Island Hopping!
I had this past Friday off as a paid vacation - the last paid day off I could take for 2008 - so I wanted to make it count. So...I made some last minute arrangements to meet up with a friend of mine on Vancouver Island to meet her and escort her down to a work function in Victoria, which would've been a fun two day sojourn for us.
The fact that she lives on the island meant I couldn't easily get to her via the car - I can drive of course but the round trip ferry costs would've amounted to about $120 alone, which is kind of ridiculous. Besides, a friend of hers would be driving us down to Victoria and I didn't want to be stranded alone in my own car (expensive and pointless) so it looked like the only way of getting there was going on foot and taking public transit.
So...I live in Tsawwassen, which is about five minutes from the flagship BC Ferries ferry terminal - which would get me to the island in about 2 hours. Sadly if I took that particular route there would be no public transit connections on the other side, so I had to get to the Horseshoe Bay terminal, about 90 minutes away.
I had to take two buses - 90 minutes worth - just to get way up to the Horseshoe Bay terminal, where I almost missed my ferry which was ALSO late. Phew. The ferry itself was nice - I've always enjoyed riding them. Very relaxing and while it's far from the few tropical cruises I've enjoyed, it's a lovely experience...except for my time in the washroom when I was using the stall and the vibrations of the ferry and the loose latch kept causing the door to open while I was, erm, doing stuff. Do you have any idea how tough it is to do said stuff with one foot propped up against the door? Jeebus.
YAY FOR THE BUS!
The Queen of Cowichan, my connection between the mainland and the island.
So my late ferry pulled into the misty Nanaimo harbour about 30 minutes late - thankfully, my bus connection was still there. Otherwise that would've been a $30 reservation out the window. It was a long trip up the island from Nanaimo, especially with a car fire along the way that slowed down 4 lanes of freeway, but it was a nice ride. I'd never seen this part of the province before, and despite how misty and gloomy it was that November afternoon, I could see why this part of the world is so beautiful. Let me post some pics.
Departure Bay, Nanaimo - the two big boats are two ferries coming in and out of the terminal there.
Parksville, BC - in the summer.
Qualicum Beach, BC - overlooking the Strait of Georgia at sunset.
After a long drive up the Island Highway I finally arrived in Courtenay just shy of 5pm, about an hour later than usual. That was fine because my friend Lila was working until six, so I explored some of the downtown area (mostly just a McDonald's and a Safeway) to kill some time before I snuck into her hair salon to say hi, give a hug, and wait patiently for closing.
Courtenay welcomes you!
The Comox Glacier, to the west of Courtenay. I didn't get to see it cuz it was already night and it was too cloudy, besides.
So she finally got off work, offered me a haircut because I looked awful after being on a windy ferry for hours - but I refused. The comb she gave me as a gift was lovely. Small yes, but I'd been putting off the simple chore of buying a comb for weeks now, so it was quite helpful. I've already used it daily since. Yay for cheap discount combs!
We went back to her place where I ran into a couple of her kids. Nice kids they are but far too hyper - likely because strange new company was in the house. I played with them as well - watched some TV and played some video games (which I totally rule at, despite what her 10 year old son thought of my skills) and so forth. It was just nice to meet a long time net friend, finally in person. I hope to again some time.
The following morning she had to work and sadly after that I found out I had to go home...we had planned to go to Victoria and such but a friend of hers down there needed her for girly-related things, so I took a raincheck. Or she'd come hang out here next time. At least I was fortunate enough to get a ride back to the ferry terminal.
I really should've taken some photos, but dangit, I need a good camera. Or just a camera, period!
Regardless it was a fun weekend and I look forward for another one like it some time. I just like to get out and travel, no matter where it is - and meeting cool people along the way makes it all the more enjoyable.
The fact that she lives on the island meant I couldn't easily get to her via the car - I can drive of course but the round trip ferry costs would've amounted to about $120 alone, which is kind of ridiculous. Besides, a friend of hers would be driving us down to Victoria and I didn't want to be stranded alone in my own car (expensive and pointless) so it looked like the only way of getting there was going on foot and taking public transit.
So...I live in Tsawwassen, which is about five minutes from the flagship BC Ferries ferry terminal - which would get me to the island in about 2 hours. Sadly if I took that particular route there would be no public transit connections on the other side, so I had to get to the Horseshoe Bay terminal, about 90 minutes away.
I had to take two buses - 90 minutes worth - just to get way up to the Horseshoe Bay terminal, where I almost missed my ferry which was ALSO late. Phew. The ferry itself was nice - I've always enjoyed riding them. Very relaxing and while it's far from the few tropical cruises I've enjoyed, it's a lovely experience...except for my time in the washroom when I was using the stall and the vibrations of the ferry and the loose latch kept causing the door to open while I was, erm, doing stuff. Do you have any idea how tough it is to do said stuff with one foot propped up against the door? Jeebus.
YAY FOR THE BUS!
The Queen of Cowichan, my connection between the mainland and the island.
So my late ferry pulled into the misty Nanaimo harbour about 30 minutes late - thankfully, my bus connection was still there. Otherwise that would've been a $30 reservation out the window. It was a long trip up the island from Nanaimo, especially with a car fire along the way that slowed down 4 lanes of freeway, but it was a nice ride. I'd never seen this part of the province before, and despite how misty and gloomy it was that November afternoon, I could see why this part of the world is so beautiful. Let me post some pics.
Departure Bay, Nanaimo - the two big boats are two ferries coming in and out of the terminal there.
Parksville, BC - in the summer.
Qualicum Beach, BC - overlooking the Strait of Georgia at sunset.
After a long drive up the Island Highway I finally arrived in Courtenay just shy of 5pm, about an hour later than usual. That was fine because my friend Lila was working until six, so I explored some of the downtown area (mostly just a McDonald's and a Safeway) to kill some time before I snuck into her hair salon to say hi, give a hug, and wait patiently for closing.
Courtenay welcomes you!
The Comox Glacier, to the west of Courtenay. I didn't get to see it cuz it was already night and it was too cloudy, besides.
So she finally got off work, offered me a haircut because I looked awful after being on a windy ferry for hours - but I refused. The comb she gave me as a gift was lovely. Small yes, but I'd been putting off the simple chore of buying a comb for weeks now, so it was quite helpful. I've already used it daily since. Yay for cheap discount combs!
We went back to her place where I ran into a couple of her kids. Nice kids they are but far too hyper - likely because strange new company was in the house. I played with them as well - watched some TV and played some video games (which I totally rule at, despite what her 10 year old son thought of my skills) and so forth. It was just nice to meet a long time net friend, finally in person. I hope to again some time.
The following morning she had to work and sadly after that I found out I had to go home...we had planned to go to Victoria and such but a friend of hers down there needed her for girly-related things, so I took a raincheck. Or she'd come hang out here next time. At least I was fortunate enough to get a ride back to the ferry terminal.
I really should've taken some photos, but dangit, I need a good camera. Or just a camera, period!
Regardless it was a fun weekend and I look forward for another one like it some time. I just like to get out and travel, no matter where it is - and meeting cool people along the way makes it all the more enjoyable.
