Trip to the Island

Like many of you know, most of my extended family moved out west to the island over the past years. I haven't seen many of them in almost a year so I was so happy to be able to go out there and spend time with them.

Not only that, I got to bring my wonderful boyfriend there as well to meet my extended family. I am so close with my grandparents and so I was very excited for them to meet the man I love. They absolutely loved each other and it just further validates how perfectly he fits into my family. It was also an added bonus that he had never been out there before, so there were a lot of new things to do.

Some highlights, among many more memories:

• Getting upgraded to a suite in Victoria overlooking the inner-harbour.
• All the beaches. 
• Sooke Pot Holes (amazing swimming)
• Bathtub Races. On water. Need I say more? 
• Longest street festival ever. 
• Going spelunking. 
• Hiking an entire island.
• Parksville Beach/mini golf
• Getting the worst burn EVER on my back, despite wearing sunscreen. (yes, its been over a week and I'm STILL peeling. blehh.) 
• Goats on Roof in Coombes. 
• Piper's Cove. 
• Hiking Sugarloaf "mountain".
• Cathedral Grove and one of the Biggest Trees in the world - taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 
• Spending time with all my cousins, grandparents, aunt and uncle (of course!)
• Stopping only at Tim Horton's restaurants for the entire drive back - very sick of it by the end of a 15 hour ferry/drive. 
• NO MOSQUITOES. How is this even possible?! It was amazing to go out without bugspray on. I am contemplating moving out there for just that reason alone. 

I can't wait to plan my next trip out there! and I sincerely hope J is there to do it all over again with me.