We hope everyone who visited Vancouver Island has some stories and pictures to share. We'll start:

A few scenes from Nanaimo, the Harbour City:

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Nanaimo Harbour

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The Harbour Lynx foot ferry sails between Nanaimo and Vancouver.

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A smallholding in Jingle Pot, part of Nanaimo .

Choose your dwelling:

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or...
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or even...
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More later

Pierre and Cathy K.

Hallo!

Pierre and Cathy K.

Always wanted to see how Vancouver Island looks like, as we did'nt had the chance to see it when we were there! Thankyou so much for pics. Are you living there now, or were you just visiting?

Kind regards
Ansie

Ansie, ons is inwoners hier en sal seker nêrens anders wil bly nie. Pierre K. raak deesdae 'n boffin met sy kamera en ons gaan probeer om later nog foto's op te sit.

Ek is doodseker baie ander forum lede het bydraes, hoe lyk dit Pierre, Harry, Digin en Hendie? Vancouver Island is 'n gewilde kuierplek.

Groete.
Cathy K.

Ek sal my fotos deurkyk en uitsoek.
Nietemin julle het 'n lekker eiland.
Hierdie is hoe longbeach lyk.

A photo of Nanaimo taken from Sugar Loaf Mountain.

So I thought I'd add a picture every now and then. This is a view of the northern end of the East Coast of Vancouver Island from Malcolm Island ( Sointula). You are looking more or less south, with the main island across the water.

Even though I have lived on the island for a while, up until quite recently I didnt know that the island has its own flag.

Click to view attachmentYou'll find Kennedy Lake on your way to Tofino.

A little bit more of the Island.......

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Alberni Inlet at Port Alberni

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The sunken garden at Butchardt Gardens in Victoria

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Tofino Beach

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Living in Lantzville.

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The Heritage Church, Lantzville

Lantzville will always have a special place in our hearts. It's only about three kilometres from Nanaimo and a wonderful place to spend some time.

Cathy and Pierre.

The Nanaimo Bastion is the most endearing symbol of the Harbour City.
Nanaimo’s most important heritage building is the oldest building in the city, and quite possibly the second oldest building (150+ years) in British Columbia, and the Bastion represents HBC's only real foray into the mining of coal.

Cool pics, thanks guys

Another nice spot is Tofino.

Fresh Fish & Chips with salt, pepper and lots of vinegar like you used to get at the "porrashop" on the corner.

It never snows in Nanaimo Well.....hardly ever

These photo's of our street and garden were taken over the past two days.

Looks like you got quite a bit..?? I'm always amazed at how beautiful it looks on the tree branches.

Pierre & Cathy,

Impressive!

We had only about 4-5cm here in Vancouver ( at least in Deep Cove). Further up the Fraser Valley it was much more.

P.S. I note you have conquered the posting of pictures via your website. Good! It works ever so much better than the attachments.

Geluk met jul lekker sneeu daar.
Dit was seker lekker vir die kleinding om in te speel....?

Pierre, sy't haar gate uit geniet, maar wat maak jy met 'n dekselse gebore Canuck wat weier om warm klere aan te trek? Die klein blikskottel dink sy lyk snaaks in haar mud buddies. Ons het pal met gevriesde handjies en 'n sopnat boskasie gesukkel.

These mudbuddies are something. The little ones look like miniature Michelin men in it. First you bundle up your little one in a soft padded dungaree (over other warm clothes, of course). Then you add fur lined boots and the padded jacket. You zip it up, press the studs close and put the hood on their heads. Then they ask to go to the bathroom!

Pierre, wat doen ons met die ysige koue na die sneeu? Pos dit aan na Fort McMurray toe?

Cathy K.

Spring in Nanaimo! When we lived in Prince Albert in the Karoo, the scent of jasmine and wisteria heralded in the spring. In Nanaimo it's the paeonies. The scent from the massive flowers attract bees and birds from all over.



Cathy K

I wanted to post this the full 316kB, but I knew I would have been in trouble with the moderators.

Our sunset last night, as seen from the front stoep.



Cathy K.

Just magnifique!! I am so envious of where you live!

MY favourite garden on Vancouver Island!

How do you get to view a sunset when you are on the East side of the island ???
Baffled Brad

Actually, the window that picture was taken from faces west. Our house faces a stretch of shoreline that runs east-west, and we have a stunning 180°+ view from the west, across the north to the east.

Charlene

The Butchart gardens near Victoria, must be one of the most stunning gardens I have ever seen, I would give my left arm, the one with the sore shoulder , to have that soil and weather. My biggest problem is, which photographs to leave out!

Oh Cathy, do you have some work for me on the Island?
It is so beautiful!

Ingrid, I'm looking! I'm looking! I know many ex South Africans are providing services to the community: teenage pregnancies, suicide watch, etc.

Pierre actually went out to close the side door of the garage when he saw the whole street was full of parked cars. Dozens of people were opposite the house, taking pictures. Then he looked up and saw what they saw.

We're making this photo our screensaver.

Unfortunately I was asleep by then. Ruby and I had a camp-out in the garden in the tent. Charlene erected the tent over the weekend and she and Ruby slept in it on Saturday. It was ouma's turn on Monday.

Beautiful pictures, Vince B and Karen. Butchard Gardens is truly awesome. It looks different during each season. Unfortunately it also had some damages during last winter's storms.


Part of Nanaimo's harbour.


The first "Concert in the Park" at the harbour. (Okay, so I made the picture smaller now, but is did look nicer when it was full size.... )

We will have free concerts over most weekends from now on untill the end of August. Everyone packs a picnic basket en go there to enjoy the show. The performance of the Nanaimo Symphony Ochestra is scheduled for August 11.

Cathy K

I hope they are not the cause of either problem!

A few more photographs of Victoria:


Provincial Legislature at night

Harbour with float planes

Barbs Fish and Chips

Floating Houses

Last night we had our annual Symphony Concert in the park. It was free of charge. We took our picnics along and enjoyed a relaxing evening listening to the music.

For some or other bizarre reason many residents decided to bring their dogs along. A few initiated a dogfight, one yapped incessantly, others tried to share people's picnics while most of them "watered" all and sundry's chair legs. Everyone of them were petrified during the explosive last minutes of the 1812 Overture.



Cathy K.

In and around Nanaimo this summer for our family.

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Boat Show in Nanaimo Harbour
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Best fish and chips in Nanaimo, tied up in the harbour
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Camping with the church youth group at Lake Cowichan
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My tent at Lake Cowichan
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Flowers on Protection Island across from Nanaimo Harbour
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Leaving on the ferry from Horseshoe Bay, back from a trip to Calgary in May 2007
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My husband taking the dog for a ride in the scooter

Right on our doorstep!



This ship was so near that one could almost touch it. Do you now understand why nothing gets done over here! I can spend all day looking through the window.

Cathy K.

The people make me very jealous when I see all the beautiful pictures. To think I have to wait two years. Enough to lock yourself up and cry for two years!

Cathy, next time we are on the Island I think we need to make a plan to visit you. Just so that you can let us view the area from your window! Just beautiful!!!

Vra tog bietjie vir die matrose op daardie skip of hulle nie ook soos hul vriende in die Nato vloot tans in die Kaap, bangerig is vir 'n SA duikboot nie!

I know that was an old posting & photo, but WOW!

Me too!!!!!

All these photos make me want to get over as soon as possible. This is what we have to look at in Kuwait

I like to compare our part of Vancouver Island to the Garden Route in South Africa. We have the same friendliness, and "Outeniqua roes" is endemic. No wonder so many South African immigrants settle here.

Cathy K.

Hi all... wow, the island pictuers really remind me of the garden route! So beautiful!! My wife and I are torn between two options in BC (for now anyways - at least now we're only considering TWO Canadian provinces) to move to. Abbotsford, and Nanaimo. The reason for these rather 'smaller' places, is because as a doctor fresh off the plane you need to work in 'areas of need'. The thing is, we want to stay in a beautiful place that's not too busy. In this way I'll be able to get my exams out the way - over the next few years. Any advice? Does Nanaimo fit the bill? Oh, one more question for all you experienced folk - what kind of entertainment and shopping facilities are there in Nanaimo?

Oh, one more question for all you experienced folk - what kind of entertainment and shopping facilities are there in Nanaimo?

The biggest shopping mall on Vancouver Island (with at least a half dozen other malls), all the big box shops like Home Depot, Walmart, Superstore, Canadian Tire, etc. We have the Vancouver Island Symphony orchestra and the Port Theatre that is the venue for world class performances. Nanaimo sees itself as one of the art capitals of Canada.

There are two ice rinks, two indoor swimming pool complexes and it is claimed that we have around nineteen golf courses in the area. Add to that a few lakes, nice beaches, lots of water sport, camping, hiking and skiing at Mount Washington which is quite nearby.

The Vancouver Island University is also in Nanaimo.

Nanaimo Leisure Guide

Woodgrove Shopping Centre

Port Theatre

Things to do in Nanaimo

Cathy K

Well, IMHO, doctors are needed everywhere, particularly specialists. There is no neurologist in Nanaimo, for instance. So, I am sure either Abbotsford or Nanaimo will be great for you. I think, though, Nanaimo is a quieter choice. Although, there is a big mall available, plus various other malls. There is a theatre, movie theatres, restaurants, and lots of outdoorsy activities to keep one entertained. But, it is more remote than Abbotsford, despite all those activities and shopping options. And, Nanaimo is right on the water, whereas, Abbotsford is quite a drive and through a lot of traffic to get to the beach.

Good luck with whichever choice you make.

[Cathy got in a more expanded description of Nanaimo ... I forgot about the rec centres! ]

I am in utter amazement at how helpful you have been. I am truly grateful, and hope that you are rewarded - if not in this world, then in the next! Thanks for the info. It's really making this process so much easier. Nanaimo sounds wonderful. Now, forgive me for my old fashioned South African scepticism, but what do Nanaimo folk complain of? I've never lived on an island before, but surely needing a ferry to get to the mainland can make one feel a little trapped? Can the cloudy weather get you down? Is getting certain items difficult unless you have them shipped over? Are prices higher?

Vancouver Island is approximately the size of England. The weather is similar to that of Vancouver and Seattle. Yes, we use mostly ferries to get to the mainland, but we also have at least three large airports. Ski-planes are very popular and a flight to Vancouver lasts about 15 minutes. I have found on various occasions that goods are cheaper on Vancouver Island. Remember, we have farms and industries on the Island as well.

What are we complaining about, Debbie? Heck, very little! Life is great when one can row in your kayak between the smaller islands, picnic on New Castle Island, do whale watching almost from the beach, have the wildlife roaming your streets and pick your own vegetables and fruit on nearby farms.

Cathy K.

Yeah, there is very little to complain about. My only 'nag' is really my husband's because he works away from home, so getting flights at the times he wants is occasionally problematic. Even the Health System, which I had heard was so awful, is brilliant here ... I have not had to wait very long for any needed procedure. One must also be aware that it rains as much throughout B.C., and probably colder inland. The traffic in Vancouver City sucks! Will never live there just for that reason alone.

PS Cathy, where can I pick my own fruit and veggies? I heard about them, but haven't found any except a blueberry farm.

Here are a few farms on the southern and centre part of the Island.

List of farms.

I have always had my own veggie and fruit garden. I usually freeze the veggies and sometimes still have some of the previous harvest when the new harvest ripens. There's a great farmer's market in Duncan, but also at Nanaimo harbour on Fridays in summer. A visit to Saltspring Island is a must during the summer, if only to enjoy the products at their Saturday market.

I have to agree with Debbie about Health Care. Pierre's recent urgent visit to emergency resulted in immediate admission to the ICU. The next day he was transferred to the Royal Jubilee hospital for an angioplasty procedure. The treatment was superb!

Cathy K

Hi Everyone

I was over there earlier in the year Feb-March , fell in love with the Island, would love to settle there, absolutely beutiful. Hopefully I can get a job offer from there, I keep looking but haven't had any luck yet.... So if anyone knows of a job opening and the employer is willing to sponsor a South African let me know....I am a Carpenter/Joiner by trade.....
I hope to be over there soon, unfortunately South Africa is going down the tubes at an alarming rate....crime is just getting totally out of control....

I will post some of my pics

Regards

Ulrich Drescher

We went to the island for a few days 2 years ago. It was great walking around downtown in Victoria, and maybe its just situational, but we found that there seemed to be more people smoking than here in Vancouver. Anybody else find that?

The lifestyle seems really laid back - similar to here in South Surrey, although being closer to a downtown core would be nice without all the traffic hassles. We'll have to head out that way again sometime soon :-)

Garden visitors.

Daai stoute kabouters in jul tuin! Toe ons van julle af wegry, het ons 'n hele paar, sommer naby jul huis gewaar en seker DIE vabonde wat toe oorgeskuif het na groener grassies!!

We never get deer in our garden --- perhaps it's our husky dog that puts them off. Some pics taken around the island this year. Top ones are Sproate Lake (Port Alberni, and I may have the name wrong) -- firebomber off our bow, and Oreo after a swim. Bottom is a landscape pic of part of Butchart Gardens taken in May.

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Some more pics - church in Duncan and fruit & veg store in Coombs.

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