Vancouver Island 2023

Relaxation on the West Coast

Once again, we return to wonderful Western Canada. This time the exciting main purpose of our journey is the university graduation of my second oldest daughter. When we land in Victoria, we’re greeted by pleasantly mild June weather and it does not take long to accommodate to the comfortable and easy-going lifestyle of the West Coast.

From the get go we enjoy the short distance between our accommodations and the beach along with its rocky coastline. Every morning and evening, the gorgeous view from our beach side stay helps us to forget our hectic everyday life at home. Since I of course brought my camera along on this trip I am able to capture some beautiful footage right away. Seals, waterfowl and even sea lions frequent the area around our lodgings. We also embark on a (very bumpy) whale watching tour via a speed boat called zodiac. Next to an adorable sea otter we also spy some humpback whales. Thanks to our experienced boat captain I even manage a shot of the whales posing in front of the majestic Mount Baker.

Mt Baker is an active stratovolcano in the US state of Washington but it’s only about 60 km from Vancouver. It measures an incredible 3286 m in height.

I spend every morning at the beach and am lucky enough to observe several small birds such as hummingbirds, bush tits and white crowned sparrows. The family of seals is a daily visitor.

On our walks through the great park areas and cemeteries of Victoria we also encounter many a deer.

After a moving university celebration with indigenous ceremonies, we leave Victoria to set out into the more remote wilderness around Jordan River.

Here we spend several days completely untouched by civilization and enjoy dreamlike views from our sea side lodgings. Sometimes we can spy several, jumping dolphins and, as a very rare honour, even some orca fins. Our Airbnb hosts additionally alert us that bears were spotted in our vicinity. I find proof of that myself when I almost step into some fresh and steaming bear droppings on the steep Robinson Crusoe-esque trek to the beach.

Our long and relaxed walks lead us along the South-West coast of the island to mesmerizing, untouched beaches and rainforests.

Yet again time passes much too quickly after we’ve gotten fully accustomed to the island life and we head on back to Europe. I am left with the memories of incomparably beautiful sceneries as well as some lasting relaxation as a remnant of the West Coast sentiments.