Did “work” things in the morning – like paying bills and getting our Worldmark account set up. We are now officially owners of Worldmark and have accounts with RCI, RCI Worldmark, and II. We’re still hopeful we will get more options for resorts during prime seasons. We’ll let you know.
Early in the afternoon we left and went down towards the pier. We ended up parking on the street (very expensive – $2.00 Canadian for 48 minutes). Plus we overpaid, not realizing that there was a 2 hour maximum. Hate wasting money! We walked over to the parliament building and they were having a tour. We were able to get some very interesting and fun information. An actor joined the tour a couple of times who talked and was dressed like she was Emily Carr, from the 1800’s. Fun.
The Provincial Coat of ArmsOur tour guide, Alicia. She did a nice job.1 of 3 large items on the Parliament grounds. A nod to the indigenous people.The 2nd big item on the grounds: Queen Victoria.Tribute to the fallen Canadians from WWI, WWII and the Korean conflict.
A statue made of copper and covered in 14K Gold leaf, George Vancouver.
Inside the Rotunda, looking up.
Corridors of PowerThe Parliament building is full of stained glass.
Grumpy old man at the Parliament building.
Rotunda paintings representing the four major industries: tourism, fishing, mining and lumber.Lots of gold leaf, very well maintained.
Stained glass from Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, put in storage, forgotten for 62 years, discovered, brought out and hung here.An actress portraying Emily Carr in a one woman show appearing twice during the tour.
Tribute to Emily Carr, author, poet and entrepreneur.
After the parliament tour, we walked over to the Empress Hotel and then walked across the street to the tours and information to get some flyers. Then we walked down along the waterfront. Very interesting and fun. Flowers everywhere, music being played by street musicians, a guy painted in all different colors standing and taking pictures with the tourists. All sorts of jewelry vendors, Peruvian clothing and jewelry, pictures, food. Was fun but I was ready to leave.
Edie’s penchantEdie’s penchant
The Empress Hotel. We will explore and photograph it one day this trip.$55. for 15 minutes. The top of the line is $255 for 90 minutes.
Pretty to look at, from a time gone by.Lined up like taxis at the airport.
Edie’s penchant.
Edie’s penchantGreat topiary! Two different bushes to make a Killer Whale.Edie’s ….He was good, gave him a couple bucks.He does a great job of looking like a statue until he scares the crap out of you.
They were having fun, we could hear the silliness and laughter from shore.
E’s….
Edie bought an orange drink from this stand, 12 oz, $4.50Queen Victoria from the rear.There is a matching pair of these on both sides of the walk leading to the front door of the Empress.Water Taxi.
Edie’s penchant.
Edie’s penchant.
Edie was very happy amongst all the flowers!Two good ole’ horses!
We left and headed back for our “cave.” Michael is going to make pizza tonight for dinner.
On the way home a deer burst out of the bushes and ran into our car. Only Michael’s remarkable driving ability, almost un-human spidy-senses, awareness and cat like reflexes saved us, our car, and the deer!
I’m going to watch the finale of The Bachelorette. Hope your day is wonderful!
3 Comments on “Parliament – Victoria, BC, Canada 7/29/2013”
Hi folks. Welcome to Canada. I’m the Canadian who sent you the “Happy 4th of July” message a few weeks ago (can’t believe it’s the end of July already!!) and I have been following your travels ever since. I am lucky enough to live on this beautiful island…..just an hour and a half north of Victoria in a town called Chemainus.
If you are planning to come up this way and want any information for things to see/do just let me know. My partner (Caron) and I would love to meet you as well if you are in the neighborhood and share some timeshare stories. Perhaps dinner…..we do a mean BBQ.
Jan,
Hi, thank you for the welcome! We feel welcome here. So, you’re the one that reads our blog. We want to drive to Port Hardy and absolutely want to meet you. And we would really appreciate knowing what we should see in the area. Inside information is always appreciated. We love to eat, out or in, what can we bring? Edie is hoping to go north next week, how is your schedule? Let us know via the contact page please and then we can swap emails, etc. Thanks for your second comment!
Mike
Hi again. Looks like you are certainly making the most of your stay in Victoria…you’ve been to places I’ve never seen!!!
We are members of the “still have to work class” so our time is a bit limited. Not sure when you are planning to head north but if you happened to start on Tuesday we were thinking we could meet for dinner at the Crow and Gate on Tuesday evening (and we could give you some pointers on things to see and do) and then if you come back through on Thu, Fri or Sat we could have dinner at our house….?
If our dates don’t work for you, you should stop and the Crow and Gate anyway…nicest English Pub on the island with great food and MILLIONS of flowers! Also, when you go up island you must stop at Telegraph Cove….way cool (but expensive).
Anyway, let us know if the dates work. Hope to meet you soon.
Hi folks. Welcome to Canada. I’m the Canadian who sent you the “Happy 4th of July” message a few weeks ago (can’t believe it’s the end of July already!!) and I have been following your travels ever since. I am lucky enough to live on this beautiful island…..just an hour and a half north of Victoria in a town called Chemainus.
If you are planning to come up this way and want any information for things to see/do just let me know. My partner (Caron) and I would love to meet you as well if you are in the neighborhood and share some timeshare stories. Perhaps dinner…..we do a mean BBQ.
Jan,
Hi, thank you for the welcome! We feel welcome here. So, you’re the one that reads our blog. We want to drive to Port Hardy and absolutely want to meet you. And we would really appreciate knowing what we should see in the area. Inside information is always appreciated. We love to eat, out or in, what can we bring? Edie is hoping to go north next week, how is your schedule? Let us know via the contact page please and then we can swap emails, etc. Thanks for your second comment!
Mike
Hi again. Looks like you are certainly making the most of your stay in Victoria…you’ve been to places I’ve never seen!!!
We are members of the “still have to work class” so our time is a bit limited. Not sure when you are planning to head north but if you happened to start on Tuesday we were thinking we could meet for dinner at the Crow and Gate on Tuesday evening (and we could give you some pointers on things to see and do) and then if you come back through on Thu, Fri or Sat we could have dinner at our house….?
Our email is jscb@shaw.ca
If our dates don’t work for you, you should stop and the Crow and Gate anyway…nicest English Pub on the island with great food and MILLIONS of flowers! Also, when you go up island you must stop at Telegraph Cove….way cool (but expensive).
Anyway, let us know if the dates work. Hope to meet you soon.
Jan