On moving somewhere new, finding our people, and learning that belonging doesn’t require them to look like us. When you’re moving to Vancouver Island, or anywhere that feels culturally different from what you know, I think you instinctively look for mirrors. We look for people who remind us of ourselves — people who understand our references, our humour, our idea of a good dinner, our instinct to explore. It makes
There are places where you have to drive for hours to find wilderness. And then there is Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island wilderness has a way of appearing just beyond the edge of ordinary life. You can leave a café in downtown Nanaimo, drive for fifteen minutes, and find yourself beneath towering Douglas firs with nothing but the sound of wind moving through the canopy. A few minutes further and the
An evening of jazz, wine, dancing and unexpected community on the marina green in Nanoose Bay. There are evenings that begin with very little expectation and end up telling you something about where you live. Last night, Nanoose Bay live music gave me one of those moments. A few friends and I went to Nanoose Bay to hear The Palace Band, playing outside a new speakeasy-style café beside the marina.
On Vancouver Island, a women’s wellness retreat is a journey through forests, ocean, fire and unexpected moments of connection reveals that sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having space to come back to yourself. The Space Between Who We Were and Who We Are Becoming My retreat guest had arrived on Vancouver Island, she carried more than her yoga mat and sundress. Like many women who come seeking
Vancouver Island Travel Guide: Quick Overview Melissa’s Island Tip Vancouver Island is larger than many visitors expect. Instead of trying to see everything, choose a region and experience it deeply. The most memorable moments often happen when you leave room for discovery — a conversation with a local, an unexpected viewpoint, or a quiet morning surrounded by nature. Best time to visit May to October for outdoor adventures;
Every place I have lived has taught me something different. My Vancouver Island story began 2022, where I started exploring the relationship between people and place — the landscapes, communities, and experiences that shape how we connect with ourselves and the world around us. I have always been fascinated by the connection between people and place. After living in eight countries, experiencing different cultures, and travelling across the world, I
Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island: Following the Pacific Flyway There are mornings on Vancouver Island when the sky seems to belong to the birds. Along the shoreline, sandpipers move across the mudflats in shimmering flocks. Brant geese gather along coastal waters. In spring, Rufous Hummingbirds arrive with astonishing energy, while warblers and thrushes move almost invisibly through the forests. For anyone interested in migratory birds on Vancouver Island, these
Nanaimo: The City I Didn’t Expect to Like as Much Five reasons I keep coming back to the Harbour City where the forest meets the sea. There are places you arrive in and immediately understand. Others take a little longer. Nanaimo was the latter for me. If you’re looking for things to do in Nanaimo, you could easily fill a day — or several — without going far. There are
I Moved to Vancouver Island. Somewhere Along the Way, I Became a Naturalist. For two years now, living on Vancouver Island has been quietly re-educating me. I arrived with my city reflexes still intact — the habit of comparing, measuring places against more polished versions of themselves. I had lived in cities where everything was easy to find, where restaurants, galleries, shops and cultural distractions were always within reach. I
Can Nanaimo Grow Without Losing What Makes It Special? What Nanaimo’s approach to sustainability says about building a city people actually want to live in. When people talk about sustainable cities, the conversation often turns to futuristic infrastructure, electric vehicles, high-density housing and ambitious carbon targets. We tend to imagine sustainability as something that arrives with a master plan, a new transit system or a particularly impressive collection of solar
For years, I believed my work was about wellness. Before that, I thought it was about hospitality. Before that, I thought it was about building businesses, developing leaders, and creating exceptional customer experiences. Looking back, each chapter of my career seemed different, yet there was always an invisible thread connecting them. It just took me a long time to see it. I’ve lived in eight countries, travelled extensively, and spent
Discover the mindful joy behind Nanaimo’s iconic dessert — a sweet reminder that balance and indulgence can beautifully coexist.
On moving somewhere new, finding our people, and learning that belonging doesn’t require them to look like us. When you’re moving to Vancouver Island, or
There are places where you have to drive for hours to find wilderness. And then there is Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island wilderness has a way
An evening of jazz, wine, dancing and unexpected community on the marina green in Nanoose Bay. There are evenings that begin with very little expectation
On Vancouver Island, a women’s wellness retreat is a journey through forests, ocean, fire and unexpected moments of connection reveals that sometimes the greatest luxury
Vancouver Island Travel Guide: Quick Overview Melissa’s Island Tip Vancouver Island is larger than many visitors expect. Instead of trying to see everything,
Every place I have lived has taught me something different. My Vancouver Island story began 2022, where I started exploring the relationship between people and
On moving somewhere new, finding our people, and learning that belonging doesn’t require them to look like us. When you’re moving to Vancouver Island, or
There are places where you have to drive for hours to find wilderness. And then there is Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island wilderness has a way
An evening of jazz, wine, dancing and unexpected community on the marina green in Nanoose Bay. There are evenings that begin with very little expectation
On Vancouver Island, a women’s wellness retreat is a journey through forests, ocean, fire and unexpected moments of connection reveals that sometimes the greatest luxury
Vancouver Island Travel Guide: Quick Overview Melissa’s Island Tip Vancouver Island is larger than many visitors expect. Instead of trying to see everything,
Every place I have lived has taught me something different. My Vancouver Island story began 2022, where I started exploring the relationship between people and
