Victoria & Tofino

On Sunday I got up and headed downtown to do a few little things I had left to do and organise. I think I maybe planned too much time in Victoria because I was finding it hard to keep myself amused there after a few days. I went to a tourist shop on Government Street where I had seen some pretty Haida-designed silver rings and bought a beautiful locally made one for $67. It's pretty expensive but I've been looking for a nice ring for ages and this is one I think I'll wear for a good while. After that I took the bus out to Oak Bay where I had been told there was a nice beach. I found my way to Willows Beach and had a quick walk around there. It was really nice but I knew there'd be plenty of beaches in Tofino that I had lots of (again- maybe too much) time to hang out there. I had been informed by Bryan that we had plans for the evening so I had to get home for that.

His plans involved going to see Joel Plaskett; some 'real Canadian' music, after having some dinner at an Oyster restaurant (I did not eat oysters). I had never heard of Joel Plaskett before but it was good music and he was quite funny, plus the Victoria Conservatory of Music is a beautiful building (although the seats are torture). All in all a good night!

The next day it was packing time. Got all my stuff packed up and -after noticing my bag was fuller but lighter- headed downtown to meet my ride Gabe. Gabe was cool and a nice safe driver, which was appreciated. We even stopped at a couple view points and to watch the hockey (Canucks got beat and are now out the Playoffs :o( shame). We got into Tofino around 11pm and I pretty much went straight to sleep because I was exhausted.

Today is May 12th (Tuesday) and I got up after sleeping like a baby and had some breakfast and a shower. I had a text from Gabe asking if I wanted a ride to the Pacific Rim National Park which is where the best beach and the rainforest etc is so I said yes please and we went for a wander round there all day, stopping off at Long Beach, the Wickaninnish Interpretation Centre and the rainforest. It was pretty sunny and would have been roasting if it wasn't for the wind, which was pretty strong. It was warm enough in the rainforest but the beach was a bit chilly. All in all, though, an awesome day and lots of fresh air and exercise. It's also nice having someone to hang around with (who has a car).

Willows Beach, Oak Bay, Victoria

Mount Baker, on the right, with lots of digital zoom

Oak Bay Marina from Willows Beach

A building in Chinatown in Victoria (Canada's oldest Chinatown)

The gate to Chinatown in Victoria

Joel Plaskett

A view from the highway

A hole in a tree

A lake from the Macmillan forest

Whalers Point Guesthouse, my hostel

The view from my hostel window

Again hostel window view

Long Beach

Long Beach, we clambered all over these rocks

Starfish!

The rainforest

I got home a couple of hours ago and checked my emails and had one from the University of Glasgow giving me an unconditional offer to the MSc Forensic Toxicology. I was kind of thinking that I would be accepted but now I need to decide if I'm motivated enough to do it! Hmmm...

Anyway It's dinner time so I'm gonna go battle the crowds in the kitchen for some cooking space!