Victoria Splash – Victoria, BC, Canada 8/4/2013
AUGUST 4, 2013 (Sunday)
Today was a day of – food, fun, fellowship, fireworks, and symphony. It was the 24th annual Victoria Splash Symphony fund raiser. We got up early and went to the Dollar Tree, which in California is $1, but in Canada it’s called Dollar Giant and things are $1.25. After that we found a parking lot near Chinatown and parked for the day. Lots of activities going on, including a Tango Festival. It was quite the walk down to the harbor but we got to experience and see things we didn’t know were around.
First off, we saw this huge metal globe set in water that you can turn and move around. Near that area is Chinatown, which was kind of fun and reminded of us our time in China and Japan with the open boxes of fruit and vegetables on the sidewalk and the side alleys.
After that we walked down towards the harbor and encountered more wonderful musicians, The O’Brien Family, great.
We walked down to the harbor and had lunch at Milestones. It was rated number 45 of 855 restaurants. Great food. A little pricey but the quality of food was wonderful and the presentation was lovely. We were seated at an outside table near the pedestrian walkway. It was weird with people walking by glaring at and wanting your food.
After lunch we waddled across the street to the Empress Hotel and walked around, peeked into the high tea room (where we want to go soon), walked through the conference center, around the corner, and then I went into Miniature World. Michael didn’t want to go. Because we are members of AAA, the price was discounted to $11.35. It was not what I was thinking it would be, but it was good to see once. I think I was hoping for more miniature house things you could buy, or unusual ones you would want in your own miniature home.
After that we wandered back to the harbor and went looking for a spot to “roost” until the symphony started. By this time it was around 4 PM. Michael wanted to stay at the Empress Hotel, on the lawn. I was glad we went walking because we found the perfect spot on a bench in the shade, in the inner harbor, near the stairs where all the musicians and bag pipes came down after their parade.
During this whole time we had been talking to some “local” Victorians. The first was Maggie. She was visiting from Vancouver and staying with a friend. After Maggie left to get something to eat, two women sat down. They were very well traveled and knowledgeable. They told us all about the bombing attempt on parliment. During this time three people brought their chairs and set up near us. They were a font of information on what to see, where to go, what was good, etc. You could feel their enthusiasm and love of the island. What fun and great information we got from them. Felt like I had known them for years.
The Maestra was fun and animated, the symphony was fantastic, and the best was the 1812 Overture when they fired cannons and had fireworks. Just a perfect, perfect day. What a beautiful setting for this special event. After the “finale,” the bagpipers came out and played two songs, one of which was Amazing Grace. Perfection.
Perfect day. Loved it. Hope your day was perfect too.
So happy to have met both of you at the Symphony Splash! Delightful company! Happy travels and do come again next year….
It was a delight meeting you, your sister Donna, and Thorne. Please keep in touch, hope you enjoy the blog.
Love this entry and look forward to following your progress as you head up island. It’s a glorious nature trek wherever you go…enjoy!