A picture tells a story. I reviewed the tour of Atlantic Canada from my camera and went back in time. The tour was planned by Rolly Tanglao, president of UFCSAH, who and his wife Emcy were unable to participate in the trip. Ben Suva, trip coordinator and Ernie Estrabillo, together they coordinated the 11 days with finesse, assisted by Norma, Evelyn, Rose, Cip, Amby, Ticia and Dado. Actually everybody made the trip a success.

The “who am-I?” introductions at the beginning broke the ice and what followed was relaxed-fun-passengers. Everyone enjoyed their15 minutes of fame, telling anecdotes, jokes, even jokes without punch lines,  daily quiz... brainer and no brainer... conducted by Dulce. And Dado’s collection of stories. Never was a dull moment. At times, I swear, the whole vehicle shook with laughter. Stops were made for urology compensation.

On the academic side, Rolly assigned members to speak about places we visited: Quebec/Quebec City - Norma & Ernie Estrabillo; N. Brunswick/ Moncton - Dado & Ticia Bergantinos; Magnetic Hill/ The Hopewell Rock - Ben & Dulce Balmadres; PEI/Anne of the Green Gables - Ben&Evelyn Suva; Nova Scotia/ Miners’ Museum/ Fortress of Louisburg - Aurelle & Luz Bucaneg; Cabot Trail/ Bell Museum, Baddeck - Joe & Rose Dalisay; Halifax/ Peggy’s Cove - Dom & Remy Fernandes; Fundy Provincial Nat. Park - Bert & Belinda Ravarra; Reversing Falls - Lydia Soliman; St. Anne de Beaupre - Honor & Flora Palafox; Gananoque & the Islands - Danny & Norma Toreja. Presentations were impressive, well done! Supplementary information was added on many occasions by our very capable bus operator, Chris Steele.

Quebec was a treasure chest of delicate heirlooms, attained in the past through sweat and blood. Though modern times settled in, the old Quebec will linger forever.

At the Bay of Fundy, a gravitational effect of the sun & moon, affects the tides, reversing falls and the Hopewell Rock. The brief ride on the Magnetic Hill was my yellow brick road to see the wizard....magical!

A song was created describing the hard life of a coal miner - ‘16 tons’- the miners museum said it all. Ah! Peggy’s Cove. Splashed with bright colours, backed by huge rocks, shining against the sun, topped with a lighthouse, like a lady dressed for a special occasion beckoning a multitude of visitors. Crossing the very long bridge to P.E.I. was also sharing its remarkable history.

As our bus operator negotiated the sharp curves of narrow roads and gorge that spelled, be careful-or else on the Cabot Trail, there were ooohs! & aaahs! with cameras and iPods glued to the windows. Then the bus was emptied instantly at a stop,in front was a spectacular view...no... a panorama of God’s magnificent creation: the water was true blue on blue; tall waves hit the rocks breaking into white crystals. A painter’s paradise and a poet’s hunt. I stared, stared some more...no time to love... the bus was leaving. Everyone played a role: to pose for pictures; to shoot pictures; least to breathe the fresh air that Hamilton can’t offer.

In reverse reaction, I was amused by the variety of islands passing by. The beautiful homes nestled between the trees boasted their extravagance: there were private lighthouses; docks that anchored expensive boats. Each island was unique...but, the love story behind the Boldt Castle was the icing to the splendour of the islands and Gananoque. Maybe I saw a fish in the water? It was a perfect day to sail. Cool air brushed my face. I savoured the moments. As a matter of perception in another scale: isn’t the world a body of water where countries float....remain afloat. Somebody up there loves us!

Our visit to the Basilica of Ste. Anne De Beaupre made a special meaning to me. There was serenity, a spiritual feeling only oneself can explain. I’ve heard about unexplainable effects to some devotees. The beautiful architecture inside and outside of the basilica was beyond description.

To summarize, there was youthfulness among the passengers. Seniors?....nah! Youth is not a time of life, it is a state of the mind. On a scale of 0-10, the trip was a touch bellow eleven. Cheerio!

Many thanks to Noel & Dado for their contribution to the pictorial collection. To Don for unending support.