Vancouver, Canada

We took our annual trip home to Vancouver,  with me (Sam) arriving on the 23rd March and David on the 23rd April.  Although it was a short visit for David (we left to go back to Singapore on the 2nd May), it was good to spend time with family and friends.

Sonny's 70th Birthday Party

During our visit to Vancouver, Sam's dad celebrated his 70th birthday and we threw a small party for him.  The party was held at a Chinese Seafood Restaurant and we invited close family and a few close family friends.  In keeping with tradition, we had a ten course meal that included deep fried crab claws, lobster, scallops, prawns, Rock Cod fish and noodles (for long-life).  The food was very good and was enjoyed by all.  To end the meal we had a selection of desserts that included coconut jelly, red bean soup and special steamed buns with lotus paste (served especially on birthdays).  We also enjoyed birthday cake - Pavlova, which was delicious.  It was an enjoyable evening with family and friends, and we are glad we could be there for Sonny's 70th birthday celebration.   

Comox, Canada

We caught the ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and drove up to Comox to visit David's parents.  On the first day of our visit the weather was cool and wet, so we spent the day indoors, but the next day was a beautiful sunny day.  Fortunately for us, it so happened that the Canadian Snowbirds were also in Comox that week to practice, so with the ideal weather we went to watch them in action.  They put on a fantastic display in their Canadair CT-114 Tutor jets, showing their remarkable skills   The Snowbirds demonstration team is made up of members of the Royal Canadian Airforce and not only are they very good at what they do, but they are also wonderful ambassadors for Canada.  

After a good visit with David's parents, we drove down to Victoria where we spent the night, before catching the ferry the next morning to Anacortes in the US state of Washington. 

Seattle, USA

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

We caught the ferry from Sidney on Vancouver Island, to Anacortes in the US state of Washington.  Anacortes is situated in Skagit County and is known for the Washington State Ferries dock and terminal.  Seeing as though we were in Skagit County, we decided to make a quick stop at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  This annual festival is extremely popular and draws thousands of visitors each year.  Following previous years, the Tulips and Daffodils were spectacular and a definite sign that spring has arrived.   

Dinner with Friends

The main reason for our visit to Seattle was to see our close friends Jenny, Roberto and their daughter Sabrina (our Goddaughter).  Sabrina turned six on the 18th April and although we could not be in Seattle on her actual birthday, we celebrated when we went down.  Our other close friend Veronica drove down from Vancouver to join us.  We had dinner at Cutters Crabhouse, next to Pike Place Market, that has a lovely view of Puget Sound.  It was a wonderful evening where we enjoyed delicious Westcoast food and the company of good friends.  

Boeing Factory

On our drive up from Seattle to Vancouver, we made a stop at the Boeing Factory in Everett.  David was very eager to get a glimpse of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  As it turns out, there were at least 20 Dreamliners at different stages of completion parked on the tarmac.  The Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its international debut in July 2010 and All Nippon Airways (ANA), the first airline to take delivery of the new Dreamliner, celebrated its maiden commercial flight in October 2011 from Tokyo to Hong Kong.
While we were at the factory, we saw one of Boeing's new 747-8's for Lufthansa and one of their Dream Lifters take off (the Dream Lifters are used to transport parts for the Boeing planes).