biking around Stanley Park

On Sunday, the kids and I drove up to Surrey/White Rock to stay with my parents for a few days before heading north to camp in Squamish with the Hoangs. The drive was long and painful, but we arrived in time to unpack, eat dinner, and play at the playground. The Hoangs arrived a little later, after an even longer and more painful drive. But we are all happily settled in and starting to explore Vancouver together. Monday we drove in and parked near Denman St., and then rented bikes in order to circumnavigate Stanley Park. It was a beautiful ride on a gorgeous day - the kids all did great on their bikes, despite narrow paths, numerous riders, and the temptations of the beach and pool.

I rented a purple cruiser! So comfortable to sit up straight on a broad seat - felt like I was on a Harley motorcycle.

 A seaplane coming in to land, with Lion's Gate bridge underneath and North Vancouver behind.

This rock carried a special significance to the native people of the area - apparently a young man's reward for serving his family was to be transformed into it. (eep!)

After biking, we drove to Richmond for some excellent Chinese food - traditional style table and service, and a plethora of tasty dishes - hot pot eggplant, shredded pork, steamed fish, chicken and broccoli, ginger beef, prawns and bokchoy.