Princess Louisa Inlet, B.C.
Although our first full day in British Columbia began with sun, we soon found out what the Pacific Northwest is all about... by noon there was a steady drizzle of rain falling outside. Not to be hindered by the elements, after lunch we donned our rain-gear and prepared to make our first Zodiac landing in Princess Louisa Inlet. A stunning fjord, carved so very many centuries ago, this passage finds its end at Chatterbox Falls—a massive and breathtaking waterfall which plummets into a cove of moss-covered bigleaf maple, western red cedar and western hemlock trees.
After landing on the small float dock and craning our necks as far as possible over the side to see the myriad moon jellyfish swimming beneath us, we set off on the trial to the foot of the falls. A short hike, many pictures, and a plethora of “oohs” and “aahs” later, we headed to the small beach for our first try at kayaking. With glassy water lying before us and crew members adorned in hip-waders standing by to assist, we braved the muddy shoreline and climbed into the rainbow of kayaks. Our rainbow descended upon the bay, droplets of color streaking in various directions. Purple one way, orange another, the beauty and immensity of this land surrounded us.
Sadly, our time at Chatterbox Falls had come to an end. A bit wet but in fine spirits, we returned to the Sea Bird only to find that while we were ashore our Hotel Manager, Paul, had prepared a decadent food and wine tasting for cocktail hour! With twenty wines to choose from, salmon sausage and caribou salami to try, we settled into the lounge for a gastronomical feast. Full, warm, and richer for all that we had experienced today, evening descended on this tiny ship and its 81 inhabitants. Sleep was merely hours away—bringing dreams of the day to follow.
Although our first full day in British Columbia began with sun, we soon found out what the Pacific Northwest is all about... by noon there was a steady drizzle of rain falling outside. Not to be hindered by the elements, after lunch we donned our rain-gear and prepared to make our first Zodiac landing in Princess Louisa Inlet. A stunning fjord, carved so very many centuries ago, this passage finds its end at Chatterbox Falls—a massive and breathtaking waterfall which plummets into a cove of moss-covered bigleaf maple, western red cedar and western hemlock trees.
After landing on the small float dock and craning our necks as far as possible over the side to see the myriad moon jellyfish swimming beneath us, we set off on the trial to the foot of the falls. A short hike, many pictures, and a plethora of “oohs” and “aahs” later, we headed to the small beach for our first try at kayaking. With glassy water lying before us and crew members adorned in hip-waders standing by to assist, we braved the muddy shoreline and climbed into the rainbow of kayaks. Our rainbow descended upon the bay, droplets of color streaking in various directions. Purple one way, orange another, the beauty and immensity of this land surrounded us.
Sadly, our time at Chatterbox Falls had come to an end. A bit wet but in fine spirits, we returned to the Sea Bird only to find that while we were ashore our Hotel Manager, Paul, had prepared a decadent food and wine tasting for cocktail hour! With twenty wines to choose from, salmon sausage and caribou salami to try, we settled into the lounge for a gastronomical feast. Full, warm, and richer for all that we had experienced today, evening descended on this tiny ship and its 81 inhabitants. Sleep was merely hours away—bringing dreams of the day to follow.
