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VANCOUVER ISLAND continued !
Despite the snow and the lure of our luxury bolt hole, we did get out and about!
Victoria is a very British part of the world-in some ways it is more British than we are-the waitress would not believe that the English did not sit down for proper afternoon tea each day.
On a particularly cold and snowy day we visited the Pariament Building for British Columbia, and to our surprise we were allowed in to watch a debate! Believe it or not they were debating the merits of testing children in schools-it was like being at home-the arguments were the same,only the jargon was different. Bizarre! The only difference to Westminster was that the M.Ps were polite to each other-the debate only lasted until midday as they all had to disappear for a 2 hour lunch break!
We visited the British Columbia Museum which was stunning. There was an interactive section on the mating habits of insects and animals-it is amazing what they get up to,makes our lives seem rather dull. The second exhibition was on the history of British Columbia-brilliantly put together and fascinating to view for a visitor.The best exhibition by far was on the First Nations{the natives of Canada). There were dozens of native totem poles with explanation of their meaning and origin.We saw their homes,fishing techniques, clothing...and gained a real insight into their way of life. More sadly we learnt how the arrival of Europeans destroyed their way of life as well as decimating their population through the introduction of European diseases to which they had no immunity. Clearly it has taken the Canadian people and their Government a long time to recognise the failures of the past - guilt has finally led them to giving the First Nation People back ancestoral rights and lands and supporting the people in their attempt to perpetuate their traditions. A very sobering and thought provoking experience.
Do not worry it has not all been serious. Lamp shade! I was allowed out on my own for 15 minutes-mistake! I was exploring the hotel and looking out on the wintery scene when a lamp and its shade crashed about my feet. In anger and surprise I looked for the guilty person only to realise that the chord was wrapped around my feet. I thought about walking away quietly but that was not easy considering the devastation about me! so I bravely went to Reception to confess and ask for forgiveness. When Sandy arrived I had the Housekeeper and security guard with me -they were more concerned with my health than anything else-if I had been quicker I should have rolled around in agony( that would have got us another free night I am sure!) Sandy's reaction to this was very mature-she started giggling - goodbye free night! Since then I have been on a tight lease-and can only go out under supervision.
Salt Spring Island. One day we toured one of the Gulf Islands off the east coast of Vancouver Island. It was an organised tour but since we were the only 2 on it we had a chauffeur who gave us a personalised tour,complete with picnic hamper for the ferry crossing.The day started in reasonable weather but then the snow came-more later. On the way to the ferry we stopped next to a river where we watched a salmon run- the Pacific Salmon at the age of 4 years return to their home river to spawn.We were amazed to see this wonder of nature that we had only heard about. The only disappointment was that we did not see a bear( I think that they were tipped off about our arrival) We visited Ganges village for a leisurely break looking into the artists workshops and viewing of the beautiful scenery. At one of our many coffee stops( the guide's vacuum flask was not big enough) we bumped into Canadian Mounties and their husky dogs.Sandy was very brave and took a photo(Bertie hid in Brian's pocket).He was more excited when he experienced his first wine tasting at the next stop(unfortunately it all ended in tears and he had to have a lie down).We made ourselves purchase a bottle to take back to the hotel to use the ice bucket and wine glasses to keep the butler happy. We also visited one of the oldest, family owned, working farms in the state-dating back for 100 years(by Canadian standards that is old!).Our driver took us up into mountain territory which she instantly regretted (thick snow appeared from nowhere and fell at an alarming rate.Sandy by this tlme was ecstactic , exclaiming that it was a magical winterland scene with snow glistening on the fir trees in the dark.She was begging to get out and take photos, apparently unaware of the great concern being shown by Brian and the driver as to whether we would actually make it down and the real possibility that we would be spending the night stranded !We dragged Sandy kicking and screaming down the mountain.Phew we did make it!(much to Sandy's disappointment!).At the Fulford ferry terminal we stopped to look at an eclectic range of shops, a little reminiscent of the wild west,complete with "red indian woman" sitting cross legged and bare foot in an unheated shack selling hand crafted hemp blankets.
Somehow we made it back to the hotel, much to the guide's relief. It had been a fantastic day.We really enjoyed the scenery-this is what we thought that Canada was all about.Trees,water and beauty everywhere.
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