During my recent travels to Vancouver, BC, Canada, I took some whānau-time and connected, for the first time, the mokopuna for my mom’s first cousin, Uncle John, and his wife, Aunty Mimi Boynton.
Awanui and I were pen pals back in the day (maybe in the late 1960s), exchanging letters, stories, and memorabilia from our respective countries of residence.
Day 1: Mon 26 Aug 2024: Allison, Mere, and Angus came to pick me up at Vancouver airport—off to lunch, let the party begin. Yak, yak, yak as if there were no tomorrow. Putting the whakapapa connections together and creating new memories.
It was off to do a little bit of sightseeing, off for a walk around the harbour
Then it was off for a quick catch-up with Hinewai and her whānau.
Left to right: Curtis, John and Hinewai
Dinner was shared with Curtis’ bother, Travis and Susan
Day 2: Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024: The following morning started with coffee, more yakking and Angus jammin’
Next port of call, a visit to the Granville Island Public Market for some shopping, bagels and more yakking
It was then time to walk our lunch off, so off to Lynn Canyon Park, where Papatūānuku was at her finest…
We went and had lunch with Hinewai, and then it was time to bid farewell. Thanx heaps for your hospitality and love; see you fullas later
AI connecting our Whānau 