Victoria
Empress Hotel in Victoria
October 12, 2002
Victoria is a small little town, which somehow became the capital of the province.
The people are down to earth and treat everyone like a neighbor or friend.
As we entered into the bay on a boat from Seattle we were welcomed by the Empress
Hotel and the provincial building. The sidewalks were filled with people and the
streets dotted with horse-drawn carriages and street performing mimes.
We spent most of the day wandering around the city and checking in for my marathon
tomorrow. After checking in, we took a course-route tour, which gave us a new perspective
on the city. The city sprawls along the Pacific Ocean and is mostly flat, filled
with trees and hardly no traffic. The course seemed longer on that bus than I'd
like, however it was beautiful and moved from ocean views to historic downtown mansions
and small neighborhoods with unique character.
For dinner, we went to the Spaghetti Factory to prepare for the marathon the next
day.
Horse Drawn Carriage in Victoria
October 13, 2002
The marathon took place today and started great, but ended painfully, but finished.
The rest of the day was occupied with trying to walk, hydrate myself, and eat enough
to catch up with what I lost.
We went to dinner at a small English-style pub, where I got a burger and my dad
and I got the pub's home-made beers, which I decided after two sips wasn't
going to help me hydrate.
Parliament in Victoria
Boats in Victoria Harbor
October 14, 2002
We woke early so we could see the wax museum and get out of town to Buchard Gardens.
The wax museum was odd, but a necessary stop if you're in Victoria. After the
wax museum we went to The Empress Hotel for high tea and biscuits, a great tradition
of the hotel, but in no way constituting a meal.
In the afternoon we went to Buchard Gardens, which is very impressive, but trying
to walk took away from the beauty. To me, the landscaping was more impressive than
the flowers and plants, but I could still appreciate the flowers.
Captain Cook Statue in Victoria
Fountain in Victoria
Totem Pole in Victoria
Ship near Victoria
Buchard Gardens
Flower in Buchard Gardens
Flower in Buchard Gardens