After sailing to Alaska, our last land trip was Victoria (named after Queen Victoria).
In Victoria, we went to see a free guided tour at the parliament.
Statue of Queen Victoria
Inside the parliament building:
Coat of Arms of British Columbia which was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in Oct 1987.
House of Chambers where the members of parliament meet to talk about very boring stuff.
Colorful stained glass made for Queen Victoria who was a monarch from 1837 to 1901. Our tour guide told us that this stained glass was made during the late 1800s but it wasn’t displayed inside the parliament building until the mid 1900s. To prevent any damage, the stained glass was stored in the building’s basement. However, for some reason, people forgot where it was stored. So after 50 or 60 years later when someone went down to the basement, that person found it. Now it is finally displayed on the first floor of the parliament.
The Empress Hotel is one of the famous and oldest hotel in Victoria.
I don’t know about you but the two trees with dangling arms of leaves in front of the hotel entrance reminds me of Aloysius Snuffleupagus (“Snuffy”) from Sesame Street.
My husband and I decided to tour Craigdarroch Castle which was constructed around 1890 and owned by Robert Dunsmuir who was a wealthy coal baron. He died before his mansion was finished. After he died, his family made sure that the construction was completed.
Some pics of the castle.
Staircase taken from bottom floor
Staircase taken from top floor
Living area
Formal dining room
Another dining room
Tea room
Game room
Some overly cluttered bedroom
While walking around Victoria, I happen to walk by a cupcake store. So I bought myself their chocolate cupcake with strawberry icing
We also walked through Government Street where it is filled with all sorts of stores and restaurants.
Trees cut out as whales
Victoria harbor
Passengers lining up to head back into the ship
Farewell Victoria!
