Alan and I took public transit out to the ferry at Tsawwassen. From Burnaby as I was working, but it took 2 hours. More annoying, a few stops before the ferry terminal is a bus stop where the bus just sits for about 15 minutes.…Read More

Alan and I took public transit out to the ferry at Tsawwassen. From Burnaby as I was working, but it took 2 hours. More annoying, a few stops before the ferry terminal is a bus stop where the bus just sits for about 15 minutes. Then they arrive 5 minutes before the Victoria sailing so that you have to run to make the boat. Why do these things not run together more logically?

The ferry ride was beautiful, the whole weekend was 26 degrees Celsius and sunny. Everything was so blue. The photos are incredible-though it helps that we shoot almost exclusively with professional film now. And we've found a good developer, which is also important. You know, I had always assumed that the higher the number the better, so I tended to shoot rolls of 400. And at photo shops, they even tend to recommend 400 for point and shoot cameras. However, we've shot a role of professional 100 in my camera once and the photos turned out beautifully. And in Alan's SLR camera they are incredible. Back to the ferry-it was delayed, because we had an unscheduled stop at Mayne Island. So we missed the connecting bus to Victoria and there was quite a crush to get on the next one, since the next ferry had arrived by that point. By the time we hit downtown, it was 11pm. We left on the bus in Vancouver at 4.

The HI hostel in Victoria is really well located. And it's nice enough as well, though it was rather noisy when we were there. We got up fairly early, as is the way when you are staying in a dorm, and had breakfast in the hostel of the leftovers we had brought with us. See, the trip was very last minute so the week before I had done a monster shop. And, as I do, I bought tons of fruit and veg, in an attempt to be healthy. So we had all this stuff to take along and finish. I made Alan bring it all, since I had been at work, and he was none too pleased as it included a whole cantaloupe. Ah, well, it'll help build his arm muscles.

We wandered along the water towards the Inner Harbour. Victoria is really beautiful and relaxing. It's got Vancouver's laid back vibe and fantastic natural surroundings, a view of the mountains, but it is a nicer city in terms of architecture and cleanliness. It also lacks Vancouver's "a nutter on every street corner" thing. Victoria is by far my favourite BC city. The Inner Harbour is cool. Some old looking sail boats, lots of float planes arriving and departing, people selling crafts, and a fantastic view over to the Parliament Buildings. Alan complained awhile back that none of my friends ever send postcards. And generally, this is true and his friends send tons. I mentioned this to Jasmine who cheekily sent us a postcard of Victoria's Parliament Buildings from Toronto. Alan was a bit miffed that it wasn't of Toronot, which was good cause he's cute when he is. Anyway, the Parliment Buildings are pretty, as is the Empress Hotel. Pretty pictures were taken. There was a wee boy in a kilt doing the Highland Fling next to a totem pole-he was half First Nations, half Scottish, which seems to sum up Victoria well. It's all about the British tackiness and First Nations stuff. Victoria manages to get the tackiness just right though-it's fairly posh, stereotypically British stuff. Like expensive high tea at the Empress (we didn't go. I might have, but Alan thought it was crazy.) And red phone boxes, and double decker buses, that sort of thing.

After our morning wander, we went to the Royal British Columbia Museum. It was very nice and everything, but I must say it wasn't that much better than most. The one in Edmonton was definitely as good. Loved John Lennon's car (I've seen another of his cars, in Ottawa-why are all the British lad's cars in Canada???) And there was a scientist type guy there (speak with the experts!!!) who talked to us about octopus. We got to see some octopus eggs, and photos of one that imitates other animals to escape predators. The First Nations bit was good, but again much like the Provincial Museum of Alberta. We didn't get to see the big mammoth, cause the display was being changed. Out the back we took some photos of totem poles in Thunderbird Park and glanced at Helmcken House. Alan commented that if he was to make up an imaginary country it would definitely contain totem poles ;)

In the afternoon we did my two favourite tourist attractions in a long time. The first was Miniature World, located within the Empress. This place does exactly what it says on the box-there are mini dioramas of: Dickens novels (in fact, rather a large number of Dickens novels, someone must have had a fetish), the trans Canada railway from the Maritimes out to BC, complete with nighttime/daytime cycles, battles-medieval and modern, olde London, an apartment building with a naked woman bathing AND a naked woman posing for an artist, all sorts of stuff. I really liked it, apart from the bratty kids that were overrunning the place. Then we went to Victoria's Bug Zoo. Now, hearing that, I'm picturing bugs flying about the place, lots of plants with ants crawling everywhere, that sort of thing. This place had the decor of a play school, or kindergarten, and all the bugs were in aquarium things. But I liked it-fantastic yuck factor. Beetles are such pretty colours, and there was one whose nose looked like a big knife thingy. Some scary tarantulas and other spiders, a colony of leaf cutter ants, but in a plastic home. And lots of cool stick and leaf insects, looking much like... wait for it... sticks and leaves :) The kids in here were not so bratty, and the gift shop was too die for. I loved it! Bugs are cool!

There were many cool things in the gift shop, including multipurpose plastic flies (I'm not sure I can think of one purpose for plastic flies, much less many, but there you are). However, I bought the Parasite Pals. I first heard of them during my aborted career as a toy shop worker, where we had a catalogue as the owner was considering selling them. Now, I think they are the funniest things ever, but I am not sure they are really children's toys particularly. So when I saw some in the gift shop, I couldn't resist. What I will do with them is beyond me...

After the bugs, we wandered around the old town, which mostly consisted of shopping for tourist tat. However, we had tea in Murchies with some lovely cakes, and went to Munro's bookstore, which is in a beautiful building. We then wandered over to see Fan Tan Alley, as Victoria has Canada's oldest Chinatown. It is rather unexciting these days, but used to be the home of opium dens, prostitutes, and gamblers. Now they have a gate across it that was locked. We attempted to find the Gates of Harmonius Interest but couldn't, so went to eat and have a pint at Swan's Brewpub. On our way back to the hostel we stopped to take photos from the other side of the bridge. From a neighbourhood called Esquimalt. I thought Esquimalt was a city up in northern BC somewhere, don't know why, but the company I work for has a project there and I just got it into my head that it was in the interior. My BC geography is terrible.

The next day we had the best breakfast. Really nice French toast with tons of fruit one it. Yum. Then we headed to Beacon Hill Park. The park was cool. The first bit we were in, we could have been in the middle of nowhere. Then it changed to a normal park-gardens, a petting zoo, playing fields, ponds with ducks. On the other side of the park are beaches where you can see across the Juan de Fuca strait. Very pretty.

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I can't begin to describe what it was like being away from home on September 11th. It felt like someone that I loved needed a hug and I couldn't get to them. But that's even a bad analogy. There are no words. I felt like…Read More

I can't begin to describe what it was like being away from home on September 11th. It felt like someone that I loved needed a hug and I couldn't get to them. But that's even a bad analogy. There are no words.

I felt like the people of Victoria adopted us. We could not go anywhere without deep, sincere and beautiful expressions of sympathy. Waiters paid for our lunches, shop keepers gave us clothes, strangers invited us to their homes for dinner. There was no official memorial but people spontaneously brought flowers, candles and cards to a make shift memorial outside the Parliament Building. When we visited, and people learned that we were from NY they were actually waiting in line to hug us! All over Victoria and the surrounding areas there were flags (Canadian and American)flying at half mast and bulletin boards displaying expressions of sympathy.

One day we were at Oak Bay Marina looking for seals and met a guy, Al that runs a nature tour company. He wasn't going out that day but instead invited us to his house for dinner! We were able to leave the next day and never had a chance to go out with him but he's a warm and generous man and a real environmentalist. Check out his web site: http://www.coastnet.com/~blackfish/index.htm.

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When we reserved a suite at Trutch Manor Tourist Suites, Marilyn Tipton advised us to make a reservation on the Tsawassan Ferry at least a month in advance. This turned out to be very good advice. We called the Tsawassan Ferry (604-444-28 90)…Read More

When we reserved a suite at Trutch Manor Tourist Suites, Marilyn Tipton advised us to make a reservation on the Tsawassan Ferry at least a month in advance. This turned out to be very good advice. We called the Tsawassan Ferry (604-444-28 90) and booked our reservations to and from Vancouver Island. We drove to the port of Tsawassan on the southern outskirts of Vancouver in our Yukon XL to board the ferry. We found the advanced reservations reassuring. The one and a half hour ferry ride winding its way through the small islands in the Straights of Georgia was pleasant and our 30-minute drive to Victoria went smoothly.

Walking was our favorite way to see Victoria but around the inner harbour, we also used the small harbour ferry taxifrequently. The ferry taxies are inexpensive and readily available to help you see more of this lovely seaside city. And a carriage ride was a fun and romantic way to see Victoria.

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Let’s get this clear: Avoid the tourist rip-off stores on the Government Street promenade. It’s a picturesque scene, but these stores are mostly filled with cheesy Made in Taiwan/China souvenirs. Spend your money elsewhere, unless you just want a few refridgerator magnets or the $5…Read More

Let’s get this clear: Avoid the tourist rip-off stores on the Government Street promenade. It’s a picturesque scene, but these stores are mostly filled with cheesy Made in Taiwan/China souvenirs. Spend your money elsewhere, unless you just want a few refridgerator magnets or the $5 plastic totem pole. Of course, there are some treasures to be found here, but I would spend my time elsewhere.

Here are a few of the city’s gems for browsing and shopping:

Antique Row, located on Upper Fort Street (between Blanshard and Cook Streets). This street is lined with all kinds of interesting shops. There are rare stamp and coin stores, antiquarian booksellers, collecter’s shops, and interesting food stores. In addition, this is where the local auction houses hold weekly estate auctions.

I believe the most famous store is Faith Grant’s Connoisseur Shop, at 1156 Fort Street, Tel: (250) 383-0121. First of all, it is located in a late 1800’s heritage building and the store has many rooms to browse through. There are beautiful British furniture and fine ceramics and paintings. Even if you are not in the mood to buy, this is worth a stop.

Other Interesting Stores

Chinatown Trading Company, at 551 Fisgard Street, Tel: (250) 381-5503. There is a hidden back entrance to this store in the narrow Fan Tan alley. You will find anything from Chinese ceramic wear to kung fu shoes here. There are better and more authentic stores to be found in Richmond or Vancouver Chinatown, but if you are exploring this area, this is worth a stop.

Munro’s Bookstore, at 1108 Government Street, Tel: (250) 382-2464. I am a true book lover, and even if you are not, who can resist a beautiful book store in an early 1900 heritage building. Forget the sterile environment in your typical Barnes and Noble. The high ceilings, wall murals, and large selection of books make for a luxurious setting. Ask the staff for recommendations for books on Victoria, past and present. They are knowledgable and very friendly.

Roger’s Chocolates, at 913 Government Street, Tel: (250) 384-7021. This is a pretty store complete with Tiffany glass and lovely counters (with free samples!), a scene from Victoria’s past. The chocolates here are a bit on the sweet side for me, but many of my friends have bought boxes home. The store’s motto is funny: "Quite possibly the best chocolates in the world." I wouldn’t go that far, but the almond clusters are very good.

Starfish Glass Works, at 630 Yates Street, Tel: (250) 388-7827. This is housed in an old bank building and the story of this gallery and workshop is an interesting one. The owners/artisans founded this place after they were priced out of surviving in Vancouver’s expensive prices. They moved to Victoria instead and have established a wonderful place for visitors to admire their craft. The gallery with works for sale is on an upper level, above the workshop. You could observe the artisans below while deciding what to take home with you! There are many talented artists in the Pacific Northwest and their dedication to their work is definitely worth supporting.

The Wine Barrel, at 644 Broughton Street, Tel: (250) 388-0606. Wine from the BC region has elevated in statue in recent years, because the quality has improved and the choices widened. This store sells wine and everything related to wine, accessories, books, corkscrews. The staff is friendly and would recommend something to take home with you.

The Spirit of Christmas, at 1022 Government Street, Tel: (250) 385-2501. There is something about the thought of Christmas and the British Isles atmosphere that permeates the air in Victoria. For me, the two go hand-in-hand whether it is actually the festive season or in the middle of summer. This stores carries all things Christmas, from delicate ornaments to t-shirts.

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West Bay and Songhees Point West Bay is a residential neighbourhood across the bay from Inner Harbour. It is reachable by any of the many ferries from the docks at Inner Harbour. There is a pretty marina and outstanding views back towards Victoria city and the…Read More

West Bay and Songhees Point

West Bay is a residential neighbourhood across the bay from Inner Harbour. It is reachable by any of the many ferries from the docks at Inner Harbour. There is a pretty marina and outstanding views back towards Victoria city and the nearby Olympic Mountains in Washington State. The waterfront paths offer pleasant and serene walks along the coastline.

Songhees Point is marked by the Spirit of Lakwammen totem pole and is a nice viewing point on the coastline. A famous pub with home-brewed beer and great value food (not to mention outstanding views) is Spinnaker’s Brew Pub. It is located at 308 Catherine Street, Tel: (250) 386-2739. This is a nice resting point during your walk.

If you continue on the walkway, you will reach Johnson Street Bridge, which is built by the same person as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Of course, this bridge is small and much less impressive in comparison. Cross over it and you will eventually get back inland to Bastion Square.

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Probably no resort in British Columbia is loved more than Harrison Hot Springs in the Fraser River Canyon east of Vancouver. It has been the resort of choice for generations of many families in Canada and the US. It is also a very popular place for…Read More

Probably no resort in British Columbia is loved more than Harrison Hot Springs in the Fraser River Canyon east of Vancouver. It has been the resort of choice for generations of many families in Canada and the US.

It is also a very popular place for Christmas. It is less formal than the hotels in Victoria--all of Canada seems to be at least a little less formal than Victoria--and it attracts a wider variety of people. We almost waited too long the year we went, and had no choice in rooms; we took a very small one with no view of the lake and hot springs.

It didn't matter much because we were seldom in the room. The resort has a nice variety of programs for the guests, including hay rides and concerts. The Christmas program is a little more elaborate than the others, I believe, and guest participation was encouraged, from singing carols and riddle songs to each throwing a twig of spruce needles into the giant fireplace as a symbol of disposing of negatives from the year.

The dining room is enormous, and is a happy conglomeration of small children, senior citizens and cheerful waitresses and waiters winding their way through it. We watched as a young mother and her two small children were absorbed into a large family. Then a young woman, looking very alone, found herself in the middle of a large family, watching her children dance with the grandparents and then herself dancing with the teenagers. Christmas away from home couldn't get much nicer.

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Victoria is the principal city of Vancouver Island. It is a sparkling gem in the summer. It boasts historical sites, museums, grand hotels, a bustling harbor, a China Town, and some of the most beautiful vistas on the west coast of the North American…Read More

Victoria is the principal city of Vancouver Island. It is a sparkling gem in the summer. It boasts historical sites, museums, grand hotels, a bustling harbor, a China Town, and some of the most beautiful vistas on the west coast of the North American hemisphere. There are fabulous opportunities to eat at reasonable prices, and the outdoor air is unbeatable. On a sunny day the place takes on a magical aura. The water sparkles and the people seem sincerely glad to have you there. There is something of a night life, fishing galore, outdoor activities, and a totally clean environment. The flower baskets hanging from the street lights are everywhere. The place looks like a movie set but it is a real town where friendly people abide. If there is any anti-Americanism around I never found it. There are about five cities or towns in my life that have made a lasting impression on me. Add Victoria to that list. Close

Based on my research, the best deal for chartering a boat was from the Gulf Islands Crusing School Ltd. The business is run from 2300 Canoe Cove Road and is only a stone's throw from the BC Ferry Terminal. Victoria Airport is only six…Read More

Based on my research, the best deal for chartering a boat was from the Gulf Islands Crusing School Ltd. The business is run from 2300 Canoe Cove Road and is only a stone's throw from the BC Ferry Terminal. Victoria Airport is only six miles away. The marina is well equipped and the charter company is owned and operated by Fran and Bruce Stott. His able assistant is named Elvi and these three pleasant people make it as painless as possible to charter a boat. They have power boats and sailing vessels in their inventory and do an excellent job of making sure you are comfortable and capable of operating their boats before you take off on your charter. The prices are to be found on their web site at . The boat we rented was a 28 footer and as well equipped a boat as I have ever owned or operated. If you feel a bit rusty Bruce offers classes on boat handling and navigation. I have never met a more accommodating or effective teacher. The toll free number there is 1-800-665-2628. They will give you a list of marinas in the beautiful local waters and you can contact your choice by radio from the boat or by using an American cell phone. The opportunity to explore Vancouver Island by boat is priceless but fortunately the prices are not prohibitive at all. They accept credit cards and do their best to make your voyage a safe and comfortable one. Close

The beauty of Victoria can be seen in its public and private flower gardens. The Butchart Garden was our favorite public garden. Trutch Manor where we stayed for 10 days have beautiful private flower gardens. Both of these gardens offered my husband…Read More

The beauty of Victoria can be seen in its public and private flower gardens. The Butchart Garden was our favorite public garden. Trutch Manor where we stayed for 10 days have beautiful private flower gardens. Both of these gardens offered my husband and I a variety of flowers to photograph. With our 990 Nikon digital cameras, our Dell laptops and our 1270 Epson color printer, we had fun producing terrific photos of these gorgeous flower gardens.

The Butchart Garden is world famous for their sunken gardens that now occupy what used to be a limestone quarry. The various gardens were a spectacular sight when we visited in July, the rose garden being our favorite with more than 3,000 blooms. In the Italian Garden, the cross-shaped pond was full of lily pods and a variety of bright colored flowers. We spent about 3 hours in the gardens and would have stayed longer except the crowds made it difficult to photograph. We plan to return to The Butchart Gardens in April to enjoy the 1000’s of bulbs in bloom.

In the front flower garden at there is a most unusual plant, a 7-foot tall poppy tree. The white poppies with yellow centers called ‘Romneya Coultire’ had a lovely, fragrant scent that added to its pleasure. The Trutch Manor front garden has an old-fashioned garden look with a huge variety of flowers including snap dragons, day lilies, miniature calla lilies, several different types and colors of daisies and many more with names unknown to me.

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I thought I could fill you in a little more about other things Victoria has to offer. Victoria has 4 shopping malls, Tillicum, Mayfair, Eatons Center and Hillside. The Eatons Center is located in the heart of downtown. You can visit the other 3 by taking…Read More

I thought I could fill you in a little more about other things Victoria has to offer.

Victoria has 4 shopping malls, Tillicum, Mayfair, Eatons Center and Hillside. The Eatons Center is located in the heart of downtown. You can visit the other 3 by taking a bus-#21 or to Tillicum, a smaller mall, #30, #31 or #50 to Mayfair Mall or #4 to Hillside Mall.

The best place to use the Internet is at Cyberstation. They have a large amount of computers and the best rates. They are located in downtown Victoria at 1113 Blanshard Street.

Bus fare in Victoria is $1.75 for adults and $1.10 for children. Children under 5 ride free. The bus drivers will not provide change so make sure you have exact change.

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