This was such a fun day out with friends. Will, who i’d met on Couchsurfing, and Jeremy, who i’d met at my hostel were keen to check out Salt Spring island too, so on a rainy Victoria morning off we went. Jeremy and I got up really early to get the bus to Scwartz bay ferry terminal and waited for Will. The ferry ride was beautiful and the sun started to grace us with its presence. When we got to the island we got a little bus from the harbour to the main town of Ganges, a sweet little hippy place with a coffee shop with a tree growing out the middle of it and lots of trinket and health food shops.
We got coffees and Jeremy led the way as we walked out of town to find a bakery that a friend of his from Ontario now ran. We found it and while they reunited we chose some delicious treats and ate them hastily outside in the sun. After this we decided somehow to walk to the other side of the island to Vesuvius. We followed the road along which was at times relaxing and at other times challenging when there seemed to be more traffic passing us. The houses on the island were really interesting to pass by and so many were beautiful, coloured wooden structures with gorgeous balconies, windows and stylish designs as well as quirky signs and decorations. We also passed a few other interesting features such as an adorable old church right in the middle of the island at a crossroads that had been converted into a little cinema.
When we got to Vesuvius, another little village, we relaxed on a small beach for a while before going to a seafood restaurant for fish and chips. We were served by a lovely lady who looked very dressy in a comical 80’s way- with a perm and lots of eye make up. She was very chatty and was originally from the UK but had lived in Canada since the 70’s. After our food we make the long walk back to the other side of the island and Jeremy started complaining a little and my hips started to hurt like a much older woman’s would. We passed more cool houses and gardens and met some adorable fluffy sheep before finding a pretty forest path to make some of the journey on. Lots of hills and ups and downs later back on the road again; we eventually came to our salvation in the form of the Salt Spring Wild Cider house. I met a very cute dog tied up outside but be decided to drink inside as the wild had whipped up a little despite the sun. Even though we’d had plenty to eat the cider went straight to our heads after the long walk and the walk back into Ganges was more amusing for it. We’d somehow timed everything quite well and after walking along the dock in Ganges and having a quick look in some of the shops it was time to get the bus/ferry/bus combo back into Victoria. By the time we got back into the city we’d been out for over 12 hours and were super tired. A great day out!
Number 14- about 16/17 km, phew!
1Year/52Hikes 2019 