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Story & Photos by Glenn Kohaly
On a Saturday in mid-September we caught the early morning ferry from Tsawwassen over to Galiano Island and were blessed with a calm journey and a warm sun overhead. Staying two nights at the wonderful waterfront Galiano Inn we enjoyed a one-bedroom villa with fully equipped kitchen. The true standout experience was stepping out onto the stone patio with outdoor fireplace and spa bath, to discover an outstanding view of the ocean and the ferries passing by. The Inn’s spa offers organic treatments for the ladies wanting some good pampering and for crusty old sailors needing to soothe long-suffered aches and pains. The award-winning oceanfront restaurant features creative meals and inspiring wines from around the bountiful West Coast. For lunch Chef Jennifer created an incredible thin-crusted pizza cooked in an authentic wood-fired oven right on the oceanfront patio. They now also have a brand new dock available from late spring to early autumn, which is fast proving to be popular with the boaters.
As we sat looking out onto Active Pass, a pod of six Orcas swam by, playing perhaps just 400 metres from shore. What a great experience. At that moment, there was a wedding going on outside and everyone thought it was pretty cool of the wedding organizer to ‘arrange’ for the Orcas to pass. Back in August, just a few feet offshore from Galiano a “super pod” of Orcas swam past. Witnesses estimated their number at roughly sixty whales including babies comprising three different pods – very magical.
Be sure to check out one of our favorite dining places called Max and Moritz for Indonesian food. Lucy operates her kitchen out of an old-fashioned food cart down by the ferry dock but wow is the food good. If you are on Galiano for a Saturday, be sure to visit the market to find locally grown veggies and homemade goodies. The island has 1100 residents, and if you hang out at the market long enough, you may very well meet every one of them.
We went for a three-hour guided kayak tour at Montague Bay with Chessi of Galiano Kayak, which just happens to be the oldest kayaking business in all of the Gulf Islands. Chessi took us paddling on the calm crystal-clear waters alongside the incredible shapes of the sandstone cliffs and pointed out eagles, river otters, seals and many purple and orange starfish. Chessi, whose father Ben is his partner in the kayak business, gave us plenty of good kayaking tips, spun a few tales and made sure we had a day to remember.
Montague Harbour is located at the edge of the Provincial Marine Park surrounded by white shell beaches, lush forests, rocky shorelines and hiking trails. The marina offers dockside moorage for visiting pleasure boats along with a gift shop, restaurant, boat rentals, fuel and groceries. Boaters may anchor out to one of the buoys in the sheltered harbour or are welcome to launch their own boat from the nearby campground. From the marina, boaters can catch the free bus to the neighbouring Hummingbird Pub Inn, which is well known for their hospitality and classic pub fare. They have live music on summer weekends drawing a fun crowd of locals and visitors alike to their outdoor deck.
As luck would have it we were on-island for the 4th annual Community Picnic and Zucchini Races held outside at the schoolyard. The zucchini races were incredible fun – adult and children’s divisions proudly displaying their creations. Zucchinis from two ounces up to about twelve pounds were outfitted with wheels, little dolls for drivers, and anything else the creator felt made their entry the one to encourage the loudest cheering. They had a raised platform from which each contestant would release their zucchini - and then the race was. Allison Colwell, a 17-year resident of Galiano Island and the co-ordinator of this event says, “The judges have sole responsibility for naming winners, but it’s distance (and usually the ability to survive) that decides the winner.” Of course there were many crashes, and promises to do even better at next year’s race. Both racers, fans and visitors like us discussed tactics and antics over the potluck community picnic with tents full of food including great homemade pies, local fruit and of course ice cream.
After cheering on those daring zucchini jockeys, exploring the “downtown” was fun and easy to do. Gift shops, restaurants, more ice cream and Galiano Island Books are just a short walk from the Galiano Inn.
Key Events
Galiano Saturday Market - every Saturday May17 to Oct11
Canada Day Jamboree – July 1
Galiano Fiesta – August 2
Galiano International Wine Festival August 9
Galiano Blackberry Festival & Saturday Market – October 11