Alarm this morning at 4 am (that’s 1 am Victoria, Canada time) and head to the airport, drop off the car and board my first plane. I sleep a lot of the way (along with everyone else) and we land in Chicago a few minutes after 7. I head to the United Club and see that my next flight is delayed about an hour. Boo! I download another rental movie (Marley!) and finally make it onto my second flight. This one lasts about 4 1/2 hours. Whew! I land in Seattle and head to the Sound Transit Light Rail, which I take to the end of the line. Then a short cab ride to the pier for the Victoria Clipper and check-in. I leave my suitcase there and walk 15 minutes down the avenue, cross the street, and there is Pike Market.
Busy, crowded with shoppers and tourists,
lined with incredibly beautiful, colorful and odoriferous flowers,
I walk along snapping pictures and being in awe of the abundance of (big) seafood. Lobster tails?
Salmon? You want it, they have it:
I head out of the market and across the street to have a yummy mocha while relaxing. Then back again through the market, stopping at the fish stand that throws the fish around. I want to get some alder smoked salmon, but the packages are all pretty large. I hear another woman say the same thing, then offer to her to split a package with her. We do and each go along our merry way. I head back the way I came and get in line to board the ferry. I am told that the smoothest ride is on the lower level and in the center. I find a single seat and breathe a sigh of relief. A lot of people are still looking for places to sit, but I hang out, read and watch a little House while we cruise out of the harbor. It’s a bit rainy, but easy to see islands and the open seas. It’s a smooth and fairly quick ride, and takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and we disembark and head through Canadian customs.
Once through, I roll my bag down the road and around the waterfront, admiring many of the historic buildings.
It only takes about 15 minutes to get to my hotel and everyone there is so nice and helpful. I head up to my room, unpack and iron out all the wrinkles. I actually end up staying in for the evening – I am so tired and not really too hungry. I keep myself awake until about 9 pm, then crash hard.