North Vancouver to Tofino

To catch the morning ferry to Nanaimo, we left North Vancouver at daybreak. The sun had just risen and painted the sky in a deep orange-purple when we started our journey. The ferry ride was short – compared to the rides I had in New Zealand – and comfortable.

On our way across Vancouver Island (from Nanaimo on the mild east coast to Tofino at the rugged west coast) we stopped at Cathedral Grove and immersed ourselves in the lush green old-growth rainforest. This was a much appreciated break before we continued driving westward on the Pacific Rim Highway for another two hours.

The highway is a narrow, two-lane road with some sharp turns and elevation changes, not to mention the breathtaking scenery. After checking in at the hotel in Tofino, we went beach-combing at Long Beach and Wickaninnish Beach until sunset. Dinner at the Pointe was a stylish end to an eventful day.