Vancouver Island Part 1 -- City of Victoria

 Vancouver Island

    After Vancouver, we took a ferry to Vancouver Island. This large island is on the west coast of mainland British Columbia. We actually went over to the island twice during our travels around B. C.  There is so much to see and experience. Here are some of the things we experienced.

City of Victoria:

    The City of Victoria is located at the south end of Vancouver Island right on the Pacific Ocean. It is the capital city of British Columbia. With a population of 91,867 (2021 census) it is the 7th most densely populated city in Canada. The City was named after Queen Victoria but is also known as the Garden City.

Flower Letters grow to make the words "Welcome to Victoria". 

No wonder it is nicknamed the Garden City.

The Parliament Building (1897) as seen in the background here

Many whale-watching tours start from Victoria's harbour.

Tiled statue of whale advertises the tours.

Whales are a theme even in the gardens around the City.

    Mile 0 is located in Victoria and stands at one of the starting points of the Trans-Canada Highway. The other is located in St. John's, Newfoundland on the Atlantic side of Canada. At the time of completion in 1971 it was the longest uninterrupted highway (4,890 miles or 7,821 km), running across all 10 Canadian Provinces. Near this sign (above) is a statue of Terry Fox who attempted to run the length of the Trans-Canada Highway to raise money for cancer research before succumbing to the disease himself at the midway point. Also nearby is a  plaque commemorating Steve Fonyo's "Journey for Lives". Starting in St. John's, Newfoundland Steve completed his odyssey at Mile 0 in British Columbia in May 1985,

Fisherman's Wharf:

      Just around the corner from Victoria's Inner Harbour, Fisherman's Wharf is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. This unique marine destination offers food kiosks, unique shops and eco-tour adventures in the heart of the working harbour. Wander down the docks with your lunch, buy seafood fresh off the boat, see moored pleasure vessels and floating homes, and watch as fishing vessels unload their wares. The most interesting thing about this area is the private homes. They are floating homes or renovated boats. Warning signs at the entrance ask that visitors remember that they are PRIVATE HOMES and respect quiet times and private property. There are some very unique homes.

Travelling in the harbour is done by water taxi.

The "In-Law" Suite. No respect!

A Public Service announcement. Keep everyone save.

High Tea in Victoria:

    There are several places in Victoria that have High Tea. We chose the Pendray Tea House which was just a 5 minute walk from the Inner Harbour. The Tea House and Inn is tucked away in a historic building which was built in 1897. As you can see from photos below, the Tea House has period decor which I love. We spent a leisurely afternoon in the cozy ambiance of time past drinking from delicate china and eating delicious sandwiches and sweets. 

One of the things that I like about having high tea

is the China tea set. Do you have a China set?

Do you use your China? If you do, is it just sitting in a China 

cabinet or in boxes? Why not use it at least once a week?

Al contemplating what to eat first

Yummm! I picked the right one!

Bev enjoying her tea.

Sandwiches and sweets, oh my!

Craigdarroch Castle:

    In 1887, Craigdarroch (means in Gaelic "rocky oak place") Castle was started by the Scottish immigrant coral baron Robert Dunsmuir during the reign of Queen Victoria and is a prominent example of Victorian architecture and reflects the wealth of the owner. The house was meant to announce to the world that Robert Dunsmuir was the richest and most important man in Western Canada. In 1989 Robert died before the house was completed. In 1890 Dunsmuir's wife Joan along with 3 unmarried daughters and two orphaned grandchildren took up residence. Joan lived in the house for 18 years before her death in 1908. 

The exterior of the castle is made from sandstone from the Dunsmuir quarry.

    After Joan's death the castle/house was sold to Griffith Hughes who in turn offered the house as a raffle prize. The winner was Solomon Cameron who lost ownership in 1919 to the Bank of Montreal. After that the castle was used as a military hospital from 1919 to 1921, Victoria College from 1921 to 1946, a college office from 1946 to 1968, the Victoria Conservatory of Music from 1969 to 1976 when it was sold and repurposed as a museum. The castle has renovated back to its original state and is gorgeous. The stained glass windows and intricate woodwork show the craftsmanship of the era. Below are some samples of the interior. 

It was very interesting to walk through this Victorian house (castle) and learn about the people 

and way of life during that time period. I love antiques and I was glad to see all sorts of items preserved for others to see.

China Town:

    China Town in Victoria was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995 and is the oldest China Town in Canada. The 2nd oldest in North America after the one in San Francisco. Between the late 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century it was the largest Chinese settlement in Canada. In 1911, Victoria's China Town was 6 City Blocks and housed 3,158 people.

The Gateway to China Town

The Gate of Harmonious Interest -- 1996 -- is adorned with intricate red and gold decorations that represent themes of unity and harmony. Two inscriptions on the gate, "To work together with one heart" and "To help each other achieve harmony", commemorate the collaborative effort between Chinese and non-Chinese communities in its construction and restoration. The Gate of Harmonious Interest houses two time capsules within its outer red pillars, are scheduled to be opened in 2081 and 2096. Additionally, it features a plaque commemorating the 61 Chinese Canadians who died during World War II,

Even the garbage cans advertise the fact that the area is the oldest in Canada

John Adams was our tour guide. We started at the stainless steel sculpture located in the Capital Regional District Square. It was installed in 2006 that pays homage to the Pearl River Valley region of southern China. The Pearl River Valley is the ancestral homeland of many early Chinese immigrants who came to Victoria.

Al going into the Fan Tan Alleyway. This alleyway is the narrowest commercial street in North America with the alley less than 3 ft. wide in the narrowest part. Fan Tan Alley was named after the Chinese gambling board game with the same name. Originally this alley was the location of opium factories but now it is a tourist destination with shops, museums and restaurants.

Deep into the alley.

A picture of the wooden house occupied by some of the immigrants who came to Victoria. 

The statue of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the revolutionary leader often referred to as the "Father of Modern China". Sun Yat-Sen, visited Victoria multiple times in the early 20th century and the city played a key role in financially supporting his efforts to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish

the Republic of China.

Many murals in Chinatown depict families and community activities. More are below.

The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association opened a free school, called the Legun Yishu in 1899. The Legun Yishu was the first Chinese public school in Canada.

     Victoria had a lot to offer and we tried to explore as much as possible in the short time we were there. Explore your own village, town or city. Find the hidden away places. You never know, you may learn something new.