So Canada at last - wow!!! We are loving it!! Vancouver is fantastic city although quite expensive. Was great to back in a buzzy city and have shops and everything!! After a few initial hiccups with hotel we got sorted in rooms with fantastic harbour views. Spent the first afternoon sorting mobiles and shopping etc and finished with nice meal in hotel. Saturday we headed out in the sunshine to Stanley park. Fantastic place to have on the doorstep. A huge headlands park with great views of the skyline, the harbour and docks and over to lions gate bridge. We walked past the cannon that fires every night at 9pm ( incrediably loudly enough to rattle the windows of hotel right across the harbour!!) We stopped for a while at the totem poles and then on around Brockingham point through the square lighthouse.
We found a playpark for the kids and sat in the sunshine surrounded by blossoming cherry trees -nice! Was just nice to get out and let the kids run some energy off! Loads of people out running and skating and cycling- even a cricket match going on - lovely!
Sunday we picked up the free shuttle bus over lions gate bridge to capilano suspension bridge. Another sunny day and even warmer. The bridge was very cool
But not sure jase thought so! Boys loved it!! Was pretty high - 270 ft up and quite long too. But cables were strong enough to support 2 747 planes so we figured we would be ok!!! Once across the bridge there was a great treetop walk constructed of more little suspension bridges from tree to tree. V cool! After doing the natures edge walk with great views of the bridge we crossed back over to have lunch in the sunshine which was lovely. Back into town and a stroll along the waterfront watching the huge posh yachts and along up to the convention centre at Canada place. All big redevelopments carried out really well - a nice place to stand and mooch and watch the seaplanes going in and out!
We even managed to eat tea outside too although it was pretty cold when the sun went down!
Monday we reluctantly left Vancouver and picked new car up - lot smaller than last time so had to squeeze luggage in!! Caught the ferry from tsawassen through the sounds to Victoria. Great trip on calm waters! Took 95 mins so nice and short too. The last half hour was beautiful through the islands and inlets of victoria loads of amazing houses and even saw seal swimming around alongside us!
Hotel in Victoria ok but nothing special! Had quick walk to harbour but was blowing icy gale so headed back pretty sharpish!!
Next day we headed out for wander around still pretty cold but had walk around harbour and over drawbridge. Victoria is pretty in places and has some gorgeous buildings but not quite as quaint as I expected. The fairmount empress very impressive as are the state buildings. We had a wonder inside the fairmount and was going to book for afternoon tea but as it would have worked out at nearly $200 for all of us we decided to give it a miss!! So we finished the afternoon up in the
Bug zoo!!! Was small but actually really interesting and boys obviously loved it. I got to hold a tarantula and jase a scorpion. Then Sam and Charlie in their element holding all sorts of things such as stick and leaf insects and praying mantis!
Next day we headed out of Victoria (after me having lovely new gel nails)
and up the coast to nanaimo. Fantastic views as we drove up. Unremarkable night
In nanaimo and then hit highway 4 across the island to Tofino. Absolutely stunning scenery. Snowy mountains forested slopes disappearing into the clouds. Crystal clear emerald green rivers and deep dark perfectly still lakes. All going really well til Tobes unexpectedly and spectacularly threw up in car all over himself seat and car!!! So that was fun!
Hit the road again once he was cleaned up and incidentally absolutely fine!! Finally reached our cabin home. Wow what a place. The resort is immaculately manicured with beautiful landscaping. The cabin is absolutely perfect and very cozy. Have to open the windows and doors with fire on as it is so warm! And finally have a kitchen again! There is a great park for kids and we look out onto the pacific again just so so perfect. Only the sound of the waves and the birds to disturb us. Had a long play in park while jase went into town for supplies and then cooked tea!!
Today have had a lazy rainy day. Popped into town and then had wet windy walk and play on beach. Came back absolutely soaked, lit fire had hot choc and watched DVD - great day!!!