Tofino

Trip Start Sep 03, 2007

220

Trip End Jun 17, 2009

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Flag of Canada Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Saturday, October 20, 2007

We hired a car and drove north out of Victoria, past the port of Nanaimo. The countryside was quite flat with low hills and cliffs, one of which, Malahat Point, had a great look out over the Georgia Strait. A quick coffee and cake lunch in which I indulged in two new passions. There is a 'Nanaimo bar' which is 1cm base of flapjack type biscuit, 1 cm of vanilla buttercream and 1cm of soft chocolate - wonderful. Plus I had come across 'Chai' in Jasper. This is a derivative of the Indian (Asian) tea mix and here they made it with cinnamon, nutmegs, tea and frothy sweet milk - delicious. We turned west to Port Alberni and started passing through heavy forests that gradually turned to all pine, with the tree mix reflecting the autumn colours in the lakes. As we neared Port Alberni the forest grew around us in an ever steepening high sided valley, with mountain tops showing newly fallen snow. What was that about it really being fall ? The steeper the valley got the more cloud seemed to develop from about half way up the valley side, as if the forest was breathing out in the cool afternoon sunshine

Lookout over the Strait of Georgia

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We reached Mackenzie beach, 2 miles out of Tofino and checked into the hotel. It was right on the beach with the attached motel style rooms all looking out onto the sea. This was a fabulous spot, even in the dull afternoon light. It reminded me of an English Lakes location where people go for a weekend away in the country. Here they had the advantage of several large beaches as well as the surrounding Pacific Rim National Park forests. The small offshore islands were taking quite a sea swell, with many breaking waves which delighted the bunch of surfers who were out there. One thing we noticed on the drive in were warning that this was a Tsunami risk area - quite sobering.
Distance driven 220 miles

Sunday 21st
We were sorely tempted to stay another day in this lovely spot and so checked the weather forecast. It was going to rain for the next 4 days ! We had enjoyed this diversion but did not want to stay in bad weather - there were signs on the road coming in " to carry snow chains or use winter tyres on this road' and we had already seen fresh snow on the tops. We used discretion and set off back to Victoria. A quick look at the scenic harbour at Tofino, which was well set up for sea activities and then headed back in the steady rain

Near Sproat Lake

. Over the mountain roads it rained heavier and there were dozens of waterfalls, some of which cascaded off the rocks that the road was cut through and flooded the road. Oh well, this was balancing out for all the good weather that we had already enjoyed.
We reached Victoria after a 5 hour drive (220 miles) and went straight for the "Victoria Clipper' ferry, a fast catamaran that links Victoria to Seattle. It was still drizzling as we set off - I suppose this helped us to realise that our time in Canada was over and that it was time to move on.

I have a slight reflection here. We have travelled almost from the furthest east to the furthest west of Canada and loved every minute of it - yes, even the rain. We have found the Canadians friendly and helpful and I can't stress their positive attitude enough. If they can't fix something they will go off and find someone who can. Perhaps the country is named wrongly - it should be called 'Can do'. I really loved being here.

Now - on to the 'Home of the Brave". Let's see what's in store there !!