Reunited with Theresa

The perfect fridge?
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Arrived in Seattle at about 2:20, and in typical traveller style, had to run to the cab, jump in and try to get to the port to catch the 3:15 Clipper to Vancouver Island. Fortunately time was on our side, and we managed to catch the boat. It was amazingly fast and only took about 2 and a half hours to get all the way to Victoria. We managed to find time for a glass of Champagne on the ferry (yes this travelling life is hard!), we also managed to find time to go up on deck and feel the full force of the wind. Sadly, I also found time to embarrass myself! Me and Patrice were seeing how far we could lean into the wind, and yes you guessed it I fell straight over, much to the amusement of everyone in the viewing area! By the time I'd managed to pick myself up off the floor from laughing so much, and make it back inside, people were still laughing! Nothing like arriving in style. Upon arrival in the port, we had to go through immigration - the canadian authorities took a great deal of interest in all of us, and we all had our luggage x-rayed and searched - so we were more than pleased to see Theresa!

Playing on the clipper
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Theresa had prepared a barbecue, so we had a chilled out evening and caught up on all the gossip - needless to say, despite my tiredness Theresa and me were the last to bed at about 2 in the morning - there was a lot to catch up on!! The following day we went kayaking around the port of Victoria, and then visited the liquor store (see photo and bear in mind that I don't drink beer!) and supermarket in order to prepare for another barbecue that evening! Meanwhile the others went on Theresa'a brother's legendary tour of the local area. Victoria is a truly beautiful place and after spending so much time there last year, it really feels like my beautiful second home. I think everyone may well be sick of me saying " I remember this!" But i've really enjoyed being back and Theresa as always has been a truly wonderful host! After the barbecue where I got to catch up with the lovely Victor and Joanne  -Theresa's aunt and Uncle, we were forced to do karaoke - I will say only this - Don't give up your day jobs Mike and Rick!!!

A fishbowl bellini - how I've missed these!
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Day two was an early start as we had a long drive for a bear hunt. We went to Port Renfrew which is a native area about 2 and a half hours from Victoria. Theresa is still trying to maintain that there are bears in Canada, despite their obvious absence last year and incidentally this year as well! We've decided that it's just a myth to lure tourists into Canada! Visited an area that belongs to the natives and it was slightly shocking but allowed us to get an insight into some of the other sides of Canada's history - and indeed an informative history lesson from Theresa. On the way back we tried to stop for tea at point no point, but alas it was closed! Had a quick look at the Sook port holes on the way back as well as some of T's old haunts, and then the others went up for a trip in the Sessna plane - and apparently Mike was able to fly it!

Th calm before the karaoke!
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Managed to squeeze in a walk around the harbour, a fishbowl bellini of course, a trip to the wax museum, and the BC museum, where there was a very serious game of crazy golf and an i-max movie about fighter pilots, which I've decided is my next obvious career move! Spent our final evening in Victoria at an Irish pub, much to Patrice's happiness and then tried to get an early night to catch the 8:00 ferry to Vancouver in the morning!

For more Victoria photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/miketong/sets/72157594240982386/