NOTE: This post contains slideshows and if you are reading it on your phone, it is best viewed direct from the SITE, rather than in the READER.
All photos taken on September 22, 2021 during our walk along the Songhees Walkway in Victoria.
PART 1 – In the AIR
There are many ways to reach Victoria from the mainland, scheduled airline, car and ferry crossing, cruise liner or other boat and of course the ubiquitous seaplane. Being a Government center as well as a business and tourist destination, there are many such seaplane flights from Vancouver every day. The 35 minute flight can cost as little as $125, depending on date, time and luggage weight. Harbour Air is the largest seaplane airline in North America.
We have yet to take this mode of transport, but perhaps, some day……
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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18 thoughts on “Road Trip – Harbour Traffic”
Lots of activity on the water. I’d like to be on a kayak or on the yacht!
I think the harbour would be a good place to kayak. The group kayak lesson shot was hilarious the way all the coloured kayaks lined up. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
I think that Victoria harbour is really beautiful. We had a scenic seaplane trip all arranged for the four of us but were unlucky as it was cancelled due to poor visibility. A good reason to return sometime though as we’ve not used this mode of transport either.
Yes, seaplane travel can be quite changeable. B.C. was under an atmospheric river yesterday with rain in Victoria of about 120 mm (5 inches) Places inland got as much as 300 mm (12 inches). We are getting our share of the flow today with high winds (70 k/h) and blowing snow. Welcome to winter. Thanks for reading Marion. Allan
Do you mean the Canadian Coast Guard? If so, this group, does ice breaking, search and rescue, communication and navigation assistance. It does not have naval or law enforcement responsibilities, unlike most country’s Coast Guard units. They likely would have responded to the recent container ship distress and fire issues near Vancouver and I am sure they are out there these past few days in the crazy weather we have been having, trying to assist any vessels having difficulty. Thanks for reading. Allan
We never saw them but CBSA and RCMP would be responsible for the border patrols. Unfortunately, many people try and do some illegal things at border crossings and this border between U.S. and Canada is no exception.
Yep. I was born in a border town and for 3 years, my parents learned that there’s a certain life and culture in these towns. They never did anything shady, but we divided our time between France and Switzerland for 3 years so we figured out some stuff
Oooooh. Now, there is a retirement project. Hope all is well at your Penticton place, given the recent nasty weather. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan
Diverse transportation for sure. The seaplane flight between Vancouver and Victoria has long been a dream of ours. Fingers crossed it happens one day. Thanks for reading. Allan
Sheltered by the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and influenced by the warm North Pacific current, creating the mildest climate in Canada, the Victoria Harbour is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. I would most likely soak up lovely aerial views while crossing the Strait of Georgia by seaplane one way and catch the ferry back to the mainland, admiring stunning island and ocean views at dusk. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂 Aiva
It does have a great winter climate, although they had high winds and 112 mm of rain earlier this week. B.C. has been devastated by flooding along the Fraser River, Abbottsford got 290 mm of rain. Many people have been evacuated and all roads leading to Vancouver are closed due to slides and washouts. Horrible situation, to be sure. Island life would not be for me, when the storms howl. Cheers. Allan
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Lots of activity on the water. I’d like to be on a kayak or on the yacht!
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I think the harbour would be a good place to kayak. The group kayak lesson shot was hilarious the way all the coloured kayaks lined up. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice.
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Thanks for reading. Allan
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I think that Victoria harbour is really beautiful. We had a scenic seaplane trip all arranged for the four of us but were unlucky as it was cancelled due to poor visibility. A good reason to return sometime though as we’ve not used this mode of transport either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, seaplane travel can be quite changeable. B.C. was under an atmospheric river yesterday with rain in Victoria of about 120 mm (5 inches) Places inland got as much as 300 mm (12 inches). We are getting our share of the flow today with high winds (70 k/h) and blowing snow. Welcome to winter. Thanks for reading Marion. Allan
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I find the fact that there is border patrol via water a little creepy!
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Do you mean the Canadian Coast Guard? If so, this group, does ice breaking, search and rescue, communication and navigation assistance. It does not have naval or law enforcement responsibilities, unlike most country’s Coast Guard units. They likely would have responded to the recent container ship distress and fire issues near Vancouver and I am sure they are out there these past few days in the crazy weather we have been having, trying to assist any vessels having difficulty. Thanks for reading. Allan
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No, I don’t. I have heard there are border patrol boats there
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We never saw them but CBSA and RCMP would be responsible for the border patrols. Unfortunately, many people try and do some illegal things at border crossings and this border between U.S. and Canada is no exception.
LikeLike
Yep. I was born in a border town and for 3 years, my parents learned that there’s a certain life and culture in these towns. They never did anything shady, but we divided our time between France and Switzerland for 3 years so we figured out some stuff
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I don’t have a seaplane rating but have often thought wistfully of one.
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Oooooh. Now, there is a retirement project. Hope all is well at your Penticton place, given the recent nasty weather. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan
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Thanks for asking, Allan. M is there and all is well. He did say that he had never seen it rain that hard before, and he grew up in Vancouver!
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Seems like there are a lot of interesting options to travel through the harbour. The seaplanes look adorable.
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Diverse transportation for sure. The seaplane flight between Vancouver and Victoria has long been a dream of ours. Fingers crossed it happens one day. Thanks for reading. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sheltered by the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and influenced by the warm North Pacific current, creating the mildest climate in Canada, the Victoria Harbour is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. I would most likely soak up lovely aerial views while crossing the Strait of Georgia by seaplane one way and catch the ferry back to the mainland, admiring stunning island and ocean views at dusk. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂 Aiva
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does have a great winter climate, although they had high winds and 112 mm of rain earlier this week. B.C. has been devastated by flooding along the Fraser River, Abbottsford got 290 mm of rain. Many people have been evacuated and all roads leading to Vancouver are closed due to slides and washouts. Horrible situation, to be sure. Island life would not be for me, when the storms howl. Cheers. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person