Travelling from the lower mainland of BC to the magnificent Vancouver Island, travellers have numerous choices on how to get there, depending of course on where they want to be when they land on the Island. I have sailed on BC Ferries from Tsawassan Terminal to Swartz Bay, as I wanted to visit the Capital City of Victoria and last week, I sailed from Horseshoe Bay over to Duke Point in Nanaimo as that was my chosen destination for that particular trip. On both occasions I have to say that I found the Ferries to be great value. They are all very comfortable, well equipped and basically have something for everyone to pass their time during the two hour trip.

For those who want to get there faster or perhaps are a little more affluent, you can choose from a range of small float planes which fly continually back and forth to various destinations on the Island. For a little more money, you can even choose to fly by helicopter if that's what makes you tick. For me, the thought of a short sea voyage in itself provides a thrill and of course, some subdued thoughts of the famous Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage. Seriously, we have advanced dramatically in technology since those days and BC Ferries are a sound example of modern maritime engineering. En-route for the Island by ferry, there are many sights to see and many pictures well worth taking with your digital camera. For the lucky travellers, it is apparently a regular occurrence to see a school of Whales as they travel down between the Gulf Islands and the Georgia Straight on their way to far off places. Also, depending on what time of day you decide to travel, you can savour the opportunity to see some of the most marvellous and awe inspiring sunsets you are likely to find anywhere. Normally, I try to time my return trip back to the mainland to coincide with the sunset time and this way, I can capture a new range of images and endless shades of colour with my camera.

If you are in no great rush to get to Vancouver Island, then for my buck the ferries are certainly the way to go. From the minute to arrive at what ever Terminal you choose to depart from, they are very well organized and almost regimental in everything they do to make your trip less stressful. Their staff is extremely friendly and helpful and they will guide you and your car right on to the ship, showing you were to park and how to find your way back there later. Once you leave your vehicle and enter the stairway, a new world of exploration awaits you throughout the various levels from bow to stern. They have excellent snack areas and a great restaurant too, so you can have a full breakfast or maybe just a cup of freshly made coffee to start you on your voyage. Amidships you will find a section of little cubicles where you can instantly connect to the internet and do some business on your laptop. There is a play room for kids and a video games room for the older kids and all in all, the whole ship is well presented, clean and comfortable everywhere you go. Unlike the majority of ship I have sail on, the ferries did not display the usual amount of seagulls hovering over her as she departed the terminal. May be the BC seagulls don't get to see much of that yummy food on the ships and therefore, they tend to stay away. At least they did on the times I have sailed over to the Island.

If you have never visited Vancouver Island, then where ever you decide to disembark the ship, you will instantly notice the quality of air, the lush vegetation which abounds everywhere and the friendliness and very laid back style of the people who live there. The Island has everything you could ever want in any destination and no matter which direction you may drive, the scenery just continued to get better all the time. Ocean and rugged mountain views. Smaller Islands speckled endlessly on serene blue waters. Eagles soaring above and extremely tame deer roaming almost everywhere you go. It is indeed a wonderful place and in my humble opinion, it could well be a little piece of heaven on Earth.

Bob Littlejohn MBA BSc