We're at the airport heading home. So far today we've taken a van, a ferry, a bus and a train with an airplane and an Uber remaining. So, why am I saying "No, No, Nanaimo"? Well, it's been an interesting 5 days. After leaving the ship and meeting up with David at last, we thought we were home free. And then COVID reared its ugly head again. More on that later.
On our way to the ferry for Nanaimo, we stopped Alice Lake and the kids (including Linda) had a chance to play.
Then we got on the ferry to Nanaimo.
After settling in to our "luxury penthouse" (it was quite nice but I wouldn't use that description), we walked to dinner and started exploring Nanaimo. We were hoping to finally do a proper birthday dinner for David, but the 2 restaurants we went to could not accommodate us so we did take out sushi.
First on the agenda for Monday morning was some play time for the kids in the playground next to our penthouse. We also discovered many, many bushes loaded with blackberries which we indulged in all week.
And then COVID struck again. Zorion started to not feel well and he came up positive on the COVID test. So our activity for the rest of the day consisted mostly of Linda, David, and me going for a walk by the waterfront. Our next attempt at a birthday dinner for David was just him, Linda, Leila, and me, but it was a good dinner nonetheless.
Tuesday morning was an outing for Leila, Kimberly, Linda and me to Pipers Lagoon Park where we explored the shoreline at low tide and Kimberly found some beautiful sea stars.
The afternoon activity was a fishing expedition for Leila, David, and me. We wound up fishing right off of the shore by Pipers Lagoon. It was a fabulously successful trip. We brought home 1 chinook (or king) salmon, 1 coho (or silver) salmon, and 2 pink salmon. We caught a few more but had to release them because they were either too small, or not hatchery raised, or, finally, we just had enough. We had salmon for dinner for the next 3 nights.
Now, by this time, Kimberly had tested positive for COVID. She seemed to have a mild case. Linda and I tested ourselves, but we were negative (so far).
Wednesday was my big 75th but our plans went out the window due to COVID. There were 2 events for the day. First, was a walking tour for Linda, David, and me along the Nanaimo bar trail. The Nanaimo bar is a local delicacy consisting of a coconut crumb base, a custard layer middle, and a chocolate ganache top. Along the trail, we picked up bars from 4 different bakeries for a taste test later. (Yes, Marc, we picked up one of the best for you!). We also picked more blackberries to use for the blackberry and ginger salmon that David made for my birthday dinner.
Thursday morning I went for my usual early morning walk and saw some Canada Geese. Imagine that!
And, when I returned COVID struck again. This time it was Linda. Her positive line showed up almost instantaneously. Somehow, I tested negative. She had the symptoms of a bad cold and fatigue. By this time, Zorion was feeling fine so, late in the afternoon everybody except Linda went to Englishman River Falls Park. It is a beautiful place.
And, of course, we had another salmon dinner on our last night.
So, our stay on Vancouver Island did not go as planned. COVID struck everyone but me (we think that Leila had a mild case at the end of the cruise). Maybe I had an asymptomatic case or maybe it will strike me soon. Anyway, there are worse things that could happen and this gives us reason to return to Vancouver Island in the future.
Peace and blessings,
Linda and Larry
