TR - Two week land tour of Vancouver Island then Grand Princess to Alaska

[aussielozzie18]

That afternoon, we decided to take a scenic drive along the coast to Mt Douglas.  About half way along near Oak Bay, I noticed a small group of people looking down from the pathway next to the beach.  We pulled over.

 

You may have heard of Neil the (Elephant) seal in Tassie, well meet his Canadian counterpart - Emerson, the (Elephant) seal.  

3 days prior, the authorities had moved him from Oak Bay, 120km away to a remote location on the other side of Vancouver Island to Barkly sound, south of Ucleclet.  Undeterred, this Elephant Seal had then swum 30km per day for 3 days to return right back to his favourite spot on Oak Bay, much to the astonishment of the authorities.

 

when we spotted him, he was lying peacefully and undisturbed on the beach and letting out an occasional snort much to the amusement of the kids watching for the footpath above.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 20 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

View from Mt Douglas -  it was a 360 degree view.  Photo from one side.

 

Dinner was a short walk from where we staying, on the harbourfront at Flying Otter Grill.  I enjoyed my special of the day, seafood chowder.

 

 

 

After dinner, we wandered over to see the Parliament buildings lit up.

 

 

[MicCanberra]

I do love those chowders

[Blackduck59]

Interesting photos, all very familiar. I'm quite happy you had great weather. That being said you were in Victoria and you didn't say hello? 🤔😉

[Blackduck59]

After looking through your photos again, you walked right past a building we used to live in, 2 blocks east of Spinnakers (I used to have a personal mug hanging behind the bar there). The Angle of the photo of what looks like Celebrity Millennium suggests it was taken from Rainbow park where I spent many happy days as a teenager.

Did you go to Butchart Gardens? In daylight and darkness? Afternoon is the best time to go, and stay for the lighted display in the dark.

I'm looking forward to seeing and reading more, maybe you will go somewhere cool that we should see sometime.

[aussielozzie18]

On 5/20/2024 at 7:17 PM, MicCanberra said:

I do love those chowders

Yes, that was the first of several 😋

[aussielozzie18]

10 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

After looking through your photos again, you walked right past a building we used to live in, 2 blocks east of Spinnakers (I used to have a personal mug hanging behind the bar there). The Angle of the photo of what looks like Celebrity Millennium suggests it was taken from Rainbow park where I spent many happy days as a teenager.

Did you go to Butchart Gardens? In daylight and darkness? Afternoon is the best time to go, and stay for the lighted display in the dark.

I'm looking forward to seeing and reading more, maybe you will go somewhere cool that we should see sometime.

I knew you were Canadian but wasn’t aware Victoria was/is your home city.  We definitely would have walked through Rainbow Park.  Such a lovely part of the city.  This was the first visit for the three of us to Victoria so we didn’t do anything this visit that you wouldn’t know about.

 

Butchart Gardens ✅

 

 

Edited May 21 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

The weather was so calm & sunny, I made an impulse decision the night before to book a whale watching cruise.  Booked a semi-covered boat with heated interior and we had a very pleasant couple of hours out on the water, seeing marine, bird & land animals. It departed and returned from Fisherman’s Wharf and our ticket gave us 10% off food on the wharf.  So we had an early dinner after the cruise of fish & chips from Barbs on the wharf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

Last day in Victoria and what a great day it was.  Visiting Butchart Gardens first thing in the morning on a weekday with no tour groups on site meant no queues and no groups of people in the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 22 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

April is tulip time in Butchart Gardens…some lovely close up photos 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Blackduck59]

Nice photos. Good idea to go during the week and avoiding the crowds. For others looking at Butchart Gardens, Harbour Air has announced a fly in service from downtown Vancouver direct to the Gardens. There is a dock right at the gardens. It's not cheap but it does give you the scenic flight there and back. 

In the series from the whale watching, there are some shots of Big Horn Sheep, where were they? They aren't native to the area, so that was a surprising image.

It's nice that you spent several days here because one day as a port visit can't even scratch the surface. Did you get to have a look at Craigdarroch Castle?

I'm looking forward to seeing where else you went on your Vancouver Island adventure.

[Blackduck59]

So  my curious mind was confused by the sheep. On further review and after a google search it turns out they are Mouflon Sheep and were introduced to Spieden Island in the US San Juan Islands. We did a similar whale watching tour and didn't see the sheep, thank you for sparking my curiosity.

Are using your phone for the pictures or an actual camera. You have made excellent use of the light.

Edited May 22 by Blackduck59

[aussielozzie18]

Yes, the sheep & deer were on Spieden island which we cruised past.    The birds were nesting on another island that we cruised past as well. The birds were migratory.  The whale watching cruise was Eagle Winds Whale Watching.

 

With the exception of the close up tulip photos & the sheep (they were taken with a canon camera) all the photos are taken by me on my little XS iPhone camera 🙂

 

Craigdorrach Castle ✅

[lyndarra]

Imagine the cost of printing those photos if it we didn't have digital technology. When we visited the gardens, IIRC, in 2016, everywhere we looked there was a photo to be taken.

[aussielozzie18]

After Butchart Gardens, we headed to the Victoria Butterfly Garden nearby.  The lady at reception “warned” us of the “flirty” parrot which made us laugh.  As expected, lots of butterflies, a flamingo, an iguana and parrots.  I sat down on a stone benchto check my photos and out of the foliage behind me, appeared the “flirty” parrot.he gently nudged then climbed onto my arm before snuggling into me.  Very cute.  Entry fee was a little high but we enjoyed our visit.  
 

 

From there, apparently a visit to Tim Hortons was in order.  Whilst the other two got their sugar fix, I wandered around the small group of shops and found myself a second hand bookstore.  I am currently enjoying reading one of the books I purchased there.

On our way back to Inner Harbour, we passed the signs to Craigdorrach Castle.  I decided I had time to explore as it was only 2pm and from my research prior to the trip, I knew I could walk back to Inner Harbour.  So, I waved goodbye to my family and spent a very pleasant 1 1/2hrs exploring all 5 floors of this beautifully restored 1890s family mansion that later became a hospital for Canadian servicemen and later still a College.   There was no guided tour but a map and enough info was provided to make for a very interesting visit. Reading about the lives of wealthy Dunmuir family for whom the mansion was built was fascinating and there was lots to see in each room.  I was particularly taken with the library, billiards room and the large dance floor - complete with framed dance cards.  
 

After exploring the adjacent castle gift shop, 

I confirmed with one of the staff on site that my planned return walk back  to the Inner Harbour was heading in right direction. I walked down the hill to the service station, purchased a bottle of water and had a very pleasant walk all the way down to the end of Yates St and back to our accommodation.

 

Whilst, we may no longer need to print out our photos, one  of the issues with modern phones, is that your battery can die…So, no photos from inside Craigdorrach Castle  but I highly recommend a visit if you are in Victoria.

 

 

Our final night dinner, we returned to the Flying Otter Grill without a reservation.  Being later this time, we were told it would be a 40min wait.  We were happy to wait outside and within 15mins they called us and advised our table was ready.  Had another delicious dinner.

 

Forgot to mention, we had an enjoyable casual meal one night at the Sticky Wicket Pub & Restaurant.

 

[Blackduck59]

You did hit so many of the great spots to visit while you were here. And you had great weather. As I write this it is another rainy day.

I haven't been in the castle for a while. I'm working my way up to it. Much of the recent restoration work, notably the recreated shutters and the woodwork in the kitchen restoration was completed by my friend and colleague Anthony Belzar. Tragically he passed last fall, much too young. 

[ilikeanswers]

1 hour ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Whilst, we may no longer need to print out our photos, one  of the issues with modern phones, is that your battery can die…So, no photos from inside

 

That is where a power bank comes in handy. I usually take at least one on my trips, though recently I upgraded to an Samsung S24 (ironically because of battery problems in my old phone) and the battery has been exceeding my expectations, though I'll still be packing a power bank on my upcoming trip just in case🫣

[aussielozzie18]

8 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

You did hit so many of the great spots to visit while you were here. And you had great weather. As I write this it is another rainy day.

I haven't been in the castle for a while. I'm working my way up to it. Much of the recent restoration work, notably the recreated shutters and the woodwork in the kitchen restoration was completed by my friend and colleague Anthony Belzar. Tragically he passed last fall, much too young. 

I am very so sorry for the loss of your friend and that I am unable to share with you photos of the work he did especially as I saw the excellent work done in the restored kitchen.

[aussielozzie18]

7 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

That is where a power bank comes in handy. I usually take at least one on my trips, though recently I upgraded to an Samsung S24 (ironically because of battery problems in my old phone) and the battery has been exceeding my expectations, though I'll still be packing a power bank on my upcoming trip just in case🫣

Yes, I definitely need a power bank!

[Blackduck59]

1 hour ago, aussielozzie18 said:

I am very so sorry for the loss of your friend and that I am unable to share with you photos of the work he did especially as I saw the excellent work done in the restored kitchen.

Thank you. He was a remarkably gifted craftsman. He also built the custom case that has the Dunsmuir family silverware displayed in it. He carved the finials and other details to match the original woodwork in the dining room. We will go pretty soon. If you like I can post some interior photos of the castle, although I don't want to hijack your excellent thread with my photos. 

[aussielozzie18]

14 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thank you. He was a remarkably gifted craftsman. He also built the custom case that has the Dunsmuir family silverware displayed in it. He carved the finials and other details to match the original woodwork in the dining room. We will go pretty soon. If you like I can post some interior photos of the castle, although I don't want to hijack your excellent thread with my photos. 

I would love you to post photos!    The woodwork was very special.  I recall the cabinet showcasing the silverware as the silverware was specifically designed with the Dunmuir crest on it and I was amazed at that detail so I spent quite a bit of time looking at it.  The cabinet was beautifully done.  Please do share photos when you get the opportunity of the work he did there.

[aussielozzie18]

After a very enjoyable stay in Victoria, it was time to hit the road.  
 

First stop was Tim Hortons where I made the mistake of ordered a large coffee.  Completely forgot sizing is different overseas to Aus and it was weird not getting cocoa/choc sprinkled on top of the cappuccino froth.

 

Next stop was The Malahat Skywalk.  My family saw the entry prices and wanted to get back in the car…but I wanted to see/experience it.

 

Beautiful driftwood sculptures on display along the elevated pathway to the viewing structure.

 

 

 

Once you reach the structure itself, you slowly climb in circles until you reach the very top.

 

The views from the top were very nice & it was lovely to see the raptors & other birds floating above the treetops way down below.

 

 

 

 

At the top is a meshed square that none of us were brave enough to stand on but it was popular with the Insta crowd. There is also a slide that you can whizz down to save you the return spiral walk.  One of us was very happy to do that.

 

There were seats, a swing and an open fire and a trail walk to return to the car park.

 

The entry was very price but I was glad we stopped here and experienced it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Very interesting 

[Blackduck59]

The ski walk is an interesting attraction. For us even though it is a very short drive from home, we wouldn't go. There is the small issue of heights. I'm looking forward to more of you VI adventure. 

[arxcards]

On 5/18/2024 at 1:23 PM, MicCanberra said:

Tried to steal my pastie from out of the bottom of the bag between my legs while I was sitting on a bench by the harbour. One tried to take a chihuahua on a leash according to the shop owner.

That is a strange place to keep a pastie. 🤔