After we dropped the camper van we took the plane to get to Vancouver. It was a long day because we spend a lot of time at the airport (had to return the RV before noon and the flight was only at 7.30pm) but we could watch a football match, found a little play area and you know… watched planes…
In Vancouver we rented a little house that was not that far from the airport and very well and quickly connected to get downtown.
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The jetlag is far behind us and everyone is in the holiday mood. We hardly return before 8pm, so diner and bedtime is when it is and we get up somewhere around 8.30/9am. Breakfast, six people getting dressed etc… we are out the door around 10.30/11am… no more walking around before sunrise like in San Francisco…
Day 1: We needed breakfast. And we needed to fill the fridge. Task of the morning. After that we walked up to a nice park, had a little afternoon treat and took it really easy… Plus it was Canada Day! Which we only found out in the morning… we found a cool playground in a cute park and stayed really long. Watched some people celebrating, singing etc…
Day 2: We took the Skytrain downtown. We had a few little things on the list that we needed to buy (like a new USB stick because ours must still be in a hidden corner in the camper van), then we had a very nice Mexcican lunch (I looooove carnitas) and watched the 2nd half of the Germany:Italy match. We kept on walking around the city, discovering Vancouver and found another super playground. Around the corner was a lovely deli where we found some nice things for our diner.
Day 3: We went to Granville Island. Did the kids market, walked through the Market Hall and could not handle the number of people everywhere. The noise and everything… we left the masses, found some swings and decided to walk down to Kitsilano Beach. And this is where I started to really embrace Vancouver – city, nature, huge parks, beach… all in one city that is veryyyy international. We really loved the area around Kits Beach. 4th Avenue is great. Lots of nice shops, cafes and restaurants. We had a lovely lunch and then went down to the beach (again cool playground right there). And discovered the outdoor pool. Woooooooot! (more a little later)
Day 4: Stanley Park was our mission for the day but before: DIM SUM! (one of my favorite foods and the kids love it too). We went to Dinesty on Robson and it was so good. Soup dumplings and, something very new… red bean&chocolate as a treat. Yummy! Marching to Stanley Park, enjoying the view from the seawall, discovering the totem poles, having a quick go at the waterpark playground (it was a little to cold to really enjoy), walking through the park…
Day 5: We normally wanted to return to Stanley Park and do the other side. Second Beach but it started to rain (first time since we left – everyone noticed!) so we went for a ramen (Marutama, very good!) and then decided that the beach and rain was not on. The kids decided. We asked them. Slow day. Also necessary sometimes. We are on holidays after all…
Day 6: The sun was back and temperatures up. We packed the swimsuits and went back to Kids Beach. Or better the pool. We promised the kids that we would go for a swim before we leave. The pool is 137m long. Amazing. Seawater at 26C. On the way there we stopped for a decadent and excellent ice cream at Rain or Shine. (not to be missed)
The next day we had to get up at 4am (oh my…) and took the train to Seattle. The next chapter. And taking the train was like a little transition back to the 70s… so cute!
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