Jun 14, 2019
Vancouver - Nanaimo
After work, I got on a bus 257 not too far from my office in downtown Vancouver. Bus 257 is the express bus to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. It was a little bit slow due to heavy Friday afternoon traffic but still good enough to catch the 5:45 pm ferry to Nanaimo. The ferry was late too and it arrived in Nanaimo after 8:00 pm.
I stayed at the recommended Buccaneer Inn, about 10 minute walk from Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. Since it was not dark yet, I decided to have a walk. About 10 minute walk south of Buccaneer Inn, there is another hotel Waterfront Suites & Marina - from there the Harbourfront Walkway begins. It's about 20 minute walk along the waterfront to the central area.
 |
| Harbourfront Walkway, Nanaimo |
Jun 15, 2019
Nanaimo - Courtenay - Powell River
In the morning, I took a bus 25 from the stop near Buccaneer Inn to downtown Nanaimo. There are some interesting old buildings in the Old City Quarter, such as the one at 407 Fitzwilliam St. I particularly like the old train station (now a restaurant) at 321 Selby St. From the Old City Quarter, it's about a 10 minute walk to another interesting building Port Theatre near the waterfront. Another important historical building and the No. 1 site in downtown Nanaimo, the Bastion, is steps away. I eventually walked to the point where I walked to the previous day, then took a bus 20 back to Buccaneer Inn.
There are two companies running long distance buses departing from Nanaimo - IslandLink and Tofino Bus. Departure times of both companies are very similar - mainly based on the ferry schedule. I booked the IslandLink bus online in advance simply because it's slightly cheaper. The bus departed on time at 10:45 am and arrived at Courtenay (Driffwood Mall) at 12:15 pm on schedule.
After having lunch at the nearby Boston Pizza, I started my brief exploration of Courtenay - first around Airpark (a tiny airport for private airplanes), then along the river and finally reached downtown Courtenay. I stopped briefly at the ever popular Hot Chocolates/Cakebread Artisan Bakery shop then walked to the bus stop north of the bridge (part of 5th St). Bus 11 departs at 2:39 pm and arrives at the ferry terminal in Comox at 2:55 pm - perfect for the 3:25 pm ferry to Powell River.
The ferry arrived at Powell River just before 5 pm. It's about 10 minute walk to my hotel Westview Centre Motel. After some rest at the hotel, I started my long walk to Historic District of Powell River. The first part of the walk is along Willingdon Beach Trail which is very nice. There are information signs all over the trail with lots of descriptions of the ecology and history in the area. After the trail it becomes a gravel road and if there is a car passing by the dirt can be disturbing. At some point of the gravel road there is a nice beach with lots of people. After about 20 minutes or so the site of the Giant Hulks (World War II ships) appears. Eventually the gravel road becomes a paved road and I finally reached the historic district - an almost two hour walk! Since I was a little bit tired, I only checked out a few historical buildings - Dwight Hall, the Old Courthouse Inn (most famous) and Patricia Theatre (the oldest continuously running cinema in Canada) then rushed to the nearby Indian restaurant Royal Zayka (one of few restaurants open in Saturday evenings) to rest and have dinner. After recharging, I felt better and walked another 100 minutes back to Westview Centre Motel using the main road.
 |
| The Giant Hulks, Powell River |
Jun 16, 2019
Powell River - Sechelt - Davis Bay Beach - Roberts Creek - Gibsons - Vancouver
There is a Sunshine Coast Connector bus service between Powell River and Langdale. Buses run everyday during the summer and less often in other times. The service is useful for people who don't drive as BC Transit only has buses between Sechelt and Langdale. Saltery Bay to Earls Cove ferry is included in the Sunshine Coast Connector fare. My bus departed Town Centre Hotel (back entrance) in Powell River at 8:30 am (with a stop at the ferry terminal ticket office) and eventually arrived at Sechelt (Trail Bay Centre) at 11:15 am. The 50 minute ferry between Saltery Bay and Earls Cove is quite scenic.
After getting off the bus at Sechelt, I first went to the nearby Aquatic Centre to buy a BC Transit Day Pass ($5) - not only it saves money, but it also saves trouble for not having exact cash for the bus driver. I then walked to Lighthouse Marine Pub to have lunch and enjoy the beautiful view of Sechelt Inlet. After lunch, I walked to a bus stop on Sunshine Coast Hwy and took a bus 90 to Davis Bay Beach.
Davis Bay Beach turns out not as scenic as what I expected, and the only "site" on the beach, Raven's Nest, is not that impressive. However, sitting on a bench watching the ocean while enjoying the sunshine is still pleasant.
There are two bus routes between Sechelt and Langdale - No. 90 (express) and No. 1 (local). I took bus 1 from Davis Bay Beach to Roberts Creek because it goes into the village (while bus 90 only stops along the highway). From the bus stop near Roberts Creek General Store, I walked to Roberts Creek Pier, passing the famous community mandala. The beach near the pier is actually nicer than Davis Bay Beach in my opinion. Since buses on Sunshine Coast are not very frequent and the next No. 1 bus was too far away, I walked 25 minutes to the main road (Sunshine Coast Hwy) to catch a bus 90 to Gibsons.
In Gibsons, again I got off the bus at the highway and walked all the way down along School Rd to the waterfront. I then walked to Georgia Beach - a small hidden beach reached by Georgia Dr (very steep). The beach is small and quiet - the best of the 3 beaches I saw on Sunshine Coast.
A 10 minute walk took me to a tiny bus stop on Dougall Rd at Wells Ln. Bus 1 passes it here (one-way) at 5:07 pm and terminates at Langdale Ferry Terminal at 5:25 pm - just enough for the 5:45 pm ferry to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.
 |
| Community Mandala, Roberts Creek |
Summary
The Vancouver Island - Sunshine Coast loop is a very interesting trip for a weekend break. By carefully studying bus, transit and ferry schedules, it can be done purely by public transportation (even no taxis needed). There are a lot of walks along the waterfront and beaches in different places - nothing special and simply relaxing.
Wow good at planning
ReplyDelete