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Surftown Tofino!
I came here with the purpose to get more into surfing. Unfortunately I have only been in the water twice. It's cold!! I did get a wetsuit (funny.. it was Sebastiens' before) but I didn't get a board. They are super expensive here, even second hand ones. I keep my eyes open, but in the meantime there are some out there that I can use. I'm just, kind of waiting for the weather to get a little warmer. haha! (or someone who just drags me to the beach)
When I just arrived, I couldn't stop saying WAUW everywhere I went. It's really beautiful out here. The trees grow moss on them and when I walk on the trails between them I always feel like I'm in neverland and the lost boys can come out anytime. The sunsets can be pretty amazing too. On sunny days, I like to sit on the dock and enjoy the view. You can see Meares and Vargas island and even further away you can see some snow top mountains. Every now and then a seaplane lands or takes off just in front of the dock. Sometimes people are fishing crabs, others are
waiting for the ferry to pick them up to go to the other islands. It's an interesting place to just sit and watch.
In my first week I went camping with some people from staff accom (a building on the lodges' property that accommodates the staff). We went to a place called "Rainbow bridge" at Kennedy lake. The bridge got it's name because it was painted before, but the colors faded away. It was still a very nice place! (panorama picture up top) We sat by the fire, people were singing and playing guitar and we had lots of marshmallows! The night was very cold and I only had a +15'C sleeping bag with me, but still worth it!
Another day we went sea kayaking with some people who work at the front desk. That was really nice too. I just love to be on the water!
Staff accom was a little crazy (35 people living together, drinking/partying almost every day) and I got offered to live in a house in town, so I took up on that offer. At the moment it is just me an Melody living downstairs and 2 more girls upstairs. It's separate
from each other so I share the living room, kitchen and bathroom only with Melody. There are 3 more empty rooms, so I suppose that more people will be living with us during the summer season.
I don't know if it's because my travel bug is aching already or because I don't feel really connected to the people here, but I do feel a little lonely I must say. So.. traveling is not all sunshine and butterflies. Just so you know! haha I hope that I find my way a bit more here OR that these months fly by quickly. I'm trying to enjoy as much as I can, because the scenery is absolutely amazing!
to be continued...
We got 2 more roomies in the house. Jordan, a guy that works at Bella Pacifica & Jessica, a girl that started working with us at the front desk. Both are nice people. The sun has come out more, so it makes me happier. At the same time it made me realize that I miss the sun. I also miss being around people that know me aka my family/friends. I never really had that before, but all
of this made me think. I wanted to go back to Valkenswaard anyway for my sisters' baby when she's born in August. I also really want to go see my friends in Lanzarote.
So here's my new plan: I will stay in Tofino until the end of July, then get to Toronto somehow and from there I will fly to Europe. I will go to Valkenswaard first to visit my family and after that I'm planning to go to Lanzarote and maybe stay for a little while. I would like to do a skipper course on a sailing boat, because of all the things I've done, working on the sailboat was the most amazing thing. I would like to give it another shot, but in a different direction. Anyway.. this is a very rough plan, because I know how much my plans can change, but it's something I can look forward to. For the people who know me.. I know I said I didn't want to go back to Lanzarote and yes, you were all right. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss it!
I'm still trying to enjoy Tofino as much as I can though.
The other day I went with Emily to Chesterman Beach and Radar Hill, where you have a nice view over Clayoquot. I went with Emily, Jordan and Courtney to the "skycouch". Near Ucluelet there is a trail that leads to a platform with a couch and a net/hammock. The view from there is amazing and it's a cool place to hang out. It was a bit cold and rainy when we went, so I'd like to go back another day when it's sunny and warm. Some days I go to the Legion to hang out with Melody and her friends. a Few days ago we went to this place they just opened up: the Hatch. It's a nice place.
I also found this "secret" spot in the garden. It's not really secret, because you can clearly see the place where the fence is missing some planks and a little bridge that goes from the fence to the rock behind it. I just never climbed up there, but now I did. On the top there is a bench, probably put up there by the people who made the hole in the fence and the bridge. You can see the
ocean and the other islands from there. It's a really cool place to hang out. Melody told me that we are not supposed to go there, because a neighbor complained to the Middle Beach manager about people having some drinks up there a while ago. The manager then told everyone living in the house back then that they were not allowed up there anymore, but who cares! haha
Yesterday I went to "Liquid Lunch" at the brewery. It was organized for us by the front desk manager. So, Tofino has it's own brewery and the purpose of this tasting tour, was to get to know more about the beers they brew and the history behind the company. Although I'm not a big beer fan, it was really nice. Surprisingly, I liked the "Kelp Stout" the most. It's a dark beer that has kelp in it, that makes it taste a little salty. Yumm!
Also, Jody gave me a bike to borrow. It's a blue beach cruiser and I love it! I'm still struggling to get home from work when I work late. It's super dark out there and the fact that there are bears, wolfs and cougars PLUS
I'm super scared of the darkness (I know.. don't laugh, everyone is scared of something!) makes it a mission to get home. Before, I would depend on someone to drive me back home or I would sleep on the sofa at staff accomm. Now I have the bike, I just race back home trying not to think about anything. I'm still alive, but I don't think I will get over my fear.
to be continued...
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