Victoria

August 15-16, 2009
AC1171 YYZ-YVR, AC8061 YVR-YYJ, AC8068 YYJ-YVR, AC100 YVR-YYZ

The last time I went to Victoria was in 1984 for a side trip from Shad Valley, a high school summer program I attended in Vancouver.  At the time I remember thinking it was a pretty boring city filled with a lot of old people.  Perhaps the city has changed or I’ve just aged enough not to notice the old people, but I really enjoyed the city this time.  It had a great vibe with cool restaurants and was filled with summer tourists.  We happened to arrive during their dragon boat competition so there was a lot going on.  We did manage to get out of the city a little bit and explore some of the beautiful scenery.  The fact that BC has had one of their best summers on record probably didn’t hurt as the one thing I remember about BC in 1984 was constant rain.  I think we’ll definitely make our way back and plan more time to tour the rest of Vancouver Island.

Aug 15
Flew from Toronto to Victoria via Vancouver and toured the city

Walking in downtown Sidney shortly after our arrival

Strait of Georgia from Brentwood Bay

Totem pole in Beacon Hill Park in central Victoria

Vancouver Legislative Assembly

Aug 16
Another day in Victoria before flying home to Toronto

After breakfast at Willie’s Bakeryand Cafe; touring narrow Van Tan Alley in Chinatown

A lake in Beacon Hill Park

Some interesting graffiti on the pier; we didn’t follow the arrows

A portable ATM truck, perhaps they’re common, but a first for me

Public art in the city centre

One of the dragon boat races in the weekend festival

The beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway

Terry Fox statue at his planned destination; unfortunately he did not get here

Strait of Georgia from Mt. Douglas Park

Aug 16
Home to Toronto via Vancouver