Victoria, BC – 8/4/2015 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

August 4, 2015 (Tuesday)

I got onto Groupon and saw a discount for the hop on and hop off bus ($75.00 for the 4 of us). We got it and eventually walked down to near the ferry building to get on the bus. Michael had a hard time getting the Groupon to show up on his phone, which was very frustrating as some of the busses came and went while we were waiting. Finally he was able to show the code and we got our tickets. We ended up in a cable car type bus and the driver drove around the island.

The tour guide said this was the world's tallest totem pole. We saw a taller one on Cormorant Island. — The tour guide said this was the world’s tallest totem pole. We saw a taller one on Cormorant Island.

I really enjoy the architecture of Victoria.

We got to see the sea wall where the First Nation people had just recently painted art on it. We saw Beacon Hill Park, the road to Craigdarach Castle, a beautiful cathedral, and so much more. We got off in Chinatown so we could make reservations for tonight’s meal with Jim and Anna. (We found the place where we had eaten last year that we enjoyed so decided on the same place – Don Mee Chinese Restaurant.)

Air traffic control tower for the busiest water runway in the world. Also, the only known airport to be delayed due to a whale on the runway.

We walked around Chinatown for awhile and then decided to get back on the bus but it just whipped past us (ignoring us). We ended up walking back to the inner harbor after stopping for lunch at a local place called Earl’s. Wonderful food and drinks.

Symbol of the Emperor, the world in his paws..

We had a light lunch at Earls. Edie got a sweet drink. — We had a light lunch at Earl’s. Edie got a sweet drink.

Edie and I split a sandwich and fries. It was chicken, melted cheese, crushed figs and grilled apple.

We will be back next year, and maybe sooner.

When we bought the hop on hop off, we also got tickets to the Robert Bateman Gallery. We all enjoyed looking at his beautiful artwork and reading his story. He’s around 85 now and still working. Pretty incredible.

We thought we would be able to catch the Big Bus back to our “home,” but we waited and waited and nothing. As soon as we started walking, it passed us. Good thing we weren’t gambling or we would have lost everything with our luck for that day.

We got back to our room in time to turn around and get in the car to drive to Chinatown and the Don Mee Restaurant. Jim and Anna were already in the restaurant waiting on us. The service was excellent and the food was plentiful and good. We definitely did not go home hungry tonight. The table had a huge lazy susan on it and it was totally full. Such a good meal and a fun time.

Roasted Chicken, almond chicken, vegetables, won ton soup, rice, it was all excellent. — Roasted chicken, almond chicken, vegetables, won ton soup, rice, it was all excellent.

We ended up taking home some food for later.

After dinner, Jim and Anna came to our home for some wine and more conversation. That was our day. Hope yours was great!