++ CANADIAN ADVENTURE ++

This is the 9 July 2004 edition of this page

                     Chapter NINE

	      CHEMAINUS, Butchart Gardens  & VICTORIA
                      

14 August 1995 (Monday)

First thing I did was to prepare for collection my packed case from the room at 6.50am - and then it was making my own breakfast in the room, before making some 'packed breakfast' for the trip. (Like Rolls with Philadelphia cheese and cucumber!) I left my room at 7.25am for going 'downtown' - and then chatted with 'the others' in the lobby before departure.

It was a VERY RAINY morning in VANCOUVER, so I was glad that the 12th & 13th were both very dry and usable days!!

It was a short drive on the coach to HORSESHOE BAY to catch the ferry to NANAIMO on Vancouver Island. Still raining, the scenery was very Norwegian once having left the islands. Also, the sea only had a 200yard visibility!! It was a 1hr35min crossing with this 'roll-on-roll-off' coach/ferry arrangement. Vicky had predicted that our first stop would be CHEMAINUS - as she'd heard from the Scottish people about this. (They currently live there!) We did stop there, and it was a FANTASTICALLY interesting place, with its around-town murals and fantastic artwork. I had a drink and some cinnamon buns - before indulging in much photography in this delightful place.




Chemainus is enroute from Nanaimo to VICTORIA.

Then the "longed-for" stop at BUTCHART GARDENS, even in the heavy rain, was still prettier and better than other gardens seen in the last 30 years. I took many photos, with the lens protected by my own umbrella






The Garden carried a big supply of umbrellas anyway! Even their restaurant has a better (indoors) garden than most OTHER gardens!!

We got an 'orientation tour' on the coach before going to the hotel in VICTORIA. I was NOT at all impressed with the hotel because of:-

(a) the building demolition site outside the window - and
(b) some bad joystick labelling - causing me to almost scould myself.

Due to their incorrect plotting of QUEEN VICTORIA INN (our hotel for TWO nights!), I got misoriented at the start of my walk. Replotting the hotel (different from where Carmen had said) - helped, as did the explanation by a passing local lady.

Even when on touring walks for sightseeing and shopping, having got the correct roads - I found myself , many times, confused by going the WRONG way along them!! That's despite being an excellent 'map reader' - but BAD maps are a 'pain'!

After eating, TV watching and note-making, - I went for a further walk with DIFFERENT MAPS with 'graphics' - and THAT seemed to work better! On that walk, I visited or saw the THUNDERBIRD PARK, the WAX MUSEUM, Tallyho, Black Beauty, the PARLIAMENT Buildings (in the light AND after dark!) a UNICYCLE ACT by the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square and Miniature World (so name but a few!).

In the evening, I watched TV until 10.15pm - including some very good comedians that I'd never heard before. Then it was time for bed in my TRIPLE-SIZE bed. It was VERY WIDE (three pillows wide and spanning 8 or 9 feet!). This could be very interesting with a few 'close friends'!

15 August 1995 (Tuesday)
VICTORIA


Having woken up in my BIG WIDE BED in VICTORIA (the 'city' - not Vicky!!), I reflected on a good night's sleep. I also pondered on what may be a 'demolition site' outside my window. Feared of what may be revealed, I told myself to "leave the curtains closed, Roy!"

Breakfast today was in my room (with my own supplies) and featured Swiss (Kraft) cheese, biscuits, crushed pineapple, golden plums, bananas. I really couldn't have done better with the 'breakfast restaurant'! After the above items, I then had my complimentary coffee and the grapefruit juice (purchased yesterday in town) in its litre container.

Channel 2 on TV was about some Quebec items, involving (1) a discussion on a referendum for its INDEPENDENCE and (2) Ostrich Farming. I also noticed that HURRICANE FELIX has 'spared' BERMUDA as it heads for the Eastern seaboard of the USA!!

I then went on a LONG walk with a better geographical map - with an entirely new route for new roads and photos, - e.g. Beacon Hill Park, the Parliament Buildings, the inner harbour and the plaques commemmorating the creation of BRITISH COLUMBIA as a province in 1871.

Following these, I progressed on to a further-west part if the inner harbour around LAUREL POINT and the outer marina area before returning to the hotel via KINGSTON STREET and the PARLIAMENT BUILDING. I was back in my room for my own refreshments just as the cleaners were 'finishing'. I used my time until 10.20hrs for getting these notes up-to-date. I also spent five minutes to enter my photos in that record-book.

After my refreshments, I went on the days's SECOND EXPEDITION through VICTORIA. This took me along DOUGLAS STREET, northwards from the Hotel,through EATON's Department Store and onto GOVERNMENT STREET to YATES - aand thence to the Harbour's edge and across the JOHNSON Street Bridge. (After I had photographed seaplanes in their approach and touchdown phases!)

On the north side of the inner harbour, I explored that walk and got more seaplane photos (closer to their TOUCHDOWN points!). Then I took my final 'shot' on the current reel (trees and shrubs near the end of the walk on the North shore). I then changed to my last reel (labelled 'G') for my Canadian trip.

I then returned and crossed the JOHNSON STREET BRIDGE, saw the old Rail Station and explored another MARKET SQUARE which skirted CHINA TOWN. I then progressed through CENTENNIAL SQUARE before journeying along DOUGLAS STREET (via a sausage-roll shop, ready for my salad dinner!) to the hotel. I had my own home-made dinner and 'afters' there!

Despite the view from the windows, I opened he curtains to let in light, then the window to the balcony to let in air! Then I partook of my dinner and rest!

The next phase was my PHASE THREE expedition in the city.

Between dinner and the afternoon coffee-break, I had a short walk to MINIATURE WORLD. It gave US & Canadian history in their battles, the European battles, English battles (inc WW2 scenes). Then it moved on to CANADIAN history, including big displays on CPR. Many houses were in miniature (including miniature churches, cathedrals and mansions). There was mind-blowing detail everywhere ( including many battles such as "Bull Run", "Custer's Last Stand", etc,etc, etc).

Then the CIRCUS story from off-season-rehearsal locations, 'on the road' parades, various marquees for various purposes, fairgrounds with terrific detail. All this 'grabbed' and amused children and adults alike (including 'yours truly'!) Everyone found their own personal reasons for this amusement. I then had coffee & refreshments in my own room until 3.30pm.

The next phase was my PHASE FOUR expedition. I went to the BEACON HILL PARK, meeting Vicky and Malcolm just near my start from the hotel, crossing this park entirely down to the south coast. This involved some walks in beautiful gardens.

I took a few photos there. Beacon Hill 'lookout' is a derelict, unsafe structure with warnings against 'entry'. I was back at the hotel by 4.45pm and then it was teatime for refreshments.

It was the funeral for the 63-year-old Micky Mantle, who was apparently America's greatest ever, favourite, baseball player - who died a couple of days ago!

Hurricane FELIX moved from the BERMUDA area, heading for the coasts of the CAROLINAs today. Later, I walked around a small area of VICTORIA, shopping for my supplies for tomorrow.

I finished off thew day by having an evening of TV - chosing the COUNTRY MUSIC with the TNN network. It featured the 'CMA Awards Nominations' and a "Club Dance" on channel 32.

(... continued in the SEATTLE Chapter!)
Let's return to Canadian index for reorientation.

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