Vancouver Island, Canada: USA 2017

December 15, 2017 Motorhome Planet

We were up at very early to get the 6.20am BC Ferries ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Whilst it was still dark when we left we got to enjoy the sunrise from the ferry, spectacular.

Sailing from Horseshoe Bay Vancouver, BC. — Sunrise sailing from Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver, BC.

Once on Vancouver Island we headed straight for Port Alberni and Stamp River Provincial Park to view the salmon.

Salmon, Stamp River Provincial Park , BC, Canada — Watching the salmon swim up river at, Stamp River Provincial Park.

Then is was down to Port Alberni Harbour Quay for ice cream! This area is seeing some development.

Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — Orange & liquorice ice cream at Port Alberni!

Over the next few days we spent time in the Pacific Rim National Park visiting Long Beach and Tofino. We came across many black bears and bald eagles, especially on the waterside in Port Alberni. This area was amazing for wildlife.

Bear, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — A black bear on Vancouver Island.

Long Beach, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — Long beach, Vancouver Island.

Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — The waterfront at Tofino, Vancouver Island.

Bald Eagle, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — A bald eagle on the riverside at Port Alberni.

On leaving Port Alberni we headed down to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, for a night before sailing back to the USA. This is a lovely city and we were still being blessed with clear blue skies and sunshine, even at the start of October! We wandered around the city taking in the major sites including the Parliament buildings, the Empress Hotel, Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley—the narrowest street in the country, round onto Fisherman’s Wharf and finishing in Beacon Hill Park at the Mile Zero Monument of the Trans Canada Highway.

Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC — The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria.

Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — The waterfront in Victoria.

Red Fish Blue Fish, Victoria, BC — Dinner at Red Fish Blue Fish in Victoria.

Mile 0, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — Mile Zero Monument of the Trans Canada Highway in the Beacon Hill Park, Victoria.

Parliament Buildings, Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada — Parliament Buildings at night, Victoria.

Another day of serious walking! It was a beautiful city.