We have now said goodbye to the peace quiet and tranquillity of our holiday – Gillian & David are on board!

Stanley Park

We met them off their cruise ship, just outside the Pan Pacific hotel by Canada Place, Vancouver and headed off for a morning of fresh air at Stanley Park.  We all had fun walking the sea wall, playing in the Splash Park and exploring the First Nations Exhibit which included a story telling train journey through the forest.  We learnt all about the tale of Evil Chief, how he decimated the forests natural reserves and how the Sasquatch, the forests’ protector, saved the day by making him tread in one of his footprints thus turning the Evil Chef into a Sasquatch too.

We didn’t have long at Stanley Park as we had to catch our afternoon ferry crossing from Tswaassen to Swartz Bay, Vancouver Island.  So after grabbing some lunch at White Spot, a BC institution, we boarded for a crossing filled with spectacular scenery.

Victoria Harbour

Our accommodation for our time in Victoria was a condo overlooking the Inner Harbour, a great location.  Everything was in walking distance.  After a good night’s sleep and some well-earned rest from all the travelling we spent a lazy morning wandering around Victoria, exploring the harbour and a couple of the shops.  The highlight of the morning was definitely the Old Soda Shop, where Jack had his first ever proper milkshake made with ice-cream.    Jack thinks milkshakes are ‘good’.

Our final day in Victoria was jam packed with activities.  We started off on the early whale watching tour – a mother and calf humpback whales were the highlights but we did also see some sea lions, bald eagles and an elephant seal.  Following a lunch at another Canadian institution, Denny’s, we headed up to Butchart Gardens and enjoyed the stunning landscaping displays, the carousel and because it was a hot day, some ice-cream.  We finished the day off at a lovely Brewpub called Spinnakers for dinner and a few jars.  Jack managed to charm the servers and end the night with hugs from two of them!

Moving off in the morning to further up the Island on the west coast and the Pacific Rim National Park – more amazing scenery to follow I think!

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