Victoria Adventure - Day 1

What to do when we find ourselves with a few days off?  Head out for parts unknown of course. The weather was forecast to be a mixture of sun and rain and so we debated about staying fairly local and riding or getting away for a few days.

We chose getting away for a few days to Victoria, BC.  We then opted to take the trusty Subaru over the bikes since it was over a 5 hour drive on the freeway to get to the ferry terminal.  

To keep the posts from being too long and photo heavy I've decided to divide them up into the different days, but don't worry, there should only be three, the fourth day we just drove home.

DAY ONE

Tues morning, May 27th, the alarm rang at 3:30 am and we out of the house just after 5 am. Troubadour driving, we headed north on I-5 and then a little west onto Highway 101 just south of Olympia, Washington.  Our destination was the Black Ball Ferry terminal in Port Angeles, WA.  

317 miles (510 km) later we arrived.  Travelers are required to arrive 60 minutes prior to sailing and we were there 90 minutes early so we walked a block to the park/pier and had a picnic lunch.  I'd made some sandwiches the night before knowing we'd be hungry by the time we arrived.

(The view from our picnic table, and yes he was loud)

After eating we wandered down the pier and climbed the tower to see how far we could see.

(A few large ships/freighters in the strait)

(Polar Discovery in port, a crude oil tanker)

(A view from the tower - picnic spot in the group of trees on the left)

We heard a horn and knew the ferry was arriving so we walked back to the terminal in time to see the ferry turn around and back up to the dock.

(Black Ball Ferry - named the MV Coho)

(Turning around to back into port)

We sat on the top deck on the back of the ferry.  It was still breezy, but not cold.  We settled in for a 25 mile ride across the Juan de Fuca Strait.

( I liked the combination of blue and white in this photo)

(We took one foot picture just for Bobskoot, yes there is more than one foot in the pic)

(We moved to the front of the ferry when were closer to Victoria)

We watched the city come into view and things finally took shape as we approached.

(Ogden Point, little did we know we'd be walking this on Thursday)

(Canadian Coast Guard Ship)

(Not quite in the inner harbor yet)

(Almost there when you can see the ivy covered Empress Hotel)

They gave the all clear and we headed back down to the car to get ready to disembark.  A quick drive by the customs booth and we were in Victoria.  We drove the 1.5 blocks to our hotel and much to our surprise found out we were upgraded to a one bedroom luxury king suite at no extra charge. At 644 square feet it was over 2/3 the size of our house.

(Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, Victoria, BC)

(Troubadour posing with the mascot)

We were impressed with the size of our hotel room and the cleanliness too.  We had a full kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster, as well as all the dishes and cutlery needed.  The only downside was that our 'upgrade' put us on the main floor overlooking the parking lot.  Oh well, we weren't planning on hanging out there much.

We touched base with Princess Scooterpie and hammered out dinner plans for 7:30 pm.  Until then we decided to wander and get acquainted with the city.  While I may have lived in BC for 25 years, I had never been to Victoria before.

We glanced at a map and started walking.  Stopped by Starbucks for an iced coffee and headed towards Government Street.

(Obligatory picture of the Parliament Building, built between 1893-1897)

(Obligatory close up of Empress Hotel, built between 1904-1908)

We wandered into this shop and that.  Looking to see if we could find any cool shirts or non-tacky souvenirs.  I am sure people have the same trouble on the Oregon Coast.  We caught sight of a map and realized we weren't too far from Chinatown and the Gate of Harmonious Interest. Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Canada and second oldest in North America.  Second only to San Francisco's Chinatown.

(Gate of Harmonious Interest looking from the East)

(Gate of Harmonious Interest looking from the West)

(I loved the colors of this picture)

(Oh look, the famed Fan Tan Alley, narrowest street in Canada) 

(Troubadour in Fan Tan Alley)

(A bicycle found further down the alley)

We walked up and down the alley then kept walking further west to Wharf Street to make a loop back to the hotel.

(The Swans Hotel's beautiful colors and patterns)

(Sculpture at Bastion Square, where we'd be returning for dinner)

(Original Customs House on Wharf Street, built in 1874)

(Parliament Building from across the Inner Harbour)

As we walked along the harbor we heard the sirens call of the bagpipes.  We'd not heard them in person since leaving Canada in 2001 so we had to go check it out.  We were walking along the lower level and he was playing on street level.  I snapped a pic as we walked up the stairs.

We walked back to the hotel for a quick rest and to use the facilities and then walked back to Rebar to meet Princess Scooterpie and MotoMan.

Rebar was a busy little funky/eclectic spot with a tasty vegan friendly menu.  Sorry no food porn pics, we were busy enjoying each others company.  The restaurant kicked us out about 10 pm and we had just enough time to take a group picture before walking back to the hotel.  Thank you Dar for taking the picture with your phone, which I've blatantly pilfered below for posting.  You can read Dar's post on the meet-up by clicking this ----> LINK.  A big thank you to you both for taking the time away from your hurt puppy dog to visit with us.

(Trobairitz & Troubadour)
(Motoman & Princess Scooterpie)

We walked back in the direction of the hotel, stopping for night time shots of the Parliament and Empress.  (The Canon didn't do so well but Troubadour was using the Olympus and got some great shots.  I'll let him post those. He is teaching this weekend and next, so we'll see when he has time to get to the computer.)

We walked a few blocks south of the hotel to a Thrifty grocery store.  Picked up a 6-pack of cinnamon raisin bagels, a small jar of all natural peanut butter, and 6 bananas to have for breakfast over the next three mornings.

By the time we got back to the hotel and to bed it was after midnight and 21 hours since our alarm rang at home.  It was a long and enjoyable day.

Next up Butchart Gardens and driving the Malahat Scenic Drive section of the Trans Canada.

- Au Revoir

" The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." - St. Augustine

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