Victoria, Canada was freaking awesome! Seriously, this place has so much stuff to see and do… We didn’t even scratch the surface of it and are already planning a long weekend later in the summer to come back and catch the things we didn’t have time for during this trip.  We had one day in Victoria due to gale force winds in the forecast. (none of us wanted anything to do with that nonsense!)

Lighthouse at the entrance to Victoria Harbor
Lighthouse at the entrance to Victoria Harbor
Lighthouse. The harbor was crazy busy. Cruiseships, boats, planes, water taxis... it's ridiculous.
Lighthouse. The harbor was crazy busy. Cruiseships, boats, planes, water taxis… it’s ridiculous.
Very brave kayakers
Very brave kayakers
Otter tied up in front of the Empress Hotel. Feelin' pretty classy!
Otter tied up in front of the Empress Hotel. Feelin’ pretty classy!
Plasterman. This guy was good! Didn't even have an ipod.
Plasterman. This guy was good! Didn’t even have an ipod.
The waterfront is lined with street performers and artists.
The waterfront is lined with street performers and artists.
One man band. I should have bought one of his CDs... he was really talented.
One man band. I should have bought one of his CDs… he was really talented.
The Empress Hotel
The Empress Hotel
The Empress. My new wide angle lens still wasn't big enough to get the whole hotel in one frame!
The Empress. My new wide angle lens still wasn’t big enough to get the whole hotel in one frame!
huge!
huge!
Back entrance to the Empress. We went inside to get some tea and to snoop.
Back entrance to the Empress. We went inside to get some tea and to snoop.
Colorful carpet
Colorful carpet
The expansive (expensive!) tea room.
The expansive (expensive!) tea room.
Stained glass dome ceiling
Stained glass dome ceiling
Totem pole in the convention center part of the hotel
Totem pole in the convention center part of the hotel
Ivy up the side
Ivy up the side
Be neat to stay here sometime
Be neat to stay here sometime
Roses in the garden
Roses in the garden
Orca topiary
Orca topiary
I love palm leaves
I love palm leaves
Red climbing rose
Red climbing rose
We did, in fact, stop and smell all the roses!
We did, in fact, stop and smell all the roses!
Hydrangea
Hydrangea
Statue of an old guy. Would have more information but no one likes to stop and let me read signs.
Statue of an old guy. Would have more information but no one likes to stop and let me read signs.
Statue of a guy with a monkey in a dress. mmmmkay
Statue of a guy with a monkey in a dress. mmmmkay
Found this little Mini Cooper for sale at the Empress.
Found this little Mini Cooper for sale at the Empress.
More epically amazing street art!
More epically amazing street art!  This guy does more with chalk on bricks than most people do their entire lives. He earned a few bucks for being freaking awesome.
Same guy. Interesting perspective!
Same guy. Interesting perspective!
Random girl with guitar
Random girl with guitar
Rocks in a coffee shop window sill
Rocks in a coffee shop window sill
Hilarious hodgepodge of magnets on the fridge
Hilarious hodgepodge of magnets on the fridge
I love graffiti. Especially when it's a cat
I love graffiti. Especially when it’s a cat
Dark moody graffiti. Just abstract this time.
Dark moody graffiti. Just abstract this time.
FATBURGER
FATBURGER
Inside one of the markets
Inside one of the markets
We found an olive oil store and stocked up
We found an olive oil store and stocked up
Fountain
Fountain
Very subtle graffiti. I love meaninglessly amusing vandalism
Very subtle graffiti. I love meaninglessly amusing vandalism
Hand with a mirror that says "you are here".
Hand with a mirror that says “you are here”.
I LOLD
I LOLD
I love coffee.
I love coffee.
Rainbow stairs
Rainbow stairs
HA! Survey marker from Canada! I was wondering if I'd find any...
HA! Survey marker from Canada! I was wondering if I’d find any…
Stencil graffiti... Not very original, but still fun
Stencil graffiti… Not very original, but still fun
Seagulls can't read...
Seagulls can’t read…
Water taxis
Water taxis
...you can take the tiny water taxi to your tiny floating house....
…you can take the tiny water taxi to your tiny floating house….
Moose mountie
Moose mountie
Chinatown
Chinatown
Dragon
Dragon
I think the asian districts are my favorite part of most towns. So much fun.
I think the asian districts are my favorite part of most towns. So much fun.
Don Don Mee Mee
Don Don Mee Mee
Sculpture
Sculpture
Really realistic mural
Really realistic mural
Chinese school
Chinese school
City Hall
City Hall
Memorial outside the parliament building.
Memorial outside the parliament building.
Parliament
Parliament
Really a neat looking building
Really a neat looking building

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victoria-27

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My favorite shot of this one
My favorite shot of this one
The entrance
The entrance
Parliament at night
Parliament at night
and now in black and white because I think it's cool looking and I want you to see it.
and now in black and white because I think it’s cool looking and I want you to see it.
Church
Church

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Pretty blue doors
Pretty blue doors
Door handle
Door handle

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I like this one
I like this one
Architectural detailing
Architectural detailing
We snuck inside
We snuck inside
Graves outside
Graves outside
Stained glass windows
Stained glass windows

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Another grave. All late 1800s
Another grave. All late 1800s
Craigdarroch Castle
Craigdarroch Castle

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victoria-46

Underneath the carriage parking area
Underneath the carriage parking area
Door knob detail. They fascinated me this time.
Door knob detail. They fascinated me this time.
Stonework details
Stonework details
Canada!
Canada!
Built by some rich guy. We didn't have enough time to do the inside tour. It would be neat to go back and see it.
Built by some rich guy. We didn’t have enough time to do the inside tour. It would be neat to go back and see it.
Victoria Harbor at night
Victoria Harbor at night
Last taxi in for the night
Last taxi in for the night
Goodnight Otter!
Goodnight Otter!

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Epic end to a pretty stellar day!
Epic end to a pretty stellar day!


 

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1 Comment

  1. Lawrence Mecklenburg June 17, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    Your pictures are AWESOME Ashley, thanks for sharing!