George, I hope this reaches you before you depart.
Vancouver Island has plethora of photographic opportunities.
Starting in Victoria, there is Buchart Gardens, A spectacular gardens of several acres. Royal Rhodes castle, a gracious building in the Italian style with a lovely Italian & Japanese gardens, with views across the straits of Juan de Fuca to the Olympic Mts.
Victoria Harbour & the Empress Hotel. The 2nd. oldest China town in N.A.
Take a day to go West to Port Renfew & Botanical beach.
Going N on the Malahat Highway the !st stop is at Gold Stream park. A small stream which has a Chum salmon run in October with attendant Bald Eagles. Trees galore. Across the highway is "Niagra" Falls. Much much smaller than the other one! It has been very dry around here this summer & a will need heavy rain to get it flowing again. Great in Spring & Fall. It is one of my favorites.
Proceeding up the Malahat, there a great views over The Sannich peninsular over to the Mainland & Mount Baker.About 20 miles further on, you will reach Duncan (near where I live). The "City" ( a small town) has a walk in the old downtown which takes you past a number of different totem poles, including a Maori one. There is a Native cultural center. A side trip to the coast to Cowichan Bay is worth while. A small funky community at the mouth of the Cowichan River.
Further N (15 miles) is Chemanius, a small town that has a large number of Native & non-Native murals. It also has a very active theater there.
10 miles on one reaches Ladysmith. The center has a lot of 100 yr. old buildings on the main street.
The next big town is Naniamo. Not to much to see there
Going further N you can come off the main highway & take the coastal road to Parksville & Qualicum. Good views of the Mainland coastal mountains. There is another pretty waterfall on the little Qualicum river.
If you have the time, take the road to the west coast & Tofino. Beautiful mountain & lake views on the way with spectacular West Coast Storm sandy beaches with surfing. Tofino is a quaint fishing village that has become somewhat yuppified.There are some good resturants in the area. Also whale & Black bear spotting & great Salmon fishing.
Back to the main highway N. takes 2 hrs. & Courtney is about 45-60 mins. North.
All of this is just the Amuse bouche.
John Dufton.
