Vancouver to Bamfield - I finally made it!

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I arrived in Vancouver two hours late, so I was very glad that I arranged to spend a night there before heading out to Vancouver Island. The bus I needed to catch leaves at 9am, well after my plane arrived. I am very grateful to Luke and Abi, friends of my brother Sean, for their hospitality at such short notice. I spent the day sleeping until Abi arrived home at 4pm. I then spent the evening with Luke and Abi, which I enjoyed immensely. I felt like I already knew them, despite the fact that I had somehow never met them in Australia.

The next morning we got up early so I could catch my bus by 9am. Luke had taken the car to go ice climbing with friends, so Abi and I had the task of lugging my suitcase to Grand Pacific Central Station. Abi did most of the work, and I’m sure I wouldn’t have made it without her help. I’m such a weakling!

Safely on the bus, my long but interesting journey to Bamfield began. The bus drove about 15 minutes from Vancouver to Horseshoe bay where it boarded the ferry. This was some ferry! It has about four car decks that would hold hundreds of cars. The top deck is a passenger deck that has seating areas, two cafes, a kid’s play area, video arcade and gift shop. The ride took about two hours, most of which time we were in thick fog and couldn’t see anything. The bus left the ferry and arrived in Nanaimo at about 12.15pm. I then boarded another bus bound for Port Alberni. This ride took about two hours, arriving at 2.15pm when I finally got to meet up with Pippi and Quin. We did some shopping but didn’t stay long because we still had a bit of travelling ahead of us. The car drive to Bamfield took about 2 ½ hours along dirt logging roads. It usually takes longer but luckily the road had recently been graded. Along the way we stopped by a river to watch a group of bald eagles fishing for salmon! On the drive in to get me, Pippi and Quin had also seen a brown bear.

We arrived in Bamfield at about 5.30pm, just as the sun was setting and parked the car in West Bamfield. With much effort we carried all our stuff down to the dock where we loaded up the boat (a small tinnie) and made the short cruise up the bay to Burlo Island where the house is situated. Finally I had arrived! It was a long trip and it was dark by the time we arrived but I was glad to settle in and start relaxing!

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Photos

Me in Bamfield
I finally made it!

A Bald Eagle
taken by Pippi Lawn

Comments

[Darwin Chiong]

The River
Hey Nat. Lovely pic with the river behind you.