Qualicum Indian Reserve

After spending the night in the most luxurious Airbnb imaginable, I decided it was only right that I try out the Boomerangs Cafe - “featuring an array of classic Australian dishes & drinks, with a focus on breakfast.” It was quite a shock to discover that eggs is a classic Australian dish!
The provided jams on the table did not include Vegemite! On politely enquiring, I was told it is kept behind the counter. Because people steal it! Especially in the summer tourist months. Bwahah. I can just imagine them thinking they have stolen something really special only to discover it’s an acquired taste!

It was an overcast day with the possibility of some rain. The town and surrounding mountains look quite different without the blue skies I’ve been seeing. Apparently it hasn’t rained for quite some time. After all, it’s close to two weeks since the last rain!
We start heading out of Port Alberni with final destination of Vancouver.

As there is only one road in and out of Port Alberni, it’s back up over the hump and down to Cathedral Grove. Today we have time to stop and wander through. Huge trees and beautiful mosses and creeks. The feeling reminds me of the Tasmanian forests around Cradle Mountain or Mount Field National Park.
The road is packed full of tourists going in both directions.

We keep on moving and our next stop is in Coombs to see “The Goats on the Roof”. It’s not hyperbole - there are real goats on a real roof that has sod growing on it. It’s been turned into a combination tourist attraction/farmers market/specialty restaurants.

We grab a bite to eat and I try some “Candied Salmon”. Interesting taste!

Finally we arrive at Duke Point to catch the
Ferry to Vancouver. This one leaves from a different terminal than the one I took the other day and it arrives at a different terminal in Vancouver. The other day I landed north (?) of Vancouver. This one lands you south-ish of Vancouver.
Just as we’re headed out of Duke Point there are two humpback whales breaching just out the front of the ship. I can vaguely see them but there’s no hope of a photo at this distance. Instead I just watched them.

Vancouver seems to be an expensive place to stay. Whenever I’ve been looking, prices are around the $200 mark at a minimum.

When booking tonight’s accommodation I could choose to stay right next to the bike shop we are meeting at for $CAD350 ($AUD400).
Or I could stay 30 minutes away for $CAD147. Guess which one I chose. It couldn’t possibly be worse than the stabbing motel.

Serendipity is holding up. A beautiful place on a quiet street. Safe for me, safe for the bike, clean and exceptionally comfy!
I duck out for dinner and find a pizza restaurant nearby. Who would have thought it was a good idea to put macadamia nuts 🥜 on a Hawaiian pizza?
For more google maps adventures - check out today’s other post! 🤷‍♀️
Tomorrow we meet up to start the motorbike tour proper!Read more