Canadian Summer Trip: Alberta: Day 4 Royal Tyrell Museum (Dinosaur Museum)

 On day 4, we woke up super early and hit the road at 6 am to get to the Royal Tyrell Dinosaur Museum.  It is about 3 hour drive from Edmonton to the south.  On the way, we saw the vast flat land that Canada has.  We saw hundreds of beaver dams and lakes, but we did not see any beavers.  (too bad)

Royal Tyrell Dinosaur Museum

It has many live sized dinosaur models and skeletons:

I took so many pictures, but I should not spoil it for everyone.  There are way more skeletons then these for the people who love dinosaurs.

On the same day, it was the "community day" for Pokemon Go app.  For those who are familiar with Pokemons.  There are dinosaurs in the Pokemon world as well.  On that day, it was also the community day for "Deino", one of the dinosaurs in the Pokemon world.  

Perfect timing!  We were catching dinosaurs in the dinosaur museum!

Oh, there was the cute prairie dogs in Alberta.  These cute little things are everywhere:

Alberta prairie dog

After the museum, we were heading to Calgary on a 1 hour and 45 minute drive.

Canadian Summer Trip: Alberta: Day 3 World Waterpark (West Edmonton Mall)

 We headed to the World Waterpark on Day 3 of our trip.  It is the world's largest indoor waterpark with man-made wave pool and lots of waterslides.  

World Waterpark slides

They have so many kinds of slides.  Some are fast and some are super fast.  Some are pitch black and some are just vertical with 360 twists.  My kids have so much fun, and the only downside is the line up on a busy day.  We have to wait for almost 30 minutes for one slide.  My kids really like the wave pool as it simulates the natural waves in the ocean without the dangerous depth.

They have different color coding for different "thrilled" level each person can tolerate.  I would suggest if the person is scared of height and speed, they should only go for the beginner slides.

Canadian Summer Trip: Alberta: Day 2 West Edmonton Mall

 For the second day, we walked around the humongous West Edmonton Mall.  This mall is still the largest shopping mall in Canada and has the biggest shopping mall parking lot in the world.  It has the world's largest indoor water park (World Waterpark), a theme park (Galaxyland), indoor kart racing, kids playing area, a small aquarium, skating rink, and all kinds of brand name shops.  

Aquarium area with sea lion show:

West Edmonton mall Sea Lion show

The sea lion:

They are soooooo cute!!

Heck, they even have a pirate ship inside the mall:

West Edmonton Mall Pirate Ship

They have a big Lego shop:

West Edmonton Mall Lego Shop Lamborghini

They have a T&T Supermarket, and they even have a large Asian scenery display:

West Edmonton Mall Asian Display

This mall is so big that we get tired just by walking around.  It has almost everything in there, and there is so many things for young people to do.

There is even a restaurant street with different kinds of food.

They have all kinds of wall art on display in the mall:

We planned to head to the Waterpark the next day.

Canadian Summer Trip: Alberta Day 1: From Calgary Airport to Edmonton

 It has been 3 whole years without hopping on to the airplane and seeing different things.  I decided to bring my family to Alberta, a province close by.  We flew to Calgary from the Abbotsford Airport.  Because of Covid and short of staff, we were delayed both on the way there and back.  We picked up a rental car there.  Calgary Airport is surprisingly new and spacious.  The rental car is very expensive in this covid era, and there were a bunch of people waiting for rental cars.

The rental car was a red Kia Soul.  First, I thought it has a smaller trunk and gas tank, and it is not a mid size I asked for.  However, it was quiet and comfortable and was perfect for sitting for a long road trip.

I was glad that it is this car, but the trunk space is just too small.  (and you can't hide the stuff you buy)

We were heading to Edmonton first from Calgary Airport, and it was a 3 hour road trip.  The highways in Alberta are long, straight and almost traffic jam free.

The land is infinite and far and flat.  This feels like, "oh, this is Canada".  I am from British Columbia, and the province is full of mountains.  The roads are not wide and straight like this.  We had music playing in the car which makes the 3 hour drive easier.  There was periodical thunder rain, but we managed to pull through.

We stayed in the hotel operated by the West Edmonton Mall, West Edmonton Mall Inn.  The room was okay, but the bed was saggy.  The old guy in the front was grumpy at night but the girl in the morning was helpful.

We went to check the mall and bought dinner, and planned to continue exploring the biggest mall in Canada the next day.

New Batch of Finch Babies...Parents Feeding Kids

The Finches has been quiet through spring this year.  (quiet April and May) 

I assumed that they are raising kids.

Few days ago, they started coming back with their babies!!

I think they breed twice a year, each time with 1 to 6 eggs.  This time, after they taught the kids how to fly, they brought them to my place.

The parents will feed the kids.

cute moment: finches feeding kids

I got to see lots of these cute moments.  Kids wanting food from parents even though they can fly and come eat their own food.  I guess we all want to be take care of! haha.

Baby Finch

The baby finch will have fresh white hair still popping out from the head.  They act just like babies...very cute.
 

Nike Jordan Zion X Naruto Collaboration Basketball Shoes

 I am an anime fan and a basketball fan.  When I heard that Nike Jordan series will have collaborations with Naruto to make 3 different models of Jordan Zion basketball shoes, I knew I had to get one for my collection.

In Canada, it is hard to get our hands on any kind of new release, but I was amazed that I could get my hands on one pair on the date of release.

Nike Jordan Zion Naruto

The pair I got is the "Kyubi" model.  It has the orange and yellow theme.  The shoes have the Ninja patterns and dots.  It also has the Air Jordan mark and ZW sign.

Nike Jordan Zion Naruto in box

Nike Jordan Naruto wrapping

The wrapping paper was customized with ZW and Naruto ninja patterns.

Nike Jordan Zion Naruto left shoe

Nike Jordan Zion Naruto Kyubi 

As you can see from the side, it has the "zap" lighting style design and dot design on the sides.

Nike Jordan Naruto sticker

Inside the box, there is a small sticker.

Nike Jordan Zion Naruto Box

Even the box is customized for the collaboration as you can see.  It has the Naruto anime sign and leaves.

I think this is well done by Nike, and I hope they can release more collaborations with popular anime.  (Few suggestions:  Dragonball, One Piece, Super Mario, or even Streetfighter would be awesome!)

Burnaby Lake: Chip and Dale Squirrels

 We saw these two cute squirrels near Burnaby Lake during the long weekend.

They are so cute and feels like they are the cartoon character, Chip and Dale.

They can move their fingers just like humans and are so agile.

They have such big eyes with a cute face.  So adorable!

One likes to pop his head out of their house on the tree and peek at the surroundings.

Burnaby Lake: Cedar Waxwing

 We also discover another bird for the first time while walking:  Cedar Waxwing

They have wispy crest on the head, black bandit mask on the face and red tips on inner wings.

My pictures are not too clear, but you can check the link below for more info:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/id

Burnaby Lake: Purple Finch

 We encounter purple finches far away in our sight while walking around Burnaby Lake.  

They are more pinkish then House Finch, and they sing a different tune.  (That is why I noticed them.)

Purple Finch in Burnaby Lake

I should get a clearer picture next time.

Burnaby Lake: Rufous Hummingbirds!

 As I mentioned, we have lots of Anna's Hummingbirds near our area, but I have yet to see a male Rufous Hummingbird.  So, for this May long weekend, we went to Burnaby Lake on a quest to find it.

...and...We found them!!

Rufous in Burnaby Lake

Rufous Hummingbirds are mostly orange in color.  The males are all in orange, but the females are mostly green with orange chests.  

They like to drink from flowers of berries and sit on branches when guarding their territories.  They have a different "humming" sound when moving.  It sounds like bugs singing.  This is very different than Anna's.  

Also, when guarding, they don't make the same kind of "tze-tze" sounds like Anna's Hummingbirds.

It is very interesting to see the variation in behaviors even among types of hummingbirds.

Walmart: Coca Cola with Coffee

 I saw this new interesting product at Walmart the other day:  Coca-Cola with Coffee.

Coca-Cola with Coffee

I bought one and tried it.  It taste good for me.  It does taste like Coca-Cola with thick scent of coffee.

First, you will taste the coke and the bubble, then a thick scent of coffee taste and smell will come along.

I know they have a lot of different variety of coke drinks in the USA, and I hope they sell more kinds of drinks here in Canada.

(We just don't have the varieties here for all kind of products....gets boring.)

Costco: Boba Milk Tea Mochi

 I saw this at Costco the other day:  Boba Milk Tea Mochi.

Boba Milk Tea Mochi

I love bubble tea, and I thought I would buy it and give it try!

It came with 60 mochis, and these taste great!!

These taste authentic and they were made in Taiwan.  I wished that Costco will keep these on the shelves permanently.

Costco: Popcorn M&M Minis

 I saw this in Costco the other day:  Popcorn M&M Minis

It looks very interesting and probably tastes good for kids.  It might be too sweet for me.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

 During the snowy times, I guess the birds are trying to look for any food that they can find.

Not only the chickadees are friendly, there were a few "Chestnut-backed Chickadees" around.

They are very cute!

Their pattern is different than the common Black-capped Chickadees in Canada.

Cute Duck Eating Sunflower Seeds with Cute Squirrel in Burnaby Lake

 We went to Burnaby Lake to feed the birds and to see nature on the 2nd day of January, 2022.

It is a cold day with lots of snow still on the ground.  We found good parking spot because of this.

Right beside our parking spot, there are lots of birds and squirrels already trying to find food.

There was this cute duck following us and a few squirrels:

Look at them sharing the space?  So cute!!

My son made a table for them to eat seeds.

They both ate off the table.  The squirrel waited till the duck was gone.

New Kumamon Country Ma'am Cookies in Suzuya

 

I saw this pack of this famous Japanese cookies "Country Ma'am" in Suzuya in Burnaby the other day.  In Japan, there are usually many kind of local food and manufacturers will make different taste of cookies in different regions.

Kumamon is a mascot from the Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu region, Japan.  This box's taste is "Yakimaron".  I supposed that it is chestnut flavor...

Kumamon Kumamoto Country Ma'am

I did not buy it as all import cookies are double or triple priced in Canada.  It is tough to live away from Japan when you love the food there.

Winter Birds in Burnaby Lake: Chickadees, Towhee, Junco, Golden Eagle

 The chickadees in the winter in Burnaby Lake are extra friendly because they know the only way to get food is from our hands:

So cute and soooo small.  They love sunflower seeds!

There are lots of dark eyed Juncos that day, more than summer.  They are not used to people and feed from the ground.

Song Sparrow are shy, and they feed from the ground.

Towhee:  They also eat from the ground, far away from humans.

This humongous golden eagle caught a poor inmature crow and ate it in front of us (up on a tall tree).

Kind of yucky but the bones kept falling down in front of us.  Animals can be cruel but it is the food chain, and they all have to survive.

Golden Eagle eating a inmature crow