Tag Archives: Crown Princess

January 4, 2017 · 5:35 am

Victoria— Continuing on the Juan de Fuca Strait

On Government Street

Victoria’s Empress Dock is along Government Street, and it’s from here that you may catch the Victoria Ferry tour of the Juan de Fuca Strait. It’s also from the Empress Dock that you’ll get some really great shots of the British Columbia Legislative Parliament.

B.C. Legislative Assembly Parliament Building

I absolutely love photographing this impressive late 19th Century structure. Construction started in 1893 and was completed four years later. Here is a close-up view of the main dome:

B.C. Legislative Assembly Parliament Building

Your ferry tour will take you north, deep into Victoria’s upper harbor. Along the way you’ll find views of the Cascade Mountains on the mainland and some fun buildings:

Looking beyond to the Cascade Mountains

Canoe Brew Pub

The ferry passes beneath the very picturesque Selkirk Trestle on the charmingly named Galloping Goose Trail:

Selkirk Trestle on the Galloping Goose Trail

It’s in the upper harbor that you’ll find some really interesting homes. Here are some photos of these residential areas:

Homes along the Strait

The family transportation

Juan de Fuca Strait

Cherry II

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Tagged as Crown Princess, Fun Photo Friday, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation, Victoria Island

January 2, 2017 · 5:35 am

Victoria — The Strait of Juan de Fuca

Red, White, and Yellow

From March through October there’s another view available on your visit to Vancouver Island. That would be taking a ferry water tour from the Empress Dock on the Wharf. Tickets are available at the nearby visitors center. The Victoria Harbor Ferry tour boats look pretty much like the yellow H2O taxis, and you board them on the same dock as the taxis, but they’re green instead of yellow. Here’s a view of a similar but slightly smaller H2O taxi:

Taxi Tour of the Strait

The actual tour ferries look like this (photo from Victoria Harbour Ferry website):

Victoria Harbour Ferry tour boat

And what do you get for your $26 Canadian? A great ride along the Juan de Fuca Strait. It’s a fun ride, and you’ll see sights that you would otherwise miss.

Juan de Fuca Strait

Before you even get on the water, however, you’ll still get some great shots from the dock. Here is a view of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly building with its magnificent verdigris domes:

The Wharf and the B.C. Legislative Assembly

That green ship you see in the foreground is the Thane, and on it is a banner advertising three-hour tours for $89. Makes one wonder if it has a two-man crew, perhaps going by the names of Skipper Jonas Grumby and First Mate Gilligan. Perhaps next time I’ll try this venue. It certainly looks to be a fun ride. Here’s a close-up view of the Thane: