Howdy! I haven't been to Nanaimo for awhile. Last time we were there a few years ago, we took ferry to Gabriola Island and cycled on self-guided art studios tour. Ended up buying a large wooden wall carving which could not be transported by bike home. So artist delivered it a few weeks later when he had errands to do in Vancouver.
Hopefully next year we will get out there since we have friends moving to Parksville (still on eastern coast of Vancouver Island) whom we would visit. Even make a stop to see the old growth rainforest park, Cathedral Grove. What is it like these days?