Cathedral Grove and an Orca in Nanaimo, B.C.
On May 13 at 10:15 our journey starts at Frankfurt Airport. The weather at the destination should be exceptionally summery: 26 degrees and sun! British Columbia is known for its misty, wet and cold coasts and forests.
With Air Canada, we fly over snowy fjords in Greenland, icy landscapes in northern Canada and the majestic Rockies. 10 pleasant hours later, we land in Vancouver. After we have picked up our car, it's on to the ferry to Tsawwassen. Tired but happy about our view of the magnificent Mt. Baker at 29 degrees and blue skies, we enjoy the almost 2-hour drive to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island.
Despite or perhaps because of jet lag, we enjoy a wonderful sunrise and even catch a glimpse of a shy orca!
On the way back to the car, we are approached by two curious locals and get a tip for the day: Cathedral Grove. “You have to go!” There is the very nice lady who moved from the mainland to Nanaimo two years ago. Gigantic Douglas spruces stretch into the sky and the smell of fresh soil has a calming effect. It's actually a must-see and I wish I could put that clear forest scent in a bottle and take it with me.
Whale watching and wildlife on Vancouver Island
After two days in Nanaimo, our journey continues to Shirley, where we spend 4 days in a converted shipping container. Surrounded by trees, we spend quiet evenings around a campfire drinking local craft beer.
One of the best ways to explore Vancouver Island's diverse flora and fauna is by taking a whale watching tour. From all the countless offers, we have opted for the Eagle Wings with a starting point in Victoria, BC. When we don't see any whales on our first sunset tour, the organizer offers the opportunity to repeat the tour until you see whales. We book the tour the next day and are very lucky to watch a very active humpback whale make spectacular jumps. Marine biologists emphasize that such a jump costs a lot of energy and that the behavior is rare for the time of year, because the whales have to save a lot of energy in spring.
On the four-hour tour, we drive past a lighthouse covered in fog, are greeted by an otter floating in the water and watch curious sea lions sunbathe. Meanwhile, the team of marine biologists provides us with useful knowledge and fun facts. On the way back to port, the boat suddenly stops and the team fishes plastic waste out of the ocean. This is how we recognize their passion for preserving nature and are pleased that part of our fees are being used to protect species. The whale watching tour is the culmination of our time on Vancouver Island and we'll swap the sea for the mountains for the next 5 days.
Golden hour and an emerald-colored lake in the Rocky Mountains
After an overnight stay in Chilliwack (the name still makes us smile), it's on to Golden, on the border with Alberta. We spend the night in a tiny house with a view of snowy mountain peaks. According to travel reports, Lake Louise is a highlight not to be missed. To avoid the tourist onslaught, we set off before sunrise. The trip takes us across secluded roads through the breathtaking Yoho Park. Our fears about the crowds of tourists prove to be unfounded, as this is probably mainly due to the high season (June-August). At a cool temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, we walk to Lake Louise and wait for sunrise with just 20 people. The mountains are reflected on the partly frozen lake, and the mountain peaks are slowly turning red. A postcard design!
The day before, we were advised to visit Lake Emerald, which is known for its emerald green water. We decide to drive there immediately afterwards, as it is on our way back anyway. We can hardly believe that apart from us, there are only two other early risers on site with their canoes. We enjoy absolute peace and quiet. In our opinion, Lake Emerald is actually much more beautiful than Lake Louise! The mountains are now slowly turning golden, and the color of the lake is becoming more and more intense over time. We explore the small peninsula via a wooden bridge and are no longer amazed.
In May, many hiking trails and roads are still closed due to thaw and wildlife awakening from hibernation. We will therefore spend the next few days in the immediate vicinity of Golden and marvel at many other highlights, such as the biggest paddle in the world ;-) and the Golden Suspension Bridge.
Underground music and culinary highlights in Vancouver City
At the end of the trip, of course, we don't want to miss out on the amenities of a big city like Vancouver City and spend the last days of our adventure there. On our last trip to Mexico, we happened to meet a couple from Vancouver and luckily they offered to show us their home.
Together we hike through the Lynn Valley and jump into ice-cold mountain water to cool off. We enjoy warm summer evenings with live music and get to know the underground music scene in a former car repair shop as well as the culinary hotspots.
For our last dinner before departure, we opt for The Mackenzie Room, which is praised by many restaurant guides. In a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and good wine, we let one of the chefs surprise you with a curated menu and review the best moments of our trip to Canada over a cocktail. We could not have wished for a better conclusion.
