One of the things I like most about cities in general is the diversity of architecture. It’s like you can see the history of a place and its people as you wander around looking up.  Victoria starts with the neo-baroque Parliament building and ends up in Chinatown with a smattering of art deco tossed in the middle.  I’m not really a building history buff, so I’m sure I’ve missed quite a bit.  Before he retired, my dad worked in commercial real estate, so everywhere we drove together he could tell me the history of the buildings and when they were built and what they used to be over all the years.  He could have been making it up just to keep me entertained, but I still like to look at all of the old buildings and marvel at them. 😉

Parliament. Busy day today!
Parliament. Busy day today!
The queen
The queen
New government and traditional totem pole.
New government and traditional totem pole.
Very intricate
Very intricate
Orange and blue stairs of the Greek restaurant
Orange and blue stairs of the Greek restaurant
This looks like early 1900's brick just like Port Townsend
This looks like early 1900’s brick just like Port Townsend
Lots of alleys. It was fun coercing Jason into walking down them.
Lots of alleys. It was fun coercing Jason into walking down them.
Mural of the '40's.
Mural of the ’40’s.
Hot dogs
Hot dogs
So many old churches!
So many old churches!
Decorative mural on this old building
Decorative mural on this old building
Fancy old theater
Fancy old theater
Another church
Another church
Love the details over the windows
Love the details over the windows
Columns
Columns
Another brick with advertisements painted on the side
Another brick with advertisements painted on the side
Side of a local restaurant
Side of a local restaurant
View from the water
View from the water
Fire escape
Fire escape
Modern construction scaffolding
Modern construction scaffolding
Art deco.
Art deco.
I believe the Lee's were some of the first Chinese immigrants to Victoria.
I believe the Lee’s were some of the first Chinese immigrants to Victoria.
Starting to see Asian influence here
Starting to see Asian influence here
a temple
a temple
full blown Chinatown! I love how colorful and intricate their buildings and decorations are.
full blown Chinatown! I love how colorful and intricate their buildings and decorations are.
They could be talking about a showroom for exotic cars. Get your minds out of the gutter! ;)
They could be talking about a showroom for exotic cars. Get your minds out of the gutter! 😉