Olympic torch comes to Ganges
Coming up off the dock
One of the first stops in the 2010 Olympic torch's Canadian tour was to our humble island. It arrived by seaplane in the Ganges Harbour around 3pm on Halloween day. Spectators took the opportunity to snap photos with the torchbearers while waiting for the flame to be flown in.
It was a memorable event, made more dramatic by the presence of a protester who threw a can of paint at the torch bearers. She missed her target, but managed to splatter some spectators with paint (my husband being one of them) and was chased down and given a piece of one of those peeved spectator's mind (again, my husband). Considering the passionate and sometimes very divided opinions of SSI residents, it's somewhat surprising there weren't more protests. It seems the other non-supporters of the Olympics chose to keep the peace on that day.
All in all, a rare experience and an exciting event that we will remember fondly.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Harbour House Hotel
121 Upper Ganges Rd
Hotel and restaurant with an ocean view. Located just outside of Ganges village, within easy walking distance. Excellent food, with an extensive greenhouse on site where much of the produce served in restaurant meals is grown.
Hastings House
160 Upper Ganges Rd
Small, stately Tudor-style country manor set amongst gardens and cottages, with a fine-dining restaurant and spa on the property.
DETAILS