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By Nathan Collins. Tuesday 10th May I arrived at Heathrow and parked at my regular spot, Q-Park Flyaway located on the Bath Rd. (Booked through us). I find the service very efficient and the car park is very easy to find. The transfers take approx 10 minutes to terminal 3. I met up with Chris Breen, Managing Director of Wildlife Worldwide and the rest of the group at terminal 3. We proceeded to check-in for our Air Canada flight to Vancouver. Check-in was quick and efficient and the group were delighted when we found out that we have been upgraded to executive first. (Air Canada’s business class cabin). The flight took 10 hours to Vancouver, and was very comfortable. Seat comfort was about the same, and so was the legroom. On arriving in Vancouver, we were met and taken on the 25-minute journey to Downtown, where our base for the night was the Best Western Downtown The hotel was a 3 star typical Best Western. Wednesday 11th May This morning we were met again and taken back to Vancouver Airport Domestic terminal for our Coastal Pacific flight to Campbell River, located on Vancouver Island. The flight took around 35 minutes and the views were lovely. On arrival in Campbell River, Dean, the Owner of Knight Inlet Lodge and also Joe from Painters Lodge greeted the group. Dean and Joe accompanied us to Painters Lodge where we had a site inspection and then lunch. Painters Lodge was a beautiful property in a great setting. It was very peaceful and the views out across the Campbell River were lovely. After Lunch we took the 10-minute boat ride across the river to April Point. This was the sister property to Painters Lodge and this was our base for the second night. April Point was more rustic than Painters Lodge. They had a beautiful Balinese spa, which would appeal to the ladies, but if I had the choice I would stay at Painters. That night we had dinner at April Point, food was good. Thursday 12th May This morning the group were taken to the floatplane terminal 5 minutes from Painters Lodge, for our 30-minute flight to Knight Inlet Lodge. This was going to be one of the highlights of my trip as I had never been in a floatplane before. The experience was made even better by the pilot asking me to sit in the cockpit with him. The flight was breath taking. I had never seen scenery like that anywhere in the World. On arrival at Knight Inlet Lodge we were met by some of the guides, who introduced themselves and were very friendly. The Lodge comes on a Full Board basis, so all your food is included. They also include soft drinks and tea and coffee, but any beer or wine, are charged to your room. We were checked in and then taken for homemade coffee and cookies. The Lodge floated on water and the location was unbelievable. Surrounded by mountains, trees and of course Bears. Our bags were taken to our rooms and on the way, sitting on a rock to the back of the lodge was our first sighting of a Black Bear. You couldn’t have asked for anything better if you tried. The rooms were simple, but cosy. Like little log cabins. You only really sleep in your rooms, as there are activities keeping you busy all day. After settling in we were taken off on a boat ride looking for Bears. On the excursion we spotted a Brown Bear (grizzly) and also another Black Bear. It was an amazing experience. We got within 20 meters of the bears. That evening we had dinner at the Lodge, which was superb, and then after one of the guides did a presentation. The guides did a presentation every evening. The presentations were on different animals and I found them very interesting. Friday 13th May Mornings were very early, up at 6.30am for breakfast. After breakfast we went canoeing looking for bears. I hadn’t been canoeing for many years and especially not at 6.30am in the morning!! I really enjoyed it being in the fresh air, and all that beautiful scenery. We spotted more bears and then headed back to the Lodge for 10.00am. There was time for coffee and freshen up then the next excursion went at 10.45am. We headed off up the Ocean to view the scenery, along with birds, dolphins and more bears. It was a great trip and we across some amazing waterfalls and also many dolphins playing in the sea. That afternoon after Lunch a helicopter arrived and too our amazement it was for us. Dean the Owner has sent it from Campbell River to take us on a ride through the mountains and up to a glazier. It was truly breath taking. We were in flight for about an hour and the pilot was flying us about all over the place. When we got to the glazier it was unbelievable. Once again I had never seen anything like that in my life. When we got back to the Lodge we were all in amazement. What a wonderful experience! Saturday 14th May Again we got up early this morning. I was getting into the great outdoors lifestyle and didn’t mind the early starts. We again decided to go out canoeing and saw more bears. On our second excursion of the day we went on a Rainforest Walk. We were taken by boat and hiked on the mainland for the first time. We were warned to keep our eyes peeled for bears as in this area we could easily bump into one at any moment. There was a guide with us of course as there was for every excursion. Derek, who was the guide on this occasion, carried high strength pepper spray, in case we came across any bears! In the afternoon I decided to go Fishing with Paul, who was the resident Fisherman. It wasn’t the right time to catch any big Salmon as they don’t migrate until August/September but he took me anyway as I was keen to try and catch something. We tried and tried and tried, but with no joy. Not even a bite. Back to lodge that evening, for another wonderful dinner. The food was superb every night. After a long day we headed for bed by 10.00-10.30pm most nights. This was the first time I had been in bed at 10.30pm on a Saturday night for many years!! Sunday 15th May It was time to leave this morning and head back on the floatplane to Campbell River. It was sad to leave, but I was ready now, as I am used to a faster paced lifestyle. Normal clients would connect straight through Campbell River on the way back to Vancouver, but we changed our flights to allow some time for River Rafting. It was only grade 1 River Rafting, which was very gentle, but was still very enjoyable. After Rafting we flew back to Vancouver and were met by limo and taken back to the Best Western Downtown for our final night in Vancouver. We all went out to Yale Town, which was a nice area for restaurants and had a very nice last meal together. Monday 16th May Just enough time today, to take in a City Tour of Vancouver which was very good, because without this I don’t think I would of got to see the best parts of the City. My opinions changed on this tour, as there are some very lovely parts of Vancouver. You need to be very careful when sending clients, as one street in the wrong direction can make all the difference. This afternoon we headed back to the airport for our overnight flight back to Heathrow. Tuesday 17th May Arrived back at Heathrow this morning. We flew back economy with Air Canada and I thought the legroom was again very good. Overall, it was a wonderful trip to Canada, and I was very impressed with Wildlife Worldwide. Call Nathan on 0845 003 2211 or 01543 258631 to discuss your holiday plans to Canada |
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