On the way back to the Lower Mainland, Dave and I got the opportunity to sail one of the new Super-C ferries, the Coastal Renaissance. We were pretty impressed. Here are just some the things we liked:

• high-ceiling car decks
• whistler-style wood finishing
• lots of seating
• store with snacks, travel items and gifts
• laptop stations
• executive lounge
• wide outside decks with windscreens

All in all, the new ferries are a great way to present B.C. to our many visitors.

The Atlantic-Marine ferry service is talking us across to Nova Scotia. It’s going to be a 17 and 1/2 journey this time. The ship was late again, and this time left at 4:30 am, thank goodness for us thinking ahead and reserving sleeping bunks. The bunks are dorm style bunk beds, very usable and not very expensive. A worthy investment after trying to sleep in seats for the shorter crossing a couple of days ago. I managed to catch up on some much needed rest, Sean however got some rest, but not much due to others talking and kids playing nearby. As for missing the view of the voyage, well the view is just ocean and fog for hours and hours. I guess I could have tried to spot a whale or something, that may pass the time. Instead I am typing out a few drafts to post on GoingCoastal.ca while I listen to the live band sing out some good old Canadian Maritime folk songs. The vessel that is talking us across this time is the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood. This ferry is huge, it can carry 340 cars, 80 trucks and 1200 passengers. By taking this route we save about 900KM of driving, something we are more that willing to do on the return back to the west coast.