One windy overcast day in Vancouver we realize how lucky we are to know TWO French pilots who both fly water planes (one in Vancouver and one in the Maldives).
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This is how we find ourselves walking down a wet boardwalk on our second anniversary towards a small plane that seems likely to be tossed about on the wind.
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I climb in to ride beside our pilot and take in the dash board full of knobs and switches.
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The take off seems effortless and far less
turbulent than a runway does. Looking down at the miniatures houses reminds me of my time working for B&B Scale Models who create small architectural models. I was the Assistant Landscaper.
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We sail past the Vancouver Airport and head out towards the Gulf Islands. We are on a regular run with one passenger on board to drop off on
Thetis Island.
We pass small islands along the way some of which are completely First Nations owned.
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It is stunning and despite the plane being small it is relatively steady.
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We land at the small
Thetis Island harbour and say goodbye to our passenger.
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There is such a secluded feeling to the West Coast of Canada that I love. For both the contemplative and the adventurer it is a giant playground.
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Francois, our pilot, makes a sudden ascent and my head feels like blacking out from the G-force. He smiles and says he usually ascends a lot higher and a lot quicker. Does anyone else see that
mischievous glint in his eyes?
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We head over to Salt Spring Island next where we are to pick up two passengers.
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This island is a lot busier and it turns out we are picking up two Texans.
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Nigel and I switch seats and he gets to fly next to Francois all the way back to Vancouver.
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I sit in the back and take more pictures out the side by the wings.
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The mountain ranges on some of the islands are impressive.
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Some sort of barrier breaks the water up as we approach the mainland.
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The first sitings of Vancouver appear.
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We have a smooth landing and quickly pose for a shot beside the plane.
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One last glimpse over our shoulders and we head back up the ramp to dry land.
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