Inside the Inside Passage

Port Hardy to Skagway (Monday 25 July - Thursday 28 July)

For those in the know this is one of the most beautiful ferry trips imaginable.

Three days gently (thank goodness) cruising amongst the channels and Islands of the British Columbia/Alaska coast.

All aboard - next stop - Prince Rupert

Waterfalls and fires can mesmerize the viewer -  the same process but different fascinating patterns all the time. The cruise up the coast was the same. We never became bored or tired of looking at the rainforests, the snow capped mountains, waterfalls, wildlife (including humpback whales), coastal settlements, lighthouses, iceberg, flotsam and jetsam and just the patterns on the ocean. 

Kate Winslett!

Micky Mouse of a cruise!

Bella Bella lighthouse

Longing for dry land!

Open sesame

We made a brief overnight stop at Prince Rupert. The Port city has 145 days without rain, how unlikely were we picking one of the 220 days with rain.  Consequently our hike through the rainforest was rather wet. We stepped off the boat at Petersburg our first steps on American soil. Again it was pouring with rain so we didn’t make too many steps.

Aussie Blue Riding Hood

Despite the mist, clouds and constant rain the sea trip was amazingly awesome, accentuated by the fact the man from down under didn’t chunder once.

We hope the life rafts don't float upside down!

I hope they remember to close both sides!

Spot the whale!

Visions of the Titanic again.

And at the end of our memorable floating voyage - Alaska here we come.

We hope not!!

More sight seeing - Vancouver Island 4

Vancouver Island - 16 - 24 July
Out and about on the island

A cascade of Waterfalls -

Lakes by the water load:

Forests by the trunk full.

A summer hike on Mount Washington

and endless fun.

On the ski lift

Waiting for the tide to turn.

Vancouver Island, we tip our hats to you.

Vancouver Island is a magic place and hopefully we will have the opportunity to return and see more of this wonderful Island.

View from our lottery win!!!!!!!

Sight seeing - Vancouver Island 3

World biggest Totem pole by Diameter

Vancouver Island - 16 - 24 July
So much to see and enjoy on the Island:
Cultural Views

Just one big happy family

We found the cup!

Amazing murals at Chemainus

 

A floating house - NOT a floating washroom!

World largest Hockey stick and Puck!

This sporting life - Vancouver Island 2

Vancouver Island - 16 - 24 July.
A sporting paradise all year round:

Drinking

Eating

Canoeing

Mountain Biking

Hiking - if you know where you are going

Snow shoeing - Yes in the middle of summer!

Swimming in the Pacific - if you are foolhardy enough

Camping - if you are organised enough

Gardening at the beautiful Butchart Gardens.

More gardening

and of course "Romancing"!

A gorgeous gift girt by sea.

Vancouver Island : 16 - 23 July

I am sure we have all met someone who just appears talented at everything.

(Ric Charlesworth, a Western Australian legend, is one such person; Ric is a doctor of medicine, a former captain of the Australian Hockey Team, the State Hockey Team and the State Cricket Team. He was also in Federal parliament for 10 years , National Coach of the Australian Women's Hockey Team, a high performance consultant and mentor coach at the Australian Institute of Sport). 

Vancouver Island falls in the chronic achiever category. You could spend everyday for a year doing or seeing something different on the island and still feel like you have just arrived. We experienced snow capped mountains,  deep blue lakes,  pristine streams and rivers, thundering waterfalls, reputedly Canada's best beach,  islands lush with vegetation, rugged coastline, a raging Pacific ocean and a placid Georgia straights, luxuriant rainforest with towering firs, glimpses of wildlife including majestic bald eagles and black bears, quaint sea-side  villages, bustling towns with community fairs, amazing murals, creative wooden sculptures, floating homes,  packed marinas, isolated picnic spots, spectacular gardens and we were only on the island for seven days. 
If we would have had more time we could have exhausted ourselves doing every ",ing" imaginable including; swimming, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, backpacking, horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing, skiing,  walking, gourmet eating, canoeing, camping, drinking. 
As with even the most talented people, there is a flaw - while we were on the Island the weather was a little cool and damp. However the last fews days we had a hint of what could be the start of a glorious summer.

We must say a huge thank you to our wonderful friends and hosts Pam and Steve who looked after us so well and showed us a tantalising slice of what the Island has to offer.

If the next four weeks are half as much fun as the week on Vancouver Island we will need a holiday at the end to recover. 

Getting to and from the Island:

Waiting to board the ferry and for sunny skys.

Ships passing in the straights

This is how you leave the Island.

 Check out the next few posts to see what we found the Island has to offer.............................