We’ve done a lot of the touristy stuff in Victoria on a previous visit. This time around, we were just looking for some civilization. We walked through the Downtown area, got Joan a Tim Horton’s visit, me a guitar shop, window-shopped, and dined our way around town. After a summer with small town options, this was a lot of fun.
We had lunch at a restaurant with outside tables; again, fun to people watch from that vantage point. Looking at the clothing and the hair, fashion is part of the international feel here. I once read that hemlines were a good predictor of the stock market: shorter skirts means more prosperous times... I think this would be a good time to buy stock. ;-) Or, it just may be due to the beautiful weather - everyone we came in contact with was saying, “This is what September is supposed to be like...”
We found a Tilley Hat Store - fun to look around, but they are obviously stocking up for winter, with wool hats... and it won’t be long before we head back to the warmth. There is a great Outdoor/Expedition store here; it’s a co-op, so you have to buy a membership to buy anything. Fortunately, that “buy-in” is only $5, and their stuff is very reasonably priced. A small back-pack was calling my name. No, I’m not planning any expedition stuff - just something to carry my captain credentials and gear, with room left over for an extra layer and lunch. You know, in case I decide to do this captain thing again.
Our boat is near the hub of whale watching in Victoria - LOTS of boats of all sizes and shapes. Just like Friday Harbor depends on whale watching to bring a steady stream of people in, the Orcas are big business here. We got a kick out of the Orca topiary on Government Street, just outside the Empress Hotel...
I also got a kick out of someone training on the Prince of Whales boat, Ocean Magic; I saw that boat out on the water most days this summer. The guy at the helm, backed the boat out, with some instruction; rotated it either direction; then brought it back into the dock. Almost. The guy doing the training kept telling the guy on the helm to get closer. They backed out and tried it again. Still didn’t get close enough. More maneuvering, and this time he got it to the dock. The guy doing the training said, “Yeah, I think you’ve got it.” Then, they went to load passengers... sure hope he got more training that that!
(Ocean Magic is the yellow boat in the background above)
Izzy got some dock-time in this afternoon, walking on her leash. A woman the next dock over shouted, “Keep her out, I’m on my way!” With that screaming, I was surprised that Izzy didn’t bolt. When the woman got there, after a moment of “oohing and aahing,” she scooped Izzy up, kissed her, and rubbed her face in Izzy’s fur. Joan and I were both shocked... “Should we tell her about Izzy having ringworm?” ;-) Yes, I’m kidding.
About the time that lady put Izzy down, a guy from a nearby Grand Banks came down the dock and said, “I’m a cat person, too.” Izzy was patient, but as soon as he was done petting, she hopped back on the boat.
We had desserts on the boat this evening. There is an old-fashioned soda shop across from the waterfront... I was craving a root-beer float... after that, we came home with some apple pie and a chocolate tuxedo moose truffle. Fortunately, calories don’t count when you are out of the country!
No boat on the other side of the dock tonight, so we have a great view of the Parliament Building from our boat...
2 comments:
Just cleared Customs, but now must go back to get my rootbeer float!
Hi Wilma. We hadn't stopped in that old fashioned soda shop before - no idea how that could have happened! EVERYTHING looked SO good! The root-beer float was wonderful. :-)
See you soon.
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