TO VANCOUVER ISLAND AND BACK AND BACK AND BACK

Since seeing mention of the float planes at Vancouver in GBOAC's trip report I'd been interested in trying to fit a flight or two into my schedule - as long as the weather cooperates.

With the weather forecast dreadful (rain and high winds) for the rest of my time in Vancouver, this afternoon's high overcast seemed as good a chance as any. So I checked out Harbour Air's schedule and found a convenient flight turn around to Nanaimo. I hadnt pre-booked as I wasnt sure the weather would hold but there seemed to be availability so I trusted it would work out if I rocked up to their harbourside office about half an hour before the flight. And so it proved to be, although it was difficult finding the office given the considerable construction along Coal Harbour's waterfront - the walkway was a bit of a maze.

The office doubles as a small waiting room and while not a plush lounge it is a reasonable shelter from the elements and has hot & cold drinks.

It wasnt long before we walked across the pier to the tiny Beaver. There were 5 passengers so a full flight. Luggage is strictly limited but of course I had minimal (just some water and a few things for later).

As we slowly taxiied out into the harbour we had to wait for a jetboat crossing the "runway". Take off "roll" was fairly short and I was surprised at how stable the aircraft seemed to be and the view wasnt obscured by spray at all.

We crossed the narrow straits to Nanaimo at a fairly low height - well below the clouds and with fine views of the inlets and islets. The flight itself was very short just over 10 minutes and landed at the harbour in Nanaimo. There's more spray on landing compared to take off but still not as much as I'd expected. Turnaround was fairly quick and the flight back was a race against the encroaching darkness.

Once back on land I walked across the downtown peninsula to meet infoworks and CGK for enjoyable drinks and dinner.

The next day was another early start to the main (land) airport for a day trip to Victoria. This time I have enough time for a quick lounge visit - it seems nice enough with the expected amenities. Then off to board the Dash 8 across the tarmac - fortunately in between the heavy showers which have been falling. For the first time in a long time my bags are checked in.

No food service on this short flight - as I expected - although they do hand out some lollies. The aircraft climbs considerably higher than the floatplane did the day before, but still around cloud base level so no views of the mountains. The flight to Victoria is a little longer than to Nanaimo at around 20 minutes. The airport at Victoria is tiny, but after a short wait for bags and picking up some brochures I head into the township some 20km or so away.