West Coast 2025: Victoria

[ Continued from Vancouver - Some Lesser Known Attractions ]

It was time to proceed from Vancouver to Victoria, which is on Vancouver Island. For that, you need a BC Ferries ticket. We booked our ticket long ago in advance. The advantage is that you know your time slot, and if you make it to the ferry terminal an hour before your launch, you are now guaranteed a spot. It's a reservation, after all.

Note: the number of passengers in your car (and their age) must correspond to what you have booked in your reservation. They do check when you check in at the terminal. The boarding of the cars onto the ferry is extremely efficient, and soon you are off.

Once we were on board, we left our cars and made our way to the top deck. It was time to soak in the sun and check the views.

The scenario cannot be described in pictures. The beauty of it cannot be put to words. You have the ocean with its calm blue tranquil waters. The gentle waves hit the beaches which come before the greenery of the trees on the horizon, and behind it the cascading mountains, slowly reaching for the skies, and then the clouds. 

It's a painting ... a beautiful painting .. that you have to experience with your own eyes.

Occasionally, we would see another BC Ferry in the distance. The weather was gorgeous, and the sky and the sea competed with themselves as to which one was more blue.

Finally, we reached Vancouver Island. It was time to board our cars, disembark, and make our way to Victoria.

The Hatley Castle

We have visited Victoria before. Victoria is the capital of the province of British Columbia. Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, with British settlement beginning in 1843.

Those of our party who were here for the first time made their way to Butchart Gardens; we didn't go as we had been before. This time we decided to visit Hatley Castle.

Now I have to admit my main interest in Hatley Castle was because of the movies and TV shows that were shot there, in particular X-Men and The Arrow. For that, we purchased a ticket for the internal tour. If I have to be honest, I would say don't do it. It's a waste of time. 

The main lobby of Xavier's School from X-Men

The castle is good enough to visit just the outside grounds and take pictures (it's free except for parking). Don't pay and go for the inner tour. 

We thought they would focus a bit on the movies - we were wrong. A boring tour full of dry uninteresting facts. Just park at the castle, pay the parking, and tour the grounds, and take pictures.

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

The BC Parliament, or the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, is in Victoria and near the inner harbour area. 

Once we had returned to Victoria from Hatley Castle, it was a short walk to the Parliament. 

It was open for visitors (they close some time between 4-5 pm, check their website for the latest info). They also monitor the crowds and if it gets too busy they won't let visitors in until it thins out again. The building reminded me of Victoria Memorial from Kolkata.

It was a typical Canadian house of Parliament, and the view from inside the rotunda was really spectacular. The upper and lower houses were open for public viewing as well.

They had stained glass designs in many places, and this was something you usually found in old churches.

It was still sunny and warm at 6 pm when we found ourselves on the lawn of the structure.

Lots of people were still out and about, and the crowds would only grow into the evening. We decided to grab a quick meal.

The Victoria Harbour – including the Inner Harbour – is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. The harbour has had a long history, starting with its use by First Nations. Recreational vessels and small cruise ships can moor in the centre of this famous heritage city, just steps from its historic streets and distinctive architecture.

As the sun began to finally set, lots of crowd began to gather. Street shows started and buskers were everywhere.

It was the ultimate holiday moment - so far from home, with nothing to do but just chill and enjoy the moment.

Victoria is really an amazing place. The vibe is so relaxed, so chill, and so enjoyable. You could easily spend two days here, taking in more sights (such as the BC Museum).

While it was near 40C in the afternoon, now it suddenly started to cool down. A breeze was there, coming in from the harbour, and it began to get a little chilly.

Still, once you step away from the water, and onto the crowded streets, where people were just enjoying themselves, enjoying the moment, and enjoying their holiday, you realize why people come to Victoria.

The Empress Hotel, all lit up at night

The last time we had been in Victoria, we had spent two nights in the city. This time, it would only be one night. Tomorrow we were heading out to Nanaimo.