Going places… figuring out how to get there… is half the fun. Welcome to my plans to get away…

I didn’t do much this weekend, the Lower Mainland got its much needed rain and no one complained this time.
I felt it was a good opportunity to unwind, get pampered and catch up on sleep.
I spent the afternoon chasing after these little rascals.
I just remembered that I never followed up with actual pictures from my little trip to Seattle back in May…

Pearlsa, Joe and I recently took a day trip to Nanaimo and took tons of pictures.

This trip was particularly special because this was Joe’s first visit to the Island.

Nanaimo is one of those towns I wish I’d grown up in. I imagine it’s the kind of place where one acquires a memorable childhood.

My first visit to Nanaimo was a nice accident; I’d recently moved to Vancouver and was fascinated by water travel. I wanted to go on a short day trip by ferry; and chose Nanaimo over the Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island just because the sailing to Nanaimo was earlier.

An hour and thirty minutes from Horseshoe Bay, Nanaimo is the second largest city on Vancouver Island (Victoria being largest). Its serene natural landscapes of water, mountain and forest, is just so idyllic it just draws you in. The general atmosphere is laidback and people seem relaxed and friendly.

One of most amazing moments I experienced was traveling by train from Victoria to Nanaimo on the Malahat – a once daily train service from Victoria to Courtenay (on the southern tip of Vancouver Island). The views were incredibly awesome, the train goes through colourful forests, tunnels and breathtaking/breath stopping trestle bridges.

On this recent trip, we took the ferry from Horseshoe Bay; the wait to board was about an hour (we didn’t make reservations). We spent the day basically touring our old haunts, we walked the seawall, checked out the piers, explored the fishermen’s wharf and Pioneer Plaza. The quaint Old City Quarter was unfortunately empty; most of the merchants had closed for Easter. We had dinner at the Grapevine Trattoria and went for a long citywide drive; we ended up at Woodgroove Centre (allegedly the biggest shopping mall on the Island). One thing I hadn’t noticed before was the great many shopping strips by the Island Highway, I don’t even think that many people live in Nanaimo to support all those stores.

The neighbourhoods are pretty and charming but varied with a unique island feel to it. Newer developments seem to have sprung up, especially ones overlooking the water and mountains – the city seems to be expanding (perhaps people like me are taking the plunge and moving there)

We were all a little reluctant to leave at the end of the day. Nanaimo’s one of those places I’d gladly move to if I had the opportunity or maybe a summer home if I had the means. There’s so much to do and see I’d never be bored. We didn’t have enough time on this trip to explore the smaller Protection Island and Newcastle Island, so there is another reason to go back.

It’s also home to the world famous Nanaimo bar.

And here are more pictures from flickr

I picked up a nifty little Flip Mino camcorder on my little getaway this weekend. Who knows I could be a budding movie maker and not know because I’ve never tried – yes, that was my rationale for buying it.

I shot a little clip on the way back to test it and just thought I’d share.

(Interspersed are pictures of London not necessarily related to the post – more pics to follow)

While it’s great to be back in Beautiful British Columbia (those Brits are still driving on the wrong side of the road!); I realize that I’ll have an amazing life if I lived in London. It’s where my friends, family and frenemies are and I miss them all so much it makes me sad.

That’s the thing with vacations though; it’s a taunting glimpse of what your life could be if you were independently wealthy and didn’t have to work.

It goes without saying that London was marvelous. I did so much, went so many places even though I didn’t get to do half the things I set out to do. I obviously need a lifetime.

It turned out to be a journey of discovery, although I didn’t set out to find anything.

I discovered the origins of our thalassemia minor.

I’d always wondered where I inherited my unique sense of style until I sat in my aunt’s amazingly cool flat with Philippe Starck furniture while she lauded minimalist design.

I discovered a sisterhood (fortunately not of the traveling pants variety) that I’d long forgotten.

I took a stab at the source of my family’s dysfunction.

Someone tried to convince me that my father’s traits are because his parents apparently didn’t love him enough – quelle ironie!

I came to resolution regarding my father and I’m sure it’s final.

I discovered amazing friendships and relations.

And finally, that crazy people abound all over the world.

London on the other hand is still beautiful and full of character.

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