Bowen Island Experience

With both Ronnie and Lyn taking several days off to spend the last days of summer with Raf, the family agreed that now would be a good time to have a day trip outside the city. There were options like Vancouver Island, but they have been there three times already. And besides, you cough up money every time you enter one of its tourist attractions.

Salt Spring Island was another choice. It's only a two-hour ferry ride from Vancouver. However, the ferry leaves around 10 in the morning and returns around 4 in the afternoon, leaving the family just a few hours to take in the sights and sounds of the island.

Then there's Bowen Island in the Sunshine Coast, which was only a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Plus, the ferry from the island leaves every hour by the hour, giving them lots of time to explore the small 51.8-sq. km (20-sq. mi.) haven.

The trip sounded like a plan, so one Saturday, the three woke up in time to catch the early bus that will take them to Horseshoe Bay. The winding drive leading to the ferries reminded Ronnie and Lyn of Kennon Road in Baguio, the Philippines' summer capital.

And West Vancouver's scenic vistas and multimillion-dollar homes will always take the breath away of anyone going to the ferry docks. "I'd like to move here someday," Lyn said wishfully as the three disembarked, heading to the ticket office. "But the mountains ruin the view," replied Ronnie.

It was almost 10 a.m. when the Queen of Capilano arrived. Since the travel time was short and weather nice and sunny, the three decided to enjoy the ride on the sun deck, which offered views of the Gulf Islands. Raf noticed that some of the passengers were wearing colourful clothes reminiscent of the 1960s and '70s, and several vehicles were carrying musical instruments. There was also a group of bagpipe players. Little did the Fuenteses know that Bowen Island was holding Bowfest that day, an annual themed festivity. This year's theme was Flower Power. (Ronnie thought that it was Wear Your Bright Shirt Day, and somehow missed the sign when they bought tickets.)

The ferry docked on Snug Cove a little before 10:30 a.m. The three had no idea where to go to, so they just followed where the rest of the foot passengers were going. They found themselves in front of the old Union Steamship Company Marina building, one of the famous landmarks in the area. You can buy souvenirs, pop and ice cream here, but it was temporarily closed in the morning to make way for the Bowfest parade, which was about to start.

The parade was short but sweet, and it was a big deal especially for this community of 3,500 people. There were bagpipe players, young and old people in Woodstock fashion, mascots, jugglers, belly dancers, young martial artists, and the ubiquitous police cars and fire engines. The procession was over in less than an hour, which was okay because it gave the three more time to check out what the island had to offer.

Artistic Lyn obviously wanted to visit Artisan Square, which was a short 15-minute hike from Viewpoint Trail. Considered Bowen Island's creative centre, Artisan Square is composed of galleries, shops, art studios and cafés. Making the uphill climb to the place wasn't a good idea at first because some parts of the path were made up of loose rocks. However, the views and the quiet were worth the extra effort. From the trail, they were rewarded with a spectacular panorama of Howe Sound and the marina! After surveying the centre, the three went downhill, which was a lot faster (thanks to gravity).

All that walking worked up an appetite. So, it was time to grab a bite. Lunch was at Doc Morgan's Inn along the boardwalk at Snug Cove. According to Lyn, the seafood chowder here was the best she has ever tasted. For dessert, they bought some chocolate chip cookies from a small neighbourhood bakery, and chowed them down by the pier where a Coast Guard hovercraft happened to dock. (Tip: Never stand behind a moving hovercraft; it will blow you away — literally.)

After getting enough wind gusts to last them a lifetime, the Fuenteses joined in in the Bowfest celebrations, but decided to watch the festivities from a distance while lying under a tree. It was also a perfect opportunity for Ronnie to catch some z's.

Ninety minutes of aspiring dancers, struggling musicians and '70s rock music seemed to be enough for one day, so the family figured it was time to head for home. They sauntered back to the dock to catch the 5 p.m. ferry to Vancouver.

Everyone one had a great time, and the family is thinking of visiting the island oasis again next summer. •