A Spectacular Sunset Dinner at the MacKenize Beach Resort, Tofino, B.C.

Wednesday, Day 6                               

After our visit to the MacMillan Provincial Park, an ancient forest park with the oldest and largest trees in Canada, we continued our drive to Tofino about 110 km from Nanaimo, British Columbia.

We had to made a last minute change on our planned accommodation in the area.













With the GPS guiding us, we drove to Tofino around 7pm and checked into this oceanfront resort hotel.

We were in time to enjoy some appetizers on the resort’s patio.















The view of a magnificent sunset over the Pacific Ocean was magical!

Sunset happens everyday.

Watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean in BC

Yet, every time when I watch the sun going down the horizon, there is something special about it.

Watching a sunset is always a pleasant experience for me. 

I could not get over how beautiful everything was while the sun was setting.

We kept lingering around on the patio taking in this magnificent scenery!

We enjoyed the fresh salmon dinner at the resort; dining room.

We sat in front of a large picture window at the resort's dining room and enjoyed a delicious dinner with fresh BC salmon.

Enjoying delicious food, good conversations with loved ones and watching a gorgeous sunset in a beautiful setting - What a nice way to end a long driving day during our vacation on Canada's west coast!

R.T.

MacKenize Beach Resort

Tofino, British Columbia

Canada

Embracing a 800 Year Old Douglas Fir Tree in MacMillan Provincial Park, B.C.

Day 6 -  MacMillan Provincial Park

MacMillan Provincial Park, British Columbia

After driving about another 10-15 minutes from Cameron Lake, we reached MacMillan Provincial Park, British Columbia.

In order to protect the giant Douglas firs trees, H.R. MacMillan, a well known British Columbia forester, donated much of his land in 1944 as a park.

Hiking the trail in MacMillan Provincial Park

There were a number of trails opened on the day we visited the park.
   
Because of time constraint, we took the shorter one to reach the grove of giant trees and learned a lot about the Cathedral Grove.

The Park is known for the largest and oldest trees in Canada.

The MacMillan Provincial Park is known for the largest and oldest trees in Canada. Some trees are more than 800 years old.

The Big Tree - this Douglas Fir is over 800 years old, the oldest tree in MacMillan Provincial Park

We saw the largest tree in the park which is this  Douglas - Fir, over 800 years old, 76 m tall, 9 m round, much taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa (56 m tall).

This tree was over 300 years old when Christopher Columbus came to North America in 1492.

Douglas-fir is one of Canada's oldest living tree species, it can live up to 1000 years old!

The tree was so large that my hubby and I, with our hands extended, could not even cover half of the diameter of the tree!

We learned a lot from informative signs like this while walking on the trail.

Along the trail, there were signs explaining the forest, trees and the different growth on and under the trees.














We have learned a lot from visiting this provincial park:

-           

A fallen/dead tree provides nutrients and shelter to other living things.

     





      One things I learned was that a dead tree is useful as it provides nutrients, shelter and a habitat to many other living things.


   
       We also learned about the importance of forests and what is an ancient forest.

Moss growth on many of the trees in this ancient forest

The MacMillan Provincial Park is a unique park indeed! I was glad that we had the opportunity of

visiting it.

Do not miss this park if you are driving through the area of Tofino in British Columbia!


R.T.
MacMillan Provincial Park
British Columbia, Canada

Mysteries of Cameron Lake, a Spectacular Lake in British Coulmbia, Canada

Day 6 - Cameron Lake, British Columbia

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

After our lunch stop at Nanaimo, British Columbia, we continued our driving trip along the south west of the BC coast.

















Along the way, we passed by beautiful lakes, dense forests and some nice scenic spots.

 
We got very excited when we  passed by a beautiful lake surrounded by tall mountains.

With such beautiful scenery around us, we thought there would be a lookout point somewhere.

However, we had to keep driving for sometime before reaching a safe picnic spot where we could have an opportunity for taking pictures of this beautiful lake.

This beautiful lake we happened to come upon was Cameron Lake.

It is situated in the traditional territory of the Kwalikum

Nation.

The scenery of Cameron Lake is spectacular with the Rocky Mountains as its backdrop!

 

Cameron Lake is beautiful, deep and mysterious. It is also the subject of local rumors which include:

The lake is:

bottomless,
it is too cold for swimming;
it is inhabited by a lake monster!

Cameron Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Cameron Lake looks spectacular with high mountains as its backdrop. Some people say that the scenery at Cameron Lake looks as good as Lake Louis in Banff!

Regardless of what the rumors about Cameron Lake are, we love the scenery.!

R.T.
Cameron Lake
British Columbia
Canada
120918

A Brief Visit to Nanaimo, B.C. Where the Nanaimo Bar Dessert Originated

Wednesday, Day 6 - Ferry to Nanaimo, British Columbia

Having turned down an invitation from Jean to attend a meeting, we went back to the house early last night getting ready for the next part of our west coast vacation.

Up bright and early, shortly after 6 am to be ready for the ferry ride to our next destination in BC., we were prepared to leave Dave’s place a little after 7am, thinking that we would have plenty of time.

However, the rush hour traffic was heavy and we arrived at the terminal just about 10 minutes before the ferry sailed off at 8:45am.

















This was the first time we drove onto a B.C. ferry in a vehicle. As we had pre- purchased our ferry tickets, it was easy getting to the proper deck for our vehicle; the lineup was not too bad at all.
















It was a pleasant 1 ½ hour ride on the  B.C. ferry.

Downtown of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

After getting something to eat and writing for a few minutes on my computer, we arrived to the city of Nanaimo.

A landmark of Nanaimo, B.C.

We visited the Nanaimo Museum, Nanaimo, B.C.

In the past three decades, Nanaimo has evolved from a resource - based ( forestry) economy to a service - based community.


A stone's throw away, the Nanaimo Museum was within a short walk distance from the Nanaimo ferry dock.


















We took a tour of the Nanaimo Museum and learned a lot about the history of the city.

The Museum gives a good description of the history and development of the city of Nanaimo.



 What I liked about the museum visit were the following:

1.     
         





     










      


A. In the history exhibition, the Nanaimo Museum included the contributions of Canada's minority people such as the Chinese immigrants, and the aboriginal people.










T 







      The displays acknowledged these communities' existence and their contributions.

2.     
          

    




      
       



       B.  A section designed for children called "Kids Celebrate".


     

   

   




      The kids exhibits included many interactive hands on activities.

      The displays touched on the various festivals celebrated by different ethnic groups living in Canada.
 

   
















   












   
       

Nanaimo bar - a favourite dessert of many Canadians

       




Years ago, I tried a dessert called Nanaimo bar in Toronto. 

We found the Nanaimo ottomans at the Nanaimo Museum, B.C.!

     





Since then, I have always wondered if this dessert has anything to do with this western coastal city called Nanaimo.
 c.

     




We found out more about it at the Nanaimo Museum, learned about the Nanaimo bar and found a number of huge ottomans made in the shape of  Nanaimo bar!

Display made with tea towels printed with recipe of Nanaimo bar

There was a display made with towels printed with the recipes of Nanaimo bar.
How cool was that!

Modern Cafe in Nanaimo, B.C.

After the museum visit, we had lunch at the Modern Café, established since 1940's.


















We had the best lunch ever on our trip from this restaurant in a little known town!

The creamy pesto chicken linguini with broccoli , the harvest Bisque, The Menage de Trios salad served with fresh crab cake, prawns and candied salmon were absolutely delicious!

Tasting new food, experiencing and learning about new things are what we enjoy the most on our travels.

We did all of  these today in Nanaimo, B.C.!



R.T.
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Canada