One month ago I took my backpack together with my girlfriend and we sent it down the road, on a photographic mission. We started from North Vancouver, took the ferry in Horshoe Bay, and hitchhiked from Nanaimo to Tofino. Surprisingly we got picked up by this awesome lady called Sue and she offered us a place to stay in something I would call “not your typical hostel” She took us on a 20 minutes boat ride from Tofino to her fully green, eco-logic house lifestyle in Cat Face mountain, part of Vancouver Island.
I couldn’t believe where hitchhiking had taken me, as soon as we got to the place you could see her solar panels installed outside of her place with one of the most beautiful and peaceful views I have ever seen as a background, a greenhouse as a balcony, and toilets where your flush consists of a big plastic trash can and leafs. The place was a total museum inside, it felt like a 5 star hotel to me and I couldn’t ask for more. The photos of the cougar in her backyard hanging in her living room made us realize where you are and how much respect you have to have for such place. The trees surrounding the house were enormous. Originally, Tofino was our priority but this visit changed our trip in a good way, it made us think and have a clear map of what was going on in here, and the lifestyle and mind people have in such a blessed place.
The following days we stayed at George’s place. A local couchsurfer guru, who hooked us up with everything and showed us what’s really going on in here.
Tofino is Canada’s surfer’s paradise and in May the place seems like cowboy town especially in a rainy day when the only one you see in the streets are the crows and Bald eagles hunting for some food. But not too far from town is where the magic happens. Cox bay is pretty much the spot where you would find the rippers and beginners, locals and outsiders, enjoying the waves, either rains or not, there is always a group of adventurers sending it out there in the cold.
The lifestyle in this place is simple, not much fashion evolved with the sport, no man made chairlifts, no lift tickets. Just get yourself a wetsuit and ask a homie to lend you a board and you are set. It is an expensive place, but there are always ways to do it. Get yourself an old day slice of pizza from Tony’s pizza and your lunch is set.
Sunsets here are epic, this place is a paradise for photography and I wish I had had more time to explore. These photographs are a series of what I saw during two weeks of May in this magic spot, trying to showcase the natural beauty and the people in the land. Locals say it gets busy later on, and for sure it does.
Get yourself a crew and go and check it out. Enjoy it, respect Mother Nature, and don’t act like annoying tourists, remember this is native land and they have been there before us and they deserve our respect.
Yours sincerely. Cristobal Ruiz.
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