From car rides and ferry crossings

The day in Vancouver starts gloomy and fresh. Well, actually the day begins quite early, as we wake up early and the shuttle bus to the RV rental FRASERWAY is promptly parked in front of the hotel at 8 a.m. For breakfast, we have thin American coffee and Ovo granola bars. We don’t have time for more. In the shuttle bus, only German is spoken, with the two other Swiss plus Peter as well. Our camper is ready. We receive a good briefing in drizzling rain and 10 degrees. No matter, the excitement is enormous. Peter assembles the bikes in the reception area of the rental under the watchful eyes of waiting customers, so we can store the boxes here until June. No one says anything, so everything seems to be right. But they are probably just impatient, waiting for their big journey in vast Canada to finally begin. While Peter assembles, Anja observes the most diverse people and ponders the destination, group composition, and duration of the trip. Very interesting, but she probably won’t find anything out. The bikes are complete, have survived the journey well, and now our adventure trip in the Ford F-350 camper begins. With a roaring engine, Anja sets the large vehicle in motion towards the highway and the ferry to Vancouver Island. We found out that it’s easier for everyone’s nerves if Anja drives and Peter navigates. Anja is braver (sometimes recklessly brave) when driving in big cities with unfamiliar cars, and Peter is more relaxed while navigating. With great hunger and large shopping carts, we find ourselves in the big supermarket 'FreshCo' and fill our camper with supplies and our hungry stomachs - even for the long term. The ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island leaves at 5 p.m. We had to reserve early this year because Monday is Victoria Day, and during a long weekend, half of Canada travels. The ferry was packed, including school buses, trucks, campers, and hundreds of cars, and we were right in the middle of it. Impressive how many can fit in and how bravely Anja managed to drive in there. The crossing takes 1.5 hours. We enjoy the ride through archipelago-like landscapes and are half an hour later already in the midst of an incredibly beautiful rainforest landscape at our campsite in Gulf Islands National Park in Smonecten. It is quite cold, and we disappear into our cozy bed in the camper. The bikes have to stay outside; otherwise, we won’t have space in here. But maybe the bears can make use of them tonight. Vancouver Island black bears, a smaller species than the usual ones. Peter is of course hoping to see some (see moose stories in Norway...). Anja is quite content with her cuddly teddy Rocky. We’re curious what we’ll experience here in the next three weeks. Black bears or teddy bears...