So after Toronto and my last blog post…I left to continue my round the world…and my search for my true self I suppose.
I went to Vancouver Island…
Spending time with wonderful friends and going on a short road trip with my best friend to get him over his ‘fear’ of backpacker travels as another best friend did for me a long while ago; practised Taoist Tai Chi with great people and in incredible places and did early (crispy!!) morning meditations on a river shore while the ‘canards branchus’ (special ducks) were passing by; watching seals and walking along the breathtaking beaches taking home some beautiful ‘galets’ and some seaweeds for the garden (please do not ask…).
Driving alongside trees and mountains, and mountains and trees, and trees and mountains…and waaaaater!!! Enjoying life with laughter and joy and AMAZING fish chowder and almost best ever fish and chips as well as great cocktails dressed in worn up walking boots and backpacker outfits in this very posh bar on the seaside while there was a highly classy posh party going on…
Sharing amazing deep conversations all over the island like the time we missed Port Alberni while driving as we were too engrossed in our discussion and the breathtaking beauty of the area; shared energy of trees and of this amazing island feeling very humble and blessed amongst ancient trees and the enchanted forest of Cathedral Grove.
Walking amongst amazing, beautiful nature. In one day strolling in the morning on the sunny seaside doing Tai Chi sets on the beach and then in the afternoon driving up the mountain to walk in the enchanted and colourful Paradise meadow (cannot get a more appropriate name!!) to get some snow flakes on our way down. Then going to a delicatessen Indian restaurant sipping delightful spicy mango martinis and eating heaven to finish at the local pub playing pool.
After a fun bike ride down hill (pestering a bit on the way about the inevitable upcoming UP hill to go back to the hostel), getting mesmerised after sharing a quiet, peaceful and meditative tai chi set on a deck by the most beautiful and bright full rainbow balancing over an incredible isolated lake surrounded by fabulous forest and mountains. Then watching a rescue helicopter crew practising over the lake waiting for the little rain to stop protected only by leaves of the surrounding trees…and throwing some rocks in the water…
Getting over excited as I only can tend to get by seeing my first ever wild bear less than 20 meters away!! and my first ever whales and seals and sea lions; walking along breathtaking beaches at sun rise and sun set and day time; warming up in natural hot springs (well you have to first run the 50 meters down without slipping from the changing cabin in your swimmers to the hot spring as it is very cold outside!!!)
…and getting to see a glimpse of Vancouver enough to make me want to see and experience this incredible city more fully another time.
