When I was a teenager, my mom started buying mail-order candy at Christmas from a store located in Victoria, B.C. My sister and I would argue over who got the strawberry cream, or the chocolate cream. The centers were so rich, the chocolate so smooth and milky, that each piece just glided down the throat. They put Canada on the map for me.
Flash forward to my thirtieth anniversary in August(a few years ago). My husband and I wanted to go somewhere special for that benchmark year. Somewhere cool, because Southern California was in the midst of a drought and continual heat wave. Since I wasn’t quite ready to make that plunge to fly eleven hours to Europe, we flew to what I had heard was another beautiful destination: Victoria, B.C.
We flew to Seattle, and then caught the ferry across. This ferry was only a passenger one, and it was reported to almost fly across the water. My husband suggested I take Dramamine like him, since I had never been on a boat that went out in the ocean and didn’t know if I would get motion sickness. I opted not to, because I didn't want to sleep the experience away.
While he dozed inside, I made my way out to the deck, where a few people with hearty constitutions were also meandering. I loved it. I loved the speed, I loved the wind, and I especially loved the scenery.
When I went back inside, I still didn’t get nauseous. While other people were running fore and aft to the various restrooms, I maintained smooth sailing with my stomach. For the rest of the trip, my husband nicknamed me Captain Jack, of Captain Jack Sparrow fame. He was amazed at my seaworthiness, since he wouldn’t brave venturing on deck himself.
Flash forward to my thirtieth anniversary in August(a few years ago). My husband and I wanted to go somewhere special for that benchmark year. Somewhere cool, because Southern California was in the midst of a drought and continual heat wave. Since I wasn’t quite ready to make that plunge to fly eleven hours to Europe, we flew to what I had heard was another beautiful destination: Victoria, B.C.
We flew to Seattle, and then caught the ferry across. This ferry was only a passenger one, and it was reported to almost fly across the water. My husband suggested I take Dramamine like him, since I had never been on a boat that went out in the ocean and didn’t know if I would get motion sickness. I opted not to, because I didn't want to sleep the experience away.
While he dozed inside, I made my way out to the deck, where a few people with hearty constitutions were also meandering. I loved it. I loved the speed, I loved the wind, and I especially loved the scenery.
When I went back inside, I still didn’t get nauseous. While other people were running fore and aft to the various restrooms, I maintained smooth sailing with my stomach. For the rest of the trip, my husband nicknamed me Captain Jack, of Captain Jack Sparrow fame. He was amazed at my seaworthiness, since he wouldn’t brave venturing on deck himself.
It was sunny when we pulled into Victoria, and there were hanging baskets of flowers on all the light posts. Tourists were everywhere, their various languages floating on the air like exotic melodies. There were yellow Prius taxis clogging the streets, along with pedi-cabs and tour buses. We realized Victoria was a tourist Mecca.
We took one of those Prius cabs to the Fairmont Empress hotel. It’s noted for its tea time, but I wanted to spend our anniversary there, and eat in its amazing dining room instead. Compare it to any Ritz-Carlton that you’ve ever seen, and then add old-world charm and then you might be able to imagine it. It was the perfect anniversary gift to each other.
After staying at the Empress one night (because it was reeaaalllly expensive), we moved to another place right on the harbor, in a bit quieter area. We could see the boats coming and going, and all the tourists parading up and down the main street. We joined the stream of people, and took a “Hippo Tour” of Victoria, an amphibious bus that took us into the harbor as well as around the town. We had an amazing tour guide who made all of us feel like family.
I encourage everyone to at least take one such tour when they visit a new place. You get a complete overview of the area, that highlights places you may want to go to on your own. We saw totem poles, giant cruise ships that go to Alaska, and the Canadian Parliament buildings that you have to go back and see at night, when they are all lit up. Stunning.
We took one of those Prius cabs to the Fairmont Empress hotel. It’s noted for its tea time, but I wanted to spend our anniversary there, and eat in its amazing dining room instead. Compare it to any Ritz-Carlton that you’ve ever seen, and then add old-world charm and then you might be able to imagine it. It was the perfect anniversary gift to each other.
After staying at the Empress one night (because it was reeaaalllly expensive), we moved to another place right on the harbor, in a bit quieter area. We could see the boats coming and going, and all the tourists parading up and down the main street. We joined the stream of people, and took a “Hippo Tour” of Victoria, an amphibious bus that took us into the harbor as well as around the town. We had an amazing tour guide who made all of us feel like family.
I encourage everyone to at least take one such tour when they visit a new place. You get a complete overview of the area, that highlights places you may want to go to on your own. We saw totem poles, giant cruise ships that go to Alaska, and the Canadian Parliament buildings that you have to go back and see at night, when they are all lit up. Stunning.
Of course, we went to the Butchart Gardens, and spent an entire day there, roaming all the different areas, sitting and enjoying the quiet beauty. Although, it really wasn’t all that quiet. There were tons and tons of tourists moving along the paths with us. It reminded me of the crowds at California beaches in the summer. And the weather was just as delightful, never touching eighty degrees.
You shouldn’t miss the downtown shopping area, where you can buy sweaters from Ireland, specialty teas, and souvenirs galore, as well as stop in for a spot of tea. And don’t forget the Canadian maple syrup. Once you’ve tasted it, you’ll be spoiled for anything else.
You shouldn’t miss the downtown shopping area, where you can buy sweaters from Ireland, specialty teas, and souvenirs galore, as well as stop in for a spot of tea. And don’t forget the Canadian maple syrup. Once you’ve tasted it, you’ll be spoiled for anything else.
Oh, and that candy store I mentioned at the beginning of this piece? We visited it, in the downtown shopping area, and bought candy for everyone back home. And it was almost as good as when my mom ordered it. Almost. It would have been better if she’d been alive for me to hand deliver it to her. Thank you, Mom, for sparking my curiosity that sent me on one heck of a wonderful anniversary vacation.
Have you been to Victoria? I would love to hear about your experiences, especially since I want to go back. Tell me about something I've missed, so I won't the next time.
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