Harbor Tour – Victoria, BC, Canada 8/23/2013

AUGUST 23, 2013 (Friday)

 

Michael and I were thinking about going to Undersea Gardens today, but after reading the reviews and having been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium many times, we decided to go on a harbor tour instead. We parked near the CoHo Ferry terminal ($5.00 CAN for two hours) and walked down to the inner harbor ticket area. We took the Gorge tour with Paul. We got the old people discount and it cost us $48.00 CAN. Paul was very informative and showed us old homes, told us stories of days gone by, and pointed out many interesting things during the one hour tour. He answered all our many questions. Paul said he was born and raised in the Victoria BC area. It was a fun and gentle tour. (We were a little worried Michael would get seasick). We even got to hear the sirens sounding on the “blue bridge” because they were raising it to let a barge pass.

Not our boat, but one just like it.
Not our boat, but one just like it.
Paul, our knowledgeable and fun tour guide.
Paul, our knowledgeable and fun tour guide.
Hippo Tour Bus.  It is also a boat, obviously.
Hippo Tour Bus. It is also a boat, obviously.
Paul explained that in summer there are over one hundred take offs and landings.  Until the mid 1970's there were no real rules.  He said it was mad,  Planes, pleasure craft, commercial boats all going this way and that.
Paul explained that in summer there are over one hundred take offs and landings. Until the mid 1970’s there were no real rules. He said it was mad, planes, pleasure craft, commercial boats all going this way and that.
Paul said they finally made rules, established take off and landing lanes and installed a air traffic tower.  Much better now.
Paul said they finally made rules, established take off and landing lanes and installed an air traffic tower. Much better now.
Delta Hotel, built on a year round First Nations Settlement that was actively lived on until 1910.
Delta Hotel, built on a year round First Nations Settlement that was actively lived on until 1910.
The two glass buildings, greenish in color are award winning green buildings.
The two glass buildings, greenish in color, are award winning green buildings.
This is a huge barge full of flattened junked cars.  Paul told us that one of these a month is towed to Portland, Oregon where there is a smelter and they are melted down and sold as ingots to manufacturers.
This is a huge barge full of flattened junked cars. Paul told us that one of these a month is towed to Portland, Oregon where there is a smelter and they are melted down and sold as ingots to manufacturers.
Totem in front of the green buildings.
Totem in front of the green buildings.
Lots of recreational boating up the Gorge Tour.
Lots of recreational boating up the Gorge Tour.
Tillicum Bridge.  End of the navigable portion of the inlet.
Tillicum Bridge. End of the navigable portion of the inlet.
High water mark where the land living vegetation is burnt by the salt water at high tide.
High water mark where the land living vegetation is burnt by the salt water at high tide.
Can you spot the Blue Heron?
Can you spot the Blue Heron?
Can you spot the Blue Heron?
Can you spot the Blue Heron?
Can you spot the Blue Heron?
Can you spot the Blue Heron?
Paddle boater.  Appears to be a good exercise for tightening up the glutes!
Paddle boater. Appears to be a good exercise for tightening up the glutes!
The Lady Lola, a private yacht that belongs to a fellow from the US, Mr Hagadone, big in golf courses, publishing and real estate, has 6 cabins, up to 10 guest and a crew of 15. Jacuzzi Pool with waterfall, can host up to 120 for in port party.  Available for charter if you google it.  Named after wife, Lola.  Heliport too.
The Lady Lola, a private yacht that belongs to a fellow from the US, Mr Hagadone, big in golf courses, publishing and real estate.  Yacht has 6 cabins, up to 10 guest and a crew of 15. Jacuzzi Pool with waterfall, can host up to 120 for in port party. Available for charter if you google it. Named after wife, Lola. Heliport too.
Our ride back to Port Angles next Monday, the Coho Ferry.
Our ride back to Port Angles next Monday, the Coho Ferry.
Pirate Training Ship.  Sails out of Fisherman's Wharf, staffed with drama students, participants are taught how to sword fight and act like Johnny Depp.
Pirate Training Ship. Sails out of Fisherman’s Wharf, staffed with drama students, participants are taught how to sword fight and act like Johnny Depp.
Lots of sea planes.
Lots of sea planes.
Draw bridge up.
Draw bridge up.

After the tour we walked the inner harbor path, saw the Copper Cowgirl and others, and then went into the Robert Bateman Museum. We didn’t want to pay the approximately $12.00 CAN per person to go into the art show, but we did stay and watch the five minute movie about him. Fascinating guy. Love his work. Will be looking out for it from now on. Wish we had time to go to Salt Springs Island and look him up. After leaving the museum we watched cars going into the belly of the Coho ferry for their trip to Port Angeles, Washington.

Edie gave her 2 dollars.  She was really good at standing still.
Edie gave her 2 dollars. She was really good at standing still.

Driving into the belly of the beast.  Next Monday morning it will be our turn.
Driving into the belly of the beast. Next Monday morning it will be our turn.

Next we drove down and got lunch at Finest at Sea (where else?). So good. Michael and I split a two piece but asked for extra crisp fries. Excellent. Gonna miss it and will definitely crave it until we can get back up here. Michael said he’s going to look for a small fish market associated with a small restaurant on the East Coast and see if his theory is correct. So far we’re two for two – Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing, and Finest at Sea in Victoria, BC, Canada.

When we finished lunch, and finished feeding the crows the crumbs, we left and just drove. Saw some kites flying and decided it was a park but mostly a dog park as all the dogs were having much more fun than their humans. Michael saw the white dome thing again on the hill and was determined to figure out where it was and what it was. We did find it and a nice neighbor said it was a weather station at one time but it’s now a park. He said it was a nice walk if you like scrambling over rocks. We sure enjoyed the view from that vantage point tho. Spectacular.

The Coho Ferry going into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The Coho Ferry going into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
For Edie, a U shaped canyon carved out by a retreating glacier about 11,000 years ago.
For Edie, a U shaped canyon carved out by a retreating glacier about 11,000 years ago.

Shakespeare in the tents.  The first annual Shakespeare festival in Victoria.
Shakespeare in the tents. The first annual Shakespeare festival in Victoria.
Grandpa with a great kite.
Grandpa with a great kite.
One of 40 in the Province. 27 are still staffed.  Most only accessible from the water.
One of 40 in the Province. 27 are still staffed. Most only accessible from the water.
Used to be an Observatory, then got down graded to a weather station, and now is a seldom used park.
Used to be an Observatory, then got down graded to a weather station, and now is a seldom used park.

 

View near the weather station/park.
View near the weather station/park.

 

Remodel underway.  Really caught my eye as 95% of it is hanging off the edge.  I just don't think I could sleep in a place like this.
Remodel underway. Really caught my eye as 95% of it is hanging off the edge. I just don’t think I could sleep in a place like this.
Great view inland.
Great view inland.

 

Great water view.  Maybe I could sleep here.
Great water view. Maybe I could sleep here.

 

Great views from up here.
Great views from up here.

 

Edie's all weather dream scooter.
Edie’s all weather dream scooter.
Excellent views.
Excellent views.

 

See this type of roofing in Carmel frequently.  We think it is Norwegian in origin.
See this type of roofing in Carmel frequently. We think it is Norwegian in origin.

 

Cedar, aluminum and glass exterior, beautiful.
Cedar, aluminum and glass exterior, beautiful.

 

I was fascinated, near the hospital.  Caduceus, single snake, no wings, around a cypress staff, with maple leaves!  Must be a nod to Aesculapius.
I was fascinated, near the hospital. Caduceus, single snake, no wings, around a cypress staff, with maple leaves! Must be a nod to Aesculapius.
Edie's penchant.
Edie’s penchant.

We are now home, bellies full. That was our day. Hope yours was wonderful!