HOME SWEET HOME

April 6th, Alert Bay B.C

5 flights, 6 days, a 6 hour van ride, 30 minute ferry and little sleep later I finally arrived in Alert Bay, just in time to celebrate easter monday.   How fabulous arriving home on the day one is encouraged to indulge in the eating of chocolate eggs.

With my many years of travel, working and adventuring away from home, this particular home-coming felt extremely significant.

Every time Beth-Anne and I disembarked a plane we would glance at each other with a giggly grin, knowing that we were one more flight closer to home.  When we arrived in Montreal, we just about skipped off the plane, relieved to be on home turf.  And by the time we reached Vancouver, we were beside ourselves with the close proximity to Vancouver Island and the final flight leg that would lead us direcly to friendly faces awaiting us at the airport.

We discussed how weird it was that we both felt so desperate to be home, agreeing that it seemed we were gone for 4 months not 2 and a half.  Perhaps the set-backs and delays throughout the expedition, the emotion and drama, without realising, was chipping away at our perserverance and patience.

At 12.05 am April 4th we walked through the arrival terminal in Victoria and there was Dean carrying two bunches of roses with a packet of salt n vinegar chips nestled in with the bright welcomed packages. Our luggage was first to arrive on the carousel and soon after Joyce and Jake (Beth-Annes parents) arrived and were excited and relieved to have their daughter finally home. 

It was strange parting from Beth-Anne. We had been connected at the hip for most of the time away and having set out on this expedition knowing each other very little, now having shared the ups and downs as well experiencing vulnerable, intense and emotional times, it felt rather odd.  We plan to get-together once we have both settled into our awaiting jobs and have an expedition celebration party.  An opportunity to share some stories and reflect on our southern sea adventure.

Back here in Alert Bay I am currently surrounded by gear and gadgets as I begin the unpacking process. It looks as though my 3 giant duffle bags exploded in the middle of my living room.   The sun is out, the inside passage seas are calm and all I feel like doing is avoiding this unpacking task and head out for a paddle. However I am short one vital thing.....

With my Necky kayak stored in the Falkland Islands, it is the first time in 11 years that I do not have a kayak.  Ahhhhh, what on earth is a girl like me going to do!  :)