Where we stayed: The Maquinna Hotel. We read many
a-trip-advisor-review and knew what to expect… which is… a clean room,
centrally-located, and not much else. The room had a ‘70s parent’s basement
vibe (you know, where the furniture is put when it’s decided it’s too stained
or run-down for company’s view). The hot water was spotty at times, and the
internet didn’t really work, but the hotel was located within 2 minutes of a
dock with a view, at one-quarter the price of every other hotel in Tofino, so
we were happy with our choice.
What we ate: We did a self-guided Tofino Food and Drink
tour, making it our singular mission to go to all of the top restaurants and
bars that the area had to offer (in only 1.5 days!). Starting with Sobo, where
we ate a snack – fish taco for Ash, tofu pocket for Britt – and then a tofu
pocket for Ash, who had to order a second, and Humpback Mules to drink. We then
went to Shelter, where Britt ate a salad (surprise, surprise), and Ash ate a
pasta loaded with seafood – shrimp and mussels (surprise, surprise, again). The
next day we had croissants and lattes in a small café, and then ventured out to
Tacofino for the best baja fish tacos in Tofino (yes, we found them!) made of
lightly battered and deep fried ling cod. The food truck is a staple if you
visit. Britt was at first devastated that they were out of beef tacos, but Ash
made a split decision, ordering her a fish taco. Halfway through eating it she
reluctantly admitted that it was amazing. Ash has been gloating ever since. We
had Tofino Brewery craft beers on North Chesterman Beach, and, after changing
into respectable clothes, went into The Pointe restaurant at the Wickanish Inn
for cocktails, truffle fries, and a magnificent view of the Pacific. We
finished the food tour with a trip to the Oyster House, where Ash finished eating
all the seafood by having scallops, and the two had a beet and onion salad and
fish and chips. The food at The Oyster House was paired with a beautiful
sunset, a cool breeze, and a near celebrity sighting. (Ash thought she saw Ryan
Reynolds and Blake Lively… only to later Google and find out while they ARE in
BC, they are about a foot taller each than the couple she saw).
What we did: Besides eat? Not a whole lot, which was just
fine for us. We did not continue our athletic island adventure, opting for
minimal walking and maximum observing of pretty sights. We walked around the
quaint town of Tofino, with a population of 1000 which swells to 3000 during
summer tourism season (soon to hit), and then spent a full day on Chesterman
beach watching – yes, watching – the surfers. We walked from North to South
beach, noting the significant change between the two. Whereas North Chesterman
felt expansively wide and clean, we renamed South Chesterman “Dead Crab Beach”,
and held our breath on and off as we walked it quickly to get to the bathroom
while darting around dead crabs and washed up moon jellyfish. Suffice it to
say, in our opinion, North Chesterman is where it’s at.
Lessons learned: Simple sunsets are very pretty (even if
Britt is sad to be in the best sunset spot the night AFTER witnessing the best
sunset). We are still, and always will be, lazy travellers. There’s nothing
better than drinking wine in front of a fire in view of the sunset.
Scariest Moment: Was not during the ghost walk in
Victoria due to very thin hotel walls when a man yawn in the next room so loud
that Britt thought there was someone under the bed.
Now we’re off the Vancouver, and to Grace and Kenny’s
wedding – the reason for our trip! But first, more questions for Vancouver:
1)Will we bike the seawall without incident (e.g., without Ashley careening over the short wall and into the ocean)?
2) Will the botanical gardens live up to our expectation, as a garden fairy princess wedding dreamland?
Stay tuned!
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