The one is over, the next one can start

How time flies. The four weeks of language school are already over, and I am trying to enjoy the last week of vacation. Currently, it is really almost just trying, because the bed at the host family was so good that I have such strong shoulder and hip pain that I have to get up and walk after 1-2 hours of sitting so that the pain subsides. In addition, I am alone with the car this week, as both people who initially wanted to come along have ultimately decided otherwise and I am now exploring the island alone. But what have I done:

This week on Wednesday and Thursday we had final exams. I am very satisfied with my result. Well, the school passes everyone, whether the grades are good or bad. Everyone who finishes their school time receives the certificate. I must not expect to be able to speak perfect English after four weeks. But I try to get along.

On Friday was the graduation ceremony, where all students who completed their studies received their diploma.

That was my class.

Since I am now alone on the road and the bed at the host family was not so good, I started my journey already on Friday afternoon. Because it rained all the time, I drove almost non-stop until Parksville, where I stayed in a motel overnight. After breakfast on Saturday, I drove to Tofino, as everyone raved about this place.

On the way, I stopped at a park and visited the rainforest. It lived up to its name. Because it rained incessantly, and it was more pleasant to walk with rubber boots or flip-flops than with sneakers.

Some trees are over 800 years old, 10 meters in diameter, and over 70 meters high.

The weather unexpectedly cleared up towards the west and the sun showed itself from its most beautiful side. But Tofino is a real tourist village. From my point of view, nice, but nothing special. So after visiting the pharmacy, I walked along a hiking trail to the beach before driving back to Port Alberni. A distance of 130 km across the island.

Surfers love Tofino because of the waves.

On the way, I made stops at some beautiful places to relax my muscles.

So I also took a mountain pass ride.

Here in Port Alberni, I am staying in a B&B and will probably stay for two nights and do a salmon hike and look for eagles tomorrow. The salmon in the water and me on a hiking trail. Then I will visit a wildlife rescue center.

I'm curious to see what I will see this week. According to the weather forecast, it will rain until Tuesday. I hope not and it will change like today.

Since I am alone, I have to talk to the people and cannot send someone else. But this is very good for the practical exercise of my English. Even if I don't always understand everything, I still enjoy it and learn something new every day.