Exploring Nanaimo in 2017 Ford F-150 #GoFurther150

Vancouver Island is one of our favourite weekend destination. We enjoyed surfing in Tofino, fishing in Sooke and kayaking in Bowen Island. To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, we’re on the mission to find the fun and quirky side of the Island.

For our Canada 150 road trip, Ford of Canada has equipped us with the all new 2017 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4×4. The F-150 continues to be the best selling vehicle in Canada for the 51st consecutive year.

For 2017, the F-150 gets a more powerful 3.5 litre EcoBoost V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb. ft. of torque. It is paired with a brand new 10-speed automatic transmission. The new engine and transmission delivered better fuel economy with the rating of 12.2L/100 km (23 mpg) city, 9.3L/100 km (30 mpg) highway, and 10.9L/100 km (26 mpg) combined.

The Lariat special edition is a luxury pickup truck with leather-trim seats, 18″ machined-aluminum wheels, 360 degree camera, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), 10 speakers Sony Audio System with SiriusXM Radio and SYNC 3 infotainment system.

The SuperCrew model comfortably sits 5 people with plenty of head and leg room for front and back passengers. In addition, the 10-way power seat ensures a comfortable ride during long road trip. My favourite part is you can heated or cooled the front passenger seats.

The Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob. You simply rotate the knob left or right in the direction you want the trailer to go. The system will automatically steer the F-150.

It’s a 2 hour ferry ride from Vancouver to Nanaimo. Nanaimo is the second largest city on Vancouver Island and has one of the longest shorelines in Canada. It is known for its world class scuba diving and snorkeling.

For all the dessert lovers! Nanaimo is home to the famous Canadian dessert, the Nanaimo Bar. You can follow along the Nanaimo Bar Trail, a self guided tour on the best Nanaimo Bar in the city.

One of our favourite spot is Javawocky Coffee House, located at the Harbourfront. It serves the classic, homemade Nanaimo Bar, similar to the original recipe in 1953 by Edith Adams.

We stayed at Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay. Situated on the waterfront, the bayside hotel is within a 5 minute walk to Arthur Vickers Gallery, Cowichan Wooden Boat Society and Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre. The hotel facilities included an indoor heated pool, indoor hot tub, saunas, and a fully equipped gym.

Check out our awesome view of Cowichan Bay and Mount Tzouhalem.

For dinner, we headed to Masthead Restaurant. Located in the Columbia Hotel, it is overlooking Cowichan Bay marina.

I’ve opted for the Table d’Hôte – 3 courses for $35. For appetizer, I got the Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Bisque. The soup was rich and delicious.

The main was Bouillabaisse in Saffron Julienne Vegetable Tomato Broth with Salmon, Snapper, Halibut, Shellfish and Prawns. It was the classic Mediterranean seafood stew and the broth was sublime.

For dessert, I got the Almond Glazed Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Rhubarb Balsamic Compote and Whipped Cream. The cake was moist on the inside with a light brown crust.

Check out Day 2 for our Ford #GoFurther150 advenutre.