I arrived early, very early - Wednesday. I was lucky to grab one of those elusive buoys - and I am going to stay for the duration. The dock is crowded with deck chairs and side tables and tons of people getting into the the spirit of things...
See below: of course, the boat dogs are back. These ones are a little larger than the usual boat mop size. A Newfoundlander and a St. Bernard - I saw them crowd out the owners on a dinghy suitable for dachshunds, but these two canines almost blanketed every surface of the dinghy. They were allowed on the deck of the Marina Restaurant in Montague Harbour - albeit they kept slobbering all over the table tops. The St. Bernard is only two, and as large as a calf...
Millennium Dragon parked at her favourite buoy, closest to the dock. Ergo: little rowing required to get ashore.
But now - for the luxurious part: Galiano Inn in Sturdie's Bay. The Inn offers a 'complementary' (sic) shuttle from Montague to the Inn. Of course, I took advantage of it, and headed right to the 'pizza terrace' where aromatic woodsmoke mixes with tangy sea scents, and the pizza is as thin as waxed paper, and the toppings come directly from the garden (tomatoes, basil) and the Island goats (goat cheese) - scrumptious. I even invested in a glass of Spumante (the first 'loaded' drink since I am on the boat).
The view from the terrace is incredible: Mount Baker rises seeemingly right from the sea across Georgia Strait in snowy splendour, the waters of Sturdies Bay are sun drenched and azure blue, the flags on the ferry dock flutter in the gentle breeze, and small wavelets caress the quiet beaches.
The Inn's gardens are delightful, with shady nooks, babbling waterfalls, wild flowers and well cared for lawns, huge Firs giving shade over the many lounge chairs dotting the shore line.
The Inn's reception hall is a mini art gallery. A large mural depicting an Orca and her baby is a collage of dozens of small paintings by 60 or so artists, 30 from Galiano Island. A rainbow of styles, all coming together to make a stunning whole.
And again, the lovely restaurant, romantic small garden casitas, cosy rooms all enjoying a million dollar view make for a truly elegant and beautiful experience.
To see more info about the mural
The gardens do not have the Martha Steward touch, but are certainly 'Island' inspired, where flowers and natural textures make pleasant combinations.
The Inn's private dock is only a few weeks old. The gangway spans the dangerous shallows, and sports a spacious dock, large enough for luxury yachts - or small boats. The best thing is, that the Inn charges 'government park' rates, which makes an overnight stay more affordable than a stay in one of the luxuriously simple appointed accommodation in the Inn per se.
A view through some of the Inn's greenery towards on of the coves in Sturdies Bay. Low tide, and the many rocks are exposed ready to be explored by beachcombers.
It is so pleasant sitting here, enjoying a tasty fresh Island lunch and a cool Italian Spumante, watching the ferries transiting the stunning scenery every hour, watching and listening to the bumble bees visiting from the lush gardens, and even being able to write this at the same lunch table....
To see more about the Inn (highly recommended if you are looking for a romantic and unusual stay in Paradise)
go there...if you can!
Luxury indeed.
