Laninga's Travel Blog

Or first port of call was Nanaimo,  a city of some 80,000 on the west coast log Vancouver Island.  Originally founded as a coal mining city, there are still miles of inactive underground mine tunnels.  Today it is more known as a logging port, and, of course, Nanaimo bars. 

Right next to our berth a logging ship was being loaded.   Very interesting to watch,  the little tugboats reminded us of sheep dogs,  gathering up the herd.   But it sure looks like dangerous work, running around on those logs!

We had nice stroll around the shore line.   It is a pretty city, lots of parks and of course marinas.  And the people we met are some of the friendliest anywhere. 

We watched the cannon firing,  sure reminded me of our days at Fort Vancouver!

We visited the Old Quarter, admired some of the older buildings and of course had a Nanaimo bar at Bocca, winner of the best bar awards.  And it was delicious!  We also had some excellent fish and chips at Trolleys,  right on the dock.

Now on to San Francisco…

They really load the ships up high

Tugboats act like sheep dogs, gathering up the logs

But it’s the guys with hob nail boots that do the dangerous work

A wood Dungeness crab, carved with a chain saw

Spinning alpaca

Gay pride is evident here too

Loading the cannon

A flash in the pan….

The primer goes off….

BOOM!

Bank building

Old Quarter buildings

Old Quarter buildings

Pedestrian shopping

Bocca, winner of ” best Nanaimo bar” award