Day 15 - Floating Lodge to Sandspit
"Humanity has a need for places to expand beyond the dimensions of the day to day grind and to fortify the body, mind, and other spirit - places for our ancestors and those that follow us. Gwaii Haanas provides people with such a tombstone." Excerpt from Gwaii Haanas Strategic Management Plan
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| A picture of contentment |
We started our day with a wonderful low tide enabling us to visit the now exposed underwater world on the northern tip of Shuttle Island. The marine ecosystems of Gwaii Haanas are home to a wide variety of sea life. Think of your local beach on steroids! We pulled ashore and spent the morning exploring the intertidal zone:
The last stop of our tour was at T'aanuu Linagaay (Tanu) a Haida village site on Tanu Island. We were delighted to meet Walter, Mary and their darling daughter Raven, maybe the youngest and cutest of the Haida Watchmen. Walter lead on us on a wonderful tour. His calm and gentle demeanour seemed to suit the island perfectly.
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| Walter - Haida Watchman |
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| Raven and Mary - Haida Watchmen |
After his death in 1998, world famous artist Bill Reid's ashes were brought home by friends and relatives to Tanu, his mother's ancestral village. Little is left standing at Tanu, but you feel the spirit of the place as you gaze at the house depressions and moss covered posts.
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| Tanu |
Our return leg to Moresby Camp took us through Louise Narrows and provided us with our first bear sighting. The black bears on Haida Gwaii are a subspecies found only on the islands. They have larger jaws and teeth than their mainland counterparts. I confess that I have an unfounded and intense fear of bears, so I was quite happy to be bear watching from the Zodiac and not from my bike. Haida traditions consider the bear to be chief of the forest....I totally agree, and am happy to get out of the way! Hail to the Chief!
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| First bear sighting |
After four awe-inspiring days we arrived back at Moresby Camp. Each of us took something different away from our exploration of Gwaii Haanas, but I think we would all agree that Haida Gwaii is a place unlike any other in the world.
Giggle of the Day:
Our return to Sandspit was cause for celebration! We were invited to join the Moresby staff team at their favourite local and only Chinese Food Restaurant - Dick's Wok Inn. We were welcomed by Dick himself who cooked us up a delicious meal. Rob and I sat back and listened as the Moresby folk joked, teased and compared stories of their most recent tours. The energy, passion and enthusiasm of the group was something to admire....it was evident that they love their jobs, this magical place and I would suggest each other. They all seem to share a deep connection to Haida Gwaii and the three realms of creatures: those of the sea, those of the land and those of the sky. Not really something to giggle about, but definitely something that makes one smile.
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| Dick's Wok Inn |
Map and Route Tips:
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