Round World Trip |
Home | Photo Gallery | Diary |
Friday, May 20, 2005
Tofino, Kayak to Meares Island
After Breakfast, I rang around to see if any of the local kayak tour companies ran multiday tours, and if any were scheduled soon. I found that they really only start multiday trips in summer. There were several trips to Meares Island scheduled for today, and I eventually decided to do a 4 hour trip starting at 1pm.
While I waited, I shopped for some food and wrote my diary. When I returned at 12:40, there was quite a number of people in the office/preparation room.
When I booked, it had briefly stopped raining, but now was again pouring. The people at the kayaking company had hot chocolate and peppermint tea set out, and tried to keep us dry as long as possible.
We got kayak skirts, life jackets, raincoats, booties, a dry bag, and a small towel (for seat drying) then went out into the rain and took the kayaks down to the water.
There were two groups - one was doing a 2.5 hour trip. I my group, there were two couples in double kayaks, (one of which seemed to be often comically arguing), a lone young woman, the guide (Marc), and myself.
AFter waiting for a floatplane to land, we paddled across to the first of many islands we would see. About this time, the rain stopped.
We paddled around several islands which were covered in thick connifer forest, with rocky shorelines, where the vegetation looked like it had been cut with a knife at the high tide line. The water was quite clear, but often turbulent, due to the tide. We saw several birds, a sea otter, and a seal, as well as heaps of starfish. The starfish were fat, and as big as a dinner plate, coloured between browny purple to bright orange, and a few were actually out of the water.
After about 1.25 hours of cruising around the islands, we came to Meares Island, where the tall tree trail begins. It would be very easy to miss without a guide - marked only with 2 small ribbons tied to trees.
After a quick snack (of whatever we brought), we walked along the hand split boardwalk, about 200m through oldgrowth rainforest to a big Western Red Cedar, though to be around 1500 years old. The base of the tree would have been over 5 metres in diameter
Walking back to the boats, it started raining. Paddling through some swift channels, occasionally against the current, we weaved our way, via a different path back to where we could see the town of Tofino again. We finished the paddle by going along the waterfront, then doubling back, going underneath some of the docks.
It was still raining when we finished, and we were all pretty soaked, so the hot chocolate and peppermint tea were good. The paddle was quite enjoyable despite the weather. The boats were easy to paddle - they tracked very well, and the guide and staff were friendly.
I walked over to the Trek Inn, which I had booked earlier, as the Whalers on the Point was full. It was nice to get dry after a hot shower.
I had some left over cous cous for dinner (hiking food), and watched TV for a while.
About 10:30, I was talking to a Welsh guy I'd met in the Whalers, who had been working locally, but had decided to leave due to accomodation problems. Two girls who were workmates of his turned up, and said they wanted to go and drink down on one of the wharfs. They asked me along, so I came with them, stopping briefly at the bottle shop to get some beer. We sat on the wharf drinking and talking till about 12:15, when the girls (one Aussie & one Canadian from Nova Scotia) wanted to go to the pub instead, partly because it was really cold.
The pub had a big crowd inside, who were mostly dancing. We joined in for the 40 minutes till closing, then went back to the Trek Inn where I pretty soon went to bed
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Tofino to Nanaimo
I'd decided to leave Tofino today, as it is very much a tourist town, and would be rediculously busy over the Victoria day long weekend.
I packed my gear and waited for the 11:00 bus to Nanaimo.
Feeling quite tired after last night, I half dozed for some of the bus trip. Halfway to Port Alberni, the mountains rose up - this time not obscured by rain, only surrounded by a little cloud. Some of the mountains were quite tall and rugged, and even had a little snow on top.
After a short stop at Port Alberni, we continued to Nanaimo, where I checked into the brand new HI hostel there - "The Painted Turtle". It was very nice, and even had free internet.
I went out, and explored Nanaimo for a while, walking along the waterfront, and through the very small shopping/cafe district.
Overlooking the harbour is "The Bastion", which is an small, old fort/tower. The Harbour is also often assaulted by the noise of float planes - like Victoria Harbour, but not quite so bad.
I bought some food at the local supermarket, and cooked burritos for dinner, while it continued to rain on and off.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Nanaimo (Empire Day)
placeholder
Monday, May 23, 2005
Nanaimo to Vancouver - Victoria Day
place holder
stayed at cambie
saw starwars episode 3 at 9:10
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Vancouver
Beach walk
Went to Annerieke and Jerroens place
« 1 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 » RSS
Admin login | Original script by Alex