North American Indigenous Games

The North American Indigenous Games are about to begin in Duncan. The event was kicked off by a massive voyage of canoes from First Nations from Alaska to Oregon. The Paddlers landed in Cowichan Bay for a massive feast sponsored by the Provincial Government. Thousands attended to watch this historic event. You can check out what the people of the Cowichan are doing to host these games (Click Here)

China Town

Victoria has one of the oldest China Towns in North America. It is a facinating place and is full of mystery. It has a network of narrow alleyways and a good number of restaurants and shops. The photo to the right shows a unique statue on the corner of Pandora and Government Streets. Check it out. It is not big but very intersting.

Marshmallow Farm

In the Cowichan Valley (the warm land) you can find fertile marshes that produce some of the finest marshmallows know to mankind. It seems when the marsh is in prime condition in the spring, and the mallow is tilled during this peak time, production is very high. This combined with the warm summer breezes in the Cowichan Valley produce the very fine and extra-large varieties of Marsh Mallows. Somewhere in the hills of the Cowichan Valley there is a secret factory that transforms these delicious marshmallows in to regular sized marshmallows and also the mini varieties. Look for "Cowichan Valley Mallows" in a store near you.

Beach Weather in Victoria

There are a lot of beaches around Victoria but none quite so popular as Willows Beach in Oak Bay. During the summer months people flock there to play, swim and sun tan. The water is shallow and if you are hearty you can swim there. With water temperatures of 8-10 C, you might even consider it very cool indeed. A lot of children swim there because no one has told them it is cold. There is a great playground there and public washrooms as well. During the spring and summer there is a concession/tea room open as well. If this place is too busy for you there are lots of beaches where you will be much more alone. Just follow the shoreline and check them out. There are a number along Dallas Road and some great ones on the West Shore such as Witty's Lagoon, Albert Head, and Esquimalt Lagoon.

Hot Summer Days

What to do on a hot summer day in Victoria? Record temperatures were posted for Canada's National Holiday. Our thermometer, which is in the shade, posted 33 degrees C. So we did what many other Victoria residents did, go to the beach. There are lots of choices. Since we now live on the West Shore, our choice was Esquimalt Lagoon. We were not alone. The massive expanse of the beach along the ocean side of the lagoon had people stretched from one end to the other. This beach offers spectacular views of Juan de Fuca Strait and the phenomenal Olympic Mountains. There were numerous tall ships and sail boats out in front of Victoria's Inner Harbour and many sailed towards us during the afternoon. The temperature at the beach was a respectable 24C. Join us at the beach on the next super hot day.