12 Days of Family Road Trip: Part 4

 July 27

Trip: Sooke to Tsawwassen, Delta, BC (South of Richmond, ~ 3hr)

Activities: Whiffin Spit Park, Victoria Butchart Gardens, Swartz Bay

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Google Maps - Trip from Prestige Oceanfront Resort to Swartz Bay

This was the last day at Vancouver Island. There would be a bit of driving, so I took it easy. Charlotte and I woke up early while the other two were still asleep. We headed down to the Sooke Habour Marina dock for a walk.


Prestige Oceanfront Hotel Backyard

While we were searching for small sea creatures close to the boardwalk, a fisherman, I presumed, dumped a brunch of scrap meat into the sea. Was that legal?!?! It didn't matter...

A Happy Seal
The seals quickly came for the meat.

There was so much we wanted to do here, but it was time to leave. After saying bye-bye to this nice oceanfront hotel, we headed down to Whiffen Spit Park.

Whiffin Spit Park Sign

Whinffin Spit Park didn’t seem special at first. But, as the warm ocean wind blew, I looked far out to the endless ocean -- it was relaxing.

Whiffin Spit

After the nice walk, we had about 4 hours before the ship's departure. I thought we might as well visit this famous tourist trap: The Butchart Gardens!

Butchart Gardens - Sunken Garden

Rare Family Photo

It was a very hot day, around 30C. So, we stopped for another tourist trap: An ice cream shop!

Frederick's Bubble Gum Ice Cream

A single scope was $7. As I enjoyed my ice cream, I counted the shop served approx. 7 people per minute non-stop. This little shop could definitely make tons of money.

The administration fee was $80 per car, but we only stayed for two hours because we needed to catch the ferry. So 唔抵!

We arrived at Swartz Bay on time, but thanks to yet another ferry delay, I spent more money at the market.



Finally, we arrived at this clean, modern-looking hotel: Coast Tsawwassen Inn. This was a two-room suite where the kids could sleep on the sofa while I got to enjoy the king-sized bed 😏

King-size Bed - Photo-Bombed

July 28

Activities: Vancouver Aquarium

Google Maps - Drive from Coast Hotel To Vancouver Aquarium

If this is your first time visiting Vancouver with family, there is no way to skip the Vancouver Aquarium.

Dolphin Sculpture

Kids Mesmerised by the Corals

Moon Jelly Aquarium

Aquarium Lobby

Charlotte Poking the Sea Urchin 

The weather was hot, and this place was packed with visitors, but this was what made it feel like a vacation. Here, more ice cream to stop my kids from begging:

Stop Bugging Me Ice Cream

Kids Inside an Aquarium Bubble

We stayed until 5 p.m. until the Vancouver Aquarium was closing. So we walked around the famous Stanley Park.

Kids Climbing On a Tree Sculpture

I wished I could spend more time at Stanley Park. In fact, I should have gone back the following day to look for my favourite water bottle. 😢

By then, the kids were asking for food. After a quick debate on sushi vs. Ramen, we settled on ramen because it was cost-effective. 

Tonkotsu Ramen Tsukiya

The Ramen was great, and the price was reasonable. There was so much to do in Vancouver, but I needed to reserve everyone's energy, so until the next day!

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

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