Visitando la ISLA DE VANCOUVER 🚗🌲 Gran Adventura y Viaje en Auto en COLUMBIA BRITÁNICA, CANADÁ 🏔️🍷

In this video, we begin our journey through Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. This is the province where Samuel was born and lived his entire life until he left to attend university in Alberta. He hadn't returned to his home province in over 12 years, so last year we planned a two-week road trip across the island, from south to north. This is the first episode of that trip. We started the day early by flying from Toronto to Vancouver (4.5 hours), and then from Vancouver to Victoria (11 minutes!). We rented a car at the airport and began our trip with stops in Chemainus, a town well known for its murals, and MacMillan Provincial Park, where we toured a section of the forest called Cathedral Grove, which has trees that are almost a thousand years old! We drove 3 hours that first day, and just as the sun was setting, we arrived at Mount Washington, where we had rented an apartment for a few nights. That was our first day traveling around Vancouver Island in British Columbia. We hope you enjoy it, and we'll see you soon with the next episode. 🚗🌲 Vancouver Island Adventure: History, Forest Giants, and Flavors on Mount Washington 🏔️🍷 👋 Welcome to Vancouver Island: A Long-Awaited Trip Morning, adventure, and all, friends! We begin our journey on Vancouver Island, in the province of British Columbia. Samuel returns to his birthplace after 12 years, while Audrey visits it for the first time. They are accompanied by his father and Samuel's father, both excited to explore the island for two weeks on a road trip. Excitement and nostalgia combine for an unforgettable family trip. 🚙 Northern Route and First Impressions: Historic Towns and Murals The adventure begins as we drive north. Along the way, they stop in the picturesque town of Chemainus, famous for its murals chronicling local history. The murals depict the area's beginnings: the logging industry and the harshness of physical labor, where Chinese labor played a key role, moving gigantic logs, all by sheer force, without machinery. A vivid snapshot of how the Canadian West was forged. 🌱 Surprising Natural Coincidences: Blackberry and Pomegranate Audrey is surprised to find plants that remind her of Argentina: blackberry (a forest fruit, ideal for jams but a dreaded pest in Córdoba) and pomegranates. They also spot trees very similar to the alerces of Bariloche, discovering that the island's biodiversity is as rich as Patagonia. Even the legend of bears eating blackberries makes sense when you see the abundance of wild blackberries! 🖼️ More than Art: Murals as a History Lesson They stop at another mural, and Audrey translates the text for those who don't speak English: it details how timber was exported in 1863, using two-wheeled carts and sheer human power, without the aid of modern technology. It highlights the enormous size of the felled trees and the resilience of the workers. A time capsule of the hardships and the strength of the region. 🌳 The Cathedral of Trees: Ancient Forests and Conservation Lessons The next stop is McMillan Provincial Park in the legendary "Cathedral Grove," where travelers walk among trees over 1,000 years old. The giants of the forest impress with their size and presence. The environmental struggle in the 1980s to preserve these ecosystems from logging companies is discussed. Thanks to Indigenous and environmental activism, these giants survive today for future generations. 🪓 Story of an Environmental Crime: Lost Trees and Rebirth Audrey shares the moving story of a 71-meter-tall, 700-year-old red cedar burned by vandals in 1972. The tree lies fallen, but new life sprouts from its ancient stump, a symbol of natural resilience. She recalls how these trees were felled by hand, with axemen perched on planks, and reflects on the incalculable value of these giants. 🏠 Mountain Night: Arrival, Picnic, and Family Toast Finally, they arrive exhausted at the cabin on Mount Washington, after more than 16 hours of traveling since 4 a.m. It's time to relax, with a simple picnic of vegetables, salami, cheese, and grapes, and a toast with a 2013 Rioja Reserva wine. Although the wine was a hasty purchase, it's an excellent way to close out the first day on the island. The night view from the mountain promises spectacular scenery for the next day. Visiting VANCOUVER ISLAND | Road Trip in BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA 🚗: BLOGS https://cheargentinatravel.com/ https://thatbackpacker.com/ https://nomadicsamuel.com/ https://acrossalberta.com/ https://pictureperfectportfolios.com/