kuju
September 9th, 2009, 10:11 PM
So, I took the ferry. From Prince Rupert, which about halfway up British Columbia (just south of where Alaska dips down) to Port Hardy which is the northern tip of Vancouver Island. It's about 16 hours on the ferry, and I had a cabin, if only as a place to stow my stuff, and lie down during rough seas. i LOVE Scopolamine patches! Little thing goes behind my ear and keeps me from throwing up all over the place, without the grogginess that accompanies Gravol. friggin expensive, but worth it! It was a mostly rainy journey, though, so the majestic scenery was like like grey hills covered in rain. We did see some humpback whales, though, which was cool.
Got into my hotel in Port Hardy at about midnight, straight to bed, and then slept until 9. No worries, wasn't going to rent the car until 1o anyway. Did some hiking in the area today. I saw a lot of birds and I was walking near this river outlet when I hear rustling in the bush just across a small dip. Hrm... I wonder what bird is..... HOLY FUCK A BLACK BEAR IS FIVE FEET FROM ME! I got some hastily taken pictures, then backed away slowly, and then took some more pictures when I felt that the distance was safer. That bear bell of mine was doing GREAT work, sitting in my suitcase!
I got back to the car, and heard a bunch of crows making a rucus. Oh, look! They're mobbing a Great Horned Owl perched just above my car. Very cool, many pictures taken, including ones where he looks at me disdainfully, and ones where he rolls his head in circles while scoping me out. Good times. Had dinner at a real, honest-to-goodness Japanese resturant. *sigh* REAL ASIAN FOOD again! Where the cooks were JAPANESE! I feel restored after the crap that passes for "Chinese food" in Terrace.
Going whale/wildlife watching on a boat tomorrow and the day after.
Got into my hotel in Port Hardy at about midnight, straight to bed, and then slept until 9. No worries, wasn't going to rent the car until 1o anyway. Did some hiking in the area today. I saw a lot of birds and I was walking near this river outlet when I hear rustling in the bush just across a small dip. Hrm... I wonder what bird is..... HOLY FUCK A BLACK BEAR IS FIVE FEET FROM ME! I got some hastily taken pictures, then backed away slowly, and then took some more pictures when I felt that the distance was safer. That bear bell of mine was doing GREAT work, sitting in my suitcase!
I got back to the car, and heard a bunch of crows making a rucus. Oh, look! They're mobbing a Great Horned Owl perched just above my car. Very cool, many pictures taken, including ones where he looks at me disdainfully, and ones where he rolls his head in circles while scoping me out. Good times. Had dinner at a real, honest-to-goodness Japanese resturant. *sigh* REAL ASIAN FOOD again! Where the cooks were JAPANESE! I feel restored after the crap that passes for "Chinese food" in Terrace.
Going whale/wildlife watching on a boat tomorrow and the day after.