Yesterday didn’t turn as planned, but that turned out to be a good thing. We were supposed to be transported by water taxi from Salt Springs Island to Galiano Island at 8:45 a.m. However, our water taxi captain decided to join a sailboat race instead and that meant the ferry for us at 3:45 p.m., giving us time to sleep in (needed after the hike the day before) and to explore the community market in Ganges.
The community market was promoted in our hiking material as something special, but honestly the little town was so tiny that I had my doubts. I was so wrong. It was amazing. It was an artists market combined with a farmers market. Everything from beautiful sterling jewelry to wood-carved boxes to vinegars to breads to asparagus. It was one of the best markets we’ve ever seen. We left there with a few more items to squeeze into our suitcases. The extra time also let us do some laundry and enjoy a nice lunch on the water.
The ferry trip was an adventure in itself. This is our third time on a BC Ferry and every ship has been different. This one was the biggest yet, complete with a full restaurant, a gift shop and four decks with plenty of viewing space for the water, the shore and…for whales.
Yes, whales. About an hour into the trip the captain said a small pod of orcas had been spotted. I was on my feet and out on the deck in seconds and watched one large female and two smaller whales play in the wake of the ship. We weren’t as close as on the whale watch, but we still had a good view of something special.
Our hotel, Galiano Inn, is right on the water. Our room is on the end of the first floor so our door opens to a little patio that meets the grass and then the water. We love it.
Below are some photos of our room and the grounds.
Dinner last night at the Galiano Inn was so good and so was the view from our table.
We did miss a two-mile hike yesterday due to the transportation glitch, but we’ll be making that up today. We’re setting out for 10 miles to the top of Mt. Galiano right after breakfast.
Below are some photos of our last morning at the Hastings House.
-Kim
Kim & Betsy 