Summer-like day in the Fall - Nov 3-2000 Victoria BC

It was a spectcular sunny fall day and the city was awash with fall colours. It was warm, with the occassional ugly clowd floating by toward Vancouver, but Victoria was under a whole in the sky. For Nov. 3 it was amazing. Enjoy the fall colors of greater Victoria. Maybe if you are somewhere else in the world you might want to come for a visit. October and now into November was great weather. For more pictures please visit our Facebook Page. It you want to stay right in the middle of lots of this fall foliage, try Hemingways by the Sea Bed and Breakfast.

Ghost Bus Tours Victoria BC

Victoria is the most haunted city in British Columbia and many visitors come to experience haunted holidays. Ghostly Walks are popular walking tours in downtown Victoria throughout the year, but at Halloween the Ghostly Walks team, in conjunction with the Old Cemeteries Society, conducts Ghost Bus-tours. Now in their eighteenth year, Ghost Bus-tours are two-hour excursions in the luxury of a modern coach. The routes are different each year and are kept secret until the tours begin. Ghost Bus-tours glide through Victoria’s heritage neighbourhoods and into the suburbs to explore the city’s most haunted places. New stories are added each year, but by popular demand the favourites from past years are always included. One of the locations that has become an annual tradition is the Victoria Golf Course where the ghost of Doris Gravlin, murdered there by her husband in 1936, is frequently seen. John Adams, well-known historian and ghost storyteller, is the host for Ghost Bus-tours. Proceeds from Ghost Bus-tours assist the restoration and education programs of the Old Cemeteries Society.

Ghost Bus tours 2011 have tours scheduled on October 22, 28, 29 and 30. On each night there is a 6:30 pm departure. On Saturday October 29 there are departures at 6:30 and 9:00 pm. Tickets are $32 each plus HST. They are available exclusively through Tourism Victoria. Purchase them in there ways: at the Visitor Information Centre counter; by telephone 250.953.2033; or online at www.tourismvictoria.com/ghosts
For a great place to unwind and spend the night check out Hemingways By the Sea Bed and Breakfast. It is not haunted, guaranteed.

The Great Blue Heron at Esquimalt Lagoon Victoria BC

Today was such a great sunny day, I had to get out. Yesterday as we were passing by Beacon Hill Park, we saw a heron and took pictures with our phones. Today it was such a special day in the sun, I took my camera and headed for the Park. Workers had a front end loader right beside the lake, so most birds were far away. So, I headed out to beautiful Esquimalt Lagoon and took a bunch of pictures which you can see on my Facebook Page. Enjoy! Stay at Hemmingways By the Sea bed and breakfast and you will not be far from beautiful Esquimalt Lagoon or Beacon Hill Park.

Skinny Tato Polish Restaurant Downtown Victoria BC

A friend recommended this small Polish Restaurant at 615 Johnson Street to me a couple of weeks ago. Tonight we gave it a try and absolutely loved it. The first thing I heard from the cook in the kitchen was, this is a disaster. Well if this dinner was a disaster, the bring on the plague. Katherina, the cook and owner was upset because her normal cook and server did not show for work and she was left alone. Well, dinner was served in good time and it turned out to be one of the best meals we have had in a while. When we left, the flavour remained in our palate for a long time. All four of the salads were very good and the Potato Pancake was to die for! I had mine stuffed with Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut and Linda had spinach and feta. So, I am passing on the recommendation for a West Coast Polish Disaster Dinner at the Skinny Tato. Katherina has a great sense of humor and I am sure she will appreciate the humor. I am going back for sure.
If you are staying with us at Heminways by the Sea, you are just minutes to downtown and once you cross the blue bridge. just go about 1.5 blocks up Johnson Street and you will see the Skinny Tato on your right.

Ric's Grill 910 Government Street Victoria BC

My wife Linda and I were fortunate enough to be invited to a wine and food paring hosted by Ric's Grill in Victoria. For a photo-pictorial of the event and some great pictures of their food, please go to our Facebook Wall. The staff were amazing. Our servers Meghan and Amy were constantly available refreshing our drinks, taking away our empty dishes and bringing us one great dish after another. We started with some incredibly delicious bread pared with Prospect Riesling. Then came the appetizer plate, followed by a seafood plate and then a 3-steak plate. Chef Randy Davis and Sous Chef Brett Hewitt prepared excellent dishes. Valerie-Marie Lessard, the Wine & Beverage Director did an excellent job finding just the right wine for each course. Thanks to host and CEO Sonny Gupta for providing us with an overview of the history and direction of their restaurant chain. They definitely are on the right track, excellent food, great drinks at reasonable prices and staff that are friendly, helpful, and courteous. A job well done! Look for their opening at The Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke.

While in Victoria, stay at Hemingways by the Sea Bed and Breakfast. We are only minutes away from Ric's Grill.

Great Picnic Spot - Inner Harbour Victoria BC

On a warml summer day this is probably one of the best spots in Victoria for a picnic. You just have to be the first person there. Only one table but what a view. From here you can watch the harbour traffic come and go - pleasure craft, the Coho Ferry, float planes by to dozen, whale watching charters,kayakers, the 3-hour sail, fishing charters, fish boats, the coast guard, Helijet to Vacouver and much much more! You can also see the Olympic Mountains across Juan de Fuca Strait and watch marine vessels and cruise ships come into the Port of Victoria. It is truly amazing what happens here on any given day. Check out our facebook page for more photos and "Like Us" while you are there and win! You are just minutes away from this spot while staying at our B&B!

Downtown Public Markets - Bastion Square and Centennal Square Victoria BC

You can tell that spring has arrived when the public markets open up downtown!

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from now until October 15th, Bastion Square is transformed into a colourful and eclectic European-style artisan's showcase and open-air marketplace; vendors sell original paintings and prints, stained glass, multi-media jewelry, woodwork, pottery, herbal soaps, clothing and accessories, and so much more.

Many artisans will be demonstrating their work on-site from 11am on.
On May 1st, the popular Government Street Market moves into Centennial Square, to offer its exciting assortment of crafts, locally-designed clothing, imports, food, and entertainment, as well as a farmer's market. The "Sunday Market in the Square" will run from May until September 25th, every Sunday from 11 am - 4:30 pm.

When you stay at our B&B you are just minutes from these markets.

Golden City Seafood Restaurant - 721 Fisgard Street Downtown Victoria

Last night I attended a familiarization dinner at the Golden City Seafood Restaurant - 721 Fisgard Street Downtown Victoria. The purpose of the dinner was to educate and demonstrate to members of the Victoria Guest Services Network how different and special a Chinese dinner could be. As Daniel Low, our host stated...."no chow main, no chop suey". His mission was to show our members how the restaurants chefs could prepare and present a different Chinese dinner experience to visitors coming to Victoria. All guest have to do is call the restaurant or have a hotel concierge contact the restaurant and indicate that they would like to have a different and special dinner. Golden City will custom make a menu that features local specialties and local cuisine. They can also accommodate dietary restrictions guests may have. The restaurant also serves traditional menu items, but after experiencing the dinner Daniel presented, I would certainly recommend his approach. The food was delicious and very well presented. Our mouths were watering before we dug in.

If you check our Facebook page you will see more pictures of the restaurant and the unique dishes that were presented. The signature dish was Sauteed Prawns with pees and Honey Glazed Walnuts. The seafood was very fresh and super tasty. Every dish we had was very good.

Golden City is a large, well lighted and bright and clean restaurant that is tastefully decorated. There is ample space for large parties. The service was excellent and I would certainly recommend the delicious food.

Members of the Victoria Guest Services Network are all front line staff working in the hospitality sector. Through these kinds of sessions members learn first hand about services available to visitors to Victoria.

Stay at my B&B, we are just minutes away from the Golden City Seafood Restaurant in downtown Victoria.

Race Rocks Light Station - superb scuba diving and more.

If you are looking for an ecological experience unsurpassed, you will want to go to Race Rocks. Many of the local whale watching tours often go to Race Rocks when whales are nearby but also go there when they cannot find whales because it is such a great experience. There are hoards of seals and sealions on and around Race Rocks as well as many sea birds. Below the surface is a world that surpasses Butchart Gardens. It is my favourite diving sight in this area.

For more pictures and a detailed description of the undersea life at Race Rocks please follow the link to our facebook page. You can also read additional information on our web site. Stay at our B&B and then visit Race Rocks.

Spring in Esquimalt

The township of Esquimalt wins my vote for the pinkest area in Greater Victoria. It is amazing to drive through the streets and see what is unfolding this time of year. Some streets are like driving through a pink tunnel. This is a sure sign that spring is here for good. Our weather is headed towards 15C by the weekend. You gotta love it! For more pics go to our Facebook page. While there, indicate that you like our page and you will be entered into a contest for one of our pdf books that we call the Best Kept Secrets of Victoria. It is an insiders guide to Southern Vancouver Island. You can check out this book on our web site. We will be giving out 1 of these books for every ten additional likes that we get. Have fun, it is spring.

If you stay at one of these Bed and Breakfasts, you will be in the middle of all this pink splendor. Hemingways by the Sea or Denniston by the Sea

Emily Carr- The Other Emily at the Royal BC Provincial Museum

The Other Emily: Redefining Emily Carr will shake off the stubborn stereotypes that have come to characterize this iconic artist.

The exhibition draws on the Royal BC Museum’s vast Carr collection to mount the first-ever exploration of the artist’s life before she became famous – from her teenage years to just before her emergence on the national art scene in 1927.

This new story of her life includes twenty of Carr’s masterpieces, including one painting recently acquired by the Royal BC Museum and on public display for the very first time.

In addition to the outstanding original Carr paintings, visitors can admire more than a dozen rarely-seen sketches and drawings, view numerous manuscripts and handwritten letters, read personal diary accounts, examine archival photographs, and much more. Eighteen contemporary paintings of Carr by artist Manon Elder are presented in counterpoint with the archival photographs that inspired them. See Facebook for more pictures.

March 2 to October 10, 2011-Don't Miss it! Stay at our B&B as we are only minutes from the Museum.

Text copied from the museum site.

Denniston Park in Esquimalt

This is a small but delightful park in Esquimalt. You get to it by travelling west on Esquimalt Road to Grafton. Turn left and drive to the end of the street. There is parking for about 6 cars. There are great views of Juan de Fuca Strait and out towards Race Rocks Light Station. Shore views are of Saxe Point Park, the Esquimalt Naval Base and more. Great place for a picnic on a warm summer day. Enjoy. For more pics go to Facebook

This is not far from our B&B.

Spring officially is Sunday at 4 but Victoria is ahead

Yesterday I visited Beacon Hill Park to get my dose of Spring Fever....One shot was not enough. Seemed like everywhere I turned the color just got better and better. Passing back through the city I could not help but notice a good number of cars from frozen Alberta. Smart people! Enjoy.... For more pics, visit our facbook site at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34103&l=16599c13d8&id=152079471515355

Although these photos were taken at Beacon Hill Park, you can see more of the same walking 20 min or so to Saxe Point Park, not far from our B&B.

Victoria showing signs of spring coming

Following the appearance of snow drops and daffodils poking through the earth, the trees are starting their bloom. Once this starts Victorians know that spring is really on the way. In a few weeks full spring bloom will occur. There are a few rhododendrons blossoming as well. So, if you are looking for a place to get out of the snow, Victoria is the place. Come and stay at our B&B.

Spring has Sprung in Victoria - predictions are right

This tree is not laden with blossoms but they are starting to come out. The snow-drops are coming out of the ground as are the tulips. Buds are starting open. I must admit that I have seen blossoms in late December and often in the middle of January, so these are not really that early, even though they have been out for about ten days. I hesitate to post our weather conditions because I have seen what it has been like across Canada and in the USA. We again feel really lucky to live here. We did get snow for a short while. It was however short lived. The second snowfall, I did not even bother to shovel. I let the liquid sunshine take it away. This does not mean that we could not have another downturn in the weather, but all forecasts are for an early spring, so we hope these early signs will bring it on! Spring is in the air!

The Year of the Rabbit - Victoria Chinatown Celebrates February 3-6

Picture above: Crowd watches the Lion Dance just outside the Gates of Harmonious Interest in -
Top Picture: Year of the Rabbit..one of UVic's finest - Why do they hang out there?

Victoria's Chinatown. If you have not gone before, do so soon. It is quite a spectacle of color and pageantry. It is exciting and very well attended. Get their early to get a good viewing point. This year's celebrations take place from February 3-6th.

"Think Fast" The Tourism Victoria Annual Sales and Marketing Showcase.

Pictures above: Rob Gialloreto, CEO and Mayor Dean Fortin, top: Peter Legge, guest speaker

Today I attended "Think Fast" The Tourism Victoria Annual Sales & Marketing Showcase. Rob Gialloreto, Tourism Victoria President & CEO, guiding the membership through a brief review of 2010 and brings forward emerging trends that will impact how we sell and market our destination. Following, Peter Legge, motivational speaker extraordinaire, ignited the room with energy as the Guest Speaker. Peter is one of the top speakers in North America and is in the Speakers Hall of Fame, and was an ambassador to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Peter is an inspiration to anyone who meets him. Peter lives his life dream as an internationally acclaimed professional speaker, a bestselling author, and as Chairman & CEO of the largest, independently owned magazine publishing company in Western Canada - Canada Wide Media Limited.

Peter urged the audience to live their dream, use the runway of their life to the full, and maintain their integrety. He urged people to find mentors and provided examples from the mentors in his life. His presentation was definitedly food for thought and inspriational.

The presentation was followed by a cocktail hour and opportunity for smoozing.

The future of Tourism Victoria is in good hands.

Victoria Tea Festival Feb 12, 13 at the Crystal Garden

Visit the Victoria Tea Festival
February 12 & 13, 2011 at the Crystal Garden

Come visit the largest public tea exhibition in North America! Hosted in the tea capital of Canada, the 5th annual event features tea tastings, tea-food selections, complimentary presentations, and opportunities to purchase tea, tea-related products, and exquisite tea wares. A Silent Auction (live and online) will be offered. Proceeds to Camosun College Child Care Services! It’s a one stop shop for all things tea! For more info & ticket outlets, click here.

Critic's Choice - Victoria's Best Restaurants

Photo above Courtesy of the Hotel Grand Pacific.

The Victoria Times Colonist Food Critic, Pam Grant just released her Best of Victoria Restaurants for the 2010 year. The Mark shown above is one of Victoria's best restaurants. Her is what Pam says about the Mark. "The city's most exclusive dining spot seats 26. Menus illustrate genuine respect for both ingredient and methodology, offering unique and faultlessly harmonious dishes. Indulge in one of the seasonally themed tasting menus or dine a la carte, with local oysters with horseradish oil and preserved lemon mignoinette, followed by duck breast, butternut squash and chestnut confit and molasses butter. Desert? Perhaps roasted pear tart scented with fennel seed and orange zest, served with tarragon panna cotta and cranberry compote. Service in all venues at this hotel, whether a formal evening at the March or Chef Choy's fabulous dim sum on the patio of the more relaxed Pacific Restaurant is simply exceptional".

Well if you are looking for something special, this is certainly one of the best in the City. We have eaten there and certain "ditto" Pam's remarks. When a food critic gives you the high sign, it is hard to go wrong. Be sure with all of the restaurants discussed here that you make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

Other restaurants that got the go from Pam Grant are:

The West Coast Tap House in the Four Point by Sheraton Victoria Gateway, 829 McCallum Road in beautiful Langford, phone 250-474-6033. We have had great food here as well.

Basilico Ristorante and Lounge, 832 Goldstream Avenue in Langford. Phone 250-391-5589. We have eaten here a number of times and the food is sensational.

Kim's Vietnamese Restaurant, 748 Johnson St., phone 250-385-00455 - We have had good food here as well. Downtown Victoria.

Nar, 2540 Windsor Road, Oak Bay. Phone 250-598-1085. Turkish fare. We have heard good things about this restaurant.

Green Leaf Bistro, 1684 Douglas Street, phone 250-590-8302. Downtown Victoria.

Ulla, 509 Fisgard Street, phone 250-8795. Downtown Victoria.

Bon Sushi, 1467 Hampshire Road, Oak Bay, phone 250-592-0008.

Evadar's Bistro and Wine Bar, 2829 Peatt Road, in Langford. Phone 250-391-8636. As we live near here, we have been to this place multiple times and it is great!

Al-Sultan, 1813 Douglas Street, phone 250-590-4044.

Amrikko's Fine Indian Cuisine, 298 Old Island Highway, phone 250-590-4044.

The Marina Restaurant, 1327 Beach Drive, Oak Bay. Phone 250-598-8555. This restaurant has been around for a long time and it is always good.

Golden Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant, 627 Fort Street, phone 250-388-3148.

Restorante La Piola, 3189 Quadra Street, Saanich. Phone 250-388-3148.

Ho-Ting Chinese Restaurant, 809 Craigflower Road in Vic West, phone 250-383-8897.

To view Pam Grant's comments on these restaurants, click here to view the promo I received.

The Sun Sets in Victoria - a fine Winter Day

With slightly cooler weather on the West Coast, we often get more blue sky. With the clear skies come great sunsets. These two were from last night. We were on the move through Victoria, so we were not strategically located for great photos. As we drove the intensity of the sunsets increased. It was a spectacular evening in Victoria. Enjoy.

For more information on Victoria click here. For a great place to view waterfront sunsets, stay at Hemingway's by the Sea or Denniston by the sea.