Stepping off the edge

Today, our final day on the Sunshine Coast, was a 2 ferry day.

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the ferry leaving Langdale on the Sunshine Coast was free! You pay to get there and don’t pay to leave, just like the Gulf Islands. You still can make a reservation but since I didn’t we got there early.

We had lots of time so had a delicious muffin, bagel and coffee at The Black Bean Cafe, inside the terminal

We sat at a picnic table. A young couple with a baby sat near us and we started up a conversation. They moved to Canada from Bangladesh. He’s working in the storage industry and she’s a surgeon who hasn’t been able to get licensed in Canada. We need physicians, especially in small towns, so we encouraged her to keep trying!

The ferry travelled through Howe Sound, beautiful channels bordered by dramatic mountain peaks.

As I was standing on the deck taking photos I heard some squeals of delight from a group of teens. I got closer and witnessed a pod of four orcas. One of the teens said “I’d love to see them breech.” As if on queue this happened!

I’ve seen Orcas before, from many ferries and in August, three Transient Orcas surprised me by appearing about 50 feet away while I was paddle boarding! Yet I hadn’t had my camera ready before to take photos of a breach!

We arrived at Horseshoe Bay, got off one ferry and got in line for the next one on our final leg to Nanaimo. This route saves us driving through Vancouver to get home.

We had lunch in The Village in Horseshoe Bay. It’s a stunning spot with tall mountains surrounding the terminal.

There’s even a road named for Keith!

It’s been a wonderful trip, delicious food, beautiful scenery, friendly people, tasty cider and beer.