DrwTripReport

2007-01:

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Well we have been back for several days now and things are finally settled down. Even though the weather was horrible we had a very enjoyable trip. The first two nights we stayed at the Fairmount Hotel at the Vancouver airport. It is actually a beautiful hotel and while Hans was at meetings I had a fun looking in all the airport shops and even had a manicure at the hotel spa.

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Then on the weekend we were off to Victoria. It was the first time I had been to Vancouver Island. It was so cold that there was snow on the ground and even a thin sheet of ice on the Harbour.

The drive through Sooke to Port Renfrew was lovely in the snow and our first sight of wetsuit clad surfers carrying their boards across the snow banks to reach the water was almost surreal. I still can hardly believe that anyone can surf in weather that cold.

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We stayed at the Empress, a wonderful old rail hotel. The room was small but the dining rooms and hotel shops were beautiful. I even had lunch at the curry buffet.

… (see email) …

Stanley Park was even worse than I had imagined. There were trees down every where with parts looking like a logging operation had come through. The point has so few trees left that you can see the ocean from the road. Uprooted trees, stacks of cut logs and piles of burning limbs are everywhere on the B.C. coast.

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Our last day in Vancouver we drove up past Squamish to Brakendale Eagle Park to see the wintering bald eagles. There were dozens of them! Even though it was still snowing I think Hans got some great pictures.

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Finally, it was back to the island and all the way to Tofino. The Wickaninnish Inn was spectacular and our ocean view balcony could not have been better. The dinning room was exceptional but I am afraid I enjoyed the meals much more than Hans, he has never been much of a fan of artistic food. And finally on Sunday even though it was still cold, the sun came out! We got to walk on the beaches and visit Tofino and Ucluelet without getting wet.

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… (see email) …

All in all, that was our trip. Even though the ferry rides are a hassle, I would love to go back to Victoria in the summer when all the gardens are in bloom.

P.S. The pictures on this page are actually stored at FlickR, along with many others.