Day off in Victoria, BC

June 1, 2025

Touristy stuff

Even though today was an off - bike day, I walked over 18,000 steps, almost 8 miles.

I woke up early to do laundry. It is down on the first of 2 garage levels beneath the rooms. When the elevator arrived to return me to the second level, a family of three came out, along with their 3 bicycles. They bypassed the front desk by going through the garage-“sneaky” they called it. We’ll do the same when we depart Victoria.

This hotel has a good breakfast. Good hot options, multiple breads and bagels, fruit, juices and a pancake robot. Not like a good restaurant breakfast but very good for a hotel.

We went to the BC Museum. The Natural History exhibits were exceptional. I also enjoyed a textile exhibit featuring Indian chintz.

Lots of examples with lovely art work. I enjoyed this exhibit; Jim skipped it.

We then walked to Beacon Hill Park to see the world’s tallest Totem Pole. It was really, really tall-127’ 7”.

See the teeny tiny man standing at the base? That is my 6’ 2” hubby, Jim.

At this point we hurried back to the hotel to meet Holly, the sister of our friend Heather. We had picked up a charcuterie platter from a couple in Port Angeles for her as a favor to Heather. She drove over from Duncan to pick it up. But on the way back to our hotel to meet her, Amber and I spotted these delightful rock sculptures in a front yard:

Finally Holly has her charcuterie platter.

After Holly left to go home, we toured the Provincial Legislature building. Both British Columbia and Canada as a whole really focus on inclusiveness as it relates to all of its immigrant populations and their descendants, as well as its First Nation population. This was very evident throughout the tour.

Looking upward at the dome from the Rotunda of Monuments

After the tour we walked through the Empress Hotel then found a pub for happy hour drinks and appetizers. Then we walked along the harbor before returning to the pub next door to our hotel for desserts and more drinks.

A different view of the Legislature building

Later tonight we will go out to try to see the Northern Lights. Apparently there is a reasonable chance they will be visible.

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