May and June
Arrival, the Island and Prince Rupert
My dog "Yuki" has a small dark secret: she likes to hike. Unfortunately, it is not that spectacular in flat Central Germany, so I took the "little fur nose" on my fifth trip to Canada. After all formalities (apply for sabbatical, book flight, close apartment), I took her to get some vaccinations and a certificate from the official veterinarian. Then there was the 10 hour flight to Vancouver, which she had to manage. Should I really put her through that? After some considerations, I thought it was a good idea and decided to take her on the four-month adventure...
Short trip to Vancouver: I travel to Canada because of the breathtaking nature. That’s why my city visits are quite short. This time, I just made a detour to the Granville Island Public Market and Stanley Park. In the middle of Stanley Park, there is the very interesting Vancouver Aquarium. The almost relaxed walk on the green peninsula of the metropolis and the well-staged displays of the aquarium are in sharp contrast to the colorful Granville Island Market. These highlights should not be missed...
To escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, I soon switched to Vancouver Island with BC Ferries. Here you can gloriously collect driftwood on lonely beaches and let your mind wander. Also, participating in a whale watching boat tour should be included in the tour. With a little luck you might see the rare orcas, which are only seen in about 5% of the tours. Or head to the Wild Pacific Trail, which starts near the small town of Ucluelet. You should also take a detour to the lively port city of Tofino...
Our journey took us from Port Hardy through the overwhelming Inside Passage a bit further north to Prince Rupert. This cool seaport city has a lot to offer: the Museum of Northern British Columbia has much to tell about the area's ethnic groups and the history of northern British Columbia. Adventurous safaris start from the harbor to the famous Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. You have a very good chance to observe bears in their natural environment. The area of Prince Rupert also offers beautiful hiking trails: you can overlook the entire Kaien Island from Mount Hays. Or you can walk on the popular Butze Rapid Trail through the typical rainforest of this area to the rapids. For those who like it a bit wilder, head over to the Metlakatla Wilderness Trail for a total of 20 kilometers along the forested shoreline of the Tsimshian Peninsula. A bit off the beaten track and hidden in the direction of Port Edward is the interesting North Pacific Cannery Museum. You can admire more than 100 years history of the fishing industry and salmon processing in an open-air museum. If you happen to be in the area on July 21st, do not miss the hustle and bustle of the National Aboriginal Day, where the First Nations culture is recognized and celebrated with typical dances.
