29th June, Vancouver Island, Victoria

What a way to start day. Up early followed by a brisk walk to the sea plane terminal 20 minutes away. I conned Tan into taking a sea plane flight to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. After the token touro shot of us and the plane we hopped aboard. We taxied out in our 12 seater plane and then we were off. Powering across the water and then we were in the air. Funny thing is that we hovered about 1m off the water for some time before getting up a bit and banking hard left. The views on this partly cloudy morning of the city and Stanley park were supreme. The damage of last year's storm at Stanley Park was clearly evident form the sky. Watching the boats and cars working the waterways and roads on this Friday morning was pretty good. Further south near the airport, logs were queued up after been floated down in the river in huge log holding pens. America was just a glimpse away. This area is very close to the US border, we probably crossed into US territory in the plane. Vancouver Island was only a 33 minute flight and the only bumps come from a 10 second traverse through a cloud. Banking into Victoria, flying so fast and close above the water was a little scary. After a few touches the plane slowed and we taxied into Victoria.

The Inner Harbour is full of potted coloured hanging in baskets from lights. Two impressive buildings here, are the Hotel Empress, covering in ivy and looking somewhat like a French provincial chateau and the other, green dome adorned turn of the century legislative building.

WELCOME TO VICTORIA presented itself in a lawn bank in flowers coloured in reds and whites.

Our hotel was ready a 9:30am in the morning, a suprise! Tan was super keen on looking at the Titanic artefact exhibition in the Royal BC museum. We pre-arranged tickets which we picked up. With tickets in hand we walked the other way. Why? The morning was lovely and it was going to rain in the afternoon, so quick, get the beers and wines off the belt - especially after drinking to 12:30am the night previously with an Aussie contingency in Yaletown, walk was in order. Fishermans Wharf, ironically had fishing boats but also a number of yachts and two story house boats. Tan spotted seals so we were down to the waterfront in a flash.

Two seals hang out here and they were fat!! A kid said that one had already had 36 blue bait sized fish this morning. It was funny, they were like cats just waiting for food and occasionally putting there heas out of water to sniff what was coming next. The second seal, cream coloured was a bit more cautious and hang out about a foot under water, watching and waiting.

Some Americans feed the seals and both come out of the water a fair way to get their tasty morsel. A very smart and game sea gull (a local) swooped in at one stage to hand pick a fish from a little kids hand and in doing so clipped Tan's forehead on the daring dive. No success for the cagey Western Gull.

We come across Mile 0, the start point for Canada's Highway One, the Trans Canadian Highway. Interesting, but doesn't mean much as we really haven't travelled this vast country yet!

Back in down town Victoria and the off to the Royal BC museum. Security guards can be so... blurgh. Say no more. The exhibition was packed full of people, but a great way of getting personal involvement was the handing out of individual passenger cards of the people who started the trans atlantic crossing. I had a Swede in 3rd class while Tan was a toff from 1st class. Leather protects things very well in an area where the micro organisms attack everything some 2.2 Km below the sea surface. There were all sorts of displays from portholes to paper money to champagne bottle.

Of the 1502 people that died that night our two passengers were lucky to make it to New York. The museum also had IMAX and we watched two Russian subs dive on the wreck. They were only inthere for 16 hours at a time. No curries the night before would be a good rule. The film was a doco and was quite informative.

A fleeting glance at the remainder of the exhibits including a big mammoth followed by sea creatures. Walking the street here on a cool evening was nice. This city is only small, 300,000 people, but picturesque.

Dinner at Santiago's, a Chilean / Meditteranean mix, where Dan had Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish). Divine with a great mix of orange, curry and coriander.