Part 6 – Exploring Victoria – Vancouver Island’s capital city

On our second full day in the city of Victoria, we decided to explore the inner harbour and go shopping for souveniers. A visit to Munros book store and Rogers Chocolates was a must.

After the excitement of the whale watching and being out on the water, we chose to spend our second full day in Victoria, Vancouver island’s capital, exploring the local area and doing some shopping. We found a quaint little gift shop down on the water front where we stocked up on maple creams (the most delicious Canadian biscuits with a creamy maple flavoured filling) and gifts for friends and family back home. Bear and whale teddies were everywhere, along with magnets and imitation car plates and ‘beware of the bears’ signs. After walking along the waterside and taking some photos of the local historic buildings, we walked down the main street towards Munros bookshop. I had spotted it the day before when we had walked through to our hotel. My friend had bought me a voucher to the value of my age in dollars, to be spent at the bookshop, along with a bookbag to hold my purchases. ‘You’ll feel like a native.’ she’d said at my excitement on opening it.

Munros bookshop was first founded by famous author John Munro and his wife Alice Munro (the 2013 Nobel prize winning short story writer) in 1963. The downtown store which has been Munros since 1984 is a large independent bookstore, which today has 30 staff and a large selection of children’s books. The building itself is quite striking, of a neo classical style, with with a 24-foot (7.3 m) coffered ceiling, designed in 1909 for the Royal Bank of Canada by architect Thomas Hooper. Just entering the building has a magical feel about it and the selection of books, not to mention stationary, bags, pens and other literary themed stock was incredible. I spent over an hour of browsing and deliberating, lost in the thrill of a new bookshop I loved, surrounded by like minded people from all walks of life.

I left, having spent more than my voucher and narrowed by selection down to 3 books – 2 by Canadian authors – one of which (Adrift by Lisa Brideau) had a local setting. They are on my bookshelf now, calling to be read before I forget the names of the places I have visited, or they become distant memories, replaced by the next adventure.

After Munros, we wondered around some more local shops, pausing for photos beside a life size grizzly bear in a checked Canadian style shirt – his name was Barry, the note on his chest said and he liked having his picture taken. We came across Rogers Chocolate shop, where we bought Victoria creams to try and found ourselves going back for more. The chocolates are enough for 2 to share and each contains a flavoured cream centre, such as blueberry, lemon or peach. They reminded me of Fry’s peppermint cream bar, although much nicer. We took some home for ourselves and family too. Rogers reminded me of the chocolatier shops of the past. Only after visiting, did I realise that the shop is a National Historic Site, linking back to a family from Massachusetts (Charles Rogers was their son), who moved to Victoria in 1885 and set up a Green Grocers on Government street which imported chocolates from San Francisco. Charles and his wife began making their own, when they realised how popular the sweets and chocolates they imported were among locals and tourists. His first creation was the Victoria Cream and it was instantly popular and began his career as Canada’s first chocolatier. The chocolates were made on the premises, in the building that still stands there today. Although the business was sold by Mrs Rogers after the death of her husband, and before she also passed away, it lives on as part of the heritage and tradition of the local area and it’s people. I was glad that we came across it and could experience the beautiful building and the divine chocolates.

After a busy day shopping we had a tea and coffee in a small cafe overlooking one of the busy streets. A band was playing in the distance, adding a nice atmosphere to the afternoon. We headed back along the harbour front to our hotel to refresh ourselves and get ready to go out for dinner. That night we chose to eat at a Canadian restaurant chain called Earls. After a short wait, we were seated outside at a very nice table with cushioned seats and added throw cushions and blankets. The Canadian’s do eating out well, as my friend pointed out, much like American’s they don’t go out just for drinks. It’s a big social occasion and food is key. I hear the seafood is good in Victoria, the steak too, but as neither of us eat that we choose burgers and pasta. The food was really good, as expected, we had eaten at Earls in Downtown Vancouver days ago and been impressed about the comfort and relaxed dining experience. The truffle fries were to die for as was my rose sangria. The next day would be our final in Victoria, and we were leaving by bus for the ferry terminal around 3.30pm.

We both felt a little sad to be leaving the island so soon. If we returned, we would definitely have spent more time exploring the surrounding area. Buchant Gardens look beautiful and Nanaimo had been mentioned by a few people I knew. Also, Sidney was labelled as the Hay on Wye of Vancouver – with a selection of book shops to rival the bustling town on the Wales/England border.

Vancouver Island was definitely a change from Vancouver downtown and somewhere worth returning to, to explore more of the vast area.

Barbie – Plastic fantastic or too much hype?

It smashed box office records on its opening weekend and has become somewhat if an institution across the UK and beyond, but is the new Barbie film worth all the hype?

As a box office assistant, I usually know when a film is going to be big, I see the tell tale signs of the media advertising it weeks in advance, the questions from customers before it’s on release, and ticket sales increasing before the beginning of the film run. However, Barbie took me my surprise. It was never on my radar. Dismissing it as a kids film, or family film at most, I assumed it would appeal to families looking for something to see on a rainy day during the school holidays. What I didn’t anticipate was full auditoriums, groups of women dressed in pink, a 4 ft high illuminated Barbie sign in our front foyer. Had the world gone mad? Wasn’t this just an overrated film about a plastic doll that had been a child’s staple since the 50’s? All of a sudden, Barbie was cool, Barbie was iconic, Barbie was for everyone – even the men who chose to dress as Ken. I found myself working through busy shifts with several screenings a day, before arranging to see it on a day off with a friend – was I high on Barbie fever too? We all know the general public follow the hype – social media had as much to do with the early success of the film, as did the appeal of casting Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, with some guest appearances from British actors such as Sex Educations Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, and Connor Swindells. Not to mention the film being directed by Greta Gerwig, who saw her work become the highest grossing film on an opening weekend by a female director, ever.

I remained sceptical as we collected our tickets and queued behind the groups of women, young and old, to go into the theatre. One thing I had noticed, was the mix of generations attending the film. Barbie was for everyone. As the film opened, with a scene about the history of girls playing with dolls, and the iconic arrival of Barbie which made them want to destroy anything previously, I had my doubts. Also, when we were thrown into a pretty perfect world of pink, which seemed to come straight out of a toy catalogue from my childhood. Yet I went with it. Despite the clever sets and costumes (there is no CGI and the scenes are made up of handbuilt sets and backdrops just like in the theatre – the travel scenes between the real world and Barbie Land are particularly clever) the casting was everything here. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling have a chemistry that works great on screen, and they are able to embrace their characters and make them believable, heartfelt and funny.  The story is very loosely attached to the idea that Barbie begins to question her perfect world, where everything is great and women have the power and the kens are just kens, and has to visit the real world to find the answers as to why she feels this way. Yet the message, leading with empowering women, the everyday difficulties and struggles we face, while trying to hold everything together, the patriarchy and just being ourselves, as well as the strong sense of sisterhood, family and friendship is the core of the film and this, I believe contributes to its success. It’s a film that speaks to all generations, through an iconic doll which is recognised by everyone. Its tongue in cheek at times, it needs to be. There are references to discontinued barbies – a great turn too by Kate Mckinnon as weird Barbie –  the poor Alan doll (Ken’s friend played by Michael Cera) that never got to be anything other than a minor character in the real story of Barbie success. Ken’s discovery of the patriarchy is hilariously linked to an obsession with horses, as he admires the way men are respected in the real world – ‘This woman asked me for the time!’ Meanwhile Barbie tells an elderly woman that she is beautiful, to which she replies ‘I know.’ While she also discovers that men are treated differently and treat women very differently in the real world – which eventually leads her to a very real face off with the all-male senior staff of Mattel (led by a typically funny Will Ferrell) who try and get her back in her box – a very obvious metaphor.

There is also a nod to the outdated tradition of Barbie. When Barbie finds Sasha, the teenager who used to play with her, her expectations of a warm reception go unfounded as the girl tears into Barbie about how she represented everything she hated about herself because her look was so unattainable. The balance is a tricky one, as it is between serious messages and light hearted comedy but I think it is attained.

America Ferrera (Ugly Betty, Superstore) stands out as Gloria, the mum who has brought Barbie to the real world – and it is her relationship with her own daughter, Sasha – seen through the story of Barbie’s time with them – and her fight to be heard that drives the rest of the story.  These two women lead the story and its impactful message. Ferrera’s powerful monologue in the film, about what it means to be a woman has received great reception – I did find myself nodding along – although some have noted the film was too heavy on feminism and the power of women. Yet isn’t this what Barbie is about? Barbie can be anything.

There is a nice reference to the creator of Barbie and Co Founder of Mattel, Ruth Handler and this links up nicely at the end when creator and her creation meet. The voiceover I felt at times was unnecessary, yet maybe this was a construction to bring Handler into the story throughout, rather than just as a little old lady who gets her 5 minutes at the end. I wondered, if she was still alive, what she would think of the film and if she would’ve been involved. It would’ve been a nice little touch.

There are some nice moments within the 2 hour film – aside from the colourful sets and costumes and the great music (Dua Lipa’s Dance the Night away sets the scene for Barbie’s girl’s night).

The choreographed dance scene near the beginning is fun and upbeat, interrupted with perfect comic timing by Barbie’s line ‘Do you ever think about death? There are too many moments of Gosling’s Ken to mention, but particularly his attempted wooing of Barbie (great facial expressions) and his patriarchal makeover on returning to Barbie land – which is hilariously stereotyped – mini fridges of beer, women dressed as maids serving them, horse pictures everywhere and big trucks parked on the drive. Ken’s interpretation of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky (the ‘real man’ he sees everywhere in the real world) into his own wardrobe steals these scenes. Mojo dojo casa house anyone? Yet we see Ken’s true feelings when Barbie reaches out to him, despite his attempt at bravado – he just wants to find out who he is and with Barbie’s help maybe he can. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a Ken film on our screens in future.

The way in which the women of Barbie Land must take back the power, pretending to be hopeless without the men to distract them from what is really going on, speaks volumes. It adds to the points made in Gloria’s speech. In order to gain back power, the women have to act in a stereotypical way, they have to massage the egos of the men and not make them feel demasculinised in any way. It’s an interesting point. Things may have moved forward in the modern world, but we are very much still seen in this light in many situations. What man would fail to help a woman presenting as a damsel in distress? And feel pretty good about it.

Is Barbie a great film? Probably not. Did I love it? Yes. Are the messages great? Yes.

Should you go and see it? Yes, but just bring your sense of fun. It’s not a serious film, it was never meant to be. It’s fun and pink and sparkly. It’s about a doll! Yet the overall message that speaks to women (and men) of generations out there is worth listening to. It’s not easy being human, it’s not easy being female, let alone an iconic doll from the 1950’s. Plus I love that is has a strong female cast, of multiple generations, races, and nationalities. Go Barbie!

Part 5 – Vancouver Island- Whale Watching from Victoria

Blog 5 takes us on a whale watching tour from Victoria inner harbour where a host of wildlife awaits

On 6th July, just a few days after my big birthday, we took the Prince of Whales boat trip out from Victoria inner harbour in search of whales and other marine wildlife in the area. This was the most exciting part of our trip and what I was most looking forward to. We chose the Prince of Whales Catamaran (The Salish Sea Eclipse) which promised relaxed travel and panoramic views of the ocean and its inhabitants. They also offer a free photo package of the trip as well as complimentary teas/coffees and hot chocolate.

After a quick health and safety briefing, we were on our way, and as the catamaran gathered speed, I realised why one of the friendly crew made a joke of asking men to sit down to use the bathroom. The boat included several crew members who were also made up of experienced marine biologists, on hand to tell us about the water and the wildlife as well as to answer any questions. We had been warned that due to the full moon recently, the swell would be higher so the ride would be choppy. As we headed out into the Atlantic ocean, we sure felt the consequences of this. On the top deck, with the wind in our hair and the spray in our faces at times, it was the best place to be. After some time of travelling and a quick divert due to rough waters, we came across our first humpback whale. The crowd gathered at one corner of the boat to catch a glimpse of the humpback, it’s dark body arching in the water, sometimes the spray would alert us to them surfacing. We quickly learnt that the whales rarely stay in one area, as it kept popping up at different sides of the boat, some distance from where it last surfaced. One of our guides explained that humpback whales are usual solitary mammals and they can go underwater for 4-6 minutes before coming up to the surface again. Our humpback was probably male and a younger whale, being curious at to our arrival in its territory. We watched in awe as the whale reappeared and dove back down underwater, as the boat travelled alongside to keep up with it’s distancing. The feeling of seeing it before our eyes was incredible.

We spent an hour watching it before it eventually left us and we made our way towards Race Rock where the iconic lighthouse stood high above the sea level, and we had the delight of seeing a bull seal flopping up the slipway. I felt an immense sense of calm being out on the water, surrounded by nothing but open ocean and wildlife. To our right, there was a collection of seal lions, who were quite relaxed, one of the crew explained, which she could tell by their banana shape pose. Sea birds crowed in the distance as we moved on again back towards out base at Victoria harbour. We turned into a narrow patch of water on our way back, where the marine biologists pointed out the forests which were made up of a mixture of old trees and new trees, unlike anything elsewhere in the world. She talked of the fight to save such landscapes before they all disappeared. We also saw a bald eagle, and elsewhere a bald eagle’s nest high in the tree. Our guide excitedly pointed out a young deer fawn at the edge of the water which ducked back into the woodland just as we searched for it.

As we headed back into the harbour, a little colder and wetter than when we started (the hot chocolate was so welcome) we marvelled at the amazing trip we had enjoyed and the informative and friendly crew on board. The photo package was much appreciated, taken by professional wildlife photographers with the best equipment and also safer on a high speed boat with choppy waters!

The whale watching was a trip of a lifetime and made our holiday as well as our time on Vancouver Island. I felt that, for me, it brought me closer with the environment and the eco system of Victoria and it’s surrounding seascape and I learnt so much about the work marine biologists are doing to help to preserve it and spread the knowledge for future generations.