Back home...

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So after traveling over two thousand kilometers, I'm back home. As I suspected, my photos didn't turn out very well. It has been nearly a year since I seriously took the time to take good photos. I suppose I'm just out of practice of taking decent photos. Nevertheless, I'll try to post a few pictures in the next few days.

Having traversed from one end of the island to the other, I now have a general idea of the general topography of the island. I think if I were ever to go back (which I probably will in a few months), I'd spend most of my time in Tofino and in the Pacific National Rim Park. The ecology and general landscape reminds me of the beauty of the Oregon and Northern California coast.

The people are extremely friendly and laid-backed. When asking directions in Port Alberni for the nearest grocer, a man actually took the time to walk me to the store (the grocer was nearly three blocks away). Along the way, the man proudly claimed that he had recently moved to Port Alberni from Port Hardy (a even smaller town on the Island). He explained that giving directions and actually walking someone to a place was THE difference between a individual from Port Alberni and Port Hardy. Heh.

Measuring at 32,261 square kilometers, Vancouver Island is easily the biggest island on the western coast of North America. (The common misconception amongst Koreans that the Island is bigger South Korea must be debunked--South Korea is actually bigger at 98,480 square kilometers). Yet considering it is merely an island, travellers are amazed by its size.

Particularly European travellers. Especially since Vancouver Island (only a small fraction of British Columbia) is not that much smaller than the country of Switzerland. At one of the hostels I met Andy, a young financial advisor from Belgium. Having been burnt out by the stress at his bank, he was visiting British Columbia for eight weeks. He commented about his frustrations of being carless on an island virtually the same size as his country.

I suppose a car is really necessary to see most of the Island. However most areas of the Island are under developed and are only accesible by gravel roads. Having only taken my sedan, even I couldn't venture to a lot of parks and towns on the western side of the Island.

Well...there's always next time, I suppose.

Posted by Dave at June 15, 2002 08:48 PM