I decided I like island life for a change of pace.

**Kayakers near Salt Spring – taken from the boat**

Not that my life is so hectic here in Vancouver but it’s just more laid back on a little island where it’s not so easy to escape. You have to entertain yourself in other ways and learn to just relax. The views are to blame. You immediately feel chill when you have a view of the ocean. You also have to plan better because where I stayed on Piers they have no stores, not even one grocery store, nada. Which means if you run out of anything it’s a boat trip over to Victoria or Sydney or….any of the other multitude of tiny surrounding gulf islands that have provisions. You have to be super organized. Once you have all that you need it’s amazing.

What I love most is there are no cars on Piers. The only way to reach it is by boat. Which means the dogs can run free (except for the time Jack ran after a deer and was lost for a few hours when the sun went down) and the air is much fresher. It feels so much healthier. And you get to know your neighbours who are actually very interesting. Infact it’s a good idea to get to know them anyway should you need anything. And they’re so willing to help. Island people are friendlier and they make pies and jam and they can sing. The phone book for the tiny island of Piers is only two pages – a printout. Quite funny actually. You can walk around the whole island in one hour but there’s also great trails for hiking and amazing sunsets and sunrises. Or you can just be.

Even Jack has started to kayak. He’s on the lookout for other canine kayakers.

**Wonder why I thought Jamaica? This is why – Fulford Village, Salt Spring Island**

Helps if you have a hobby, are writing a book and can play an instrument, especially guitar. Singing optional; but appreciated if good. My friends friend played guitar after dinner then unexpectedly broke into song with another person and they were both amazingly talented. He said “that’s nothing, sometimes there’s 12 people with mandolin and other instruments”. A total musical experience.

If you’re a writer you have the quiet. If you’re a photographer there are many options. If you’re a nature lover you can kayak, walk through the trails or explore other islands. Go from island to island as many do by kayak or boat. Some have row boats. So there we were.

At the south end of Salt Spring Island lies the little ferry dock at Fulford Harbour. It’s where we docked when a friend of mine took me and my out of town visitor for a boat ride. We didn’t plan for it but ended up there. I was only in Ganges before. It was several years ago with another friend who had a place on Gabriola. We ended up staying at a great B+B. The proprietor served us homemade quince jam with baked goods for breakfast and I had never had that before. We ended up going back to Gabriola with a bag of quince berries from her tree, bought some jars and made quince jam. Lots of it. Getting back to Fulford…

Selection of handmade cheeses and fresh art – all locally made

Walking around the village reminded me somewhat of Jamaica. The slower pace to be specific but also the variety of quaint little shops that are Caribbean-like and the surprising number of amenities. Sooo cute. Among other things they make really good cheeses and coffee which they now sell in many establishments all over British Columbia.

Photo: Masako *(Jack, watch out or you’ll get crabbed*!). On Piers Island

**I love books (especially meaningful non-fiction) such as:**

About Fulford:

Fulford is the first stop for the majority of visitors to Salt Spring. The village is located at the south of the island on the edge of Fulford Harbour. The ferry terminal for the Swartz Bay-Fulford Harbour (Victoria) run is located here. Although the Village of Ganges is bigger, Fulford has its own distinct charms. Make a point of exploring the area, which has a variety of shops, restaurants and accommodations. The Rock Salt Cafe on the water’s edge has recently been honoured by a listing in the prestigious guide “Where to Eat in Canada“. Organic coffee and baked goods are available from the fascinating Morning Side Bakery just up the street. The Fulford Pub is just a short distance from the village. A little past the pub you will find two of Salt Spring’s fine wineries. If you’re looking for some interesting shops stop in to Stuff & Nonsense and Jambala, where you find a wide variety of unique items. There are several Bed and Breakfast establishments here as well, should you decide to spend a few days.

Yes; I’m already feeling so stressed – I need to go back!

Sidenote: I came home with the best homemade strawberry jam from my friends strawberry bushes. I think they should do a side business. Seriously!.

Are you an island person?

Photos of Salt Spring at Fulford: d. king

Source (for About): out-there.com

Have you ever been a tourist in your own city?

Like take a tour bus or be the tour guide? It can be lots of fun. I had the pleasure of re-discovering some fabulous places when a friend visited who I have not seen in over 20 years.

I first met Masako in the early 80’s when we both lived and worked in Tokyo. We became fast friends. I knew she was someone I wanted to keep track of because she’s really smart, funny, hard working (international investments), well traveled, a nature lover, caring and curious. In other words, the perfect friend.

The tourist photo on Canada Day (July 1st, 2016)

When I moved to Vancouver and Masako moved to London, England we continued to stay in touch. Since that time she came to Vancouver once to visit me and I visited her once while I went to take in London theatre with a girlfriend from New York. I was in London more recently but unfortunately we were not able to meet up. She’s a single mom of a very bright 14 year old boy who speaks fluent French and is also an avid tennis and golf player. She dropped him off at Stanford University in S.F. for a 3 week math tutorial and spent time there before visiting me. She never stops. But we managed to pick up where we last left off as if no time had passed. That’s when you discover time is a moving and so much has happened but you’re still the same person. Almost as if time has stood still. When we first met I was calling my mom in Montreal every day to check in and get her advice on everything from cooking to the men I was dating.

Sunrise on Piers Island — **Sunrise on Piers from the house**

So during her stay I too felt like I was on holiday. Vancouver and its environs has an abundance of picturesque places to see but we had to narrow it down. Two nights we visited Whistler with a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Masako went peak to peak on the lookout for wildlife (specifically bears) while I took in the Audain Art Museum and wildlife at the Scandinave Spa. All amazing by the way. There was a cute Canada Day parade in the village and the VSO gave a free outdoor concert in the evening. We ate well too.

View from our room — View from our hotel room

Lunch at the hotel — Lunch at Fairmont Chateau Whistler

The day after we got back we took the ferry to Victoria. The first time she was here we went directly to Butchart Gardens. This time from Victoria we were picked up and boated to one of the charming little gulf islands. A car-free little gem of an island called Piers where a friend has a stunning ocean front home where little Jack (the J.R. terrier) resides when I’m not looking after him. We met several interesting locals in the evening at a barbeque. What I’ve noticed is that island people are artists, musicians, writers, photographers, actors and zoologists. I was talking to a man who takes people on treks to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas (a guest had just come back and said they were so close that one gorilla brushed right by him) and also to Churchill, Manitoba to see the Polar Bears (who are now starting to mate with grizzlies should you want to know this fascinating piece of information). He met Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees – a person I’m in awe of and would love to meet. Future trips to consider. Sidenote: Lowland gorillas and polar bears are sadly on the endangered list.

Jack eyes the homegrown strawberries after he ate a cherry (he spit out the pit) — Jack eyes freshly picked homegrown strawberries *after eating a cherry* (he spit out the pit)

The next day we boated to Saltspring island (separate post to come) while seeing many seals (not bears, but still...)

In Vancouver we stayed mostly local biking around a couple of times, eating out and also cooking at home. Next

time the Okanagan and Tofino is high on the list of places to take Masako.

His spot waiting, waiting — Jacks waiting location

Too much excitement for one day — Off to bed – too much excitement for one day

Overview of the Spa. No photos allowed inside. — View of the Scandinave Spa, Whistler from the inside. No photos allowed outside.

I’m not sure when the polar bear trip will fit into schedule; certainly not in the summertime.

By the way, you are guaranteed to see these gorgeous giants in close proximity.

And my friend just left but I already miss her

Photos: (moments in time) d. king Photos: (airport, kits beach, boat) kind stranger

Tag: gulf islands british columbia

LifeStyle: Little Island Living

I decided I like island life for a change of pace.

**I love books (especially meaningful non-fiction) such as:**

About Fulford:

Travel: Tourist in my own Town