After a spring and summer filled with shenanigans (hehehe!), I had 4 vacation days left to use before my end of year retirement and it only seemed right to use them for a quick trip back to Vancouver Island to see my daughter and her boyfriend, in their new abode in Ladysmith.
I’ve been back home for over a week already, and only getting around to this post now – apologies, especially to Donna and Erica (two lovely bloggers I went hiking with during my recent visit) who were able to post already on the fun time we shared here and here.
Sleep deprivation, staff vacations, Elton John (more about this later!), and my sister coming for a visit all contributed to lack of blogging, and after catching up on rest this past weekend I feel mostly human again, and capable of stringing a few words together.
However, I think I’ll let my photos (and captions) do most of the talking. Behold:
Spotted this rascal on a walk along the Nanaimo waterfront on my first day back on the Island. I still can’t believe how close he/she let us get. Herons in Ontario are less bold.Sunday found us doing some exploring via island hopping, since our planned whale-watching excursion got cancelled last minute due to “rough seas”. Uh huh. This photo was taken on Hornby Island – looking out towards Denman Island (with Vancouver Island in the distance). Note rough seas.Waiting for the ferry to Denman Island. I still can’t believe we dared to take all those ferries in these rough seas. View from the ferry, approaching Vancouver Island. Wait, are those actual waves?Went to do some forest-bathing with these two rascals. The wonderful Donna and Erica. It’s always a great day for a hike when you have such lovely ladies for company. We talked about all the important things like we’d known each other for years. Even blogging!Donna in her cute yellow rain jacket – being used here for scale!Beautiful Holland Creek TrailOn my last full day, we went to Victoria to do some exploring in the capitol of BC. Chinatown was fun (and delicious!), as always.This fine fellow greeted us as we entered Chinatown.Of course we had to shoot a selfie in Fan Tan Alley. After Chinatown, we walked through the city with the goal of getting to Fishermans’s Wharf. This is a statue of the artist, Emily Carr. That is a monkey on her back, that she is turning her attention to. I assume it was a pet – like her little dog, and not a statement about any struggles she may have been going through! The Empress Hotel is in the background. I enjoyed the high tea experience there, back in 2003. Fancy!Mizz J (and K) looking towards Fisherman’s Wharf – our objective – which was eventually reached – although everything was closed when we got there.We still had fun walking around and admiring the unique homes on Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf warning sign. Point (get it? 😉 ) taken.
The week just flew by and was over far too soon. The beauty and charm of Vancouver Island continues to astound me. I wonder if I will ever get used to it. I hope not!
Hi Deb! Looks like you are already enjoying your future home! And the photos are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your travels…and what was it about Elton John???? ~Kathy
Was going to ask what kind of a camera you used, myself. Absolutely stunning photography. Your forest hike was right up my alley. Would love to have an opportunity to meet Donna and glad that through her I have found you and your blog.
Hi, Deb – Your photos are gorgeous — and great reminders of having you visit your soon to be home (yay)!
Yup, that’s Emily Carr’s Javanese monkey ‘Woo’ and her dog ‘Billie’ in the statue. Emily was often seen walking Woo in a Pram down the streets of Victoria in 1929. You just can’t make this stuff up! You can read more about that here: http://www.douglas-mcintyre.com/book/woo-the-monkey-who-inspired-emily-carr
I’m looking forward to your Elton John post! Hopefully that is more uplifting than the link I just shared! 😀
Yes, it truly is. On a sunnier note, our island, and its rich and diverse history, await you. And speaking of sunshine, today will reach 9C, no rain and minimal clouds. Another gorgeous day in paradise! 😀
Beautiful photos. I’m sure you’re going to thrive there and embrace the scenes and the quirks and the people. How fun for you– and for me as I follow along vicariously. Carry on, WB
Deb, your photos and captions do indeed speak for themselves. Retirement and a big move just around the corner. You must be a jumble of emotions trying to wrap things up. Best wishes.
Thank you Suzanne 💕 My emotions are mostly positive, so far. But stay tuned on ye olde blogge. No one ever accused me of under-sharing so if I feel it, you’ll probably read about it 😆
Lovely photos, Deb, and it’s exciting that you’ll soon call Vancouver Island home. As a resident, you may be able to see whales without going on a tour 🙂
Hi Deb, Your photos are beautiful! The photo of the heron is stunning! Nice how he stood still and posed for you.
The forest bathing was a nice way to hang out with you two rascals.🙂I look forward to more opportunities.
All of your photos remind me how lucky I am to live here. And soon it will be your home, too.🙂
Oh, oh, oh…so jealous…can’t wait to visit Vancouver Island next year…hope you will be “in residence” and I can go hiking with YOU, Erica, and Donna!!!! Your photos are just lovely!
Beautiful photos! You have an exciting life waiting for you on the other side of retirement.
Thanks Jean! I think so too 💕
Hi Deb! Looks like you are already enjoying your future home! And the photos are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your travels…and what was it about Elton John???? ~Kathy
Thanks Kathy! I’ll tell you all about Elton in my next post 😉
What do you shoot these photos with? Your photos are always beautiful.
Thank you Susan. I used my Canon G7X for these photos.
Was going to ask what kind of a camera you used, myself. Absolutely stunning photography. Your forest hike was right up my alley. Would love to have an opportunity to meet Donna and glad that through her I have found you and your blog.
Thank you very much!
Ahhh. The Island. I can smell the ferns and moss and the rain.
Yes!💕
It must be my screen but I had trouble seeing the rough seas???? 🙂
Must be, Kate. Because they wouldn’t have cancelled my opportunity to see whales for any other reason (like low ticket sales), right? 😉
Absolutely!
Your adventure looks like it was great fun… and isn’t that what life (and soon, retirement) is all about?
You got it, Janis! 💕
Looks like you had a lovely time!!! The pics are fantastic! Xx
Thank you Suzi!💕
Those seas look pretty rough. Very brave of you to risk the ferry crossings 🙂
You’ll be back there before you know it!
You’re probably right Joanne, but it feels so far away. And I have so much to do, first!
Hi, Deb – Your photos are gorgeous — and great reminders of having you visit your soon to be home (yay)!
Yup, that’s Emily Carr’s Javanese monkey ‘Woo’ and her dog ‘Billie’ in the statue. Emily was often seen walking Woo in a Pram down the streets of Victoria in 1929. You just can’t make this stuff up! You can read more about that here: http://www.douglas-mcintyre.com/book/woo-the-monkey-who-inspired-emily-carr
I’m looking forward to your Elton John post! Hopefully that is more uplifting than the link I just shared! 😀
Thank you Donna 💕 That is quite an interesting and ultimately sad story about Woo 😞
Yes, it truly is. On a sunnier note, our island, and its rich and diverse history, await you. And speaking of sunshine, today will reach 9C, no rain and minimal clouds. Another gorgeous day in paradise! 😀
Sounds like a fun trip. Glad you didn’t risk your life in those rough seas to whale watch, and I love that sign at the end 🙂
Thank you AJ💕 Fisherman’s Wharf is full of “quirk” so I was not surprised to find that sign 😄
Beautiful photos. I’m sure you’re going to thrive there and embrace the scenes and the quirks and the people. How fun for you– and for me as I follow along vicariously. Carry on, WB
Thank you Ally 💕
Amazing imagery and photos, WB
Thank you Michael 😁
Deb, your photos and captions do indeed speak for themselves. Retirement and a big move just around the corner. You must be a jumble of emotions trying to wrap things up. Best wishes.
Thank you Suzanne 💕 My emotions are mostly positive, so far. But stay tuned on ye olde blogge. No one ever accused me of under-sharing so if I feel it, you’ll probably read about it 😆
Lovely photos, Deb, and it’s exciting that you’ll soon call Vancouver Island home. As a resident, you may be able to see whales without going on a tour 🙂
Thank you Natalie 💕 I hope so. I’m beginning to feel cursed in the whale-sighting department 😞
Wonderful post. Your photos in the weeds look so inviting.
Cheers!
Thank you 💕
Beautiful island. I’ve only been in Victoria, briefly, but would love to explore that island more.
You and me both, TG! 💕
Hi Deb, Your photos are beautiful! The photo of the heron is stunning! Nice how he stood still and posed for you.
The forest bathing was a nice way to hang out with you two rascals.🙂I look forward to more opportunities.
All of your photos remind me how lucky I am to live here. And soon it will be your home, too.🙂
Thank you Erica 💕 I feel very blessed by the opportunity to move to this wonderful place 😊
Amazing photos as always. Thank you for sharing. Be well.
Thank you Don 😁 Same to you!
Oh, oh, oh…so jealous…can’t wait to visit Vancouver Island next year…hope you will be “in residence” and I can go hiking with YOU, Erica, and Donna!!!! Your photos are just lovely!
Thank you Nancy 💕 I hope we can meet up too.😁