🌲 Vancouver: Last Stop in Canada! 🇨🇦

Vancouver part I:

The Supposedly Most Beautiful City in Canada 🌊🏔️

Yes, Vancouver definitely had a different vibe from all  other cities.

Even the landing was impressive: green, mountain-covered landscapes meeting the Pacific Ocean. 🌲🌊

And finally—a city that didn't welcome the panda family with pouring rain! 🎉

Public transport? A breeze. 😎 Straight to our Airbnb, right next to Chinatown.

Our first grocery trip became an experience of its own: Asia meets Canadian super-sized choices. 🥢🛒😂

Once settled in, the Young Pandas discovered surprise number one: the pool! 🏊‍♂️🎉

Mamabear had finally found an AirBnB with the pandas' favourite wellness spots.

The Young Pandas were thrilled—and then discovered the unexpected bonus: a spa.

Naturally, that was immediately enjoyed by everyone. 🧖‍♀️😄

The next morning, there was another little treat:

a cat rescue centre just around the corner. 🐱❤️

Perfect for some kitten cuddles and playtime.

Despite great fun, Mamabear could however not convince the Young Pandas to consider a cat instead of a dog as pet.

Guess still not getting out off this upon our return in Belgium🐕.

Yet the biggest surprise was still to come.

The travel gods had worked intensively to align stars, dates and locations just right ✨ for a very special surprise guest:

Papabear! ❤️

who happened to be stopping in Vancouver on his way to New Zealand.

What better place for a surprise family reunion? 🥰🌏

🏖️ Beaches, Nature & Holiday Vibes 🌊

The next day, the reunited panda family explored Vancouver—starting with its city beaches. 🏖️

The boys immediately got to work checking whether the sand was castle-worthy. 🏰😄

Meanwhile, Mamabear enjoyed the rare luxury of a long walk completely on her own. What rare bliss! 😌

The day continued through a natural park and along the marina, with beautiful views all around. 🌲⛵

Someone once mentioned that Vancouver has a low-energy vibe—and Mamabear could definitely see what they meant.

It felt less like a busy working city and more like being permanently on holiday mode. 🌴😎

Especially around the marina, where tourists were constantly arriving and departing by very loud seaplanes or cruise ships, clearly ready for their next adventure. ✈️🚢

💆 A Relax-Day for Everyone! 🌊

The following day brought a blissfull day for the entire panda family: the Young Pandas headed off with Papabear for a boat and beach adventure. 🚤🏖️

Their day also included a visit to the local sport stadium 🏒 and, most importantly, a badly needed haircut. ✂️😂

Meanwhile, Mamabear enjoyed a day completely to herself: Massage, spa, lunch date with herself and her very own hair treatment 💆‍♀️🧖‍♀️🍽️💇‍♀️

A perfect day for everyone! ✨

🐋 Ocean Lessons, Goodbye Hugs & One Last Science Center🌊

After skipping the famous aquarium in Toronto, it was finally time for some marine education.

And what a great choice!

The aquarium was more of a rescue and rehabilitation centre for local coastal animals, which made the visit even more meaningful. 🦭🐟

As usual, the Young Pandas had plenty of questions.

The very knowledgeable staff patiently shared the animals’ background stories - some quite sad—and thus turned the visit into a real lesson about overfishing, ocean waste, reckless tourist boats and the harsh reality of predatorial beviour.🌊🐋

(Proudly presenting photos by photography newcomer Nicobear)

The next day, it was already time to say goodbye to Papabear. 💔 It had been short, but the little family reunion had given everyone a much-needed energy boost. 

After the sad goodbye, there was only one obvious way to cheer up the Young Pandas. Yes you guess it: 

Science Centre! 🔬😄

Their favourite place strikes again!

Vancouver’s Science Centre even came surprisingly close to Montreal’s favourite thanks to a robotic workshop and

lovely students that explained in great detail construction and functionality. Certainly lost Mamabear on the way, but not the Young Bears. Both of them eagerly interested. 

And, naturally, we stayed once again until closing time. 😂

Then came one final pool session 🏊 before the bags had to be packed once again.

Next stop: Vancouver Islands! 🏝️✨