Goodbye South Korea & Japan: End of Trip Reflection
As 2015 is coming to a close and our trip is nearing its end, I thought it’s time for some reflection. Yesterday, as we were riding around Zamami Island, we stopped for a break at a beautiful view point. Neil had just woken up from his morning nap in the trailer and was happy and chatty as usual. We took him out, changed his diaper, had a snack and hung out, just the three of us. I suddenly realized that those will be the moments I’ll miss the most. We spent the last three months traveling by bicycle in South Korea and Japan. We left when Neil was seven months…
Japan (Part 1): The Opening Doors Experience of Cycling in Kyushu
When asking cycle tourers what is their favourite part about cycle touring, the answer is often ‘random acts of kindness’. I guess there is something about seeing people on bikes that opens people’s hearts. It may be curiosity, or pity, or just basic human kindness. We had experienced this many times during our bike trips, but what we experienced so far in Japan was far beyond our previous experiences. I am sure the combination of having a baby and some bad weather along the way helped too. We were often given food, toys for Neil and many invitations to spend the night. It all started with Asami, our first Couchsurfing…
South Korea (Part 2): Cycling Jeju with Teddy Bears and Kimchi
Jeju Island is the Korean version of Hawaii. At least that’s what we read in the guidebook. I read this and thought: “oh oh, bad news”. You see, I like to travel to places with a minimum of expectations and preconceptions. That way, I can keep myself open and flexible to whatever ends up transpiring. It’s like a movie trailer that gives away the plot of the movie you are about to watch, spoiling the surprise. Regardless, once the word “Hawaii” had been uttered, it could not be taken back, and we were often tempted to compare our trip to Jeju with our two week cycling trip around the Big Island.…
South Korea (Part 1): A Cyclist and Foodie Paradise
The stress was building up before this trip with endless lists of things to do, things to buy and things to finish before we took off. This time we had to think more carefully what to pack, especially for Neil. Did we pack too much or too little? Does he have enough toys, books or clothes? How about diapers? In the end you realize it doesn’t really matter. He will grow out of his clothes any way, the bag of toys will become useless at some point since anything is a toy, we make up stories as we go and we make do with the diapers of course. So once we…
Point Roberts Loop: A Few Hours on the Other Side
Back in February, three days before Neil was born, Gili cycled around Point Roberts. He came back with an excellent impression and I was a bit sad that I couldn’t join. He promised that we’ll be back there riding as a family of three sooner rather than later. Then as we are getting ready for our trip to South Korea and Japan Gili ordered bicycle tires to be picked up from Point Roberts. Now that the opportunity presented itself we had to go back, so Neil and I could enjoy the ride as well. So we drove to Tsawwassen and parked the car at Diefenbaker Park, where Neil had his…
Kids on Wheels Rolls into East Van Daycares
In July, Kids on Wheels, the BC Cycling Coalition’s exciting new program, had two fabulous sessions in Eaglets and Grandview Terrace daycares in East Vancouver. In both daycares we found an enthusiastic group of children who were more than ready to jump on the balance bikes and start exploring. The teachers were very supportive and with the guidance of our wonderful instructors everyone had a great time. The children’s riding abilities varied and it was inspiring to see how in one week the children who were less confident on Monday gained confidence and mastered their balance abilities. The children rode in a basketball field connected to their daycare and we started with…
Rainbow Lake: Two Lakes and a Peak
After trying and failing to get to Rainbow Lake earlier this summer, we decided to try again. This time we chose the rougher but shorter trail from Madeley Lake. As usual, we got a late start, Neil slept the whole way to the trail head and we started up the trail later than most people’s lunch time. The first section of the trail has been spruced up recently and has some very nice boardwalks and bridges, the upper part is a bit rougher. The hike in was short, but it felt very long to us, maybe just because we were a tired bunch. We arrived to Hanging Lake in the…
- British Columbia (and nearby), Hiking & Scrambling, Rockies & Kootenays, Trip Reports, Trips with Kids
The Rockies: Happy Campers in the ‘Orange House’
Some people thought we were brave, others thought we were stupid or just plain crazy. At times I felt like all of the above. Making the long drive from Vancouver to the Rockies with a five month old baby wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it. We left on Friday afternoon after literally packing the whole house into our ’99 Subaru Legacy. Neil fell asleep before we even drove two blocks and slept until around Merritt, three hours away, while I tried to remember all the things that we might have forgotten. Eventually Gili got so tired from the drive that we had to stop at a rest area…
- British Columbia (and nearby), Hiking & Scrambling, Metro Vancouver & North Shore, Trip Reports, Trips with Kids
Mt. Seymour: In Search for a Missing (Teddy) Bear
A few weekends ago we headed to Mt. Seymour. I think it’s the classic hike if you want to get the full outdoor experience but still stay close to the city. We just bought a new hiking carrier for Neil and we wanted to try it out before our big trip to the Rockies the weekend after. It had been sunny for a long time, but the rain decided to come back that weekend. We still decided to go out and when it looked like it was clearing we got into the car for the short drive, making yet another great alpine start at 2pm. The moment we put Neil…
- British Columbia (and nearby), Carfree, Cycling & Cycle Touring, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast, Trip Reports, Trips with Kids
Galiano Island: Cycle Touring with an Infant – Impossible or Possible?
Cycle touring with an infant: possible or impossible? We decided we’d find out the only way that makes sense: by trying it ourselves. The weekend before this trip we bought a used trailer on Craigslist. “Would he like it?” – this was a bit of a question mark for us, due to Neil’s obvious dislike of the stroller. Over the next week we took Neil for short rides in the city, to the beach and so on, and he seemed to enjoy it. On the following weekend, we set out towards Dionisio Provincial Park on Galiano Island. The first ferry to Galiano leaves at 8:40am, which we deemed “impossible”, given…
