Around Kingfisher Oceanside Resort.

They were trying to make everything look a part of the environment.
Even the grass felt mossy and very soft.
The gardeners said it rains a lot and there is a harsh wind that comes in from the ocean.

This is the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort Hotel.
When we arrived it didn't look like this picture.
I believed the whole front building wasn't there and we were in the residences behind the little square house which had the heated pool.
The front of the building was a level lower and we never saw it.
The grounds were meticulously taken care of but the building from the entrance looked a bit shabby.
The rooms were very nice, but I found the mattresses hard to sleep on.
the restaurant served wonderful food.
When we tried to leave the room we found out the lock was broken and although it locked, the door was easily opened with a small push so we had to move to another room.
They were very nice about that.

This was our view from our room. The sliding door opened to a nice patio with chairs to sit on.
The air was very fresh and cool. It had a wonderful feeling to it.
This is the first hotel which asked its guests to drink their tap water.
So we did and it was very tasty water.

This was a nice gazebo beside the pool to have tea in and enjoy
Can you believe there was another building in front? You just see the ocean.

They were trying to make everything look a part of the environment.
Even the grass felt mossy and very soft.
The gardeners said it rains a lot and there is a harsh wind that comes in from the ocean.

Another wood carving

another wood sculpture. It looks like an eye.

Entrance to the heated pool area

Stork sculpture made of wood.

It has an old tennis court out front in the entrance, sauna, fitness room, etc..
Walking around this place made you feel calm, peaceful and relaxed.
People are very nice and the view is extremely special and I just couldn't get over the air quality.
I never wanted to go back into my room and this is rare because I always like to enjoy my room. lol
Have a good one.

Georgia Straight

click to enlarge

Our trip to Nanaimo Aboard the Queen of Alberni was quite exciting.
It was cloudy, wet and chilly but the air was brisk and fresh.
We only saw one sailboat risking the cold air and high waves.
This must be a true sailor.:)

click to enlarge
As we travelled we could see the islands so close yet so far away.
If anyone fell into the frigid waters, they would never reach the coast of any island.
The clouds were very low you felt you could almost touch them.
All the way to Nanaimo which you can see in the distance.

Our ferry was huge but many smaller ferries Island hop

This is an emergency craft geared to take care of small matters that crop up

We searched and searched for killer whales in the choppy waters
Last time we saw them but not today.The waters were full of ducks. We tried taking photos of them but they were too quick and dove under water to catch fish. They were far away from shore and the waters are deep so I wonder just how far they dove to catch something.

Since running ferries is expensive they wait until there are a lot of cars before leaving shore.
So the Tsawwassen Quay is appreciated because it gives one a chance to visit the powder room and buy a coffee at food stalls, visit the gift shops, buy stamps etc....
The cars are left outside by themselves lol

I caught a shot of one duck before it dove. I just don't know how it doesn't freeze sitting there in such choppy cold water.
You have to respect ingenuity of nature when you see it.

Coming closer to Nanaimo one sees many houses along the shore line but there are so many more hidden behind the trees one doesn't see. We never imagined so many people lived here.
The coast lines are visited by many ducks, gulls, sea lions, and Canada Geese.
Nanaimo is famous for its' Nanaimo bars, something every one must taste when then come here.

I could not get over the clouds how beautiful they looked . The ferry employees all love their jobs, going back and forth aboard the ferry. One never gets bored as things always change here.

These are shots of our arrival to Vancouver Island via the Georgia Straight.
More to come.