Whale Watching

Monday June 18th, was the day for whale watching and we had pre-booked ths tour as far back as March! We were not to be disappointed as we followed J & L Pods of Orca whales.

 We breakfasted on fresh fruit, yogurt & granola at the hotel's Vista Restaurant - on the top floor with views over the Empress Hotel and harbour. We assembled at the Five Star tour operator offices and were given a safety talk and intoduced to the crew and fellow passengers. We had a long chat with people from Clitheroe and one of the office staff came from Rochdale - small world! 

 

(Sorry my best attempt!)

The tour was from 10.00 - 13.00 and was truely amazing. The crew of 4 included a marine biologist who has been tracking whales in this region for years and has a portfolio of them. Each one can be identified by their white marking on their dorsal fin, rather like our finger prints.

On the way out of Victoria Harbour the guide pointed out places of interest that we could see along the coast. Deja vu - the commentary that we should have had the on the previous day!   

                 Harbour taxi, Victoria

Sea Plane coming in to land

                                                                                                  

The afternoon became very warm and sunny and we just sat at the harbour front people watching. A good pass time I always think - especially if you have an icecream to hand! We wandered back to the hotel at 18.45 via Thunderbird Park.

http://www.explorevancouverisland.com/Thunderbird_Park_Victoria__Vancouver_Island_BC.htm

Chief Tony Hunt is hereditary chief of the KwaGulth people and is one of the greatest living native artists of the Pacific Northwest. He is fluent in his native Kwak’wala language, which was taught to him by his grandfather, legendary artist Chief Mungo Martin.
Chief Hunt created Thunderbird Park with his father, Chief Henry Hunt, and his grandfather.

Bastion Square & the Irish Pub

 After a quick spruce up we set out again for a meal at The Irish Pub which stands on the corner of Bastion Square and Government Street.
Bastion Square is the site of the bastion which stood at the NE corner of Fort Victoria which was erected by The Hudsons Bay Company in 1843.

I have written in the diary which I took with me: "Really fab day" I certainly can't dispute that. The harbour at dusk looked pretty amazing.