#135 Jan 2017 Kung Hei Fat Choi!

A New Year! 

Let’s get traveling again!

We started with a day trip to the Sunshine Coast with Al and Gail.

On the way to the ferry we enjoyed the sunrise on the Lions.

I’m glad BC Ferries knows which ferry docks where and which vehicles go to which ramp.

With the mountains as a backdrop it was a beautiful day to be on the ocean.

On the Sunshine Coast we had a great visit talking and reminiscing with Fred and Sue.

As we waited for the return ferry, Al pointed out the lights on the ski runs on the back of Cypress Mountain.

Sunset was as spectacular as sunrise had been on the way over.

After being near the ocean it was easy to forget how much snow was still in Surrey. This great blue heron was patiently waiting for a meal.

Skating on the frozen Serpentine Wildlife Wetland is a rare treat.

 

A walk on the White Rock Promenade is always a pleasure.

Mid January we were finally on the road again at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal heading for Vancouver Island.

Ferries often meet one another going through Active Pass.

We arrived at Oceanside RV Resort in Saanichton, about 15 minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. 

This map shows the Saanich Peninsula. 

  At the top is the Swartz Bay Terminal.

  In the middle is Oceanside RV Resort. 

  At the bottom is Victoria.

#2 on the right side of the map is Oceanside RV Resort. 

Our site is right beside the water between the main island and the spit.

What a beautiful view from our site.

This photo is from the Spit looking back at our motorhome.

The Spit is traditional First Nations Land.

There is a walking path around to the end of the Spit ending with a view of Saanichton Bay.

In the park the blooming heather and early bird robins immediately caught my attention.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour always beckons us to wander around and absorb the ambiance.

This scene commemorates the naval personnel who served Canada from 1910 when the Canadian Navy was established until it's centennial in 2010.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel is a stately anchor at the end of the harbour.

At the very top, the Widow’s Walk is the lookout where women would watch for their men to come home from the sea.

 

The British Columbia Parliament Buildings draw thousands of visitors every year.

Captain George Vancouver stands atop the dome and watches over some of the area he surveyed in 1792.

Queen Victoria surveys the heart of the city bearing her name.

Francis M. Rattenbury was the architect for both the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel. He began his illustrious career at age 25 when he won the competition to design the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.

Victoria’s Chinatown is the first and oldest intact Chinatown in Canada.

In the 1850s thousands of Chinese migrated to gold rush sites in California. In 1858 the Fraser Gold Rush drew those same people to Canada. Victoria was the primary point of entry and became a gathering point for Chinese immigrants.

On Chinese New Year we took a walking tour of Chinatown. The tour guide was very informative and guided us through the crowds as he explained the history and significance of many buildings and activities.

This is the year of the rooster which is the epitome of fidelity and punctuality.

We visited the Tam Kung Temple the oldest Chinese temple in Canda.

The attendant at the temple was preparing the temple offering for the New Year. To bring prosperity to homes and businesses lettuce and money in red envelopes are hung from doorways. During the parade the lions grab the offering, keep the money and spit out lettuce leaves.

In China Lee Mong Kow was an interpreter at the Canadian Customs House and Immigration Office. Like many others he came to Canada for a better life but he found prejudice and intolerance here as well. In 1899 he was a founder of the Lok Kwun Free School and a tireless promoter of Chinese education. The school still stands today and continues to help Chinese children learn about their history and culture.

For Chinese New Year the children learn how to manage friendly dragons and participate in the celebrations.

 

The lions are more difficult to get near.

We finished our Chinatown adventure with dim sum. We shared a table with a young couple visiting from the Lower Mainland. He was born in Macau near Hong Kong and she was from Romania. A lovely international finale to our day.