Photo Essay: Island Time

The west coast of Canada is renowned across the country for it’s laid back attitude. Vancouver, though the third largest city in the country, is relatively calm compared to Montreal or Toronto. Vancouver Island is known by those in Vancouver for it’s even more laid back attitude. What we have over here is called ‘Island Time’. A vastly different and sought after atmosphere for a native Montréaler like myself. I came west to find the ‘zen centre of billy’ and for the most part, find it in Victoria. But still, there are those times when the ‘wanna-be-big-city’ attitude that small cities like Victoria often have can be a bit overwhelming. Or maybe I’m just getting old. Either way, sometimes you need to put yourself in an envelope of slow motion and just mail yourself away. So where do people like myself go to ‘get away from it all’ even when ‘it all’ isn’t really all that much? We go to the Gulf Islands. There are dozens of smaller islands that pepper the waters between the mainland and Vancouver Island. These places give one the real-deal definition of ‘Island Time’. This is where the easygoing is hard core. This is where those who respect the rarity of tranquility and the fleeting remnants of nature sneak off to. Moist green is everywhere. Trees that reach the heavens are humbled with the ever-dampening nature of the region’s temperate rainforest. Dew. Moss. Driftwood. Morning fog. In this land where time takes itself even the rocks are soft edged. Whittled by waves into sculptures of restfulness.
If you’re visiting Vancouver or Victoria (even Seattle is a short jaunt away) and are looking to see what life was meant to be like, these islands are gems. Some are more populated than others. Some have more (albeit modest) conveniences than others and many have Cottages for rent or B&Bs to stay at. Camping is definitely recommended.

These shots were taken when my girlfriend and I visited a friend’s cottage on Gabriola Island towards the end of February. We did luck out with superb weather for the time of year. I can’t wait to go up in July or August! Depending on where you stay and what your accommodations are, you might, like us, spend most of the time with little or no clothes on. The brisk February air was an incredible contrast to the fire we had going to keep the cabin warm.

If you want slow travel, it doesn't get any slower than up here.