Brisbane, QLD


Thursday, September 9, 2010

HAVING FUN IN VICTORIA

After visiting the Butchart Gardens in the morning, it was free time so we had lunch on the veranda of the Empress Hotel overlooking the beautiful harbour. Bill even scored a free lunch. He ordered an Ahi Tuna Roll but didn't realise the tuna was raw. When the waitress asked, " How was the meal?" Bill explained he didn't know it would be raw and he couldn't eat it. She said, " I will get you a complementary soup and you won't be charged for the tuna." We were impressed with this service.
Scenic Tours offer a Free Choice activity in most places. There were seven different activities to choose from here in Victoria. We chose a scenic float plane ride. I had never been on one before so I was excited. Canadians have used float planes for many years to provide access to places where roads are impossible. They have played a vital role in the forestry and fishing industries and now tourism.

It feels great zooming along the water.

We flew over the city and over the many islands floating in the sea.

We even visited the Butchart Gardens again but from a few thousand feet above.

After that buzz we had a few more hours left to explore. We hopped on a cute little ferry for a trip around the harbour. These ferries are operated by a group of retired sea captains, who enjoy sharing their knowledge of the area.

The ferryman took us up close to a Harbour Seal and her pup resting on a jetty laden with brightly coloured canoes.

Then we sailed passed a suburb made up of floating houses.

The ferryman had to watch out for floatplanes. He told us it is the only airport where planes couldn't take off because there was a whale on the runway.

After our exhilarating day we relaxed at the Veranda Restaurant and watched the sun slide behind the water and the moon rise over Parliament House. It was a great start to the holiday. Next stop Whistler.

22 comments:

  1. Fantastic - I would love it there :) Fantastic pics - those seals were lazy fellas, werent they!! Love the suburb with floating houses - wow! And whale on a runway! LOve that last photo too. Thanks for the virtual tour.

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  2. I would not eat the tuna either! Love the sleepy seals and the fairy lights.

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  3. I can only but *sigh*, diane. All SO beautiful. I love the float plane and the view of the gardens from the air. Also loved the floating houses suburb. Do they use boats, ferriess or float planes to get to work and back? Have a great day. Jo

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  4. They use boats and they have access to land via long floating jetties.

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  5. These pictures are fantastic. I especially love the white lights outlining the buildings. I can only imagine how that looked late in the evening. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Oh I need to go back and catch up! As usual, your photos are great and your header? PERFECT! I actually have cousins in Victoria but have never been myself..Hmm..need to go!!

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  7. OK, we've been home now for a couple of days! Time to pack again and off somewhere else in the world. Well maybe after breakfast.

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  8. Travel is addictive, I agree. I love your story-telling style, DB. You soo take us along with you - what you feel, we feel. So, where did BB get addicted to the Chateau Neuf du Pape?

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  9. ooooohhhh....you are definitely giving me the travel bug. This sounds like an extraordinary trip! Love it!

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  10. Wow----a seaplane ride and a ferry ride???? Amazing and awesome... I would love to do both of those...

    Don't think I'd want to live in a floating home ALL of the time.... Guess you get used to it---but I'm not sure!!!!! You???

    Victoria is a gorgeous place for sure... I still want to see those gardens in person.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  11. OK - I'm adding BC to my bucket list! :)
    Lovely Diane. Thanks for sharing your wonderful times.

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  12. Beautiful. Raw tuna huh, poor Bill. Thank goodness for the soup.

    That plane ride on the water sounds wonderful.

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  13. Julie.....I have no idea we have never been able to afford it until on the ship where it was so much cheaper. Bring back a few from France.
    Betsy...No I wouldn't like to live in a floating house. It took me days to get rid of my sea legs.

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  14. Nice to see everything from the air as well as from land.

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  15. Very beautiful and interesting ! It looks great from above !

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  16. Beautiful views from the float plane, you really get some great views from up there.

    Did Bill try the Ahi tuna, it is one of my favorites in sushi.

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  17. Beautiful photos!! I'm so glad you went and so glad you took pictures. all of them are great, but that night light one if fabulous.

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  18. To SquirrelQueen. At the Empress Hotel in Victoria, I ordered the Ahi tuna but when it came and I realised it was raw fish I wouldn't eat it. When the waitress came and asked if everything was okay, I told her I didn't realise the tuna was raw, so I was given a lovely bowl of soup and they didn't charge me for either. It pays to stay in a 5 star hotel.

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  19. Float planes, floating houses & floating jetties Wow!! Great aserial shots and I liked your night photo of parliament house.
    How lucky we are to share your photos. thanks Diane
    Mary Bear

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  20. Absolutely gorgeous shots. I love the last one especially.

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  21. Wow! that was a fun day! I LOVE the seals!

    Dad, raw tuna is delicious! did you try it? ;)

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  22. Wonderful...I so enjoy your holidays...:))

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