DEVONSHIRE HOTEL,VANCOUVER.
16th August, 1958
Our Dear Darlings,
Sunday, 10th August: I forgot to tell you in our last letter that I had a hair cut yesterday. It was expensive. It cost me $1.60 (American) and in addition I had to pay a tip of 20 cents to the barber and 10 cents to the chap looking after the Cloak Room where I kept my coat. I have so far made quite a good record - having a haircut at PARIS, LONDON and NEW YORK!! Expensive ones at that!!!
We got up rather early this morning. Che' Sopiee and his wife Che' Zainab, sent us to IDLEWIND Air Port. While having a bite at the Air Port Restaurant we met the TRANS-CANADIAN AIRLINE hostesses who were having a drink. Che' Sopiee informed them who I was, although he made it clear that I was going incognito. It was quite a short flight and on arrival at TORONTO I showed the letter of introduction given by the Canadian High Commissioner in Malaya at TORONTO Air Port and we got through both the Immigration and Customs Officials without any questions at all.
When we arrived at FORD HOTEL, the City of TORONTO was very quiet as it was a Sunday. There was very little activity. However, later in the afternoon we strolled about and sat at QUEENS PARK wherein was situated
the Provincial (we called it the State) Parliamentary House. Canada is a form of Federal set up and TORONTO is the capital of the Province of ONTARIO. The Federal Capital is OTTAWA which is also in ONTARIO PROVINCE. The Province has a Premier who is equivalent to an MB and there is, of course, the Prime Minister of the whole country - Canada.We later went to eat at a Chinese Restaurant. Our Hotel was close to a Chinese section of the City. During our travels I have seen Chinese everywhere doing business. They are indeed enterprising.
Monday, 12th August: We toured TORONTO city in the morning and went to Niagara Falls in the afternoon. It was 2 1/2 hours by road from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The falls were a wonderful sight - God's gift to the Earth. Tons of water rushing down into Lake Ontario was an unforgettable view. I cannot possibly describe the beauty but they will certainly remain in my memory for life. There are two falls - one on the American side and the other - with a horse-shoe formation - is on the Canadian side. Both have their particular attraction.
We went round the neighbourhood - a beautiful Park in which was situated a FLORAL CLOCK. The clock has a floral face - flowers well arranged to give a special effect. There was the SCHOOL of GARDENING where people learnt gardening!
Before we went on our journey back to TORONTO I went again to look at the Falls to keep the sight in my memory for ever!
Tuesday, 12th. August: We left TORONTO in the morning for VANCOUVER by TRANS-CANADIAN AIRLINE. We stopped at WINNEPEG, SASKATOON (odd name!) and EDMONTON. We arrived at VANCOUVER at 10.00pm being one hour late. There were no formalities as we were travelling entirely in Canada. We missed our tea and dinner as ham was being served!
VANCOUVER, Wednesday, 13th August: We strolled about the City until lunch hour and later had a rest. We thought of resting the whole day but then at about 4pm I received a telephone call into our room to say that a gentleman named DUBEC asked to see me. We discovered that he was an Official of the Government of BRITISH COLUMBIA - the province in which Vancouver is situated - sent by the Premier who could not come himself. He lives in the capital which is VICTORIA 70 miles away. Mr. Dubec offered his services and would show us some places.
Thursday, 14th August: We did not go out at all in the morning and in the afternoon Mr. Dubec picked us up in his car and took us to the suburbs of the City. We went through very nice neighbourhood. He wanted originally to take us to a forest where logging was carried out but was advised that it was not a good time to go out
there, we returned to the Hotel after a three hour drive.
It seems that news have gone around of our presence in Vancouver. Before we went out this afternoon a Mr. R.L. Walker, District Sales Manager of Qantas in Vancouver came to see us. Fortunately our room in DEVONSHIRE HOTEL was quite decent. We have a separate lounge for our guests. Later a woman correspondent of the local newspaper, "THE VANCOUVER SUN" rang me up. I told her I was on a private visit and that stopped her from going very much further. Even the Manager of the Hotel introduced himself and hoped that we were comfortable there.
Friday 15th August: We did a little shopping in the morning and in the afternoon went out on a tour of the STANLEY PARK, QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK, the UNIVERSITY and the BRITISH PROPERTIES. The Stanley Park was a huge natural Park providing for picnic sports and games. Queen Elizabeth Park was a very beautiful fully laid garden. The University has 6000 undergraduates. British Properties were given that name because houses were built with British capital. This was a residential area. Most of the houses are very attractive with beautiful gardens. This has given Mak ideas about our future garden.
In the evening Mr DeBeck took us out to dinner. We were joined by his sister, Mrs. McCrossan. Later
we went to Mrs. Crossan's house for coffee. It was a nice small house. We had an enjoyable evening. Mr. DeBeck took us for a drive before sending Mrs. Crossan home.How are you all getting on? We'll be back home in 20 days - hoping to see you all well and hearty.
What are you doing during the School vacation?
Love and lots of kisses from us to Sayang, Adek, Intan, Kuntum, Nor, Adek Shor, Nan, Nah, Ajid and Yong. Sembah salam to Tah and salam to the rest.
Yours lovingly,
Mak & Bapak
PS. More pictures herewith.
