Chinese Party at US border

As we approached the US border, the smell of barbeque cooking drew our attention to some activity in the park.  The Chinese Association of White Rock Surrey were having a party and they welcomed us with great enthusiasm & brought us a BBQ feast & candies for the boys. We gave them our Canadian flags – better than us attempting Karaoke. 🙂

Helpful Cyclist

After 50km came the first flat tire along with a friendly fellow cyclist, who on hearing our story spontaneously invited us to camp in his backyard – thanks Doug!

Busy Highway

Somehow we lost track of the cycle path and ended up on the 6 lane highway over The Alex Fraser Bridge – good job it was rush hour so everything was jammed! Had just decided to lift all our stuff over the barrier to the cycle path when a police car stopped. We were ready with a string of excuses but he just asked “need a helping hand?”

Waterproof

After today we’ve learnt exactly what’s completely waterproof & what is just showerproof & why Vancouver is so beautifully green!
Puddle splashing & spotting racoons and a water otter were  tops for the kids.

Biking Vancouver

In Vancouver (WOW! Aquarium at the airport!) all our luggage (77kg + bikes & trailers) reappeared in good nick. The children were delighted to see what weird & wonderful things turned up in the outsize luggage area:  all kinds of sporting equipment, musical instruments & even a meowing cat – all good entertainment while we assembled all our equipment for “riding mode”.

The 15km ride to downtown city was fine but a bit tough at 4am (home time!) after being up all night. Cycle lanes are a little bit different here – let’s say you ride more with the traffic but at least they exist!

The children have adapted really well to the time difference – it’s the parents who have suffered the jet lag! 1st day – assembling provisions down town, riding around Stanley Park and playing in the playground.