Tofino Bellissimo

We catch the early ferry to Nanaimo and drink coffee at a table right in the front of the ferry.  We have a complete view of the islands as we pass by, and the captain points out a submarine surfaced ahead.

We drive west across Vancouver Island towards Tofino, instantly in beautiful forests crowded right to the road's edge, and past blue lakes and bays.  We have some map haggling.  Ben, the driver, stays calm til the rest of us finally realize he is right.  That settled, we are in a hurry, so lunch is on the asphalt at a turn-out.  We make do with hard-boiled eggs and peanut butter sandwiches.

Our rented cottage is tucked into a secluded lot surrounded by trees and a lush garden.  We have a hot tub on the edge of the deck.

The interior is airy and welcoming.  We will soon learn that the owners should add some rugs and fabrics (there are not even place mats for the table) because noise reverberates through the house.  It looks very stylish, but you hear the harsh  clink of every dish.  The views from all the windows and the outdoor shower make up for it, though.

We head to the beach.  Just a 5 minute walk from the cottage, Chesterman Beach is wide and curves with a deep forest border.

See the strip of beach that curves like the inside of the letter "B" to a small island?  The upper beach is Chesterman and we walk onto that narrow strip of sand and watch the waves crash towards each other on both sides!

There are rocky outcroppings covered with barnacles and mussels.

Hilda is in her favorite walking environment - on a beach.  We have learned that Matthias also chooses a walk along the water's edge whenever possible.

I am delighted to find shallow waters warmed by the sun.

There are lots of people playing at the beach - but it is still uncrowded.

Para-sailing and surfing are popular.  Tofino is famous for high surf.

Tonight we go out for seafood - and all order a Cajun style boil loaded with crab, salmon, clams, corn, etc.  We enjoy a Pinor Gris from the Okanagan Valley wine region in BC. 

Matthias picked the Ice House Oyster Bar because it is in an historic ice house and perched right over a fishing port.  The sun sets on a day of delighted discovery in Tofino.