My Summer Holiday, Part III: Canada (with B)

B left for Australia yesterday afternoon (sad face) and he told me that he really liked Canada, and all of my friends and family, and that he enjoyed my whirlwind tour of B.C. Of course, I had a great time showing it off!

We spent three days in Abbotsford, hit Cultus Lake and the water park, walked the seawall and saw the fireworks in Vancouver, spent three days in Whistler, a week on the island, including three nights in Tofino and a whale watch trip in Victoria, and the last three days eating as much sushi as possible in Vancouver.

In Whistler B took up a new hobby, downhill mountain biking, while I relaxed by the hotel pool. We also did the eagle ziptrek down the mountainside and rode the 'Peak to Peak' across the Whistler-Blackcomb valley. Our first attempt to take the 'Peak to Peak' was botched as we ended up stranded at the top of Whistler mountain due to a surprise thunderstorm - yikes! Crews ended up trucking everyone down the mountain as the gondolas were unsafe because of lightning strikes. Good times!

On Vancouver Island we stopped in Victoria for a few days to surprise my sister who was due that week (story to come!). My cousin L also joined in for the fun! :) We spent a few days in Victoria and did a fantastic whale watch trip there. We were at the front of a zodiak and saw about ten resident orcas which was very cool! (We can't say the same about our boring bear watch 'tour' with Jaimie's in Tofino - boo!) .

My friends H and her boyfriend A spent two nights with us in Tofino which was lovely. B took up a 2nd hobby on the beach - surfing in VERY cold water without a wetsuit! He gained the respect of all the local surfers! I managed to get my toes in but that was about all.

We took out a fishing charter on our last day in Tofino and (without throwing up from my seasickness) I caught about six fish! Most of them were wild so in the end we kept my 10lb coho, Bens 19lb chinook and our 3rd fishing buddies 19lb coho. Fish dinners for all who want one!

After two weeks in B.C. B has left with a good impression of our beautiful country and I hope we'll be back in Canada next May!