Find meditative bliss in serene, wooded acres and retreat to Nectar Yoga Bed & Breakfast’s private cottages on Bowen Island
By Loose Lips Mag
@looselipsmag
Just 20 minutes away from Vancouver via ferry, Bowen Island is a solitude lover’s dream. Full of idyllic seascape views and shrouded in lush forest, it’s a breath-taking retreat from the city without the long road-trip.
SLEEP
Docking at the Snug Cove ferry terminal, drive along the meandering Miller Road until you find Nectar Yoga B&B. Set on 1.2 acres of wooded forest, the spot offers up two cozy cabins: the Nectar Loft and the Forest Cottage.
The Forest Cottage sleeps two guests in a king bed, with all the decor trimmings of the west coast beach lifestyle. The cabin comes complete with a rustic outdoor shower if you’re feeling particularly close to nature, and is equipped with WiFi, books, games, TV and cable for cozying up indoors.
The Nectar Loft is a blissful bunker, complete with a queen loft bed size bed overlooking the property, and a pull-out couch in the living room. The cozy cabin has a Pinterest-worthy ambiance and is decorated with local art. The well-equipped loft comes with an option to buy local, eco-friendly toiletries. Just drop your cash in the Karma box, and head off with a glass bead mala necklace or all-natural soaps, shampoos and conditioners from The Soap Dispensary.
A kitchenette provides you with all your food-prep needs, and cupboards are stocked with tea and coffee, made to enjoy on your private stargazing deck.
DO
This one’s a given: Yoga. If you’ve signed up for one of the yoga packages from Nectar, you can expect to do a welcome yoga class followed by a meditation on your arrival evening with owner and yoga instructor Andrea Clark. It all takes place in the almost-too-fantastic-to-be-real yoga dome (but it is real, and fantastic), located steps away from your private cottage. Decorated by string lights and hanging heaters, this whimsical dome looks out into acres of garden and forest, and is equipped with all your yoga needs.
On your departing day, you can expect another yoga and meditation session in the morning, just before breakfast is served and it’s time to check out.
Clark happily pointed us in the direction of the beaches to chase the sunsets at, and gave us a map to find the best local hikes. There’s plenty of shopping to do around the Snug Cove ferry terminal, too.
EAT
Start off each day at Nectar B&B with a fresh-made meal by Clark herself. While the owner is mindful of all her guests’ dietary restrictions, we decided to ditch our carb-free attitude in favour of her delicious strawberry waffles.
As for other meals: the Loft has a well-equipped kitchenette with a hot plate for cooking in the cabin – but if you’re feeling like stepping out, we recommend Rustique Bistro.
Daily specials include French favourites such as Steamed Mussels Avec Frites and French Onion Soup, while mainstays are Island-famous sweet and savoury crepes. Since you’re on an island, after all, it wouldn’t be complete without a few fresh shucked oysters.
As a treat, visit Bowen’s own organic chocolate shop, Cocoa West Chocolatier. We enjoyed Bombay chai truffles and pablano mochas in the window of the European-style cafe.
A moment with Nectar B&B owner Andrea Clark
“I had to take a leap of faith and just trust that I am supported – my practice of yoga has to come into life.” – on quitting her fulltime job to start a yoga retreat
“When you become a yoga teacher in an ashram, they give you a spiritual name that you can use when you teach. The name they gave me was Amrita, which means nectar or the sweetest sap.” – on naming her business
“I’m finding the balance between working everyday and doing my own practice.” – on dealing with success
“You just have to say it… the way that you make things happen in the world and manifest is you just have to say it out loud and not be afraid. By saying it, I’m giving it wings and all the details will fall into place.” – on reaching goals and manifesting success
“If I needed $100, I had to earn it myself ever since I was 14. I always knew about hustling for myself, getting a job babysitting, getting a job at Second Cup or working at Little Caesar’s Pizza all through school. For me, there was always a limitation in where money would come from… but through a lot of dedication and work, it actually happened.” – on working hard for your dreams and having no seed money
“You have to envision prosperity. You begin to attract what you put out.” – on keeping positive about business
