vacation in Bella Bella

Hi everyone. We are on vacation in Bella Bella and loving it. We are Sonja's parents and having way too much fun. We have been here since Saturday and have experienced many adventures. Sonja and Tyler took us kayaking one day so we could see the coast from that perspective. Sonja and Tyler have to work every day so Jim and I have been exploring this community without them. Every person we come across stops us to say hi, who are we, what are our children doing and so on. One lady stopped us to invite us to the Cultural Centre. We did stop by and was given a lesson on the history of Bella Bella. It was very informative and will recommend you stop there when you come for a visit. We took a walk to a lake that took us behind the town. Jim and I found the road that turned into the path and found the lake. Very beautiful. While we were enjoying our banana and the view, we spotted a black bear across the water. It was a very large bear and was rooting around looking for food. We packed up and left the lake immediately. Earlier that same day we spotted a seal in the water outside Sonja and Tyler's place. Where in the world can a person see a seal in the morning and a bear in the afternoon? So cool.

Today we were invited by the doctor at the hospital to catch a ride to the next community - Klemtu. We boarded the float plane this morning and arrived half an hour later. We were met by one of the nurses and given a quick tour of the town. Population - 320. The doctor went to work in the clinic along with the nurses that have been flown in. Jim and I toured the town. We stopped by a little cafe where we asked what there was to see. We walked to the fish hatchery and was greeted by a young man who was working there. He welcomed us in and answered all the questions we had. We were allowed to take pictures and found out they were coho salmon in the hatchery. 15,000 of them. Very interesting.

We walked to the clinic because we had been invited for lunch. All the staff were in attendance (all 7 of them) and we had an hour of good laughs and good stories. One of the staff made arrangements for a tour with one of the chiefs. Jim and I had a tour of the Big House. A very traditional long house complete with totem poles. Chief Brian answered all our questions and we took many pictures. Very traditional tribe.

We spent a few minutes on the rocks watching the water action. Lots of boats coming and going. We had missed the passing of 3 whales which everyone was excited about. Our float plane came in to meet us and before we knew it, it was time to come back to Bella Bella.

Tyler had supper cooking when we came in. I do have to tell everyone reading this, that Tyler and Sonja and great cooks.

The Heiltsuk tribe here in Bella Bella are extremely friendly and hospitable. Sonja and Tyler are certainly just as hospitable and anyone wanting to come out would not be disappointed.

We are leaving for home tomorrow and know we will miss this place and miss Sonja and Tyler more.