We arrived in TO last night. The whole trip was fine. The flight took only 4 hours and the kids were well behaved throughout it. We were amazed with the sophisticated, computized system for check-in at Air Canada which is a self service check-in done through touch-screens. We could choose our own seats, entered our Aeroplan numbers and checked-in our own bags by ourselves. Self Service Check-In People with the Machine living room of our hotel Jake in the living room Jerome&Zach in Vancouver Airport Zach with our Luggage On the Air Canada Plane Waiting for Michelle Zach&Jake at Mama's House Jake at Mama's House
We spent our last day in Vancouver running around doing errands and eating sushi at “Ichiban Restaurant” downtown just off Robson Street. In the evening, John Finley and Tammy Hoblak visited us in our hotel room. We watched the national election result together. Zach was very excited and was bouncing all over the hotel room. He especially liked John’s manic energy. It was sad to say goodbye to Tammy. We wished her well on her big southern Africa trip. 
And then, we packed.
On Tuesday morning, we started our day early for once with breakfast together. Zach did not want to eat his breakfast bagel though. He claimed he was full, although he probably just wanted to play with his toys. Before we left, we took some picture of our room at Coast Hotel. Hopefully, we can stay there again next year with the same price. 
After we checked out, we drove directly to the car rental place at the airport. It was very convenient. We just dropped the car off, paid, and push our huge trolley of luggage up to terminal M to for our flight check-in (since we are traveling in the winter, we brought so many winter clothes).
We arrived in TO at 7.14 pm, but we had to wait for half an hour to get our luggage. Jerome was astounded by the new domestic terminal. Zach was very thirsty and kept asking for water. He finally got a drink at a public fountain. He loves public fountains in Canada. Probably because Indonesia has none, so they are such a novelty for him.
The Toronto night was colder than Vancouver, and we waited out in the cold for a few minutes before Jerome’s sister, Michelle arrived to pick us up. Zach was excited and was full of questions for Auntie Michelle. He talked to her almost constantly throughout the thirty-minute drive to Jerome’s parent’s house. We got to the Cheung house around 9 pm. Then, we had dinner together. Michelle did not join the dinner because she had to prepare a big trial. 
The difference time between Vancouver and Toronto is three hours. We were still jet-lagged from Jakarta time, and now we has to adjust with TO’s time. Jerome and I slept at 4 am last night because Jake did not want to sleep.
Today, Jerome and Zach woke up at 11 am. Jake and I woke up at 1.20 pm. We sepnt our first day in TO by hanging out at house. In the evening, together with Jeorme's Dad, we went to the Fairview Village Mall to buy FIDO pre-paid sim card, diapers and presents for Deb and Jovin. We will meet Deb, Akas and their son on Friday.
Galuh
Toronto Today
Zach Ready for Snow Jake got ready for snow Tammy with Zach Jerome-Jake on Toboggan-Tammy Jerome with Zach Us with Snow Me:My first skiing Tammy-Jerome-Ian-Zach Our Dinner Our Family in Orange
Before I start our story today, I would like to say thank you to Tammy who has showered us with presents and loves to introduce us to new experiences. Tammy, you are wonderful and we love you. Today was yet another example of this.
We woke up very late again but at least it was not raining. We decided to go to Cypress Mountain in North Vancouver in search of snow for Zach. We picked up Tammy at her house. Tammy was ready with her ski equipment, extra warm cloths for us and a red toboggan for Zach! We drove across the Second Narrows Bridge and up to Cypress. It only took 30 minutes to get there and as we climbed the mountain it started to snow. When we arrived at there everything was covered in snow. Tammy said that she was there last week and there was no snow. We were lucky today!
This was Zach first time to see snow. He was so excited. He made his first snow ball. We tried to interest him in making a snowman but he was really into the snowballs. He liked the toboggan a lot. He liked running after Tammy and Jerome with snowballs. Zach has been asking to see snow for more than six months. He must have seen snow on tv. His first snow experience was so fantastic, it was snowing and the snow was perfect for snowball. It was great to see him so happy. 
I borrowed Tammy’s skis and tried cross-country skiing for the first time. I fell a lot of times but I really liked it. I felt like doing an aerobic. Wish someday I will have a chance to learn how to play ski and will get my own level and pace. Jerome promised that he will buy me ski equipment when we move here (but do not know when ha … ha…).
While we were enjoying the snow, Jake was stuck in his carseat covered by the plastic raincover. He slept through most of it but occasionally cried when he felt loney. Sometimes we felt guilty because we just left him alone. He must be very cold!
After we finished playing, we decided to go back to Tammy’s house. We hung up at her house for awhile, drank beer/wine. Then, we decided to have dinner at Pink Pearl Restaurant. It was a chinesse restaurant. We celebrated upcoming chinesse new year with Tammy earlier since we will leave Vancouver on Tuesday. We had chicken fried rice, sticky rice, hot pot vegetables with chicken, five spice tofu, green beans, and of course Peking Duck. The food was very good. For the dessert, Tammy and I had mango pudding. Tammy treated us to dinner. Thanks again Tammy!
Today was a wonderful day, we had an unforgettable experience. For Zach and Jake, it was his first time to see snow. For Jerome, it was his first time to see snow again after years. And for me, it was my first time to play cross-country skiing.
Galuh
Last night, Jake could not sleep and kept us up most of the night. He is still jet lagged. The reward for the sleepless night is a sleeping baby throughout the day. Zach with Galuh in Aquarium Dolphin Zach with Jelly Fish Dolphin Show Beluga Show Dinner at Dean's House Welcome Cake Dean and Madeline Phoebe-Aiden-Merlin Karen Peter Phoebe&Karen Galuh before make up Galuh after Make Up Zach & Jake at Dean's Jake
We woke up very late today and found it was a very rainy day. So we decided not go to Grouse or Cypress Mountain in North Vancouver in search of snow for Zach. We decided to go to Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park with Tammy. Zach was very excited at seeing all the kinds of fishes, beluga, dolphins, whales, etc. We watched all the shows. Zach ran around in great excitement and is generally very cute. He asks a million “why” questions that I have a hard time answering.
Tammy bought Zach a bag of plastic sea creatures. Right away he said, “Mommy, let’s go back to the hotel!” Because he wanted to play with them right away.
Later we had dinner at Dean and Madeline. I was surprised at how tall Merlin had grown and how much he resembled his father, Peter. Peter and Karen Mahon were there as well. Karen’s son Aiden and Merlin’s sister Phoebe were there. Phoebe turns sixteen next Tuesday. It was a wonderful dinner topped of with a “Welcome to Canada” cake. Thanks guys!
The dinner was accompanied by the usual frivolity that is expected of any gathering at Dean and Mad’s. Phoebe and Karen took silly self-portraits with our camera. Dean, Aiden and Merlin tested their ability to support the weight of each other on all fours. Zach played with Spot the Dog, tossing a squeaky Santa doll which she would fetch. One of Zach’s tossed ended up smoldering on the candles, narrowly missing Galuh’s wine glass. Merlin sowed off his ab muscles, his “six pack” for some reason, insisting that everyone feel them. Phoebe applied make up to Karen and Galuh. Far too much lipstick for Galuh. Merlin, Aiden and Phoebe dressed Karen up in Merlin’s clothes.
Jerome
Zach and Jake also enjoyed the dinner. They had a great time there!
Jerome and Zach with the Goats Zach with Cow Zach with Rabbits Jerome and Zach with Turkey Galuh-Jake infront of the Barn Theresa
Today is a sunny day. We decided to go to Maplewood Farm in the North Vancouver, on the way to Seymour River. It is a petting zoo. It only took 20 minutes to get there.
The first thing that Zach saw when we arrived at the farm was a cow sign on top of the roof of the ticketing building. He was excited to see the real cows in the farm. The admission fee is only CAN$ 4.25 for adults and CAN$2.5 for children. There are two scarecrows at the front entrance gate. Zach wanted us to take a picture of him with them. 
There are so many animals at the farm such as cows, horses, chickens, peacocks, sheeps, goats, turkeys, rabbits, ducks, etc. The best thing is that you can touch and play with the animals but you are not allowed to feed them. Zach really liked petting them. 
This farm was very big and beautiful. We took a walk along a stream, I thought it was a stream off of Seymour River. There are many big trees at this farm. The view was beautiful. The other good thing is that it has a playground for kids. Zach enjoyed the train.
After that, we went up to Deep Cove. This is Jerome’s favourite place, he wants to retire in this place. He said this place is kind of mysterious because of the cloud and mist on the mountains surrounding the cove. This place is kind of like a small village, quite and peaceful. The mountain tops were covered by snow. Today, the sun seemed to follow the trees, so gorgeous.
Before we went to the park, we went to the Arms Beach Bistro to get a snack. Zach and I had not eaten lunch yet. This restaurant was very nice, had good food and great view. Jerome loved the old church pews that they use for some of the seating. We are hoping to have a chance to have dinner there before we go on to Toronto.
Later, we walked down to the beach and Zach played down there. He loves throwing sticks into the water. the water was very still and clean. 
From Deep Cove, we went to Theresa Beer’s house to have dinner. She has a beautiful new house. It's small but very artistic. She owns it with Yasmin. Cheeying and Tom also came with their two year old son, Wei Tien. The dinner was excellent, chicken, salad, roasted vegetables and mushrooms plus dessert! Before we left, Theresa and Cheeying said that they are ready to help us to find jobs in Vancouver if we want to move here. They are very nice. Thanks for the dinner Theresa!
Galuh