Monday – June 25, 2012
We spent a comfortable night at the Empress Hotel and today we had a full day in Victoria to see the sights. Yesterday’s sunny skies had changed to heavy gray clouds this morning. We wanted to see the exhibits at the Royal BC Museum. Here are some of my photos from today:
Entrance to the Royal BC Museum
The museum has an excellent exhibit about the history and life of the first people who lived in what is now called British Columbia. There were many artifacts on display including totem poles, tools, clothing, and possessions which showed how the people lived for thousands of years.
Haida Canoe and Cargo
Part of the First Peoples’ Exhibit
Unfortunately, much of the exhibit was too dark to take good photographs and flash photography was not allowed in the museum. I tried to take as many non-flash photos as I could, but many pictures were blurry and just too dark to add to this blog. You’ll have to go to the museum and see the exhibit yourself.
Early 20th Century Costumes
Another exhibit showed how the early settlers had moved into the Pacific Northwest. The exhibit showed what they brought with them, how they survived and lived, and how they changed the area.
Historic Hotel
Late 1800s Bedroom
Captain Vancouver’s Reproduced Ship
We had a pleasant lunch at the Royal BC Museum then crossed the street to the Parliament Building. We chose to take a self-guided tour so we signed in at the reception desk and were given a tour booklet.
Stairway to the Second Floor
One of Many Stained Glass Windows
Second Floor Parliament Chamber
Parliamentary Chamber
Tourists at the Chamber
Inner Harbor
Lower Harbor
We walked back and took a little rest break at the hotel, then decided to take a scenic drive around Victoria peninsula. We drove along the shore line of the city following the coastal roads. We felt that we really got to see how the local people of Victoria live.
Hang Glider Trying to Fly
At one point we saw some large colorful kites. We parked the car and saw several people trying to get aloft with their huge “kites”. I don’t know if they’re called hang gliders or para-sailors but it was exciting to watch them try to fly!
Two Guys Trying Not to Get Tangled
Taking a Running Jump & Trying to Catch the Wind
And Up He Went!
He Went Higher & Higher!
A Second Person Was Airborne
Two Flyers
He Made It Look Easy
We watched the people fly for a while, but it was chilly and windy and we had to move on. Wow! That looked like fun!! We continued driving along the shore and followed the “scenic road.” We came to another parking area and stopped to look at the view.
Scenic Overlook Along Beach Drive
Many of the houses along the road were Arts & Crafts cottages or Sears bungalow-type architecture. Many houses had big windows facing the sea. Lots of people were out walking or running. We continued to Rt. 17 and then drove south back to downtown Victoria. As we passed Chinatown, we decided to stop for dinner.
Entrance Into Chinatown
Sign on Fisgard Street
Walking Along Fisgard Street
We were pleasantly surprised to have decent Chinese-American food, despite the fact that the menu still included choices like “chop suey” and “chow mein”. No real Chinese restaurant in New York City serves these American inventions any more.
Interior of the Chinese Restaurant
We returned to the hotel for the evening to rest, relax, blog and get ready to leave Victoria tomorrow. It had rained while we were eating dinner and the sky threatened more rain.
Rain Clouds Moving In
Good Advice