Victoria

---

The Travelblog website has limited the number of photos that a person can include with one blog so I decided to do a separate blog dedicated to Vancouver Island and specifically Victoria. We had such a lovely day there.
The weather forecast was not great for Vancouver so we dressed for a windy crossing of the Straits of Georgia over to Vancouver Island. We departed from Tsawwassen, which is named after one of the Indian Bands. Our crossing was breezy but not uncomfortably so and the skies were clearing the closer we got to Swartz Bay which is about 30 miles from Victoria.
Named of course for Queen Victoria; Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and prides itself on its British history, the Union Jack is everywhere. The climate is a lot more moderate than Vancouver’s and flower gardens are numerous and spectacular.

---

Photos

Captain James Cook
Remember him from Deception Point? On his 3rd and final voyage with is ships, Resolution and Discovery he was still searching for the NW Passage when he put into Nootka Sound for repairs and to trade with the native people. With him were William Bligh, master of the Resolution and Midshipman George Vancouver

Trading Pictures
Here's Al on the outer deck of the ferry while I sit comfortably inside!

Welcome
The British Columbia Legislature is housed in the impressive domed building in the rear--Welcome to Victoria spelled out in flowers in the fore ground

Very British
The Union Jack is everywhere.

Empress
The Empress Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in Victoria--and very posh

Boarding the Ferry
Not something I would want to do with the motor home!

Undersea Garden
Found in the Harbor

Statue
Queen Victoria in her younger day

Belleville Street
Couldn't resist

Gulf Islands
The trip back was beautiful. Nothing makes a scene look better than a blue sky

Gulf Islands
I can't imagine living here in the winter time but right now it must be wonderful

Active Pass
Named for the U.S. survey vessel that successfully navigated this narrow passage in 1855. The pass is extremely narrow and makes three 90 degree turns

Straits of Juan de Fuca
This body of water seperates Victoria from Washington State

Wake
As close as I want to get to the back of the ferry