We have just spent a fabulous Easter weekend in Victoria, our first visit to Vancouver Island. Billed as the provincial capital, the home of the provincial legislative government and the earliest site of white settlers to British Columbia, Victoria has been described as "more English than England". Well, the buildings are certainly grander and older than most we've seen in Canada and the government buildings are pretty impressive. The BC museum is excellent and the city has an English Riveria feel to it with a developed inland harbour, lots of waterfront property, houseboats and lots of greenery, parks and spring flowers. The kids had a great time at Victioria's Bug Zoo. Karenza got to hold a Tarantula (I was far too afraid). The kids enjoyed feeding the harbour seals at Fishermans Wharf, where Houseboat living had never appealed until now. We caught the harbour taxi to and fro and enjoyed High Tea at the Empress Hotel which was very grand, formal and colonial in both style and atmosphere and who served us one of the best cups of tea we've had since we arrived in Canada.
Victoria is a lovely place to visit and most attractions are located centrally so it's easy to walk to everything. It was nice to get away from the snow of the north and browse around some different shops (Victoria has some great bookshops). But was it more English than England? Not really, but I can see why people would say that. Our previous house in Worcestershire was older than the oldest settlers' house in Victoria and the service in the shops and hotels was far too good to be in England but over this last week back in PG I did miss England a little more than I have for a while. Maybe it had more to do with the piles of snow that are still sitting outside our house.
Next up, Vancouver. We're heading down there for a long weekend next week so keep a look out for a blog update after then.
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