Pacific Rim NP - Schooner Cove - Long Beach - Tofino - Chesterman Beach

Friday and Saturday 24th and 25th we stayed on in Tofino and explored the Pacific Rim NP and the beaches in and around Tofino.

We started with the rainforest, there are a few hiking trails that lead through the woods on planks. At first we walked the 1 kilometer to Schooner Cove. Lots of trees growing on top of each other and covered with moss, in all shades of green.

Then we came to Schooner Cove which I really liked because it was quite deserted when we got there. There was even a little bit of fog which made for a great mood.

 

In the evening we met friends from Switzerland who happened to stay in Tofino at the same time. Sometimes the world is such a small place. We had a lot of fun taking silly photos on the beach and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset together.

On Saturday we went to Tofino again. There were so many cute little details to see, like these sharks on the zebra crossing.

We spent the afternoon on Long Beach where I continued with my Bradway Shawl and Yannick and Antonia tried their luck at body surfing. They were among the only ones who went into the water without a wet suit and it was not really a very hot day either...

In the evening we went back to "our" beach, the Chesterman Beach right next to our B&B. We had coffee and hot chocolate, tried to let fly our new kite and saw another sunset. It makes me all nostalgic to see these photos and I wished I could go back right now ;-)

Long Beach - Ucluelet - Broken Islands

Thursday 23rd of July - We left the B&B too early for breakfast, which was the best thing that could have happened. Not because the breakfast was bad the following mornings, it was indeed excellent, but because we got to eat breakfast at the beach and not any beach but the wonderful Long Beach of my dreams. I almost can't look at this photo, it makes me want to go there again sooo badly.

We didn't actually spend a lot of time on the beach that day because we were supposed to be in Ucluelet for a whale and bear watching tour with Alan and Toddy Landry of Archipelago Cruises on the Raincoast Maiden. After we'd heard the safety instructions and been introduced to everyone, we left Ucluelet and went exploring. After only 5 minutes we saw our first black bear, cozily walking along the beach, looking for food. It was actually our only bear but we didn't know that at that moment and it didn't matter because there was so much more to see. Eagles, seals, sealions, seaotters and humpback whales with a calf. I would have needed a better camera (with a longer zoom lense) to really capture them, but right there it was were impressive.

I was also very fascinated by the beautiful scenery of the Pacific and its islands, especially the Broken Islands where we had a very fancy and tasty lunch on board. After more than 5 hours on board we went back onshore, what an amazing day!

We went for a coffee and hot chocolates in Ucluelet because it had been quite cool during the way back and we had a little walk around town before we headed back to Tofino.

Lake Kennedy - Tofino

Wednesday 22nd of July - We left Port Alberni and took the Pacific Rim Highway in the direction of Tofino. It was rather misty when we started which looked very mysterious in the mountains. There are a lot of curves between Port Alberni and the Pacific Coast, but our car was a champ and it was fun driving. We took a break at Lake Kennedy. We were the only ones at the beach which wasn't surprising because the path off the highway was so hidden we missed it twice. But third time was lucky and we were glad we found it.

After Lake Kennedy it was only a few more kilometers until we reached the Tofino - Ucluelet - Highway. I was very excited because Tofino (or pictures of it and of Long Beach) are the reason we went on this whole Road Trip.

We only got a glimpse of the pacific while driving but once we arrived in Tofino and found our B&B, The Seafarer's B&B we realised that we were just next to the beach and nothing could stop us. I guess you can see how exhilarated I was and Yannick even went surfing without a wet suit.