|
|
|
Day 13 - Vancouver Island to Whistler via the Sea to Sky Highway (and a ferry)
|
|
|
| 7-ish | |
Mary got up and took the washing to dry. Apparently she also had time to find coffee and croissants. Girls and I packed and waited for Mary's return.
|
| We leave Victoria | |
10ish - Eventually all ready for departure. Apparently Lucy's jeans phone call cost $15 - hope that still means they were a bargain!
|
| A touch of Frost? | |
One minor hitch on the way to the ferry. Almost stopped at Chemainus, the village with all the murals. I thought we were stopping, misinterpreted Mary's "Just drive" as "keep going" not "Don't park, just drive round the one-way systems in the village and we can see the murals." Bit frosty right up to the ferry terminal.
|
| The Ferry at Nanaimo | |
12:45ish - Had to wait this time - approx 45 minutes and got onto the 13:30 ferry, 3 back from the front on the top deck - so should get away quickly. Saw Vancouver's skyline in the distance to the east, gradually getting closer. Scenery was not as good this time as the passage from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay doesn't seem to thread its way through so many small islands. 95 minutes and we were drawing into Horseshoe Bay - where is the road - behind a little outcrop? Swing round to the right and there it is. Just a 2-berth terminal with steep road down to it - nothing else. As we suspected, drove off very quickly. Saw the sign to Squamish - 2 lanes over to our right. The petrol tanker and the People Carrier were in our way, but took the next exit and doubled back onto the 'Sea to Sky' Highway. Beautiful views - very fjord like - over the bay as the road followed the coast to Squamish before turning inland and North towards Whistler.
|
| The outskirts of Whistler - just! | |
Started to get very low on fuel and a little concerned when the outskirts of Whistler came into view about 1.5 hours into the journey. Stopped for petrol and Mary asked if knew where our hotel was. First unhelpful Canadian! (obviously a US student doing vacation work). Never mind - should be easy. Reached Whistler proper and drove round for a bit trying to follow the previous unhelpful hints. When we got back to where we started, we stopped at an Information Booth and asked there. Got what we found out later was the standard approach - photocopied map, highlighter pen, route from HERE to THERE in chosen highlighter, have a nice day.
|
| Eventually - our Hotel | |
Found the Marriot this time - in the Upper Village a fair way up Blackcomb Mountain. Checked in no problem, unloaded car and left the ladies to take to room whilst I tried to get the car into the Underground Car Park using the room swipe card - problem. Took it back to reception and had it redone as the magnetic stripe was faulty. Parked OK this time and found my way to our 'room'. Mary and the girls had not unpacked yet - they had waited for me to see the place. Good Grief! Large living room with TV and Video. table laid for 4 with wineglasses and napkins. Kitchen with all appliances - yes dishwasher, microwave, ice maker, fridge freezer etc etc. Twin bedded room for the girls with a shower room/toilet. Master bedroom with the biggest king sized bed I've ever seen - with ensuite bathroom and TV. Swore and took loads of photos - then we unpacked!
|
| Taking stock - and stocking up | |
Went to shops and bought food, drink and had our first little look round the place. All the roads that had confused us earlier became clearer with the maps. Basically pedestrianised with parking lots hidden in the trees for day visitors. 3 'centres' for shops. Rest is hotels as far as we can make out.
Found our way back to our hotel. Nice pool with 2 hot tubs, small multi-gym (no I wont). Nice meal in room - Chicken With Nice Stuff and Stir Fry. Waffles and Maple Syrup for afters. Hot tub, cable TV and bed. What a palace!
|
 | |
|
|
|
