Victoria B.C.

Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.it is British Columbia's capital city and western Canada's oldest city.it was established in 1843 as a Hudson bay company trading post and of course is named for Queen Victoria.I lived in this city for for many years when  I was younger.It is  very touristy with three million visitors yearly. It is beautiful and has many sites to  see.

   It is accessible by plane, seaplane, helicopter, ferry from Seattle and the ferry from Vancouver.More specifically Tsawwassen.This later is the one we most often use.

  We take for granted the hour and a half long ferry ride to  the island and see it as an inconvenience for land that is less then  30  kilometers away.Ferry waits and cost for us frequent users is nothing but a time and money drain.This being said I still cant help feeling a sense of holiday when  I step out on the deck,smell the ocean air and feel the wind and sun on my face.

   The trip through Active pass is loaded with scenery,the gulf islands riding out of the rock so  green and lush.Around every cove there is something to see. A dock ,a beach, a cliff.There are often killer whales traveling through here and the captain usually lets every one know so  they can have a look.We also  have seen many seals too.

   The ferry arrives in Sidney by the sea on the Saanich peninsula about 20 kilometers north of Victoria.

Out here is where the airport is as well.

On the way south to  Victoria is the national historic site Butchart Gardens.A family owned business that has 55 acres of property with gardens.Music nightly in summer.As well as fireworks Saturday in summer..

 There are excellent bike trails <the galloping goose> several lakes <thetis,prospect,elk and beaver> Gorge waterway to  walk around, mountains with great views<Malahat, Douglas, Tolmie,>parks Goldstream and Beacon hill>So  many beach areas as well.

  Downtown Victoria is where you will spend some time as a tourist. The inner harbor is worthy of a walk with  the artists selling their wares,the nicely landscaped flowers and the street musicians.Here you can take a small taxi ferry around the inner bay.Or book a whale watching expedition one of the top things to do  here as a tourist.Pacific undersea gardens is located on the inner harbor and takes you 15 feet below the surface,viewing over 5000 species from the

B.C. coastal region in the aquarium before going to visit the tidal pool for a up close and personal touch with small creatures.Then its into the theater for the dive show.Where you get to have  live communication with a diver who brings octopus and large fish crabs etc. up close for your viewing pleasure.The provincial legislative buildings are right across the street.as well as the world famous Empress hotel built in the 1900s.This is where the Queen stays and it is one of the highlights of the hotel to  have high tea there.The B.C. museum is also in this area and contains a wealth of info  on the First nations of this province. The history of B.C. and fabulous animal displays.They have a very impressive IMax Theater inside as well. The main street that adjoins the inner harbor is Government street and it  is filled with shopping and restaurants.

 It is a flowered city and is very nice to  visit. Summer months are best when  weather is warmer and everything is in full bloom.