Train to Courtenay

Last weekend we took the train to Courtenay. It leaves from downtown Victoria, takes 4 1/2 hours and is a lovely way to spend time traveling.

It's not like taking the bus, or driving for that matter. You speed through forests, mountaintops, over huge old trestles and you get to see the best views.

Here we passed by a bunch of people bungee jumping, they totally stopped and waved as we went by.....

That was the coolest part - how everyone stops and stares as the train goes by, people are fascinated! Little kids get the most joy and wave frantically, but even grow adults stop and give lots of waves too - it's so cool.

When we arrived in Courtenay we walked downtown and they had a local market going on - happens once a year. All the businesses along the main strip put their wares outside, there was lots of music and great little shops to poke through.


For dinner we were planning on sushi, but we noticed that two businesses teamed up and were offering a great deal: you got to pick a pottery bowl from the pottery shop and the restaurant next door filled it up with chili for $15. Given my love of pottery, it was a no-brainer.

The next day after scoping out breakfast, we walked back to the train station and headed home. The Courtenay train station is in really good shape which made me happy. There is so much history in the train and the rails, I think it's important to maintain it. Most of the stations along the way were in great shape*, which just adds to the unique experience of taking the train. Here's the station in Courtenay as the train is pulling in...

After another great train ride, we arrived back in Victoria for a stumble home and a late dinner. Perfect trip and all for about $300 - well worth it.


*Nanaimo - what the hell?! The train station is falling apart. How sad considering it's the largest stop on the way to Courtenay.