Author: Sharon

I like to make things. I like to travel. I like to talk about what I'm up to.

When in Japan – visit the sewage treatment plant!

When the group from Sidney visited Niimi four years ago they were given a tour of the municipal waste treatment facility. They said it was really interesting. When we were given a sample itinerary for our trip the facility was not on the agenda. We sent a message back to Sayuri-san, our guide, asking if we could please pay a visit.  Being far too polite to refuse a direct request she made the arrangements, probably thinking all the while ‘crazy Canadians!’  Being a most excellent guide she spent some time with Google to make sure she was up on her terminology and away we went.

Of course Sayuri-san has no way of knowing that this is a subject of abiding interest to people in the Victoria area as we continue with the hand wringing and endless discussion involved in solving our local waste treatment issues.
This plant is located in the community, between a business road and a sports park. Most of the facility is underground. This one serves about 4,300 people of the city population of 33,000 and manages about 4,000 m3 of through put a day, producing water that has had 98% of solid material removed. The output is not potable, but is safe to return to the river. The street side of the facility has a fountain, cascade and garden area, complete with a stream with small fish.
Of course we had a tour – here they are proving that what goes in is sewage – lifting the manhole cover in the street provided definite olfactory evidence!

 

Street side

Sample from the settling tanks. The clear water on top is diverted to the river. Beneficial microbes in the sludge are removed and reused and the remaining sludge is dried, packaged and sold as fertilizer at local garden centres.

So, how ’bout it, Victoria?
We were accompanied all day long by still and video cameramen – Bob got to do an interview at the waste treatment plant.

The field in the background is the underground part of the plant.

We’re officially in Japan.

This is our third trip to Japan.  Previously we have traveled here independently, but this time we are beginning our trip as part of a group. Our town of Sidney has a sister city in Niimi, Japan and some years back a group from Sidney came for a visit. They realized that there needs to be an official visit that included the Mayor of Sidney to really cement the relationship between the two cities. It has taken a lot of time and arranging but the trip has finally been organized. We are a delegation of eight and after just two days we are filled with the sights and sounds of this city of 33,000.

Our first morning began with a visit to Niimi city hall. We were greeted with the staff ranked outside in two lines, waving Canadian and Japanese flags under a huge ‘Welcome to Niimi’ banner. Once inside we passed many more bowing staff members as we were escorted to the Mayor’s office. Two translators, still photographer, video photographer, a master of ceremonies, the eight of us, the Mayors, deputy mayor, various department heads, representatives from the Niimi International Exchange Association – it was quite a process to get everyone settled before greetings and speeches could begin.
While this was the first official delegation to Niimi, official delegations from Niimi had been to Sidney, so there was much reminiscing about this visits. And then there was the official presentation of gifts:

 

Mayor Steve Price presents a carving that incorporates Coast Salish motifs with the Niimi city symbol to Mayor Masao Ishigaki

 

Lesley Nicholls, president of SSCA, presents a print to Mayor Ishigaki. After a drink tea and a sweet (decorated with maple leaves) we were on our way for a day of adventures.

In the evening we were treated to a welcome banquet where we met again with the mayor and his officials, along with other representatives of the international committee, professors from the local college and the department of education, and four Canadian assistant language teachers working in Niimi. More speeches, more gifts, sushi, local food specialties, lots of beer and socializing. There were forty guests in total, which meant a lot of socializing!
We also had a performance by a traditional music group that included dancers who portrayed characters from Japanese history.

 

Our delegation with the performers.
Our hosts were sympathetic to the fact that we have all been traveling and are a bit jet lagged so the festivities wrapped up early. After such an exciting and interesting day I must admit I found it difficult to let it all go and sleep. But another day awaits!

I went on vacation – but forgot to tell you about it.

Well, not that I forgot. I was thinking of you all. It just seemed more important to be concentrating on events as they were unfolding.

On board the Regatta we sailed from Montreal to New York. Usually at this time of year the turning of the leaves is a major attraction, but this year the weather has been so warm that the colours had barely started – green everywhere.

I was the odd one out in our group in that I had never been east of Quebec City, and my only visit there was 40 years ago. Everyone else has spent time in the places we visited, mostly for work but also as a tourist. It was great to have so much expert advice at hand!

It was pretty exciting to see iconic sights:

The Chateau Frontenac peeking above the Old Town in Quebec City. This is a popular cruise route at this time of year – there were 5 ships in port this day, with 10,000 passengers checking out the city.

In Halifax we climbed up to the Citadel to check out the view, but not before enjoying the sculptures on the boardwalk:

Tipsy light fixtures?

My mother was born in St. John’s, NB, and amazingly enough the house she lived in as a child is still there. The city is almost unrecognizable to her, but sometimes you can go home again!

Not only was the house still there, but it was in beautiful shape.

And of course, if you get us all together there’s going to be shopping!

As you can see we were extremely lucky with the weather – warm for this time of year and no rain.

And so , the Stoneman family cruise of 2015 is in the books!

Bonjour Montreal!

And the next adventure begins! 

Our hotel was right in the old town, which meant we could spend the morning wandering about, admiring the beautiful buildings. Every few steps there was a picture worthy sight!
And now we are settled on the Regatta, preparing to make our way down the St Laurent. 
No one on deck today! But we can admire the view back to city as well as the Expo 67 site. 

Down under no longer

On Wednesday we got up and went to the cafe beside our hotel for breakfast. It was just after 8:00 and we enjoyed our coffee and watched people making their way to work. My flat white had the prettiest design ever:
After breakfast we headed to airport, flew for 14+ hours, watched three movies (Whiplash, The Theory of Everything, St. Vincent), ate, slept, etc. Landed in Vancouver at 7:30 am on Wednesday. 
I know, crossing the dateline. Still has a real Groundhog Day feel to it. 
We’ve returned to spring in all its frilly pink glory here on the  coast. Flowering trees, daffodils, rhodos, heathers. 
Australia was wonderful – exceeded our expectations. I’m looking forward to reviewing our pictures and enjoying the trip all over again. 

It’s always something.

Living in the modern world, there are always things to be aware of. And just when I think I’m getting a handle on things, off to Australia where there are just so many more things trying to kill you!

On the beach:

And of course by the rivers:
And even on the streets..

But sometimes the advice is a little nicer:

I can do that… 

ps – the year of pie project will be restarting soon and let’s just say ‘Aussie meat pies’ yum!

Holy Cow!!!

We took a train ride to the city of Geelong today, which was really nice. Peaceful little place along the bay. We had a very good pizza, walked along the esplanade, saw some of a very big air show from the train. One of Geelong’s things is that all along the esplanade there are tall bollards that have been painted up. Walked by one that was a meter maid, with her bag slung over her shoulder, a ciggie hanging from her lip, and she’s knitting a sock. So I whipped out my sock project:

After our visit there we decided to go to a Thai restaurant in downtown Melbourne that we had read about. In the Asian area, second floor. We figured cheap and cheerful, Pad Thai and beer. 
Well. 
We fell through the looking glass to hipster heaven. With Thai food. There must be 500 people up here, all talking at the top of their lungs. The music pounds away. We’re the oldest people in here by a long shot. And the waiters have the most hilarious hipster facial hair. 

I feel kind of sad because the record album covers that are clipped to the walls – obviously meant as ironic statements about something? Yeah. I’m sure I have owed most of them at some time. 

Vive le difference

Woke up in Port Douglas – 30 degrees and humid. 

Stepped off the plane in Melbourne- 23 degrees fresh and cool. That’s better!
We’re looking forward to exploring the city. Found this alley last night:
Completely covered in all manner of street art. There was also a photo shoot of wedding dresses going on – Korean group. Not the first time in this trip that we’ve seen bridal wear being photographed in ‘interesting’ locations. 
Anyhoo – there’s a city to explore.