September 15
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Today we head to Vancouver Island, 1 1/2 Hr by ferry. We had beautiful calm weather for the crossing.
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Victoria is a lovely, colorful city on the southern tip of the island. It is the capitol of BC and a tourist magnet.
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| First checked in to our "boutique hotel" |
A very compact but adequate place to stay.
We were contacted by a friend last night, who revealed that she lives in Victoria. We came to know Nikita while working in India in 2007! She met us near our inn, with husband Steven and Son Jarren, and they gave us an extended tour of the town.
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| Steven is 4th generation on Vancouver island |
Steven's family runs deep in the Chinese community on the island. He brought us to the Chinese Museum where his grandfather's photo is part of the entryway display.
She dropped us off at the Fisherman's Wharf boathouses for us to peruse while she tended to Jarren.
These cute water taxis provide transportation throughout the harbor.
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| Saw the resident peacocks while driving through Beacon Park |
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| Also stopped at the Chinese Graveyard |
September 16
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Started the day off early with Butchart Gardens north of Victoria.
It was a spectacle of patterns and colors all coiffed to perfection. |
We took a walk through town and had lunch at the harbor, watching the float plane traffic.
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| We did not get a chance to try the sauna boat. |
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| Amazing how many float planes move through the harbor. |
In the afternoon, we were treated to a guided tour of Victoria that filled in some details about the history of the city.
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| Our guide Julie was delightful and full of facts and stories. |
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After visiting the Empress Hotel, we caught a water taxi.
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| Ended with a candy shop. |
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| Finished the day with sunset over the harbor. |
September 17
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| I took a nice bike ride on the Galloping Goose Trail in the morning. |
In the afternoon, Michelle and I went on a whale watch, which was a first for both of us. It was sedate up until the last 20 minutes, watching for whale spouts and a disappearing tail.
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| Then the whales started to breach, generating wild excitement. |
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| You can tell which side of the boat the whales are on! |
