We are grateful to live on and visit the Southern Gulf Islands and acknowledge that the lands and waters that encompass these islands have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, part of the traditional unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations and Hul’quimi’num Treaty Group.
To engage first-hand, simply pivot your nose slightly skyward and follow the sweet sugary goodness that is the unmistakable scent of the cinnamon bun. For your convenience, we’ve (freshly) prepared a list of some places to experience this sweet & savoury scent. With no breakfast meeting or set lunch to adhere to, you can tackle the gooey goodness on your watch. But be advised, your non-business plate will be full before you can say “raisins or no raisins?” Oh, and just for the record, it’s definitely raisins.
Meal planning shouldn’t be all-consuming. Or a burden. Besides, you’re not on a schedule! Good thing we don’t gate-keep good places on the islands.
And find we did, in the form of five ideal destinations for anyone looking to disconnect from the busy. Please remember to blink.
There’s more to soak up in The Southern Gulf Islands. Truth is, this listing could’ve easily been five hundred and five best places long. But that would’ve taken up too much bandwidth.
The Southern Gulf Islands offers the perfect landscape to make that connective reality. We searched and found some inspiring places where you can plop yourself down – with relatively nonpoisonous graphite pencil in mouth – to finally begin writing that book, or journal, or blog, or script, or lyric, or poem or…not write at all. Because nothing is scheduled for you here. Because nothing is the new something.
Inspired? Rejuvenated? On the lookout for a non-chewing writing apparatus perhaps? Sounds like it may be a good time to point you in the direction of your next writing retreat.
At the risk of sounding immodest, our island community is brimming with talented artisans who grind many long hours on the weekly to honour their craft. One of our favourites – although we don’t really have favourites here – is our lovely sourdough artisans. To view their masterpieces (and this is the one and only time we would ever recommend this) set your alarm for an early wake-up call. This way, you’ll get to experience not only the rise of a fresh island loaf, but the consumption of it, too. Yum yum for the win win. Here’s the top bakeries you must rise and shine for. Happy viewing, and bon appétit.
Ensure you’ve got a game plan for securing your loaf. We love our bread here and soon, you’ll understand why.
Will you look for something sweet to eat? Will you come across other low-shouldered vacationers who’ve opted out of the cubicle? Will zoom calls make way to bird calls and the like? We can’t help but to love the trees that have taken root on the Southern Gulf Islands – as you will once you roam these parts without a care in the world. Whether you book this walk with yourself, or send an invite for others to come with, we proudly sourced some places for you to come hug a tree. And look at the leaves. And listen to the footsteps. And feel the wind. And regulate your breathing. Without the crazy turnaround times. Namaste.
It’s nice to get out and be in nature every now and again. Sure, the initial quietness may be a bit jarring, but you’ll soon acclimatize to your surroundings like a champ. Being adaptive and taking the trail less traveled after a meet-and- greet with our trees could be just what your lack of agenda ordered.
OOO: Nothing is the new Something
Hello,
Thank you for your message.
Please note that I’m currently out of the office visiting the Southern Gulf Islands with no access to email, phone, text, fax, couriers, carrier pigeons, smoke signals or any other forms of communication. I’ll be back in the office on <ENTER DATE> – or ideally not at all should the stars align.
If your matter’s urgent, please get in touch with <ENTER NAME> in <DEPARTMENT>.
Blissfully disconnecting from the digital world,
<SIGNATURE>
OOO: Nothing is the new Something
Hello,
The recipient of this message is away on an extended break, <HE/SHE/THEY> have been visiting the <ENTER ISLAND> in the Southern Gulf Islands and have been too preoccupied with revitalizing their soul and embracing life to warrant crafting a personalized out-of-message email. Hence this auto-generated reply. Please connect with the person of interest upon <HIS/HER/THEIR> return. Which is most likely next week or ideally a month or so from now.
Thank you,
<SIGNATURE>
OOO: Nothing is the new Something
Hello,
Please note that I’m away on business in the Southern Gulf Islands where I’ll be balancing my life, reclaiming my soul, finding my sense of purpose and embracing my raison d’être. Yes, these are all similar but this is the kind of repetitive things one writes when staring at too many screens and having meetings about having too many meetings becomes the norm.
Bye for now,
<SIGNATURE>
