dbd33

In a fortnight or so we shall have two free days in Victoria and are wondering what one must see. The internet makes Victoria seem like the place to which people from Eastbourne might retire but we wonder if it skips over the edgier bits, is there, for example, a Nelly Furtado shrine?

james.mc

That'll never happen

colchar

I want to move to Victoria for the warmer climate and I'm nowhere near 65! Some of us have just come to hate winter...

colchar

England covers 130,395 square km while Vancouver Island only covers 31,285 square km so it is nowhere near the size of England. Even Scotland is more than double the size of Vancouver Island. On the other hand, Vancouver Island is bigger than Wales.

Oink

Not sure if they have small speed boats to rent there but if they do, get some beer and have a toodle around. If not and you're feeling adventurous, rent a kayak and have a paddle about for a hour or so.


http://www.victoriakayak.com/rentals/

dbd33

Kayaks we have at home but the speed boat seems like a fun idea, I haven't been in a stink potter for years. Thanks!

Shard

I should think people from Victoria might find Eastbourne a bit edgy. You might want to consider driving up Island a little, say to Cowichan, and at least be able to compare rural West Coast to rural Ontario. Some nice farmland in parts.

dbd33

We're attending an event in a field in Cowichan. The days in Victoria are so we can see some bright lights before returning.

ExKiwilass

there are some people selling their own art down by the waterfront in Victoria. You might like that, and then you finish up at Milestones.

dbd33

Milestones has been mentioned. I hope it only has the same name as the chain that dominates shopping mall car parks.

JonboyE

The Royal BC Museum is actually worth half a day. As is a whale watching trip (though the whales will probably not be as impressive as the ones in Lake Ontario). If you like gardens then Buchart Gardens is good, if touristy. Otherwise, strolling the parks and waterfront is very plesant.

Victoria is old by the standards out here and has a more compact British feel than the sprawl that is most North American cities. If you want to try being an erstaz Brit then there is tea at the Empress. Not that I would pay that much for a cup of tea and a cake.

There is a reasonable quantity of pubs, many will have music in the evenings. If you prefer to knit some yoghurt that can be catered for too. Although current residents of Eastbourne will find Victoria a comfortable home from home there is more to the City.

dbd33

I've not seen the whales of Lake Ontario but did have a blast one year when we rented (chartered, if you will) a 24' boat and went sailing among them off Newfoundland. I'd be interested to do the whale thing and, since we'll likely be accompanied by a resident of somewhere close to Eastbourne, the gardens might work. Cheers.

JonboyE

A whale watching trip by Zodiac is wetter, colder, but much more fun than a standard boat.

rivingtonpike

Which field are you standing in in the Cowichan Valley? That's where we live. Might even be standing in the same field!

It is a bit quieter out here, but if you like nice scenery, vineyards, the ocean, lakes, fishing etc, it's a great place to live. If you fight "Island Time", you'll go nuts, but if you accept that things are a bit slower than the GTA, for example, I personally think the pro's outweigh the cons.

dbd33

No doubt. It might be a bit much for my mother but we'll see.