Visit to Vancouver B.C. {#Canada} #travel explore with #kids

Can you believe that I am still working off our summer?  Yes,  it is true - life has been a little bit of a whirlwind around here.  Everyone is well, but I still have to adjust to the schedule as everything is back in session. You know, school, work, board duties…all of it; ah the leisure of summer seems already so long ago…Perfect time to revisit it so :)

In any case the summer of 2014 was our summer of camping, but also the summer to add a new country to our list.  I have lived in the United States for over twenty years and am embarrassed to admit that this was my very first visit to Canada - ever.  Yes, we are only four hours away from the border and until this year we have just never made it across.   It was about time and since Europe was not on the travel menu this year we certainly had plenty of time.  We headed up north to Vancouver right after our five night camping trip to Orcas, Island.  Sleeping in a clean hotel room with soft beds sounded like the perfect treat after living outside.   It was Ron's idea and he was so right ~ Welcome to  our first visit to Canada…

We stayed in Burnaby at the Hilton which was nice, quiet, with a nice outdoor pool, a quick walk to the train to take us downtown, adjacent to an amazing Asian food mall/market plus with the best Sushi restaurant just around the corner.  True not, downtown but for our first visit was perfect…I love exploring new cities using public transportation….

The first night we found a little Sushi restaurant just down the street from our hotel.  Oh my, the food was so delicious and Alena was in heaven {along with the parental units}.  Yes, she is our fish and sushi lover while Mia Rosie…well,  you know she is a self declared fish hater {yes her words} but loves Miso soup, rice, and vegetable tempura…

We had breakfast at the hotel - which worked great for the adults, but it was not the best solution for our children.  The scrambled eggs, pastries all contained milk - no soy milk so the ladies ended up with a plate of bacon and fruit.  After breakfast we were ready to explore Vancouver and walked to the Skytrain station to take the train downtown.

Let me just say that right there and then I fell in love…yes, you can say that oh my what an amazing city.  The train swiftly took us downtown and we set off on foot to explore.  We walked to Canada Place  checked out the docked cruise ships, got to learn a lot about Canada and both girls got to play on the piano.  Yes, you read that correctly there was a piano there outdoors and ready to be played on.  It is called Keys to the Streets and let's just say that both kids had a great time playing.  Take a look…

From Canada Place we leisure strolled along the Sea Wall watched the planes take off and land in the water, marveled at the yachts and houseboats on our way to Stanley Park. Our destination was the Vancouver Aquarium.

Now let me just tell you that the walk was a really good distance - we took a few breaks, had water on us and got a great snack before heading into the aquarium  And yes,  there were milk free options for the girlies…

Full disclosure, friends.  I am not as NOT usually a great fan of aquariums - really it is just not my thing but holy moly….the Vancouver Aquarium is absolutely mind boggling amazing.  And no, I do not just say that because my children got to participate in a couple of shows.  It really is fantastic.  The layout, the presentations, and let's not forget the 4-D movie theater.  Oh yes…if you go to Vancouver you must visit the aquarium…

Rest assured it was a bus ride back to the train station…after dinner the ladies enjoyed the pool until closing…

The next morning we ventured again downtown and this time we were off to meet my friend Nancy.  I met Nancy who blogs at gotta get baked through SundaySupper; we not only share blogging but Nancy an attorney as well.  It was so wonderful to finally meet her in person;  we all had such a lovely time and - at least I think so - hit it off  as in you know it was not awkward as it sometimes can be when you meet someone for the very first time in person. It was exactly as I imagined…Nancy treated us to an amazing lunch…Thank you so much, my friend :)

After lunch we explored a little more of the city by hanging out at Granville Island before heading back for the ladies nightly swim….

Vancouver we will be back soon….