Meeting Eagles Eye to Eye By Chris McBeath Walking along the side of a cliff isn't normally my idea of fun, but this was unlike any bluff I had experienced. The moss beaten landscape was soft underfoot as it descended towards the water and storm-savvy arbutus trees clung defiantly to the rockface, sheltering us from the ocean breeze. Every so often, we came across a bench that invited us to stay a while - something that's easy to do at Sahhali Serenity Oceanfront Luxury B&B Inn This four-star, year round getaway on Pender Island is in an extraordinary place - perched so high atop a craggy bluff that you feel a part of heaven. You find yourself eye to eye with eagles as they glide past your window, close enough that their wings almost brush against the glass. Only the clouds fly higher. From any one of the Inn's three adult-oriented suites, the view is unparalleled - stretching from the San Juan Islands to the South, the Vancouver coastline to the North, and everything on Vancouver Island in between. It's a geographic make up that's forever changing: no two sunsets are alike and storms can move at such a pace across the horizon, they literally paint the sky before your eyes. And in summer, you're likely to see whales and porpoise en route to northern waters. The most remarkable thing about Sahhali Serenity, however, is its architectural imagination. The Inn has carved a niche into the unforgiving, glacial rock and transformed its surrounds into cascading waterfalls, a sun-drenched duck pond, a Japanese garden and a cliffside that's a delight to meander. The untamed beauty of the bluff has a magnetic draw and, with a beautiful gazebo, is a favourite spot for weddings, plans are in the works to open a weddings. Because of Sahhali's spectacular location, the Inn is the ultimate romantic haven. Every suite is luxuriously appointed and includes features such as wood burning stove, a private deck and hot tub, satellite TV, a fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Then there are the extra touches - popcorn and home-baked cookies, double showers, silk or fluffy robes, aromatic oils and more. A two bedroom cottage, a stone's throw from the main house, is equally private and is a popular spot for families. It even has its own BBQ patio. Once found, it's questionable if you would ever want to leave Sahhali, but when we heard about their charters around the neighbouring islands, they were hard to resist. The thought of barbecuing fresh Dungeness crab on the beach along side salmon on the rack captured our imaginations beyond the scenery that lay before our feet. We weren't disappointed. In fact, we coordinated our outing with a tour of the Penders, which Sahhali owner Penny Tomlin provided as a special treat. Her grandparents were one of the first families on the island, so she is full of stories and anecdotes of the islands' history. We quickly discovered that North and South Pender Islands are very different despite the fact that they are linked by a bridge of barely thirty feet. North Pender offers an infrastructure of stores, a busy community centre, a regular farmers market, and several at-home studios of talented artisans such as Susan Taylor at the Blood Star Gallery and Milada Hukat, a jewellery designer whose work is sold by Chanel and some of the top fashion houses in Italy. Only here, the prices are much better! But that's the joy of Pender Island. Its winding roads are forever turning up surprises which makes touring a delight. But after an afternoon of discovery, we suddenly realized that the sun was giving us a cue. It was time to return to the serenity of Sahhali because only from our private place of heaven would the sun surround us with its twilight colours and only from there, would we hear the magic of eagle feathers brush through the air before darkness came. If You Go: Sahhali Serenity Oceanfront B&B Inn 5915 Pirates Road North Pender Island, BC V0N 2M0 Innkeepers: Penny & Wally Tomlin-Skillen Toll free: 1-877-625-2583 E-mail: sahhali@gulfislands.com Web site: www.sahhali-serenity.com Complimentary canoe & mountain bikes are available on site Vancouver and other lower mainland travelers: B.C. Ferries accommodates travelers from Tsawwassen terminal. Reservations are highly recommended. General information for sailing schedule is 1-888-BCFERRY (604-223-3779) For Vancouver Island Travelers:B.C. Ferries accommodates travelers from Swartz Bay terminal - General information for sailing schedule is 1-888-BCFERRY (604-223-3779 From State side: Either the Victoria Clipper, or the Washington State Ferries will meet your needs 206-464-6400