TRAVEL. CANADA

What Not to Miss to Victoria Island

Sounds of winds, the motor, and giggling are like BGM

Quiet moments on the sea, but there are fun giggling around from kids.

There are many food choices. I don’t know, but I still like those square crackers in a small see-through package on the side of a bowl of soup. I guess that is what I found comforting while watching everything on the window is moving.

It is the ship moving towards Victoria Island.

From inside, it’s slowly on the sea, passing by those small islands.

Some people say you may see wild sea life on the way.

You can just lay back and enjoy the ride in one spot or by changing your seat here and there inside.

Or you can pop yourself out of it and feel the moderate to strong wind and warm sunshine on the deck.

I’ve been on this B.C. ferry several times.

And I still felt there is no way just staying inside, so I sticking myself out with a warm drink in my hand. I watched the beautiful scenery without any thick glass between walls except my sunglasses.

Yes, it is where my profile photo was taken.

Those waves make you think there may be a dolphin or whale far from the ship.

But no figure shows up on the surface.

Some houses stand by the seashore. As I looked far from it, from the ship makes me think they must have been enjoying the beautiful nature every day from early morning till the evening. Those must be their dream home.

And because of those houses, not many, they add something to the view. These would be someone’s paintings.

Any painters in the old days, who loved lights, winds, colors, and beautiful scenery of nature, would love to paint these.

Once I took my mom on this trip. She loved it.

Unlike this time, I drove my own car in, parked in the belly of the ship as many other’s cars do. And we had a little good time on the ferry.

If you ever try to drive your car in, just remember where you parked. Almost every time, I see people searching for their cars or bus. If you need to get back on your car or the bus you came with, just double-check where you need to go back.

And don’t get your hat or scarf or anything be blown away by the wind when you get out, trying to take photos or trying to search for sea life.

It is not too long but isn’t too short for a trip to a big island. The time you can spend on the ship is probably less than 2 hours.

But if you add time to the ferry port and time to getting into the city after docking, it’s quite a whole day journey, but it’s worth it.

Everyone would go to the city for their first-time visit. Of course, there are hotels, restaurants, and many street performers (before). I got there daytime, not a busy holiday evening, so things were a bit different. It is not nighttime, but it’s beautiful.

And where you need to go also is — Butchart Gardens!

A bit drive away from the city, and you would be on the postcard. Vivid flowers, aligned in lines, groups, in a circle that you can capture them from the famous spot — up high.

Plants from other countries, many roses and different colors of leaves, fragrances, you are enchanted to be there. You would enjoy everything with your senses.

Taking photos or videos isn’t enough. You would love to buy a souvenir for yourself or for someone.

I bought a package of seeds when I went there for the first time with my friends. And with my mom… can you guess what she bought?

I would probably never get it.

She isn’t a frantic buyer of anything that comes into her visionary areas.

But she got one.

An emerald-green-color bronze-like fairy statue! Not like a gargoyle, but an adorable one.

That’s how she felt being in the amazing garden and would describe and mesmerize her experience in Butchart Gardens.

Now, let’s move on to a good restaurant. You probably can find any decent restaurants easily around here.

Because it’s close to the sea, I chose the restaurant where I went before and could indulge myself with good seafood pasta but not too expensive.

The place was decorated. It was someone’s birthday.

I like it when there is someone’s birthday. Just make the place brighter and happier, I guess.

Sitting by the window is where you enjoy more of your food and no additional cost but an extra treat, looking over the water. What I felt calm was the quieter atmosphere in the sunny afternoon as a lazy Sunday afternoon. Other than pasta, I had a great cup of coffee afterward.

A condensed deep flavor of coffee in a small cup after past is always heaven.

With some photo time in the city, I was ready to head back.

I would love to visit there again.

And my mom still talks about the garden and enjoys replacing the statue a little left or right and with other stuff.

Thanks for reading this simple but very memorable travel diary to Victoria Island.

If you are not in hurry getting on a bus from the Science World station, you can explore the place a little also.

Here are the details about catching the bus and ferry:

The author writes about humorous stories, writing life, what she learned from others and through online materials, tech (3D, AI), etc. Find her recent articles here.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed with up-to-date curations from our editors.

We now offer exclusive writing services for our members. Discover how you can take advantage of our editing services and more.