corrections for controlling these keel-less Dynasty boats from Calgary.  Despite the steering mishap, our time was a decent 2:45.25.  We are set for the next race.


Gung Haggis team recovers from steering mishap.  Todd is steering as the boat bounces across the tops of wave swells.  Drummer Julie gives the team directions to keep them going. – photo courtesy of  Ben Lee.

C Finals – we are boat #2 in Lane 1. (all teams are moved one lane over.)
Water not as bouncy.  We know we can do well.
good start.  Neck and neck with lane boat #3 in lane 2.  They are the
Red Hot Chili Peppers from Kelowna.  I know the drummer and steers from
the inaugural  Vernon races in 2005.

Still neck and neck…  Julie called a power series, and we moved up a
seat, just passing the team on our right.  Were we first? or second
now?  There was another team in the middle lane. I called a finish, and
the team dug deeper.  We called out our favorite cue word, “More, More
More” – inspiring us to reach more, dig deep more, give more power.  It
was close.   We crossed the finish line.  We we 1st?  Were we 2nd? 
Were we 3rd?

We headed to the beach.  We talked to our team mates who didn't paddle – but watched the race, and our friends. 
“2nd… unofficially,” they told us.  Team Rift Raft was 1st… but we were gaining on them… another 50 m, and we would have had them.

A good hard race.  The boat stayed straight.  We powered hard.  Our paddles were deep.  We got 2nd place in the C Championship with a time of 2:28.29, just 2.1 seconds behind the first place of 2:26.19 by Rift Raft.  Yay!

We were signed up for the 3rd annual demonstration water-ski pull.  The team that pulls a water skier up for the longest time… wins registration for next year's Greater Vernon Dragon Boat Race.  2 years ago, none of the successfully teams managed to pull their water skier – but our skier (Ashleigh) popped up the fastest before she lost control.  Last year we tried again, but no pop up for Ashleigh.

This year, the winds picked up again soon after the finish of the Mixed Adult A Championship.  We were standing in line, waiting for the water-ski pull meeting, when white cap waves accompanied gusty southerly winds.  The water ski pull was soon canceled.

We headed to the beer gardens for the medal ceremony.  The women's races were announced first.  Unfortunately, the C Finals didn't have medals, as race organizer Shawn Samol explained this would be rectified for next year.  B Finals and A Finals were next announced.  The Extreme Currents women's team from Kamloops were the top women's team for the 4th year in a row.  Mana Wahine, a 2 year old women's team from Chilliwack came 2nd.

Next the C Championships were being announced.  Several of our team members moved closer to the stage, as we were ready to accept our medals.  We made sure everybody wearing a kilt was there.  Shawn Samol again explained that they didn't have medals for the C Finals and that it would be rectified for next year.  They did announce the winners.  3rd was Red Hot Chili Paddlers from Kelowna who were DQ.  2nd was Gung Haggis Fat Choy.  1st was Team Rift Raft.

Mixed B Finals were won by Calgary Racing Club, Fluid Motion was 2nd, with SDR – Shaggin' Dragons Reloaded coming 3rd.

The A Finals were very exciting and very close.  Sudden Impact Black came first by a micro-second of  2:09.47 vs. 2:09.61 for Pacific Reach 2 (winners for previous 3 years in Vernon).  Extreme Currents from Kamloops beat out Topmade Fusion with a time of 2:14.50 vs 2:14.88

Gung Haggis paddlers all had lots of fun.  That's what counts.  We paddled 3 races + the 1000m demonstration race where we came first after passing 3 teams.  Today we were on the water 3 times, where our 1st race was cancelled because of high winds, after a team tipped into the water after being hit broadside by a wave.  Our 2nd race where I lost control of the boat in windy conditions that made it hard steering with the waves, but regained control for a good finish… and our 3rd race where we went neck and neck to the finish line with Red Hot Chili Paddlers on our right, passing them but coming a very close 2nd place to the boat in lane 4.