North Pender and South Pender Islands

There is North Pender Island (where the ferry terminal called Otter Bay) and South Pender Island (where the highest peak Mount Norman).

Originally one island connected by an isthmus, a canal was dredged in the early 1900′s to allow the ferry and boats quicker and safer passage through to the various points of the islands instead of going around – kinda like Panama Canal in a minute scope.

The islands were named in 1859 after Second Master Daniel Pender, the senior survey officer on board the Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Plumper.  The Plumper was charting the coast of British Colombia, Canada.

The good thing about the Southern Gulf Islands, of which the Penders are part of, is that the locals (men and women) are generally open to giving rides to hitchhikers.  None of them has public transit, except for a limited service in Salt Spring Island. 
  

Right after disembarking at Otter Bay, I was able to request a ride from a father of two to the summer Saturday market. 

 



It is always fun to see what’s local.   









Much smaller than the granddaddy – Salt Spring Island summer market - the one at Pender has stalls for frozen cuts of lamb, veggies, fruit, art work, baked goods, jams and jellies, some pricey and on the salty side beef and salmon tourtière.   

Truly French-Canadian, tourtière are meat pies where fillings can vary depending on region as in this case – fish.  

From the market I got a short ride to Hope Bay but requested to be dropped off soon when I saw a pretty bluish house with a signage Nu-To-Yu Community Thrift Store (open only in Fridays and Saturdays). 

I thought Nu To Yu was an Indian word for something.  But now as I am writing I realized it is a phonetic spelling of New To You.  LOL!   I got a small Mexico-made brightly painted wood bird for Cnd$1.   

From there it was a 20 minute walk to Hope Bay - a couple of boutiques, a restaurant – nothing worth recommending - with a lame view of the Plumper Sound and farther Mayne Island.  

This is Hope Bay, that's it, nothing else.

So I got another ride heading south.    Got off at the island's main shopping area called Driftwood Centre.   There were no driftwood.  You can get your food supplies at a real supermarket Tru Value Foods.  Other businesses include the Pender Island Bakery, Pender Sushi, a BC Liquor Store, Pender Island Pharmacy, Island Savings Credit Union, and a post office.

From Driftwood, I thumbs up a hitch, crossed the wooden bridge separating the islands

and after a couple of side trips, I finally was able to make it to my destination – the trailhead towards the highest point in the land Mount Norman at 244 meters.  There are actually two starting points, after crossing the wooden bridge:

a. Look for a road on your right and drive up to a parking area or

b. Continue on south (going left) on Canal Road approximately 2 km to a small parking area (at your right side). 

Regardless of which trail you choose, the hike is classified easy to moderate.  Some writers claim the climb or descent is steep, but anything under 30 degrees for me is not steep.  You can reach the roughly 800 feet summit within half an hour to 40 minutes at a leisurely pace.  I decided to do B going up and A going down.
 

At the top there is a spacious deck with benches.  It affords a good view of the gulf and distant islands, lovely - tried to convince myself there was a wow  factor - there wasn’t.

Although there are camping grounds in the island, I requested if I can stay at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in their back yard for the night.  They said yes.  

Try to stay in any of the islands overnight.  You get the island vibes when it’s dusk, the roads are empty, and hear that away-from-it-all silence.

PASEO Sandwiches in Seattle

Folks in Seattle claim it is the best Cuban sandwich in town.  Paseo Caribbean Restaurant has gotten accolades from national magazines with tales of long lines and food running out so soon early in the day.  My curiosity was piqued.  What was this hype all about?

Even though Paseo won’t open till 11 am, I decided to skip breakfast so as to make sure my Paseo virginity, taste-wise, remained unsullied. 

There are two locations.  I went to the original –at Fremont.  The place is tiny – only 4 – 5 small square tables. 

And yes, lines do form around 12 Noon (I was there at 11 am) but not as long as has been claimed.  The place was clean and formica-ish.  In often wet and cold Seattle, Paseo has this daring façade of all glass French doors which were strewn open that summer day.  So it was very sunny and airy and paseo-ish (Paseo in Spanish can be translated as “esplanade”).

I ordered what was sidemarked in handwriting on the board menu Most Popular: "Caribbean Roast – Pork Shoulder Coated in Paseo Marinade & Slow Roasted Till Falling into Succulent Morsels”.   

Now that is good mouth-watering prose. Wait – there’s more.   

 “All sandwiches are on a lightly toasted baguette slathered with aioli, fresh cilantro, pickled jalapeños, crisp romaine & caramelized onions."

 

The warm sandwich came like a wrap - wrapped in wax paper - on a cheap plastic plate – the kind used in low-budget Chinese restaurants. 

Verdict – it is not Cuban but Paseo never says so – its claim is Caribbean.  The messy to eat sandwich was tasty.  It should be with all that pork fat and oil to caramelize the onions, plus the aioli.  The romaine lettuce and cilantro were indeed fresh.  The pickled jalapenos added the kick.    It was a very filling $8.50.  I did find the baguette a bit too thick for my liking.

Nothing spectacular contrary to most TripAdvisor reviews – but that’s me.   Paseo is a place I would stroll to again if I am near the neighborhood - which I did two months later.