Victoria, BC

Last Thursday we took off for Victoria BC on the Clipper ferry- and came home Saturday night. To keep my commentary on the trip brief, I will use the "dos and don'ts" list . . .

If you are crazy enough to agree with your transportation planner husband to take the bus to the ferry terminal and home again, DO make sure you have the correct bus fare for both going and coming. This will help you avoid stress and embarassment at 6am and keep you from finding a mini mart downtown at 9pm.

Do change your plans if you agreed to take the bus home- don't do it. If you don't have any West Seattle friends in your cell phone who can pick you up, take a taxi. Because eventually a taxi will take pity on you at 10:20pm trying to drag luggage and sleeping children home from the bus stop and drive you for free anyway and then you will feel terrible (and terribly grateful too).

Do remember your medicine, especially if your medicine prevents you from throwing up on your trip. Note: next trip to Canada, be 100% healthy- don't have the stomach flu, be post miscarriage or pregnant. Just don't.

Do book your vacation package through the Clipper- they always put you in sweetest hotels with excellent customer service! Like the Grand Pacific across from the Government Buildings.
Do go visit Miniature World- one of the more kid friendly things to do in Victoria.

Do "ohh and ahhh" at the Empress lit up at night while walking home late from Chinatown.

Do get up early enough to join the "duck man" at the hotel to help him feed the ducks. Your kids will talk of little else.

Do giggle to yourself when the bazillion Japanese students staying at your hotel act like the paparazzi around your kids and won't stop squealing "kawaii" (cute) at them.


Don't go to Butchart Gardens in October- they still charge $23 per person and your kids may not enjoy it $23 worth

Do go visit Hatley Castle. Your kids may think Princesses once lived there and the gardens there are very lovely and extensive- plus just $4.75 instead of $23!

Do keep an eye out for hummingbirds- they love the rose garden and have nests in the area . .

Do enjoy the lovely greenhouses- original glass and build, just so spectacular

Don't feed the ducks at the Japanese pond and garden
Do sit on the bench in the "Croquet lawn" and just soak in the tranquility and beauty of this place and enjoy the fact you have seen only 3 other people in the last hour


Do visit the Royal BC Museum, it's very much worth it

Don't eat at tea houses, they just don't have the best food . . .

But DO go to Willie's Bakery on Johnson and order a large orange juice. It's worth every penny. In fact, when your kid knocks her glass over you may be tempted to lick the juice off the table.

Don't miss one last chance to say goodbye to inner harbor, such a lovely city and such a lovely day!