Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada's paramount political problem is meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services after a decade of budget cuts. The issue of reconciling Quebec's francophone heritage with the majority anglophone Canadian population has moved to the back burner in recent years; support for separatism abated after the Quebec government's referendum on independence failed to pass in October of 1995.
July 24th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria We finally arrived and are glad all the driving is done. Gas is not as expensive as we thought, only $1.44. We had an extra day so decided to take the north ferry and spend the night in Nanaimo. Go ... [full story]
July 19th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria July 16
Victoria to Harrison Hot Springs
From Victoria we drove to Butchart Gardens at Brentwood Bay. But first we had breakfast at a quaint little café called the Seadrifter with the locals. Butc ... 8 photos[full story]
July 18th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria We got to the ferry at 10 in order to insure a spot on the 12:45 ferry to Victoria. We walked around the town and had lunch at Rick's American Cafe. The ferry ride was about an hour and half and was ... 16 photos[full story]
July 18th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria Today was scenic. I realize I haven't been having a very cultural holiday thus far, but I suppose that's fine.
I woke up one minute before my alarm was supposed to go off. Nice timing. After bre ... [full story]
July 17th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria Despite my room being pitch dark and my body oh-so-very-tired, i woke up at 7:45am, after 7 hours of sleep. i showered, realized i thought the hostel would give me a towel, but didn't, and used my T- ... [full story]
July 17th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria We haven’t put anything up for a few weeks now, mainly because we have been working a fair bit and have been essentially living the lives of shift workers. We’re keeping the bar staff at ... 4 photos[full story]
July 13th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria
"AND THE LIVIN' is easy..." Up at 4:45 a.m., off on subway, regional train and express bus to Hamburg Airport (yes, that's what the sign says, not "Hamburger Flughafen" as it would have years ago). ... 2 photos[full story]
July 15th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria So, it turns out I was supposed to wake dad up this morning at 6:00am. But I didn't realize I had to, because I thought he had his own alarm. But we only left ten minutes later.
Graeme was a wond ... [full story]
July 15th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria Dianne retired from her job as an elementary school principal in June 2007. She wasn’t really ready to retire, just not willing to keep up the pressure of being a full time principal as well as ... [full story]
July 8th 2008North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver Island » Victoria ¡Viva Victoria!
Después de una noche de sueño reparador, me encontré totalmente recuperada de los estornudos que me había contagiado pequeño animalillo roncador...
Así que, ahí estaba yo, dándolo ... 7 photos[full story]
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