VANCOUVER – ABBY'S ISLAND – 19 OCTOBER
Trip Start
Sep 14, 2010
1
30
34
Trip End
Oct 26, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
After a reasonably leisurely morning in Vancouver, we made our way to the Pacific Bus Terminal and boarded our bus to Tsawassen. It was a very pleasant drive to the ferry, which took us through the picturesque Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay.
Abby & Jason were waiting there for us, and it was just so wonderful to see them again. The weather was gorgeous, and we had the most perfect crossing in the tender to their island. Ken was at the helm, and made us feel very welcome by presenting us with a bottle of wine! It was hard resisting taking a photograph at every turn! Everywhere we looked was just picture perfect!
We were on the island in about 10 minutes, and Abby & Jason drove us to our lodge.
WOW – it was just beautiful. Inside the décor was a sort of rustic/contemporary country/antique, and had a very expensive feel. Abby had made sure all our needs were cater for, and the fridge was stocked to overflowing with fruit, drinks, cheeses, homemade jams and chutney, crumpets and soy milk. On the bench was a loaf of freshly made bread by Pierre, a large jar of homemade strawberry jam, a welcome sign and a vase of flowers. Our bedroom was luxurious with chocolates and mints by the bed, and the bathroom was overflowing with fluffy white towels and divine toiletries. We felt very special.
After a magnificent dinner of freshly caught Dungeness crab prepared by Jason, and Pierre's pie and ice cream for dessert, we took a tour of some of the buildings on the island. Rex and I had no idea how big the whole enterprise was, and were quite blown away by how efficiently the whole operation is run. Every effort is made to minimise the human impact on the island, and to preserve its natural resources and beauty.
The island abounds with bird and wildlife, and is one of the few islands in the Gulf to have a natural sandy beach. It is the home to otters, bald eagles, owls, many species of ducks and seabirds (loons, swans, Canadian goose, blue herons, oystercatchers, sandpipers and falcons) as well as an abundant supply of fish (salmon, lingcod, trout and halibut), shrimp and crabs. Kingfishers, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers also call the island home. Whales, seals and porpoises abound in the waters surrounding the island.
It really is a nature wonderland, complete with beautiful natural beaches, marshlands, an enchanted forest, and lots of amenities for visitors including a cricket pitch, football field, a manicured 18 hole golf course, an airstrip and even a movie theatre!
Today has been an incredible day of discovery and beauty, and exceptional joy at seeing Abby & Jason again.
