I awake to gray skies. First thing down to the exercise room and have a good cardio workout. Shower and down to the Magnolia Hotel’s Deluxe Continental breakfast, then out to look around. The grey skies remain and the rain showers turn off and on all throughout the day until about 5:30. I head over the Douglas street, where everything is shut down for Victoria Day, celebrating the queen for whom this town is named, and this happens to be the 150th anniversary of the founding of the city. Folks are setting up chairs all up and down the street and as I walk, I see Canadian naval cadets (as young as 12) walking with their mates to wherever they will march; I see a few kilts as well! The parade has a delayed start, so I walk around and although I do view some of the parade (marching band style), I decide to head over to the BC museum. I head to the third floor to check out the exhibits on the original natives of the area, and it’s very interesting and their crafts, etc are beautiful. I see now where Edmund purchased his mask.
After the museum, I head over to the little Indonesian take-out place where the relocated 5-star chef cooks up yummy meals.
I enjoy my food on a stool up against the outside wall of his restaurant and have two glasses of water to try to keep my mouth cool. Works okay, but my tummy is burning, so I go in search of some frozen yogurt to put out the internal fire. Aaaah, that’s better.
I head back to my room to change my carry-alongs and crash on the bed for a bit. Then out to the bus-stop, where I wait for the bus for about 40 minutes, then trudge back to the hotel. Really too late to go out there now, since the Butchart gardens close at 5. I take the front desk man’s advice and rent a car for tomorrow. That way, I can take the scenic drive along the coast, hit the gardens early, then take the car ferry across the sound, and take my time doing the things I want to do.
A little more walking around and back to the hotel for blog work and taking care of some business. Out for some dinner at Ferris’ Oyster bar. Good jazz and raw brick walls. I try 3 assorted raw oysters harvested within 6 kilometers, 3 baked oysters
(with horseradish and butter, with creamed leeks, truffled shallots and baked proscuitto and with corn flakes and butter) and a roasted cauliflower, toasted pinenut and sauteed proscuitto salad – yum! – and a relaxing night before I turn in. Busy day tomorrow!