After soaking, at least for a while, life in Vancouver, it was now time to move towards a new, wonderful destination, Nanaimo.
This is the second largest city of Vancouver Island, 110 km northwest of Victoria.
The main reference point for tourists is the inland port and the center of the city is behind it, all the major stores are located in Commercial St. and Terminal Ave
The 'Old City Quarter is situated on the hill and was renovated recently acquired the charm of the past century.
General Information: -Major banks, such as ATMs are located in Commercial St., while the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is located northwest of the center (Tel. 250-755-7618, 1200 Dufferin Cres, first aid is open 24 hours out of 24)
The morning of the fifth day in short, backpackers and suitcase in hand, after a quick breakfast offered from the HI Vancouver Central, we headed to the bus station and hop on board once we found the landscape to the port.
We took the Greyhound Canada from Vancouver to Nanaimo with a cost less than $ 20 apiece.
Once the port was waiting for a ferry, free of charge, which would take us to destination. This, with large windows allowed all passengers to enjoy the crossing and we were not just trying to spot some whales, alas to no avail. However we have not been missing a good snack and a look at the gift shop.
The Island !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well we are finally here!
Back on the bus, after about 10 minutes, we stopped at the station in Nanaimo, where a Norwegian guy was kind enough to take us to the hostel, 'cause he didn' t go away before half an hour.
It 's amazing sometimes courtesy of the people and the desire to know and exchange some words with other travelers from different countries. In followings journeys happened to me sometimes to find this atmosphere so friendly and quiet when you are away from home really enjoyed. Greeted our friend, leaving for home, we entered the Painted Turtle, located in a building with a handful of seconds from the ocean, entering we were greeted by a friendly receptionist (www.paintedturtle.ca / home.php this is the site where you can find all the information about reservations and much more).
Mainly the hostel is spread over several floors connected by stairs, each of which has 4 bathrooms and several rooms, which can be single, double and small dorms with 4 / 6 seats. The bathrooms are new, clean and comfortable and our room, a double, was very welcoming.
The common room includes lounge, kitchen with 2 fridges, dining room, computer area, plus a room equipped with washing machines and dryers.
Once you drop your luggage we headed straight for the harbor, we came across a nice market full of characteristic products and homemade desserts.
For lunch we walked a few more minutes, reaching a little farther on, where a nice boat moored, was one of the best fish and chips I've ever met and with discounts for students with CTS card.
This is the Troller's Fish and Chips and serves very fresh fish (tel. 250-741-7994, 104 Front St, lunch and dinner 7-10 hours).
Towards evening, then we went to do some shopping for dinner, to prepare at hostel in the company of other tourists.
Just before this lovely city are two of its major attractions, Newcastle Island and Gabriola Island, the sixth day we decided to visit it, so after a good breakfast we bought the ticket for the ferry BC Ferries (for two Adults $ 15.80, then $ 7.90 each), among others with the good company of a ferryman we spent those 10 minutes really so nice. Arrive at Gabriolawe walked for a while, nature is really beautiful, as you can see from the photos below however we soon realized that is not an island easy to explore on foot, if you have a car or bicycle is surely simpler to arrive at the various points of interest. So, since we were without a transport, we headed to the shopping area of the island but just before we met another market where there were all kinds of items, with clothes painted on handmade jewelry also worth $ 130, groceries and paintings by local artists (in fact the island is famous for hosting a community of artists who live there), do not forget the display of antique farm machinery!
Above you can see the shopping area where you can find the information center for tourists, "VIC" (tel: 250-247-9332, 888-284-9332; www.gabriolaisland.org, 517 North Rd, 9-17 from May to September).
We had lunch in a beautiful inn right next to the shops and I recommend you try the soup of tomatoes, not only the food is fabulous but the owners are very pleasant people.
After lunch we returned to the ferry, so again on Vancouver Island, we decided to visit the city.
The "Bastion Nanaimo Museum, opened in summer 2008, at the corner of Front St. and St. Bastion, was a defensive structure, built in 1853 by 'Hudson's Bay Company, to counter attacks of the native First Nations but then used only to fire a few cannon shot to calm the riots.
Even today, the cannon fires a shot every day at 12.00 in the morning.
The museum is open daily from 10 am to 4pm during the months of June, July and August, while the time in May and September is a little bit different. For more information please contact the museum at 250-753-1821 or visit the website www.nanaimomuseum.ca.
If you have a bit of time walking around the city is a really nice way to spend a couple of hours.
Vi sono negozi di tutti i tipi, con marche più conosciute come Vans, Billabong ad altre meno note ma davvero carine, negozi di CD nuovi e\o usati a prezzi davvero convenienti, o di perline per gioielli fai da te.
There are shops of all types, with known brands like Vans, Billabong other less known but really nice, new CD stores and / or used at reasonable prices, or beads for jewelry.
Do not miss the promenade souvenir shops where to buy postcards or fabulous cafes.
In the evening we opted again for dinner in the hostel, where it cooked together and a gentleman as well as lend the cheese on my cheeseburger taught me new recipes for my dishes!
The 7th day was dedicated to "Newcastle Island" and so we took the tickets for 'Harbourferry and we got on' island (info on www.nanaimoharbourferry.com). Newcastle Island has a perimeter of about 8 km and we are not there without missing even a meter! Obviously there are also paths shorter than 1 km. On foot you can admire beautiful landscapes stunning follow paths, then a rest in the sun on rocks that fall directly into the ocean, and at low tide you can walk on the spit of land that connects Newcastle to another island near by including sea stars of various colors.
You can spot eagles, deer, otters, raccoons, beavers and other birds.
It' s really important that lots already equipped with a map of the island, water and food because the only place to eat it's at the beginning of your trip: "the Pavillon".
The eighth day we could not make us miss Westwood Lake! It can be reached
easily by bus to be taken not far from the hostel and that is down to 5 minutes from the lake.
It 's a very common destination for all who want to do physical activity like running in nature, besides the fact that water is wonderful and you can swim if it is not too cool. Here it is easy to spot many kinds of animals such as squirrels and well worth going around the lake. Do not miss the Canadian Goose that almost always end up during the trip.
Unfortunately I could not run the photo, however here you can see the entry for "Perkins" one of the best cafes in Nanaimo where you absolutely have to go for the breakfast with both sweet and savory pastries.
Bubble Tea, below, is a very fashionable drink in the area and unfortunately I personally have not been able to appreciate fully, but a lot of people drink it.
This is a diet drink which you can choose the taste, jellies and ice.
This is the recreation area of the Painted Turtle.