Canada: Trains, Toddlers, Bikes and Bridges

You may ask, Canada? Again? Why? It's a threefold answer. One, we wanted to take my in-laws to some place outside of the States and the neighbor is an easy answer.  Two, we had loved Vancouver the last time we'd been here. Last and three, we wanted to try our hands with the scenic train ride from Portland to Vancouver and back. So with that, a few bookings, a little packing and with lots excitement we all piled into the taxi that would take us to the Union Station and not the airport for once. 

All Smiles at Old Town/Gas Town

Information: I will emphasize on the new things we did in Vancouver and just skim through the parts common with my other write up. 

Day 1: Chu Chu 

All Aboard the
Amtrak Cascades Train

It was going to be our first time travelling in a train. The kids were simply jumping up & down with joy. Before long we were at the Union Station in Portland checking in our luggage. This Pacific North West train, Amtrak Cascades Train as it is rightfully named, plies between Portland and Vancouver and back stopping at roughly ten main stations on the way. It is one of the four scenic routes in USA as the train chugs along the Pacific Ocean. The Northern Cascades flanked at a distance and little towns and villages gush speedily by. The eight hours are totally worth it!

Information: the train has a pantry and a dinner seating area. You can get hot dogs, rice bowls, other snack items. So you don't have to worry about little rumbling tummy. Pricing is OK. 

We reached Vancouver at 11 pm. Sailing through immigration we soon joined the line of taxi hailers and before long were en route our hotel, English Bay Hotel. Now, our new home was a no frills alcove and was strategically positioned right at the brink of the Stanley Park. It offered a mesmerizing view of the Coal Harbor.  Late as it was, soon we all were snoring away to glory. 

Information: our suite was a spacious one bedroom accommodation with a very well furnished kitchen allowing me to cook for my little ones. 

Day 2: No Park Like Stanley 

Family Time at Coal Harbor

Now, unlike our usual vacations, this was a lazy one. With no fixed agenda, no city hopping, no list of must-sees; my husband and I were actually lost the first hour not being used to this, let's say, flexibility! 😃😄 Finally we decided to visit the Stanley Park and the harbor front. The kids soaked their tiny feet in the water and happily dug into the sand. Luckily within like a 20 mins walk, there was a big kids' park and that came as a savior in keeping the kids busy. 

I remember there were two little hole-in-the-wall style eateries which were right below the hotel, Mediterranean Grill and the La Catrina Tacos. The names suggest their cuisines. We ate quite a few meals from both places. Special mention to the Felafal of the former and Pork tacos of the latter. Both our kids especially loved the tacos. They would call it 'roti mangsho' (tortilla and meat in Benagli). 

Day 3: The Giant Swing 

The narcissistic me is assuming that you've read my other blog on Canada. 😏😉And so one-and-a-half blogs later, you might be wondering why we still haven't visited the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Let's just say we didn't get rave reviews about it. So instead we decided to visit the Lynn Canyon and the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. This one offers everything it's more famous sibling has to offer with much lesser people and at zero cost. You can take the taxi to the Visitor Center and back. 

My Little Brave Heart at Lynn Canyon 
Suspension Bridge

When they say suspension bridge, they mean business. It's a rather thin long bridge with the earth somewhere miles below you. It's a fun experience! Given my vertigo I was a little nervous to get on the bridge. However, looking at my 3 years old Rupkatha prancing away on it, I steeled myself to cross it. The bridge leads to a modest jungle on the other side. There's a well trodden though not paved trail that meanders through the forest. The trail is dotted with benches to rest on and as we were hiking with the kids and my father-in-law, these proved to be a blessing. A little mountain rivulet gurgles along and there some 'not so proper' trails that lead the quick way down to the waters. My husband and daughter went down one. 

Information: the trail is very easy and child friendly. So if you're looking for a nature walk then this is a must!

After spending a good portion of the day there we all hailed back to our hotel for a rather late lunch. We were just window browsing restaurants when we stumbled upon the popular, Legendary Noodle. They have hand made noodles and it's fun to watch the chef make fresh noodles and drop them into boiling waters. The kids were rather exited to see the noodles being made and then being served the very noodles.

Day 3: Being Back at Old Town

We all happily slept in late after all the hiking and spent the morning at the harbour side!

Post lunch we all took a taxi to the Old Town/Gas Town and pretty much did everything we did the last the we were here. Shopping, strolling and dinner at Momo Sushi. 

(Just in case, here's the link: https://www.backpackstrollerandtheworld.com/2020/08/canada-turquoise-echo.html)

Day 4: Biking!

The Superhero Baba at Stanley Park 😍

Now this was a fun filled day. My husband and I decided to bike around Stanley with the kids. Of course they were too small to bike on their own. We got a double seating tagalong for my husband's bike. The kids' expressions were rather hilarious; given they'd never done this before it was strange mix of excitement, nervousness, mistrust yet giving in! Bless them!

Information: there are ample bike rental shops right outside Stanley. So take your pick. 

Tip: we were in VC in May end and it was a tad cold. However, if you're placing your kids in the tagalongs, tuck them in with warm clothes. I'd even used blankets! 

We spent a good part of our day just biking and exploring the entire 9 kms perimeter of Stanley and a few paths inside as well. I would highly recommend this as Stanley is indeed a very beautiful park. From kids' parks to quaint tea houses, from the harbor side trail to touristy Totem poles. The cool summer sea breeze teased us we visited our own childhoods; days when we biked around aimlessly on streets carefree and unshackled! 

Day 5: Curtain Fall

We had a very early morning train back to Portland. It starts at about 6 am. The kids played a while and before long were snoring away to catch up on some sleep.

With that we bid adieu to Vancouver. In our hearts we knew we shall come back and in our minds we knew we don't now when!