faraway

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

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.

living room of our hotel

Jake in the living room

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.

Jerome&Zach in Vancouver Airport

Zach with our Luggage

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.

On the Air Canada Plane

Waiting for Michelle

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.

Zach&Jake at Mama's House

Jake at Mama's House

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