Victoria

 Today's cruise was very bittersweet. Bitter because it would be the last of our BC cruises ending a nice  three and a half month tour and exploration of the area. Sweet because tomorrow the kids would meet us in Victoria. The day was sunny and hot and we were astonished (still after two years in the PNW) at all the debris and logs in the water. Constantly watching and dodging gets fatiguing. We dipped our nose into the Strait of Juan De Fuca rounding southern Vancouver Island and feeling we were getting a glimpse of our passage ahead. We arrived around 1:30 just in time for lunch and after the friendly dockhands got us tied up in our double long slip we ate and then I napped. We did some tidying up around the boat before doing provisioning for the kids upcoming visit. We took a leisurely stroll around the downtown area and listened to some street musicians playing traditional Irish music outside the pub. Back at the boat we sat out on the aft deck taking in sunset and watching all the people walking by including a street magician who performed right in front of the boat. This all felt very stimulating being in a city with all of its nosies and crowds and non-nature. I felt very overwhelmed the first day. 

Street Magician In Front of Boat

Empress Hotel 

Street Musicians 

Cruising to Victoria 

Victoria Harbour 

Cute Water Taxi 

Docked in Victoria 

Empress Hotel at Night 

After a leisurely morning we continued with boat chores making sure everything was ready for the kids arrival that afternoon. We took a short walk to the maritime museum which I'm not sure you could call it that. It included some model ships, pictures of gay mariners and a kids play area. They said that they were doing renovations and that the museum wasn't operating at full capacity. Five minutes later (or what felt like it) we were done and made our way back to the boat to wait for the kids. Shortly after we got back we got a text that they arrived and Jeff ran up the gangway to meet them. We were both so excited! Everyone grinning and hugging we got them settled in then made welcome drinks and had happy hour. Feeling cramped from traveling all day the kids wanted to take a stroll so we ventured into downtown and had a drink outside at the Irish pub. Everyone was all smiles and talking rapidly. It was nice to be back together again. Back at the boat Jeff grilled us dinner and it was early to bed for all. 

Kids Arrive in Victoria 

Welcome Cocktails 

Well rested and ready to see Victoria we finished our breakfast and coffee and made our way across the street to the Legislatures Building and took a guided tour. It was interesting and the building itself was gorgeous. After, Sam found us a nice vegetarian place for lunch called Nourished where I had a salad and the three of them had Benedict's.  We proceeded onto Fisherman's Wharf which was on all the must see lists. It was cute obviously touristy community of floating homes and outdoor restaurants. We meandered down the rows of homes wondering how people could live there with so much tourist foot traffic all the time. Feeling it was time for a rest we took one of the cute water taxies back to the boat for showers and rest. 

Tonight's dinner was at Il Terrazzo which had been recommended by our friends in Seattle and also some Canadians we met along the way. The restaurant was cute and charming and the waiter an older gentleman had the sarcastic flare that kept us entertained all evening. After our large Italian dinner we walked the streets a bit more stopping at one or two bars for a nightcap. Eventually we all hit a wall and returned to the boat. 

Legislatures Building 

Ceiling of Legislatures Building 

Chambers 

Bagpiper 

Lunch Restaurant 

Fisherman's Wharf 

Dinner at Il Terrazzo 

Evening Stroll 

The next morning Izzy had to stay at the boat and do some work so we said goodbye and went across the street to check out the Empress Hotel. The areas that we could see were stunning. We saw the atrium and restaurants and several gardens. Jeff had scoped out a place for lunch in Chinatown that was highly rated. Making our way there we strolled up and down the street taking in the little shops and the famous alley. Lunch was a complete bust none of us liking our food and wondering who gave these ratings. Luckily we found some vegan soft serve down the block to wash the taste out of our mouths. Sam wanted to shop on Johnson Street and Jeff and I followed and Izzy returned to the boat to work. 

That night we would celebrate Sam's Birthday which we missed and her friend found us a nice vegan restaurant in order to do so. Be Love was packed full of people and our waitress seemed to be the perfect fit for the place. "For Sure!" We ordered a ton of food to share and everything was super tasty and Sam was happy with her celebration. En route we found a bar to slip into for a nightcap and after one returned full and tired to the boat. 

Totem at the Empress Hotel 

Visiting the Empress Hotel 

Walking the Alley 

Chinatown 

Be Love Birthday Dinner 

One of the main things I wanted to do in Victoria was visit the Royal BC Museum. I'm always a sucker for a good museum. Conveniently located just kitty corner from the marina the three of us set out. Izzy again had to hang back to work but said it he would join us later. The museum did not disappoint and we walked through the history of BC and all of the animals that call this place home. We all thought it was such a nice museum. The rain began sometime after arriving and after we taught Sam how to be a Pacific North westerner and just plow through it. Next we ventured to Beacon Park where we strolled through the lush green gardens and ponds soaking in (literally) the fresh air and foliage of the garden. Off in the distance we could hear music playing. It sounded like upbeat jazz and it propelled us to it. Apparently every Thursday-Sunday in the park they have free live music at an amphitheater for all to enjoy. We couldn't believe our luck and plopped down on the wet bench. Sam needing some further convincing I slid back and fourth on the bench till my butt absorbed what little rain would be left on her seat and she reluctantly sat down. The music was great and the musicians were adorable talking to the crowd in between songs. We waited until they took a  break and headed out in search of coffee. 

We spent some time back at the boat drying off and resting in anticipation of our dinner tonight at the Empress. It would be the kids last night and we wanted to make it special. The restaurant sat across from the library bar where a single musician strummed a guitar coincidently playing all of our favorites- James Taylor, Carol King, Cat Stevens. Dinner was drawn out and special and the conversation and laughs carried us through the night. Not wanting the night to end we made our way back to the Irish Pub and their sister restaurant where we listened to more live music and stumbled our way home. 

Duckling at Beacon Park 

Free Concert in Beacon Park 

Royal BC Museum 

Museum 

Totems

Beacon Park 

Beacon Park 

Turtles in Beacon Park 

Concert in Beacon Park 

Dinner at Empress Hotel 

Street Musician 

Our Marina

Walking to the Pub

Sadly the kids left the next morning. Their taxi arriving promptly at 9a.m. We too took a taxi to Whole Foods later that day to do our big provisioning for our trip down the coast. Tired worn out and fully provisioned we were ready to depart in the morning back to America and Port Angeles.