Blogs from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, North America

Just gonna try and do an update of the last few days because didn't have access to internet (grrr).. Anyway, second day on the Rocky Mountaineer was also good...lots of changing scenery- some of it surprisingly seemed really dry with salt bush and dry earth despite snow and massive running river. Some of it reminded me of the Flinders Ranges a little - I'll try and post a pic to show what I mean. So, we went from snow capped mountains, to more barren terrain onto lush, green hlls and back to snow capped mountains towards Vancouver. Beautiful rivers, bridges, tunnels...just fantastic. The train was really comfortable and luxurious....food was special. Met some nice people and got some hugs and exchanged emails. Was told by Boston couple that they ...and I quote...'are in awe of me'...(ok, ... read more

We caught the car ferry across to Nanaimo where we stayed for 4 nights in a lovely wooded RV park with a view over the harbour. RV parks are often located in places with some of the best views although they work a little differently to what we are used to at home. In New Zealand when you go to a campground you expect the usual washrooms and laundry but also generally cooking facilities and sinks for dishes. Here, because most people own these huge RVs which are fully self contained, you only get washrooms and laundry at the majority of the sites along with a picnic table and a fire pit on which you can build an open fire. This came as a bit of a surpise to us but we have adapted. The water ... read more

Bamfield Memories Hey! Canuck Junior Here! Visitors from all over the world marvel at the beauty and serenity that British Columbia's wilderness experiences offer urbanites. Admittedly, I am not outdoorsy, but as a photographer, I loved the sheer majesty of my surroundings on this very memorable school field trip, like no other. This is a photoblog more than a reminiscence of a high school Biology 11 trip to Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on the west coast of Vancouver Island in my home province of British Columbia. The coastline and water are breathtakingly beautiful. The coastal environment ranges from exposed rocky shorelines, expansive sandy beaches, productive estuaries, and ancient coastal temperate rainforests. Situated within the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation in Barkley Sound, and adjacent to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve... read more

Hi everyone, I've never used a blog site before, so hopefully this isn't too complicated. I have three more sleeps in my own bed until I leave for this incredible trip! I'm excited, and anxious (both to arrive in India, and to be away from home for four months), and so many other feelings right now. Only a few days left!... read more

o About 20 miles outside of Whistler, I see the best view Ive seen yet on the trip! This huge mountain range with a giant glacier on it. I sat on the side of the road and stared in awe for about 30 minutes.(see pics which wont do it justice). Then I headed into Vancouver which is my first big city in more than a month. I passed through downtown, past the stadiums, had some amazing thai food, then I wanted to get out of there. Cities are stressful, wheres the forest again? So I booked a ferry to Nainamo on Vancouver Island with the hopes of doing the whole island the next day before it rained. I got in and stayed in a hotel/hostel. Next day, im off to do the whole island and it ... read more