I had read an article of the Free Spirit Spheres from a local newspaper about two years ago. Inspiring by the creative design and the idea of these spheres, I told myself that I will pay a visit to this fascinated location one day, and this day happen in August 18, 2011.
The Free Spirit Spheres is located approximately 30km north of Parksville on Vancouver Island along the Inland Island Hwy (#19), near Qualicum Bay. There are three kinds of spheres: Eve, Eryn and Melody. All spheres were built by the creator & owner: Tom Cowan, alone!
For now, there is only one sphere of each kind and are available for rent to adults only; 16 years and over. Due to the limited quantity, I would advice you all to book as early as possible. I booked the Eve nearly a month ahead. See here for the rates and please visit their official website here for more information.
All photos were taken with Nikon D300 , hand held.
Upon arrival at the private property, you will see this sign hangs on the trees.
The kind owners, Tom & Rosey Cowan will welcome you at their resident cum office. They will tour you around the property. All spheres and shared facilities are located along a large pond in the center of the five acreage private land. The first sphere appeared in my eyes is this under construction and unfurnished sphere. Rosey invited me to step in it and experience the sound effect. It's different than what I'm expected to hear of an echo sound. When I talked, it sounds like "ET" talking!
Next, it's the shared facilities in these photos. Kitchen, sauna, bathrooms, bench, dinning area, barbeque and etc. There is a mini fridge and microwave in the kitchen but no stove. On the left of the kitchen is the sauna; on the right is one of the bathrooms. If you look in detail, you will find many creative items; the flower pots, table decor, etc. You will also find many creative items around the spheres and the pond; on the ground or in the spheres. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to discover all of them.
On approaching the first accommodation sphere, you will see this mushroom shape hut. What is this? .....
Composting outhouse (toilet)
These are the photos of the Eve; the one I spent a night in it. It's the first ever sphere built in 18 years ago.
Eve - bottom view
Eve - right view
Eve - left window
Complementary snacks - Eve center
These are the photos of the Eryn.
Eryn with door opened
These are the photos of the Melody.
Melody
Access to Melody
Melody - left window
Melody - center with bed up, may put down both tables
Melody - right window
These are the photos of the workshop. Two spheres are under construction.
I found some character signs on the door, the windows hinges and may on other places too. But I don't have enough time to ask Tom, because I left early the next morning at 6:00am.
They called these spheres as tree house, I would call them as tree hotel.
