From daring to test his taste buds on Richmond’s more exotic Asian cuisine and experiencing Black Friday shopping for the first time, Vaughan Colyer has gotten the most out of his all-expenses-paid trip from New Zealand.
Colyer, along with his Richmondite wife Jennifer Evans, arrived in the city two weeks ago after Jennifer’s mom, Chris Evans, won a Tourism Richmond prize package in the summer.
The prize featured flights and accommodation from anywhere in the world and Evans had originally planned to have her Kiwi-based daughter and son-in-law over for Christmas.
However, shortly after winning the My Richmond Book contest, Evans discovered that Jennifer had fallen pregnant and would have been in the latter stages of her pregnancy if flying back to New Zealand in the New Year.
Instead, the couple flew over two weeks ago on the Tourism Richmond ticket and their unexpected visit culminated on Sunday with an early Evans’ family Christmas dinner.
“Christmas can be whatever you make it to be, no matter what day it is,” Evans told the News before the “Christmas” dinner at the family home.
“Our other son is coming back from Saskatchewan for the weekend for the dinner, as well, so there will be nine adults and children.
“It’s going to be a very special day.”
Prior to the family dinner, the Evans were planning to have a fake Christmas Eve dinner on the Saturday at Harold’s Bistro in the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, while using one of the many gift cards won in the prize package.
“We’ve been doing all the prizes; Chinese dinner, trying tons of things we wouldn’t have done before and some of the things looked a bit scary,” said Colyer, who has spent the last 10 days or so adjusting from Christchurch, New Zealand’s 30-degree summer to B.C.’s damp winter.
“We did Black Friday shopping at Richmond Centre with the help of the gift card; I’ve never experienced that before. We got some clothes for the baby, but it was standing room only.
“We’ve also been out in Steveston a few times and had a last breakfast at the Cannery Café before it closed. Jenn grew up in Richmond and used to go there all the time and watches Once Upon a Time (where scenes of the show are filmed).”
Colyer and Jennifer also visited Van Dusen Gardens, where the Kiwi caught sight of his first coyote.
“I’ve been here before, but it’s been a few years and it would have been my first winter Christmas if we’d stayed longer,” added Colyer, who would usually barbecue on the beach on Christmas Day and be lying around in the sun.
To win the big prize earlier this year, Evans had to trek around Richmond getting participating businesses to stamp a passport book at least 15 times and then take the completed book to Tourism Richmond’s Steveston office.
“I couldn’t work out why Tourism Richmond was calling me and I think it was a while before I returned their call,” said Evans.
“When it became clear I’d won, I was climbing the walls with excitement.”
Jennifer, a project administrator for the City of Christchurch, moved to New Zealand, via Australia, eight years ago and Evans was obviously delighted to be able to fly the couple over for an early Christmas treat.
“It’s been an amazing time having them here,” said Evans.
The prize package was worth $8,400 and included flights for two to Richmond, a five-night stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel, numerous restaurant and shopping gift cards for local businesses and admission passes for local tourist attractions.
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