A map of the southern coastal region of British Columbia
Day One: Pending Arrival on the West Coast of Vancouver Island …
By the time you read this, Corinne and I will have begun the first leg of our journey on BC Ferries’ CirclePac Tour, a five-day adventure which will see us take in much of the west coast of Vancouver Island, and British Columbia’s magnificent Sunshine Coast.
Day One has us taking the ferry from West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay (we’ll grab breakfast while onboard). After alighting from the ship, we’ll drive north to Parksville, and west past the Cathedral Forest (where, most probably, we’ll stop for awhile, to walk through the majestic old-growth forest). Once we reach Port Alberni, we’ll stop for a bit of lunch. Then, it’s back on the road, along Highway 4, all the way to Tofino, where we’ll unpack (we’re staying in a cabin overlooking Tofino harbour), and …
Corinne, you ask? The same Corinne who’s been recording her travels in Rio de Janeiro these past weeks? Yes, the very same one!
Corinne arrived safely back from the tropics — somewhat the worse for wear — and has spent the past few days recovering from Brazil’s daily 36° C temperatures, as she has set about to leisurely lounge about in sunny Vancouver (well, at least it’s been sunny for the past few days), the city resplendent with daffodils-in-bloom and cherry trees blossoming absolutely everywhere!
The days have been spent walking along the foreshore of Spanish Banks, through and around Pacific Spirit Provincial Park, and the University of British Columbia Endowment Lands; traipsing around Granville Island, munching on the goodies, visiting the Emily Carr School of Art, and listening to the buskers while enjoying the natural beauty of the inner harbour landscape; exploring the arboreal old-growth forest of Stanley Park; being a bother at the Pan Pacific hotel (although they didn’t seem to mind) and seeing the five sails up close, and … oh so much more.
Each evening it’s been a different ethnic cuisine: Vietnamese at Lan’s on West Broadway, Indian at Dawat on Victoria Drive, Japanese at Koji’s on Hornby, Malaysian and Thai at Kam’s on Davie, and Greek at Romios on West 4th Avenue. And, on any given night, even though we feasted like royalty, dinner cost only $20 for the two of us (including tax), plus tip.
Although, on some riotously entertaining evenings, the inimitable Mr. Shayne (he of radio, magazine and TV fame and fortune), took supper with us, regaling us with tales of cinema, radio and Vancouver, past and present; his European vacation, politics, haberdashery, and adding another welcome $10 to the food bill.
And the fare, each night, was unbelievably delicious, the restaurants&rsquo atmospheres warm and inviting!
Still, it’s spring break, and as beautiful as Vancouver is at this time of year, we so very much wanted to visit the west coast of Vancouver Island, see Florencia Bay (my favourite place on the planet), run along the great expanse of Long Beach, and enjoy the rough-hewn, inviting beauty that is Tofino.
Rest and take it easy, away from the bustle of the city, Corinne and I will return at some point over the weekend. And, if I can find a computer somewhere on the West Coast, I’ll attempt to post updates to you.
See you soon, and may you enjoy your early Spring, as well.
