Victoria, Canada

I want to rave about Victoria like everyone else. I really do. Sometimes I wonder if I should just lie to others -- and myself. "It really does look and feel like England!" Or, "Forget Vancouver, Victoria is more charming!" Instead I usually begin with, "I froze my ass off in August, so pack accordingly. Most restaurants are closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly."

I'll admit, it was my fault for not bringing a jacket when I lived less than hour south of the Canadian border -- I knew better. But it was August, and I was visiting an island. In my world (which doesn't include Iceland and Greenland apparently), that equates to balmy weather. Restaurants being closed on a Monday however, that one was a doozy. Still, we trudged on like good American tourists. 

By the time we reached the mural of the smallest Chinatown in North America, I was too famished and impatient to take pictures of what it really looked like. When we hit our third "Closed" sign I remember thinking, "I feel like I'm in Groundhog Day."

I have little to no recollection of what I thought of the architecture, carvings, people, or food. Although I can tell you how hungry, cold, or hungry and cold I was when I took the picture. Victoria was just one day, but this type of day happens often when you travel. Sometimes you just want to stomp your foot on the ground and yell "NO!" like a brat. Sometimes, you are a brat. It's not the end of the world though, and at the very least, you end up with a good story. I can say with some certainty that you won't read my advice in any Victoria guide book. Then again, maybe the one about the weather, but definitely not the bit about restaurants. In retrospect, Mondays off does makes sense. Who besides tourists and New Yorkers go out to eat the first day of the week? Perhaps this is one of many Victoria's secrets... (Predictable? Yes. Worth it? Hella yes.)

Length of Stay

One day

Docking Index

     

Five anchors, a neutral index. It's only fair given that my primal needs ruled my emotions. Looks like I have to go back. Darn, it's such a pain to replenish my supply of British chocolates.