Galiano, Pender and REALLY good Sushi

(Becky writes) Galiano Island is one of the South Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia between the mainland and Vancouver Island. On Friday, we decided to use our BC Ferries sail pass and travel to Galiano for the day. Just the ferry rides are a treat, very relaxing and you feel transported into a past time and place. Galiano is a really small island and only around 1000 residents. This time of the year the tourists are mostly gone (except for us) and it is a great time of the year to experience these little islands at their best. We were on a little hike out to the south point of the island called Bellhouse Point and heard two eagles calling to one another. We looked up in the huge western cedar that towered above us and there they were perched in the top of the tree. It was just amazing. I've seen a couple of eagles from our car at a wildlife preserve in Florida but to be out hiking and hear their call and see those majestic birds was quite the experience.

Today, we traveled to another of the Gulf Islands, Pender. Pender is interesting because there is North Pender and South Pender but originally there was only one. Many years ago the residents decided it was just too far to sail around the island and so they "cut" a pass through a narrow section of the island. Then back in the 50's it was decided the "cut" had been a mistake and so now the two islands are connected with a small one lane bridge. You can drive (and drive the speed limit) from one end to the other in about 45 minutes if you had a really strong will and could drive without stopping to hike out to the points or hike down to the beaches. We are unable to resist the pull of the sea and so it takes us hours to cover one of these small islands. Fortunately, we are not shoppers or it would take us days. There are galleries and little roadside stands everywhere. Most of them are not open this time of the year so we didn't have too much temptation in that area.

Today as we drove through an apple orchard, we looked over and there maybe 10 feet from us was the cutest little fawn I have ever seen (I haven't seen that many, I will admit). It still had its spots and just stood there looking at us for about a minute. Very FUN!!

We discovered that from the south end of South Pender we could see Mt. Baker in all it's glory! The San Juan Islands (US islands also in the Strait of Georgia) are also visible but Mt. Baker is definitely the show stealer.

In between these two glorious days, which means Friday night, we decided to try out a sushi place, Shizen Sushi, that was recommended by one of the young ladies here at Rosewood. Definitely, the best sushi I have every had. We had, among other things, halibut, salmon, yellow tail, giant clam, and sweet shrimp nigiri. It was truly wonderful - I think my favorite meal since we left home.

(Craig writes) While on South Pender Island today we parked at one of the many beach access points and walked over to the observation deck. We were surprised to see a scuba diver, complete with wet suit and camera, making his way up the steps. We acknowledged each other but since he still had all of his gear and mask on it took a minute or so for him to be able to communicate audibly. Turns out the diver was Derek Holzapfel, a Pender Island native and Naturalist. He spent several minutes talking with us about his passion/hobby of photographing sea life, educating others about their wonders and his aspirations of encouraging the Canadian government to legislate more laws to protect the fragile ecology of the Gulf Islands. His website can be seen at:

http://naturediver.com/

Tomorrow, (Sunday 11-2), we leave Victoria for Seattle. Our time in the Victoria area has been a great experience and our Canadian friends could not have been better hosts. Thanks Canada!