The hotel we stayed in while in Nanaimo was called the Coast Bastion.  I didn’t think about why other than it was on Bastion Street, but Bastion Street was so named because it ends at Nanaimo Bastion.  Bastion is a word that I have heard at various times and know but that I had never really thought about.  This was a building erected when the settlers were building their outposts so they could protect themselves and their stuff.  A mini-fortress I suppose.  From our room we had a view down onto the bastion, but it was a short stroll across the road to look at it.  I understand that they open it up as a museum at some times, but it was sealed while we were there.