Victoria, BC

By eight o’clock we were aboard the 340 ft Coho Ferry which could hold 1,000 passengers and 150 vehicles.  We departed Port Angeles, passports in hand, with views of Mount Olympus at our stern as we headed north across Juan De Fuca Straights to Victoria, BC.  Boats and seaplanes were everywhere as well as harbor taxis.

In the late 1850’s Victoria was a small seaport town of 200 residents.  When gold was discovered in 1858, it boomed to 20,000 in a few months and had not looked backed.  Today it is the capital of British Columbia and tourism is second only to the booming technology industry.  It is a mix of old and new with many fine Victorian homes and businesses dating to the 1800s.  It is a favorite destination for tourists and Canadian retirees as well partly due to its mild climate since it is surrounded by water on three sides.   We toured the city and surrounding area via the big red bus, which gave us an understanding of its history and essence of the Garden City.

The Empress Hotel (1908) and Parliament Building (1897) were stunning structures overlooking the inner harbor.   

Parliament was in session, but we were able to tour the first two floors.  The high ceilings and walls were trimmed with classic moldings with gold and silver leaf highlights.  From the dome murals to the stained-glass windows, it was a proper English government building. 

Throughout the area there were many tributes to The First People of Canada.

  By the time we boarded the return ferry, the winds were up and the straits were rolling with 4-5 ft seas.  At times the waves broke over the bow and drenched the viewing windows.  It was great fun for us, but a few people looked a little green.