Victoria

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The Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum is the quintessential museum every big city has with exhibits about the geological and human history of the province. It is seriously over rated and over priced. At $15, its price is only second to the Royal Ontario Museum (well worth its $22 ticket fee) and a joke when compared to the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s $12. I know what I sound like, the jaded, ‘been there, done that’  traveler, but I do feel that I my observations are valid. Someone visiting the RBC museum who has never been to this type of museum would definitely get a lot out of it and find the entry fee worthwhile. A seasoned traveler might read this and decide to save their money for something else.

So, the RBC has two levels of exhibits with an Imax theatre (not included in the basic $15 ticket fee). The first exhibit floor is about the geological history of BC and the second level is about the history of the native people and settlers of the province. The exhibits were extremely well done and up to date; I was really impressed with a lot of the dioramas and the occasional touch screen information panels. Money is definitely well spent at the RBC museum.

The highlight of the museum for me was the theatre in ‘old town’ that played a scene from the Charlie Chaplin movie The Gold Rush, which I had never seen! Everyone was in stitches watching him and a friend try to get out of a house teetering on the edge of a cliff.

Flash photography isn’t allowed in museums and the RBC is kept very dark, so I only got a few shots worth sharing, but they will provide a good taste of this museum:

this magnificent mammoth is the first exhibit you'll see

this magnificent mammoth is the first exhibit you’ll see

this plaque is about the 2003 Kelowna forest fire and was included to show just how up to date the exhibits are

this plaque is about the 2003 Kelowna forest fire and was included to show just how up to date the exhibits are

this guy is a gigantic pine beetle, the scourge of the lumber industry

this guy is a gigantic pine beetle, the scourge of the lumber industry

a plaque about the pine beetle

a plaque about the pine beetle

this is an interactive touch screen; pressing the yellow button brings up new information

this is an interactive touch screen; pressing the yellow button brings up new information

I thought this was a good explanation of the difference between climate and weather

I thought this was a good explanation of the difference between climate and weather

this exhibit was about climate extremes in BC

this exhibit was about climate extremes in BC

Ashcroft BC is the driest place in Canada other than the Arctic

Ashcroft BC is the driest place in Canada other than the Arctic

this is exhibit is about the hardy Sitka spruce, the only deciduous tree capable of withstanding the harsh coastal Pacific climate

this is exhibit is about the hardy Sitka spruce, the only deciduous tree capable of withstanding the harsh coastal Pacific climate

I liked this walrus

I liked this walrus

an exhibit that made me realise just how hardy are creatures who live on exposed beaches

an exhibit that made me realise just how hardy are creatures who live on exposed beaches

an exhibit about the return of sea otters to BC

an exhibit about the return of sea otters to BC

the differences between sea and river otters (sea otters are the cute ones who float on their backs and use their chests as tables)

the differences between sea and river otters (sea otters are the cute ones who float on their backs and use their chests as tables)

I thought this cliff with seagulls was well done

I thought this cliff with seagulls was well done

an exhibit about the Fraser River, which drains one quarter of BC

an exhibit about the Fraser River, which drains one quarter of BC

This marsh exhibit with lots of birds was impressive. I learned that the reddish brown plumage is rust caused by iron-rich soil.

This marsh exhibit with lots of birds was impressive. I learned that the reddish brown plumage is rust caused by iron-rich soil.

Alaska king crab. Yum!!! (weird since spiders give me the willies!)

Alaska king crab. Yum!!! (weird since spiders give me the willies!)

this exhibit was well done; it is a wall covered with sea creatures that you view through a 'port hole'

this exhibit was well done; it is a wall covered with sea creatures that you view through a ‘port hole’

orca tooth

orca tooth

view of the Netherlands carillon from the 2nd floor

view of the Netherlands carillon from the 2nd floor

view of the Legislative Building from the 2nd floor

view of the Legislative Building from the 2nd floor

view of the Empress Hotel from the 2nd floor

view of the Empress Hotel from the 2nd floor

this man greets you at the entrace to the First Nations exhibit

this man greets you at the entrace to the First Nations exhibit

this exhibit is about the smooth black shale-like stone used for carving

this exhibit is about the smooth black shale-like stone used for carving

there was lots...

there was lots…

and LOTS to see! Impressive works of art!

and LOTS to see! Impressive works of art!

more about the stone

more about the stone

interior of a real lodge house that was relocated to the museum

interior of a real lodge house that was relocated to the museum

interior of a real lodge house that was relocated to the museum

interior of a real lodge house that was relocated to the museum

hall of totems

hall of totems

ceremonial dress

ceremonial dress

this exhibit was about how small pox decimated the First Nations population because of their lack of immunity

this exhibit was about how small pox decimated the First Nations population because of their lack of immunity

this exhibit was about the prohibition of potlachs--extravagant gift giving exchanges that marked changes in power

this exhibit was about the prohibition of potlachs–extravagant gift giving exchanges that marked changes in power

this man accused of celebrating a potlach insisted that it was actually a Christmas celebration, but the authorities still jailed him

this man accused of celebrating a potlach insisted that it was actually a Christmas celebration, but the authorities still jailed him

This plaque talks about marriages between important families being more about treaties and wealth than about love. Sounds rather 'European' to me...

This plaque talks about marriages between important families being more about treaties and wealth than about love. Sounds rather ‘European’ to me…

ceremonial dress

ceremonial dress

The following plaques are about the Nisga'a Treaty, a major milestone in Canadian-First Nations history. It is the first step in redressing the many wrongs of the Indian Act.

The following plaques are about the Nisga’a Treaty, a major milestone in Canadian-First Nations history. It is the first step in redressing the many wrongs of the Indian Act.

CIMG0059

CIMG0060

CIMG0061

CIMG0062

CIMG0063

CIMG0064

CIMG0065

CIMG0066

CIMG0067

CIMG0069

CIMG0070

as part of the treaty, the RBC has sent back many exhibits to the Nisga'a people

as part of the treaty, the RBC has sent back many exhibits to the Nisga’a people

this was a rock carving that spawned the legend of the man who fell from the sky... and lived to tell the tale (another visitor an I had a mad laugh about this man!)

this was a rock carving that spawned the legend of the man who fell from the sky… and lived to tell the tale (another visitor an I had a mad laugh about this man!)

plaque about the pit house

plaque about the pit house

pit house, showing the 'staircase' used to climb out of the smoke hole

pit house, showing the ‘staircase’ used to climb out of the smoke hole

pit house interior

pit house interior

pit house exterior showing poles covered with mud

pit house exterior showing poles covered with mud

a shawl (?)

a shawl (?)

plaque about the Slim Jim painting

plaque about the Slim Jim painting

The Slim Jim painting that once hung in the BC Legislature (it is worth Googling more about it)

The Slim Jim painting that once hung in the BC Legislature (it is worth Googling more about it)

entrance to old town

entrance to old town

a 1920's ice cream churn

a 1920’s ice cream churn

love the image :)

love the image 🙂

June 1945

June 1945

This exhibit about the 1990's features a poster of Vancouver's Bryan Adams, my favourite singer of that decade

This exhibit about the 1990’s features a poster of Vancouver’s Bryan Adams, my favourite singer of that decade

a 1990's cell phone

a 1990’s cell phone

real floppy discs!

real floppy discs!

a VHS camera!

a VHS camera!

Leonardo! My Little Pony! NINTENDO! (And I can't believe I remembered that the Ninja Turtle with the blue is Leonardo!)

Leonardo! My Little Pony! NINTENDO! (And I can’t believe I remembered that the Ninja Turtle with the blue is Leonardo!)

a walkman!

a walkman!

a Discman!

a Discman!

a Victorian toilet

a Victorian toilet

Charlie Chaplin in a house teetering on the edge of a cliff

Charlie Chaplin in a house teetering on the edge of a cliff

a house teetering on the edge of a cliff

a house teetering on the edge of a cliff

there is indeed

there is indeed

Old Town

Old Town

this is what a kitchen should look like :)

this is what a kitchen should look like 🙂

a plaque about washday pre-washing machines

a plaque about washday pre-washing machines

I was surprised to learn from this plaque that people actually imported food instead of growing it locally

I was surprised to learn from this plaque that people actually imported food instead of growing it locally

horse at pasture on a farm

horse at pasture on a farm

paddlewheel

paddlewheel

farm outbuilding

farm outbuilding

salmon cannery

salmon cannery

the Chinese were so efficient at butchering fish that when a machine was invented that could almost match their speed it was called the Iron Chink!

the Chinese were so efficient at butchering fish that when a machine was invented that could almost match their speed it was called the Iron Chink!

tins of salmon

tins of salmon

Diorama of the Stikine Valley (gold rush era)

Diorama of the Stikine Valley (gold rush era)

the HMS Discovery

the HMS Discovery

the HMS Discovery

the HMS Discovery

the HMS Discovery

the HMS Discovery

Plaque about George Vancouver. He was a good captain who cared for his men. He lost only 5 of 180 in all his journeys.

Plaque about George Vancouver. He was a good captain who cared for his men. He lost only 5 of 180 in all his journeys.

outside a 'pub'

outside a ‘pub’

outside a 'pub'

outside a ‘pub’

I think the 1990’s exhibit, small as it was, was my favourite. I can’t believe that things out of my childhood are now antiques! 😀

The museum can be done in 1.5 to 3 hours depending on how much you decide to read. I did it in 2, mostly because there are a lot specialized interpreters and I stopped to listen to what they had to say.

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A Final Day in Victoria

Being less than 300km from ‘home’ and not having to start work until 2pm tomorrow meant that I could enjoy a third day in Victoria. I dropped Mrs. H off at her friend’s house and then drove downtown to do a few museums. This post will gloss over some of the details of today as some destinations merit their own posts.

I decided to park in Chinatown since the daily rates are cheaper than downtown and planned my day as a loop. My first stop was just a block away and was a store! It was recommended to me by a reader and is called Chintz and Co.

Chintz & Co.

This store comprises 20,000 square feet (!) and is just about a one stop home decorating stop. It was the first time I have walked into a store selling new furniture and found myself liking almost everything. Had I had $2,000 I would have walked out with a handsome wingback chair covered in dark orange leather (*swoons*).  The furniture style was mostly luxe shabby chic, with lots of rich colours abounding. I could have spent hours there, but focused mostly on the remnants section, which was much larger than I would have expected. I found some fabrics I thought would coordinate with ones I have already picked up, but I wasn’t sure enough to buy.

I ambled down Store street and turned into Bastion Square:

alley off of Bastion Square

Bastion Square’s giant tulips

My next stop was The Soda Shoppe, which I had discovered on my first night in Victoria. It is located on Government Street right in front of the Empress Hotel, kitty corner to the visitor’s centre.

The Soda Shoppe

I would normally balk at paying $4.19 for a small ice cream cone (even if it is of the waffle variety), but they have bear claw, a dark chocolately fudgy caramelly cashewy concoction I haven’t seen in about ten years since an Ottawa shop carrying it closed down. It was as good as I remembered!

From there, I walked the length of the Empress Hotel, crossed the street, and landed at the Royal British Columbia Museum:

Royal BC Museum

After a couple of hours, I headed across the street

street separating the RBC museum from the Legislature

and strolled along the length of the BC Legislature:

war memorial

close up showing the addition of the Korean ‘police action’; a nice touch since many forget that Canada was involved in this war

the BC Legislative Building is quite a handsome structure! It’s almost as impressive as Ottawa’s Parliament buildings!

this is all of the Sequoia I was able to get into one shot 🙂


then crossed the street in front of it to go visit the Undersea Gardens:

The Undersea Gardens

After that, I slowly began to stroll back towards the car with a stop for lunch:

Victoria Harbour

there was a whole row of dedication plaques

a magnific mosaic orca

a map of Vancouver Island

I was just going to get a slice of pizza for lunch, but was lured by the siren’s call of Cafe Mexico. I had an excellent meal there of a chicken burrito with ‘fries’ (more like chewy potato chips with a hint of crunch). The highlight of the mean was the ‘mojitea’:

mojitea

My drink of choice is the mojito, but I didn’t want to drink alcohol before a long drive home so I decided to try their virgin version even though virgin mojitos seem to be missing a little ‘something.’ Well, Cafe Mexico found what that little something is: sweet tea. The tea doesn’t have the same flavour as the rum, of course, but it’s the perfect non-alcoholic addition to turn the club soda and muddled mint into more than just minty soda. Yum! The burrito was fresh and light and the fries were served with a sauce that had me go ‘WHAT?!’ at first taste, but which grew on me with every bite. I asked the server what it was and she said it was a ‘chipolte aioli’ which I think means a smokey garlickly mayonnaise. It was the perfect complement to the fries. This wasn’t the best Mexican food I’ve had in my life, but definitely fits at the top of the list. It was reasonably priced to boot!

I grabbed an ice coffee for the road and returned to the car to plot a route to the Nanaimo Best Buy. My GPS is getting to be ridiculously outdated, so it didn’t have that store in its data base. It felt incredibly luxurious to boot up the laptop, sign on to my Telus connection, and get the necessary info. My life has definitely changed!

My destination mapped out, I headed out of Victoria at 3PM. I’ll write a separate post about the drive back to Campbell River.

Victoria left me with mixed feelings, some negative, most positive.

The negative feelings are towards the cost of museums and attractions: ridiculously high. There was nothing under $10 and most things were $15 and up. I would have loved to do the Maritime Museum, but with the RBC being $15 and the Undersea Gardens being $11, the additional $12 for the MM would have busted my budget. Having been to so many museums in both the Canada and the US I can say with a measure of authority that everything I saw in Victoria was way over priced. Whether or not I enjoyed myself is not relevant.

That said, Victoria is a beautiful and accessible city. If I have to stay in Canada next winter I will do so in the environs of Victoria, even if it means spending another $400 on ferry costs. I have nowhere had my fill of this city and feel that I barely got a taste of it. I’d like to spend more time exploring Beacon Hill Park and exploring the many hiking trails in the area.

Victoria is one of those Canadian cities that feels exquisitely ‘old world’ in its waterfront area, so much so that the cloppety clop of horse hooves is the most natural sound you could hear in the setting. The traditional architecture is Victorian with its emphasis on grand neo-gothic structures like the Empress Hotel. I didn’t get quite as much of a feel for the outlaying parts of town, but Mrs. H had me drive through many a neighbourhood that had streets lined with Victorian cottages, some simple, some dripping with gingerbread.

I had a lovely weekend and feel it is the perfect cap to my Vancouver Island winter.

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Chiba Sushi, Victoria

The restaurant Chiba Sushi is a block from the hotel, so I thought there would be no way it could be any good because that would be too convenient. Reviews told me otherwise, so I decided to try it out!

stock image from their site (the take out presentation was just as beautiful)

The food was fresh, flavourful, and a real bargain. $23 got me:

-one bowl miso soup;
-four gyoza (dumplings);
-six pieces yam tempura;
-six pieces salmon and avocado roll (like a California roll without the cucumber);
-one spicy tuna cone (which is equivalent to six pieces spicy tuna roll).

(Yes, I shared. 😀 )