Why you should visit - a picture post (locals can just skip this)

I haven't got much to offer--there's stress on the parent health front; I spent 7 hours in the emergency ward on Monday, but I won't go into that here. Instead, I offer a whole bunch of pics for any who want to bother scrolling through. They're all from this area--mostly Victoria, plus elsewhere on Vancouver Island and maybe the ferry to Powell River. I haven't even got the Butchart Gardens anywhere here, and that's what a lot of people come to see.

Downtown
















View from inside the museum













Museum- a decent range of exhibits plus the Imax theatre as well








The museum's display of well-known British Columbians.














Part of the war bride exhibit

Some of the totem poles near the museum








Last Monday we ate lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory--out on the corner on the patio where we could people (tourist) watch. We saw at least one bus every minute or so. The red one is from Pennsylvania, while the one behind it is from California.

There are a bunch of tour companies that will gladly show you the city by bus or even horse-drawn carriage.

Restaurants in converted mansions.

Whale-watching tours












Fancy Hotels




















































and, of course, the scenery:



























































(this pic is from the Malahat--the rather steep drive we take when going north--it's not my photo; I found it on the net)




















































(this is a shot from the university campus in the fall)








Next, you could drive an hour or two up island and have a variety of choices available:







Caving near Horne Lake

























or canoeing on Horne Lake itself










Qualicum Beach--the water's warm and very nice for swimming in the summer, unlike the ocean further south here in Vic.









Yellow Point near Nanaimo











ferry to Powell River
















Englishman River near Parksville
















Campground/resort near Parksville where we stayed last weekend











Rathtrevor Beach - Also good for swimming--tide goes way out and comes in over the hot sand and the water is really warm.

There's a ton more I've left out--festivals, events--so much. Plus of course, there's Vancouver and all the other attractions not far.

And as a bonus, if you come up I'll buy you a local draft at one of our ubiquitous neighborhood pubs. :)