Tofino and Ucluelet

We always love heading over to Tofino and Ucluelet and, since we haven't been here for several years, went to some of our favourite places and also found a few new ones. There are so many diverse hiking areas to choose from. Rain forest, beach, old growth forest and rugged coastline. 

Although far too expensive to stay at, the Wickanninish Inn has a lovely restaurant overlooking the ocean and a beach that is great to watch the surfers from. It's also the best place for storm watching but we were very lucky to have beautiful sunny days during our time here.

The Ucluelet Aquarium is one of our favourite. While not very big it has interesting local displays. I loved this colourful sea snail. 

Enjoying the warmth of the sun.

The largest trees in Cathedral Grove (east of Port Alberni) are 800 years old but most of them sprouted from a fire that opened the forest about 300 years ago. 

We finished the island part of our trip in Nanaimo and enjoyed the beautiful evening light on the harbour. 

Point No Point

Point No Point (so named because explorers approaching from one direction saw a distinct point, whereas from the other direction they saw no point) is a lovely ocean-side resort west of Sooke, B.C. 

We spent a couple days there with Andrew's sister, Clare. We had a lovely cabin; wandered the trails and beach checking out the tide pools; read our books by a roaring fire while it rained outside; sat in the hot tub for a while; ate delicious meals at the restaurant; enjoyed a beautiful sunset; and, best of all, saw a couple orca whales meander by. A rare sighting we were told! 

Clare and Andrew on the deck of our cabin.

Checking out the tide pools.

Enjoying the beach and the sun.

View from the restaurant.

Coffee and books beside the fireplace while it rains outside. 

View from the loft of the cabin.

Beautiful sunset view from our cabin. 

The restaurant, as seen from the beach.

Rock covered by mussels.

Anemone in a tide pool.

A cloudy, rainy morning.

Little fish in a tide pool.

From the beach, looking up at our cabin.

Another beach-goer.

Sea Otter -- full zoom on my little camera. Amazed it turned out this well! 

Pathway to the beach.

Before heading back to Victoria, we stopped at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. I'm not patient enough to take butterfly photos but liked the bright colours of these few.