Vancouver Island

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After Chicago we flew to Seattle (Patrice got her usual extra security check - you can't trust these Irish) we jumped into a cab to catch the Ferry across to Victoria. We were only in Seattle for about an hour but we'll be heading back there in a couple of weeks to stay for a day or so.

On arrival in Victoria Island, Canada we were greated by my ex-housemate Theresa who had generously offerred to put us all up for the duration of our stay. Victoria is really beautiful and very different to the sky scraper skylines of Boston and Chicago. First night was spent reminicing over old times and a steak BBQ.

Where are these bears then eh?

A well stocked fridge, cheers Theresa!
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The following three days saw our fantastic host cram in as much as Victoria has to offer. First day we went Kayaking around the port and watched the Sea planes coming in from Vancover and we were lucky to be taken on the now legendary 'Hop on - Hop off tour tour of Victoria' courtesy of Theresa's bro. We checked out some of the beaches and mansions on the water and even managed to see some seals out by one of the pier restuarants which was mighty cool.

Day two was an early start to go bear hunting (sans guns, and in fact sans bears too - ah well) then we headed to Port Renfrew where Theresa used to teach in a school. Port Renfrew was home to a tribe of natives who were built the village and allowed to live there rent free on the condition we could steal the rest of their land, or something like that. Unfortuantley the lure of free living has turned the community into somewhat of a slum as the government proves a living allowance to natives there's little incentive to work.

Kayaking around the port
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One the drive home, we went to Victoria's small airport where you can get a tour of the city by air in a small 4 seater cessna plane. This is fantasic, and especially cool for me because (after much whinging) I persuaded Rick and Patrice to let me take the seat up front so I could have a go at flying. The planes are dual control and I was sat up front with the pilot and was allowed to do most of the pilotting while in the air. I let the pilot do the take off and landing though. Would have been mean to show him up. There's a couple of vids on my you tube site. Please notice my hands on the controls as we touch down - I was just levelling it out a bit, even pilots need a bit of help now and again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni2le_opIhE (Take Off)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVMoW62GNNc (Landing)

Last day in Victoria (for now, we'll be back breifly on our way back to Seattle) was spent getting all educated at the BC Museum. Well it was more a case of playing a deeply competitive game of crazy golf in the exhibit hall which happily ended in a 3 way tie so ego's could go home intact. After the golf we watched a feature at the IMAX cinema on fighter pilots - further reinforcing my view that being a pilot would be a good career move for me. Maybe without so much of the shooting stuff though. Do they have conscientious objector fighter pilots?

As always, more pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miketong/sets/72157594240982386/