Beautiful Architecture!
Today we set out on another beautifully sunny day in Victoria, B.C. to see the city on foot (which is really the only way to do it) and enjoy the beautiful weather. We left our friend’s condo and head across the bridge to the city center taking some pictures on the way.
Talk about strength…check this little one out!
Down by the harbor we found that there was a protest going on at the Parliament building (I guess more of the Wall Street protests spreading everywhere) but there’ll be more photos of that later on in this blog.
The Empress Hotel in all it’s spendor, Victoria, B.C.
The Empress Hotel was beautiful in the sunshine with the red vines crawling up it and then we decided that it was a little too warm for the clothes we were wearing and caught a water taxi to take us across Victoria Harbor back to the condo to change. When you come to Victoria you really have to take the water taxis even if it’s just to take the complete circuit of the harbor. So much of Victoria is about being on the water – the water taxis, the seaplane strip that is the harbor, the fishermen that go out every day to supply the city with fresh caught, wild salmon, haddock, etc, etc. to go to Victoria and not experience that life would be a shame.
Check out the video of our water taxi ride and the seaplane that was right next to us:
If you notice in that video we’re on the water taxi and have to slow down for a seaplane to get to the terminal in the harbor. Our friend informed us that Victoria Harbor Airport is the third largest airport in Canada and the biggest seaplane airport anywhere. They take that very seriously here. This harbor is alive with action from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. when seaplanes, ferries to Port Washington, Seattle, and Vancouver come in and out, as well as kayakers, fishermen, whale watchers and more take to the harbor to have a look.
Barb’s Place, Fisherman’s Wharf
After we changed into more appropriate clothing for the glorious weather we were having we decided to once again take the water taxi but this time from the dock in back of the condo across to Fisherman’s Wharf to finally taste the famous fish and chips from Barb’s Place.
Now due to the fact that both Matt and I have gained a bit more weight lately than we’d like to admit we abstained from having the ‘chips’ with our ‘fish’. I know it’s blasphemous but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Instead we opted for a nice green salad with it.
Barb’s Famous Fish and…errr…Salad?
This place is on Fisherman’s Wharf and it’s an area where people live in floating houses. It’s like a little tiny (really tiny) village in itself. Seagulls are flying overhead and the occasional seal can be seen next to the docks hoping for some left overs to come his or her way. We didn’t see any seals today but I overheard someone say that there was one there just a few minutes before.
Our meal was very flaky, moist, and greasy just like you hope your fish and chips will be. I still think I’ve had better than this in Victoria the last time we were here at a pub that I can’t remember the name of (but I do remember how to get back there) so I might have to revisit that place and do a comparison.
After our nice leisurely meal dockside we decided to walk along the docks and see what else there was to see. Our friend, Jurg, had told us about a coffee shop here that he said was really good and gave us a frequent customer card to take advantage of so, of course, I had to oblige and check them out. 🙂
Chilly after our nice lunch on the docks, a coffee was in order!
I went in and ordered a nice, hot, decaf Carmel Latte with soy milk and it was heavenly.
It was a nice little place too and the staff was friendly and had a great sense of humor as well. The apparently have performers there from time to time and the atmosphere was really relaxing. It seemed to be a great place to chill out and enjoy your coffee and scone.
I think I may just have to visit this coffee house a few more times while I am here. I LIKED it!
Armed with our hot, delicious caramel lattes Matt and I set out to see the city and walk all the way home.
Floating homes on Fisherman’s Wharf
You see, Fisherman’s Wharf is directly across the water from where we are staying. The only way to get back there is to take the water taxi or walk all the way around. We opted for the walk all the way around option because of the aforementioned weight that we need to lose and the fact that it’s a beautiful city and a beautiful day.
I have a fascination with the floating houses here. I think it’s really cool but I don’t think I would be able to live in one. I think the constant rocking might really mess up my already messed up ear. Heck, I start rocking when I am on land. I can’t imagine what it would be like if that was a regular thing with my house! Geez!
Nautical Delights!
Solar Powered Trash Compactor
Some of the boats here are gorgeous as well. As we walked along the waterside trail we found things that I’ve never seen before like have you ever seen a solar powered trash compactor? Well, I can now officially say that I have. Quite a great idea too in my opinion!
In town we noticed that the few protesters mentioned earlier had apparently recruited some of their friends and were marching down the main thorough fare to the Parliament building.
Protestors in Victoria, BC – Oct. 15th, 2011
More Protestors, Victoria BC – Oct. 15th, 2011
Police had a few roads blocked off for their safety and all in all it was a peaceful protest.
I can’t say that I completely GET what all these protesters are trying to accomplish but I will give them an A for doing something…what that is exactly I am not sure but it’s something I guess.
We gawked with the rest of the tourists and snapped photos and video reading the signs that they carried. Some I have to admit didn’t make much sense really but I am not really into politics so maybe I just don’t get it. I am okay with that so no need to teach me a history lesson or give me any political opinions here. It’s my blog and I am just saying what went through my mind in my own space. It’s all good. I am all about peace and I was glad that everyone was allowed to express themselves freely, safely, and without violence.
We continued our leisurely walk back to our friend’s condo with a brief stop off at the local Stop & Save to gather some groceries for some recipes I want to make for all of us this coming week.
Upon arrival back to the condo we decided that we probably should work out in the gym BEFORE we got too comfortable.
So down to the gym we went and put in a nice hour long workout complete with some weight lifting.
Having completed a great day of exercise and fresh air I decided to make some granola tonight which was a request from our host. His supply was running low and his wife was out of town. So here’s a picture of the finished granola.
Crunchy, Vanilla-Cranberry Granola
Well after that day there was nothing left to do but make dinner, pour a glass of wine, and watch several episodes of the fourth season of Boston Legal! Ah…what a nice day!
Stay tuned for more adventures in Victoria!
A Lifetime Of Travel Adventures 