Victoria, British Columbia

We woke pierside to helijets whisking business folk off to meetings.

 

 Then we were welcomed into Canada! Why? In the 1800's, the US passed the Jones Act which required any US ship to make at least one foreign stop before returning to US (according to Trivia host!)

 

 Victoria is a charming city. Shops line Government and Douglas Streets. Small alleys offer out-of-major-traffic pedestrian areas. We found a marvelous yarn shop off Lewis Street near Trounce Alley. (Once again on this trip, I bemoaned the realization that living in a semi-tropical area is disheartening when one is surrounded by wool yarn skeins!)

We strolled and window shopped for several hours, though the city is so endearing in its Victoriana that I could have spent much longer looking at buildings and wandering the multiple gardens. The leave-port-deadline made me a bit anxious, so we caught the shuttle back.

 

 

 

 

 

Julie Vargas and Kathleen Harrell, this one is for you- the ultimate yard sculpture!

 We were both enamored of The Empress Hotel!! 

 

Then we watched from our balcony as stragglers were escorted to the ship by Canadian security and we FINALLY departed the cruise terminal nearly 40 minutes late!! I am incensed for the crew of this ship; how egocentric to think only of yourself while 2600 fellow passengers wait on you to saunter up the pier!

I am intrigued by what appears to be the ruins of a WWII harbor defense bunker across the port from us. 

We steam down the Strait of San Juan de Fuca as I wonder how close to Penny's home in Friday Harbor we will come. Though it won't really matter as we're on the wrong side of the ship; America is off our portside. Ah, the map just appeared onscreen, we're way south of San Juan Island. 

We're sitting in Wheelhouse Bar having a Murphioso (Bailey's, Amaretto, coffee) when Barbara spies a whale blow and we watch 4 orcas breach and play. How amazing!!! We were so enrapt, our coffees almost got cold! The man behind us remarked the orcas were closer than those he had seen on the whale-watch excursion he had taken! 

Back in our stateroom, enjoying the warm sun, we received another gift from Poseidon: a pod of humpbacks cavorted just off our balcony!! Thank you!!!