Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC

Saturday, September 7, we were not to leave too early from our campsite, didn't have too far to drive to Victoria and we had to come into the new campsites one at a time, not enough room for more than that. We ended up leaving around 11:15 and then stopping on the way with two other trailers at Whippletree Junction, these are speciality shops and restaurants set within 14 restored buildings from the early 1900's. We only got to go into the restaurant, after talking to a couple that are planning on buying an Airstream after he retires in a couple of months. After getting into the campground, we got set up, walked around, we are parked in a marina across from Victoria, so we can see the city and cruise ships coming into the dock, watch the sea planes and the water taxi's. Behind us are parked houseboats, very nice looking, I wouldn't want to live like that though. We had a social hour, dressed like pirates, and watched a cruise ship come into port.


Leaders dressed as pirates


Cruise ship


Houseboats parked behind us

Sunday, September 8, we had tickets for Butchart Gardens, so we rode with another couple and went to visit the gardens, we walked around a few hours, beautiful gardens which are privately owned.









After leaving the gardens, we drove into Victoria, fouled a parking spot I a garage and got onto the double-decker bus, which we have a two day pass to ride on. We had ridden the whole way around the town on the bus, got off and then drove down to Fisherman's Wharf, we had planned to get fish n chips but another person in our group was planning a get together at 5:30, so we passed on the fish n chips and just got ice cream. We had walked around and looked at the houseboats and fishing boats before going back into town to meet the other group. When we got there and saw there menu, which wasn't much, we decided to go elsewhere. We finally got back at 7 pm, all tired and ready to rest and relax for the night.


Empress hotel


Parliament Building


Pirates on a boat at Fisherman's Wharf


Houseboats on Fisherman's Wharf

Monday, September 9, we got water ferry tickets to return from the harbor today. We had a pajama party at breakfast this morning at the restaurant inside the campground, really good breakfast. We then met at the water, three small water ferries came picked us all up and had a tour of the inner harbor.


Some of our group getting ready to get on the water ferry


Unloading halibut, see the tails


A bridge they plan to tear down in the next year


Training sail boats

After arriving at the harbor, we had a free day to do whatever we wanted to do. We had another day on the double decker bus, so we got on and rode to the first stop and got off. We had walked about a half block and went to the Tilley hat store, I had bought another hat made of hemp, seems a lot cooler than the other one I have. We then walked back to the harbor, got back on the bus and rode around town again, different bus driver than yesterday and different points of interest.


Killer whale bush shapes


Chinatown


China school where they teach English


Mile marker 0, Canadian Transcontinental Highway, from here to St. John's, Newfoundland


Navy ship, with Washington mountains in the background


Float plane, plenty of them landing in the harbor

After our ride around town, we got the ferry and went back to camp, rested, did laundry, and talked to another guy in our group. We later had our final banquet in the restaurant in the campground, we could order whatever we wanted on the menu, fish was very good. After saying our goodbyes, we had walked out to see the lights of the town and saw another cruise ship, which they say was leaving at 11 pm. Nice campground right along the water across from the harbor, would stay here again if in the area again. Had a great time on Vancouver Island on the Island Treasures Caravan, it is now in the past.

Tuesday, September 10, we watched everyone else leave this morning, our ferry doesn't leave until 5:55, so we are staying at the campground until noon and then will be pulling out and making the short trip to the ferry. We are to get to Anacortes, Washington around 8 pm, plan to stay at the marina for the night before proceeding onto route 2 to head home. Don't know how often I will be blogging on the way home, will put in when we do get home.


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