This fallen tree in Stanley Park was more than 800 years old! Cool.
Toronto Today
Our ever resourceful friend Tammy oganized a sunset barbie with beer at Jericho Beach. Galuh got some kayak time and the kids rolled in the same. Jacob ate sand. We started a mini fire, toasted marshmellows and made smores. Zach ate two.
A wet ride on Maid of the Mist. We all looked like blue condoms. Jacob really didn't like his condom and tore it trying to take it off. 
A fine day at the world's greatest water fall end with a rainbow as we walked to the parking lot.
The Angkorian temple complex north of Siem Reap is massive containing hundreds of sites. Although Angkor Wat is the most well known, our favorite temple is the over-grown Ba Phrom; left in the state that it was discivered in, it is eerie and beautiful. Crumbled buildings and stone blocks left in the embrace of hundred-year old trees which reclaimed the site after its abandonment.
Hong Kong is a spectacular, seemly singular concrete construction that crowds around its harbour and emerges out of the slopes of the island’s moody mountains. It seemed clear to me that Hong Kong was obviously Ridely Scott’s inspiration for the futuristic LA in Blade Runner. Arriving at night at Hong Kong’s colossal airport swarming with passengers, we caught a shuttle bus to the city. The trip from Lantau Island (where the airport is located) through Kowloon and over to Hong Kong lsland is done over enormous bridges, through mountain and a harbour tunnel. Galuh kept remarking on how often she would spot the word "Cheung" written on buildings, billboards and tunnels. Yes, we have a common name. We were all wide-eyed on our approach to Hong Kong Island as its dramatic skyline and astonishing architecture came into view. The city is like a immense crown bejeweled with multicoloured neon lights.
My favorite days during our week in Hong Kong were probably the first and the last. Both involved a ferry crossing. On the first day, a Sunday, we ventured out of our hotel onto the bustling streets of Hong Kong. After making our way through some narrow and winding streets and descending some stairs (Hong Kong loses to Singapore in terms of public accessibility) we found the Tram line. It was crowded ride but Zach was fascinated as we climbed to the top deck and watched busy Hennesy Street roll by. We descended at a public square near the Star Ferry dock. The area was filled with Filipino women, domestic workers gather here on they’re one day off. They sat on the sides of the sidewalk having picnic of homemade food eaten from plastic containers (Tupperware) in small and animated groups. Their chatter was a buzz in the underground walkway (in Hong Kong called a “subway” not to be confused with the underground mass transit system, the MTR) that lead to the Star Ferry dock. At the end some activists displayed banner and handed out pamphlets in Tegalog.
We caught the tour Star Ferry which sails around the harbour. Nice views but the day was cloudy and grey casting an unpleasant light on Hong Kong’s wall of buildings. We got off on the Kowloon side and had lunch at a Starbucks. We made the mistake of first trying to get Chinese food for lunch on a Sunday. I should have known, given the long Sunday waits my family faced in Toronto for most of my childhood. After trying our fourth restaurant, we gave up and settled for sandwiches at Starbucks.
It turns out, the public viewing space on the Kowloon side is the Indonesian domestic workers’ Sunday hangout spot. After lunch as we strolled back over to the ferry, Galuh could catch phrases of Javanese spoken by the similar small picnicking groups of young women. We caught the ferry back across to Hong Kong and from there took the MTR back to the Hotel. We had assumed that there was a station right under the hotel because I spotted this staircase labeled “subway”. Being from Toronto, I assumed this was the MTR. When we got off at the Causeway bay station, we followed the signs to the Cosmopolitan Hotel, walking what seemed like a kilometer through tunnels underground. The people of Hong Kong walk far more than Jakartans because of all these underground tunnels. Finally we emerged in Times Square and were told that the Hotel was still another 15 minutes walk outside. However we could catch a taxi on Russel street. Emerging onto Russel Street, I got my first impression of Hong Kong’s density. A solid mass of people were moving slowly but inexorably on Russel Street. We tried to find a cab but there was an considerable queue. Later we would discover there is a shuttle to the hotel that picks-up once every hour on Sharp Street. But unaware of that we decided to walk back to the hotel. We arrived sweaty and exhausted but I felt a sense of accomplishment in having successfully navigated this intimidatingly complex and vast city. For Zach he had ridden the Tram (on the top deck no less), the Star Ferry and the MRT.
Our kids are tough. Zach complained a lot but I was impressed how much he walked in the Hong Kong’s summer heat. Although, the moment Jacob was lifted from the stroller, Zach was quick to take his place. Jake survived long hot days.
Our last day, for me, was our best. Galuh suggested we explore Lamma Island which is south of Lantau. We took a ferry from Central. You can pay with the Octopus transit cards. That was cool and futuristic. The small island is a quieter, earthier place. No cars are allowed on the island although they have these noisy four wheeled motorized carts which they call We-We trucks, maybe because they look like little trucks. Lots of people use bikes as we could see from the mass of bike parked along the ferry pier. It was raining lightly as we came off the ferry which added to the mystique of the place. I love rain and the tone it brings to any environment.
All the roads are narrow and aside from the We-we trucks and bikes are quiet and lined with cozy-looking bars and seafood restaurants. Here and there are little shops selling trinkets and souvenirs. We had lunch at a leftly little restaurant called the Bookworm Café, its walls covered with used books and magazine from do-gooding NGOs (Oxfam, Greenpeace and Amnesty all well represented). After a light lunch we walked to the beach. Another long, hot walk and Zach kept peppering me with “Dad, when will we get there?”. Thankfully the entire path is covered by asphalt and Jake slept all the way in his stroller. He looks like a little Buddha when he sleeps there. Finally we reached the small beach. It was clean and there were a few people there but it was mostly quiet. I was impressed that there were lifeguards here, something mostly absent on Indonesian beaches. While Galuh and Jacob rested at a park bench, Zach and I ventured into the surf. The waves are perfect for a four-year old. Zach loves water. He loves to play in the waves. He was sad to leave.
We had dinner at another little restaurant. The manager was very helpful and eaeger to please us. He gave us great advice on our order. Everybody was hungry, even Jacob. The seafood was great and I tried a new beer, Blue Lady. We had a delicate steamed fish, clams and calamari (almost entirely devoured by Zach). Jacob liked the fish. He got a fishcheek. Satisfied, we headed back to the ferry pier, took in a clouded sunset and sailed back to Hong Kong.
Jerome
PS : For the pictures of our trip in Hongkong, please open "our Yahoo Photo Albums"
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
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
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
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