The Birthday – Victoria, BC, Canada 8/16/2013 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

AUGUST 16, 2013 (Friday)

It’s my birthday so we get to go and do and play with what I want all day. I’m loving it. For that reason I decided I wanted to go explore The Bay Mall. Michael hates all things shopping but on my day he can’t whine or complain so I thought I’d go for it. It’s a huge four story mall near downtown Victoria and the inner harbor. It was fun just getting to it.

There is no parking nearby so we parked in a parking lot. Parking here gets to be expensive but we learned of ways to save from a man in the food court area who told us how to park in city parking lots and get a card you can just “fill” with money and use it at a discount. Wish we had known about that three weeks ago. Would have saved us a little.

Anyway, we wandered around the mall area and peeked into stores. There was one store that had tricks and costumes in it. Was fun. Next to it was another store that I thought had clothing that dealt with traveling. I was wrong. It was just high priced clothing. Lovely, but very spendy.

Look out, Edie has been to the Trick and Joke Shop.

Next we went into the mall. Lovely. Escalators close to entry points. Four levels. On the top level is the food court. We walked around for awhile and then went up into the food court and had lunch. I opted for my first try of Poutine and an egg salad sandwich. Michael went with rice, sesame chicken and vegetables. His was much better than mine but I didn’t proclaim birthday privileges and take his. I was good and suffered in silence (this year).

Great, Edie's birthday and a four story mall. — Great, Edie’s birthday and a four story mall.

Edie finally tried Poutaine. French Fries, Cheese Curds, and Gravy. Once was probably enough. — Edie finally tried Poutine. French Fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Once was probably enough.

sesame chicken, fried rice and vegetables, sorry, I was really craving the veggies, then remembered the photos. — Sesame chicken, fried rice and vegetables. Sorry, I was really craving the veggies, then remembered the photos.

After lunch, Edie was kind to me, just a little wandering and gathering.

OMG a palm reader in the mall. With customers!

After lunch we went to the car. Before getting the car we saw the Ooh La La Bakery (another one) and just had to go get my birthday cupcake. Opted for chocolate banana and a lemon. Loving the lemon. We drove a little ways and parked again closer to the harbor. We walked down to the inner harbor, stopping on the way to get two Canada t-shirts (around $12 CAN).

Chanced by a Ooh La La store downtown and her birthday dessert problem was resolved.

We were hoping to see the dragon boats. Apparently they won’t even show up until this evening. The tents for them are there but the boats are not. They were having the opening ceremonies and the blessing. Very interesting and lots of incense. There were also lots of tents selling food and merchandise. They had the area all decorated. Nice.

Photo Op. Grumpy old man with a pretty woman.

Just got our tires marked by a parking enforcement officer.

The whole festival is smoke free. Very nice.

Festival blessings Ceremony. — Festival blessings ceremony.

As we were walking around the inner harbor, there was one statue performer and Just Akron was starting his act so we stayed to see the whole thing. He is very good and I’m glad we got to see the whole thing, not just the ending. Once is enough. He’s really fun and gathers quite the crowd. He had a little helper named Wyatt. Little Wyatt almost stole the whole show. Too cute.

He will lay on his back while balancing the 10 blocks on his chin.

He works the crowd above and below, scales the wall, does some nice athletic maneuvers.

He is of course quite adept at riding the unicycle and juggling.

After the show we walked back to the car and had about 10 minutes to spare.

It was nice and warm in the sun and fun seeing the fingers of fog gripping the harbor.

After that we just drove around for a little bit. We were hoping to go see the Emily Carr House but it is under renovation and parking was not available. Hopefully on our next trip to this beautiful island we will tour the house. We did get to see the outside and the neighborhood so we were happy for now.

Emily Carr Placard. — Emily Carr placard.

On our way back to our cave we saw the most fascinating car, Rolls Royce or Bently. It looked like a diplomatic vehicle with the flags and all. Don’t think it is but it sure was fun to see and imagine the Queen sitting in it.

Nice Car. Lots of fun. — Nice car. Lots of fun.

Us and Canadian flags. — US and Canadian flags.

We are now back home and Michael is taking a nap. I think I’ve exhausted him with all my demands. He only has until midnight but not sure if he’ll make it. Not sure what we’ll do for dinner. I was hoping I would crave something different but I think I’m leaning toward Finest at Sea again. Creatures of habit, or just know what’s good and keep going back. Whatever. Not sure. Will let you know tomorrow.

Also, our son and his girlfriend starred in a film project. We liked it.

Hope your day was wonderful!