UGLY STORM BLASTS VICTORIA!

I know you are going to feel really bad for us because we rarely get snow. Of the snows we do get, this is the best kind, no shoveling required! This was taken at 8 am this morning.Hopefully by mid-afternoon it will all be melted. The predictions however are not good. Today we are celebrating our granddaughter Madison's birthday outdoors at Goldstream Park (burrrr). So, hardships aside on we go. Enjoy winter in Victoria, it won't be around long. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and move on...today is one of those days.  See you at Goldstream.  Those poor salmon, swimming upstream in this mess!

Abkahzi Gardens - A Small Wonder

This small but exceptionally beautiful garden is located near the Oak Bay Victoria Border. It is operated by a volunteer group and today was their annual plant sale. There is a tea house in the Garden that is worth a visit. The flora is truly amazing as you will see below. Go there in the spring especially. The time is now.  Visit our facebook site for more pictures of this amazing garden.

Make a rainy day shine at the Victoria Bug Zoo!

One of our favourite places to visit on a rainy day is the The Victoria Bug Zoo! Here you'll find all manner of magical insects - giant walking sticks, hissing cockroaches, praying mantids, scorpions, tarantulas, and many more. You'll discover lots of fun facts (like who's the most industrious of all insects and what bug inspired Darth Vader's mask), overcome a few phobias, and learn how to appreciate these amazing creatures a bit more.

You may even get to try on a new piece of jewellery, like Lisa did - with this wild African Millipede bracelet!

Vancouver Island Travel and Tourism on Facebook!

Just wanted to let you all know that we have been spring cleaning and now have a brand new Facebook Page - Vancouver Island Travel and Tourism.  We'll be posting the latest events info, local contests, pictures, links, and news updates - so please be sure to visit us often!

 

Magnolia Inn and Spa's Facebook Contest - what's your most favourite memory of Victoria?

Well, today we got wind of The Magnolia Hotel & Spa's amazing Facebook Contest that runs from now right up until November 23rd.  They're asking you to Like them on Facebook and contribute your most favourite thing to do in Victoria, or your most favourite Victoria memory.


So!  For a chance to win a luxury Victoria getaway at The Magnolia Inn and Spa, with incredible prizes from Harbour Air Seaplanes, Verbena Floral Design, the Royal BC Museum, IMAX Victoria, Prime Steahouse, and Spa Magnolia, check out their Facebook contest running until November 23rd. 

Don't forget to invite your friends!

Spring has arrived in Victoria

It was a rainy albeit balmy January in Victoria - the mildest January on record!  The grass is greener than I've ever seen it here.

And today when the sun came out, so did the flowers.  Robins are singing, cherry trees are blossoming, and the scent of spring is in the air.

If you're tired of winter, why not visit us here in Victoria BC?

Six String Nation at UVIC

UVIC hosted an historical event last week at the University Centre's Farquhar Auditorium. Saint Michaels University School presented an outstanding Spotlight on Canada Concert, with a very special moment at the end of the show.

Victoria musician Paul O'Brien premiered his new song "The Voyageur" on the guitar of the same name - an honoured guest brought all the way from Toronto by SMUS, just so this song could be played.

Voyageur is the Six String Nation guitar, crafted from 64 pieces of Canada, from every province/territory across the country. Every piece means something. Every piece has a story. Bits include Trudeau's paddle, Louis Riel's schoolhouse, and the Golden Spruce of Haida Gwaii. Victoria's contribution is piece of Fan Tan Alley's original doorway.

Voyageur first visited Victoria last October (see above pic - Mile Zero's Terry Fox Memorial) with project creator Jowi Taylor. It drew a crowd wherever it went, and was a particular hit at SMUS - where Paul O'Brien played it for the students. The day afterwards, he was inspired to write this song.

He was accompanied by SMUS Senior School Orchestra - an 80-piece orchestra and 80-voice choir with orchestral arrangement by Donna Williams. The song received a standing ovation.

Here's the video:

Fisherman's Wharf, Victoria BC

From Victoria's Inner Harbour, a short walk or Harbour Ferry ride will take you to "Fisherman's Wharf", a colourful little fishing village on the water.

Stroll around the floating boardwalk, visit artisan shops, and stop at Barb's Place for some tasty fish 'n chips. Enjoy the view!  

You can even hang out with the resident seal.  Keep your eyes open and you'll find her.  Or maybe, she find you!

Photos by Lisa Cole. For more fun things to do in Victoria BC, click here to visit our website!

Find us on Twitter and Facebook

Just a reminder that you can now follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/vanisletourism and we also have a great Facebook group, where you can post pictures, links, and questions about Victoria and Vancouver Island!  Find out more about this beautiful place, and get involved in the dialogue: www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-BC/Vancouver-Island-Travel-Guide

Royal BC Museum offers admission by donation

Photo courtesy of the RBCM

VICTORIA, BC – As a gift to thank the community for its continued support, the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) is carrying on its New Year’s tradition by offering admission by donation. Visitors are asked to pay-what-they-can from Jan. 2 - 9.

“A measure of success for any museum is its community backing,” says RBCM CEO Pauline Rafferty. “And, despite our changing economy, support for the Royal BC Museum this year has been considerable. Offering admission by donation is our gift to the community, a way we can show our thanks.”

Those visiting the RBCM during admission by donation week will see two Canadian premiere exhibitions. S’abadeb – The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists, a feature show organized by the Seattle Art Museum, brings together 165 ancient and contemporary works of art from the Coast Salish peoples of BC and Washington state. The Silver of the Stars collection showcases contemporary silver drinking vessels, created for some of the biggest names in film, music, fashion, theatre and literature.

In addition, the holiday festivities continue at the RBCM – the streets of Old Town are decked in the season’s finest and, until Jan. 3, historic Helmcken House is open, welcoming visitors to experience an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas.

As the provincial museum and archives, the Royal BC Museum preserves and shares the stories of British Columbia – on-site, off-site and online – through its research, collections, exhibitions and educational programs. Its two-hectare cultural precinct also includes a number of historically significant buildings and First Nations sites.

For more information on the latest activities, events and exhibitions at the Royal BC Museum, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or call 1-888-447-7977.

DETAILS:

Admission by donation, Jan. 2 - 9, 2010, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information about Victoria attractions, click here.

Goldstream Park - Find Waldo

Today I travelled the short distance from my house to beautiful Goldstream Park. The salmon run appeared to be over but the sun was shining and the park was full of people. For the 28th of December, it was about 6C. It is hard to get a better day. At this time of the year the moss on the trees is spectacular. The river had a number of birds in it looking for the remaining fish carcasses. 

My wife spotted a small bird standing on a rock. This bird turned out to be an amazing swimmer. I am sure it was feeding but I am not sure on what. It would dive into the river and swim back and forth, then surface and stand on a rock with the current rushing by its tiny feet. I called him Waldo....See if you can find Waldo. 

To find out more about interesting sights around Victoria, click here to visit our website.

Treasures: World Cultures from the British Museum

Photo courtesy of the Royal BC Museum All images © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Starting May 1st and running until September 30th, an exhibition titled: “Treasures: the World’s Cultures from the British Museum” will be in town. This exhibit will display over 300 artefacts from the collection of the renowned British Museum. Included are an Egyptian mummy, a shield from the Bronze Age, works from Picasso and Rembrandt, this warriors helmet and a whole lot more. I would suggest that you take this in if you are going to be around. Most of these exhibits have drawn people from all over the world, so don’t miss out. They do not go to very many museums. Victoria is on the “A” list because they do such a good job.
It is amazing. Take it in. For more information on Victoria Attractions like the Royal BC Museum, Click Here.

Goldstream Salmon Spawn

At this time of the year, the trees are just starting to turn. The Malahat Drive through Goldstream park is paved with Gold. The trees are so golden right now, in full sun it is magical. The Salmon are starting to spawn and so locals and tourists are start to visit the park to watch this phenomenal spectacle. It is so beautiful in the park at this time of the year. In the morning sun, when there is mist on the river, the park is magical for sure. It is well worth the visit. While there be sure to visit the nature centre for detailed information on the spawn and to see the Eagle Cam that you can operate with a remote control. Put Goldstream Park on your list of fall "to-dos". The picture at the left shows visitors watching the salmon and viewing the salmon that have already spawned and died. Then the eagles come to feast on the dead carcases".

Darth Fiddler - Victoria's Busking Original

Busking, or street performing, has been around for a long, long time. In the Medieval Ages, merchants would often invite entertainers to perform in front of their stores to attract passers-by. It was a symbiotic relationship that bore excellent results for all involved: pedestrians were entertained and spent more money; merchants and performers brought in extra cash.

Throughout recent years, countless North American buskers have become famous after starting their careers on city streets. For example: Pierce Brosnan (fire-eating), Cirque du Soleil (acrobatics), George Burns, Steve Martin, and Robin Williams (comedians), Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, and Loreena McKennitt (musicians) - to name a few!

Downtown Victoria is full of such performers all year round. Musicians, mimes, and magicians add fun and colour to a leisurely afternoon walk. One of these characters is putting Victoria on the map by becoming famous (or infamous), on the Internet: a violinist who dresses up as Darth Vader, dubbed "Darth Fiddler" by his fans.

He can often be found near Victoria's Inner Harbour or on Government Street, or just Google "Darth Fiddler" to find pictures, blog entries, and videos about him. He has recently been featured on CBC Radio, in Victoria's Entertainment and Tourist Magazines, and PEI's Entertainment Magazine, "The Buzz." His image has even shown up on a door at the hip Hotel Max in Seattle, Washington . Guides announce him on tours around Victoria, and he is a common topic of cruise ship visitors when they arrive in town.

If you do happen to find him, be sure to get your photo taken with him and drop him a bill or two. Beneath the dark mask and perpetual histrionics, he's actually a real nice guy.

(For a more recent update on Darth Fiddler, visit our Halloween 2010 post and Darth Fiddler's Mythic City.)