First impression of Vancouver Island
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My trip to Vancouver began with landing in Vancouver and an outlet visit just off the airport. So close that one of its attractions is to look at airplanes flying over you 🙂 . There's nothing like some shopping to cheer up a little! The next morning I took a ferry to Vancouver Island. I booked the ferry in advance so that I won't miss it by any chance.

Overall, the goal was to get to the north side of the island as soon as possible (I came a bit south of Port Hardy on the map here) to see the Grizzlies and the Orcas. Compared to the southern part of the island, the north part of the island is much less touristy and popular.

Let's say that what most people usually do is the triangle – Nanaimo, Tofino, Victoria. I wanted to go north specifically because of the grizzly bears. The thing is that they are not on the island itself but closer to the mainland on all sorts of islands of different sizes.

On the way to the ferry, I stopped at Walmart for a short visit. I went in for baby carrots and some beef jerky so I would have something to bite in the car but I went out with a few more things. My experience there, unlike the locals, is very good. I arrive when there is no queue, I find myself amazed at what things you can buy there and at the end, the self checkout procedure is also very convenient.

The ferry leaves from the northern side of Horseshoe bay and takes nearly two hours. At first I stood outside with the strong wind in my face, and when I moved a little sideways it was much less strong. You can also go down if you really don't want to be outside.

Nature around Nanaimo

Although Nanaimo residents will not like what I'm about to say, Nanaimo is kind of a transit station. It's a good entry point for those who want to go west to Tofino or north. In the city itself I didn't find too many things to do, but nearby there are all sorts of hikes, waterfalls, etc.

I did not want to make the long trip north on the same day so when I got to the island I went to a nearby place called Neck point park for a short walk on the beach. On the way, I met a local man who photographed sunsets and such…

north Vancouver island

From there I went to Ammonite falls for a walk in the forest. A little after I started I realized something small flying. Then a sound. It was a woodpecker! Remember Woody Woodpecker?? He really moves his head and knocks on the tree. It's quite amusing.

How to photograph a woodpecker

It was hard to capture, cause you need to understand what's happening. I was alone in the forest and suddenly I heard the knocking. I stood there and recognized where the noise had come from. I even saw him. The thing that now needs to be done is a very careful move, because otherwise it can fly and, bam! the photo-op goes down the drain.

In addition, it also moves around the trunk, it's not that it gives me the right pose at the angle I'm looking for… At the end I caught it in a really good picture, I was proud of myself!

The path was very nice but a pity that at the end, the descent to the falls was blocked!! Why didn't anyone tell me ?! I met people on the way… Anyway, if you get there, you need to know that the last part (the one that was closed) is relatively steep and can be slippery.

Nanaimo – the city

It was already afternoon and I started heading back towards the city. Before the trip I read about something called Nanaimo bar, a snack bar, not a pub. I tried to understand what's the story was and got to some post (that I can't find now) that recommended the places with the best Nanaimo bars.

I parked next to the first on the list. It was closed. Luckily just in front of it there was another recommended place, which reminded me of another place in Nova Scotia, it's kind of a deli with many things that look delicious, but as you can see the kitchen sign was already closed.

I bought the bar and the woman there told me it was less sweet than the original recipe. I gave a bite and thought to myself, "If that's less sweet…" I did not continue to other places because I understood the idea…

I went for a walk on Nanaimo's promenade where at one end of the promenade is the Bastion, which is a type of octagonal fortress. I also saw sea planes. It was just a nice walk, nothing more.

Bastion
Nanaimo's promenade

In the evening I ate at a recommended bistro called The Nest… which was full! But the "hostess" found a place for me at the bar. Why the quotation marks? Because when I started talking to the waitress/hostess, I found out she owned the place.

For several years she had a catering business in Banff in the Canadian Rockies. The dishes were really delicious. For the first course, I ordered a mix of seafood and seafood risotto. I was so fed up that I did not eat dessert!

She showed me pictures from a place in the north of the island that I wanted to reach, but in the end I did not get to because there were construction works. The way there is on what's called logging roads. These are dirt roads designed for trucks with large logs. She showed me the size and width of these trucks. Wow. You do not want to be there by yourself!!

Heading north

I slept a bit out of town in a motel with a pool that I had to myself 🙂 . After a very simple breakfast but of the kind I like (cinnamon bagel with cream cheese) I started traveling north when I know I have a long day ahead of me… Outside the sky is gray and the rain keeps falling. Usually not too strong, nor is it cold, something like 17 degrees with no wind at all.

800 year old trees!

My first stop was Qualicum beach, which is the name of a town. I did not really understand what's the big fuss about the beach there. I went on to Qualicum Falls. Nice hiking trail and beautiful waterfalls. From there I went to Cathedral Grove, which is a short path between enormous trees.

Some of them are 800 years old! Unfortunately it was a bit hard to look up because it was raining all the time… Another thing I liked there is that at the beginning of the trail there is a nice gig for collecting donations, put it in the tree.

Tip: This is a very popular route and therefore it is recommended to get there early. As of around 10 it gets quite crowded and then it's less fun to hang around there

ונקובר איילנד

Cathedral Grove

I headed west toward Port Alberni because I wanted to get to a place called The Hole in the Wall… This is a place I've seen pictures of and I was intrigued. I have it on the Google maps but out there there was no indication that it is not an official trail! I did not find it. I knew I'd have more opportunities to pass around it so I let go. We will return to it later in the trip.

A stop at a visitor center made me think there would not be much water in the falls because we were just at the end of the summer which was a very dry one. From Campbell River I went to the Elk falls, a small reserve with a few hiking trails, the largest of which passes through a suspension bridge and leads to a waterfall.

It was really beautiful! At first I went to the bridge itself, crossed it and then proceeded to another observation point, which overlooks the bridge. The bridge is quite new, it's from 2015!

Elk falls

צפון ונקובר איילנד

At some point during the day my camera suddenly stopped filming video! Just like that. Boom. Out of nowhere. I was really upset. I still filmed with the phone but you know… 😱😤😢 Internet search did not find anything but at the end of the next day, I managed to overcome the fault!

North Vancouver Island – Telegraph Cove

From here there was a 3 hour drive to the Telegraph Cove. It's actually pretty boring, I mean, between green trees, but it's less exciting at this point. I didn't realize how small this place was until I reached it. The thing is that the road is not connected to the coast… It's such a remote town that even the wifi here barely exists! That is, if you insist, you can pay, but they themselves say that the connection is not good.

You know that feeling that you reach a place and everything just feels perfect? It's hard to explain, but that's how I felt. Let's say that even the fact that the rain stopped helped, but the place is just stunning! Beautiful and pastoral, and there was pleasant lighting. The colorful houses, each with its own story, gave the feeling of a museum (in a good way). I walked around the entire harbor.

History at a glance

It was established in 1911 as a telegraph station (shocking eh?), and in later years it served as the base for the logging industry in the area. Today, this is the last settlement of its kind in Vancouver Island, that is with this boardwalk that is built on water.




The house I didn't stay in 😉



I ate dinner in the only place here and ate too much again… Tomorrow morning I go on a bear tour, expecting some rain but hoping not too much. Can't wait!!! 🐻🐾🐻🐾

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