It's all about Vancouver - Spring Break 2024

 We had a great time up in Vancouver last week for spring break!  We had started planning for this trip because our friends, Tim and Dali, were planning on going too and we realized that we had not been up there to visit Amy’s aunt and uncle for several years.  The last time we went was actually in 2017 which is hard to believe as Jad wasn’t even born yet then!  It was really fun and relaxing overall, though there was some bickering as usual among the kids, especially in the back of the sedan we rented (made us really appreciate our minivan 🙂

We took the BART up to Oakland Airport for our flight to Bellingham and rented a car from there (cheaper than flying direct to Vancouver and car rental) then drove across the border.  It ended up that three other families from LSCC joined so it was fun to travel with everyone though we spent a lot of time with family as well.

On the BART ride up, the train was almost empty so the kids were able to play around

All four families, except Mindy, at Oakland airport

Quick stop at the Peace Arch at the border

Amy still continued her running streak everyday while we were there!

We went to a nice farmer’s market on the weekend.  There was this stand selling daffodils.. Didn’t know there were so many varieties!

We were able to meet up with Christine, Amy’s cousin, and her daughter Kaitlyn.  Kaitlyn is right between Kai and Sora’s ages so she got along well and really hit it off with Sora.  Then we met up with the rest of Amy’s family and went to dinner at their house.  

We went swimming with Kaitlyn at the Arbutus Club

They had a game room there with a couple arcade booths

As the week started, we hung out more with the LSCC families as Amy’s family was busy.  We went to Capilano Park for the cool suspension bridge and nature walk.  

All the kids!  The park was a bit expensive but worth seeing once :p

The bridge was cool.  It swayed a bit but was anchored
by thick metal cables so very stable

For real this time, all 19 of us :) There was a nice walk with displays and some exhibits on the far side of the bridge though the treetop walk (apparently a highlight) was closed for renovation

I do like how the boards kind of match
their ages: Kai 10, Sora 9, Jad 6

Afterwards, we went over to Granville Island and grabbed some food for dinner.

Vancouver is very picturesque

Took this nice pic (though it would have been cooler if the flag was unfurled)

I like this photo comedy with the murals in the background

We spent a lot of time wandering about town while the other families were busy.  Amy says that she rarely did any sightseeing while visiting in the past because she would just spend time with her family so it was nice to see some of the local sights.  

The Bloedel Conservatory, where they had lots of tropical plants and birds

A fun shot by Amy

One of the macaws could say hello and the kids enjoyed parroting it.. haha :)

We walked around Queen Elizabeth Park and the gardens

It was cherry blossom time and there were trees all over town in bloom

Later, we went to the Ching Kai Shek Chinese garden. 
Snuck in for free as there was no attendant there.. Yeah!

Kai has been exercising a bit and he’s proud to flex his muscles.  Jad and I joined in!

Later, we went by the Olympic park playground, which was small but pretty nice

We went to this nice playground next to our Airbnb several times

One more cherry blossom pic..
Sora’s shirt matched the petals!

We went to Steveson, where there was a cannery museum and
wharf area.  Some photo comedy there as well.

They had a replica fishing boat

A boat came in and unloaded their catch while we were there

Jad practicing hooking some fish

Funny incident, about halfway through the factory, we noticed that Jad was missing his hat.  We searched through the whole factory for it but couldn’t find it.  Clever Sora thought of looking back in the pictures to see where it was lost and we miraculously found it.  Look at the picture above to see if you can spot it… that’s right!  Jad had put it down while doing the hooking and it had fallen into the little crack between the bin and wall behind him.  If you look closely you can see it in the picture, just between his legs :D

They had some cool painted benches
outside along the pier

After that we went to the Asian mall at Aberdeen in Richmond. 
We found a pokemon card vending machine :)

One more day of swimming at Arbutus

Kaitlyn and the kids

David eventually arrived to visit for a few days too.  Here, we're at the Grand Honour Chinese restaurant

Drove up to play in the snow at Mt Seymour, just outside of the city.   Tim says he used to come here in high school to ski

Nice view, just 20 mins from the city!

Went to Stanley Park but it was a cold and windy day.  Stopped by the beach and the kids were just being silly

Paying respects at Amy's grandmother's grave
Jad bowing three times..

Metropolis Mall in Barnaby

Vancouver is famous for good Chinese food but we didn’t really seek out too many places on our own as we were mostly with family and friends.  In general, the food was quite good and the kids were mostly good about trying new dishes. Next time, we'll plan a bit more as Amy is already reading some blogs/reddits about where to go.

Had sushi in the downtown area.  Kai is really starting to like it :)

Stopped at a BBQ place recommended by Will Lam.  BBQ Masters was legit!

The wait at the US border was long...
but better with BBQ in the car!

Border hoppers!

When we landed back at Oakland, Amy and the kids took the BART home while I got a ride from Tim and Dali so I could get the car and come pick them up.  It was nice to be away but also very good to get back home.  Oddly, I had a bit of anxiety/apprehension on return, I think because vacation was so carefree and now, I would have to go back to all the responsibilities of life.  I’m back to work this week and all is back to normal.  

The kids on the train ride back

I’ll leave you with this pic from the Bellingham airport.  Til next time!

Cloudy sun through tinted glass..
very sensitive :p