SOME ISLAND HOPPING

Bhaktimarga Swami
Aug 5
2 min read

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025

Quadra Island/Vancouver Island

Ferns are in great grown on the Fir Crest Trail where I trekked solo. With Tony and Nitai Priya we ambled along Rebecca Spit, a peninsula with so much driftwood on both sides. The Spit was the popular one for pedestrians and runners. Both trails offer peace, tranquility. During these two strolls, clouds were teasing, at least where we roamed. That left us in doubt. Will the badly needed rains come? Canada turns dry in the summer like never before according to those of us who have been around for some decades. Why the deprivation? Is it punishment? A lack of sacrifice and lack of gratitude?

That did become a topic of discussion on today’s Zoom Gita Chat which we succeeded in having despite poor reception in the mountains while driving. We arrived in Chemainus on Vancouver Island at the home of Gadadhar and Manoharini. By evening, the teasing had ended, and a consistent rainfall graced this island.

We are grateful.

Outside of walking and eating a fabulous Chinese meal by cook Tony, I made calls in preparation for two upcoming events. Number one, a celebration for 50 years since our Toronto deities of Radha Ksiracor Gopinath were installed at present locations calls for a reunion of those who were there and those who spent training time at the temple premises. The Labour Day weekend is coming up for a reunion and may be our last major get together for the old timers and pioneers of our ISKCON mission in the Toronto area.

The second event in preparation is the MANtra retreat for our men at West Virginia, New Vrindavan. This is also very eventful. Come, all ye men!