DOWNTOWN VICTORIA

Victoria, British Columbia

by Susie Lee

Victoria’s tourism catch phrase is “Full of Life.” It’s a distinct place where old world Victorian charm meets new world adventures. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is situated on the south side of Vancouver Island.

Here are the great attractions and places I visited in downtown Victoria.

VICTORIA CARRIAGE TOURS

One of the most unique ways of exploring downtown Victoria is on an old fashioned horse drawn carriage. Since 1978, Victoria Carriage Tours has been providing visitors with this unforgettable experience. The informative drivers and guides will share with you the rich history and fascinating facts about Victoria.

ROYAL BC MUSEUM – History Coming Alive

I love going to museums and it was a delight to visit Victoria, as this is the place where you'll find some of the most fascinating museums in Western Canada. I especially enjoyed browsing through the Royal BC Museum because of the unique galleries that display both the human and natural history of British Columbia, as well as travelling exhibits from around the world.

There are three main exhibit halls at the Royal BC Museum: the Natural History Gallery, the Modern History Gallery, and the First Nations Gallery. The Royal BC Museum has a collection of over seven million unique objects and documents. Ancient treasures and timeless knowledge, from pre-ice age to the present day are found under one roof! It was incredible to see authentic artifacts and walk through the recreated cobble stone streets of old Victoria.

I learnt about the effects of the devastating smallpox epidemic of 1862 on First Nations peoples, entered a ceremonial long house, admired totem poles and visited a gallery showcasing a magnificent selection of First Nations masks. My favorite exhibit was the life size woolly mammoth that stands in front of a thick wall of ice in the Natural History Gallery.

Visitors and locals alike will enjoy learning about our past at the Royal BC Museum. Remember to give yourself ample time to browse through the exhibits . I could have easily spent a day at the museum to explore everything under the roof.

ROYAL LONDON WAX MUSEUM (Closed Until Further Notice)

This is probably the closest I will ever come to meeting famous people! Royalty, celebrities, and historical figures stand alongside political personages (including past US presidents and Britain’s Winston Churchill) in the Royal London Wax Museum. The museum also accommodates a chamber of horrors, a crown jewels theatre, and exhibits depicting Canada’s frozen north and the Last Supper. One of my favorite areas was a section dedicated to Walt Disney and his animated characters.

The practice of ancient wax artistry has long been committed to impeccable detail and recreating life-like people. This is evident at the Royal London Wax Museum as it brings close to 300 wax figures alive right in the heart of downtown Victoria.

It is unbelievable how much work is involved in creating these figures. It takes a minimum of 6 months to complete a single figure! Reportedly, it takes 60 hours to perfect just the hair, as each strand must be painstakingly set in place individually. This craft may involve numerous man-hours but it is awe inspiring for visitors to see close to 300 wax figures come alive.

But aside from the fun, this museum offers an educational component in which they display prominent historical people. They also offer personal educational tours for students.

MINIATURE WORLD – A Whole New World

After visiting Miniature World, I can understand why they call it “the greatest little show on earth”! They feature displays of miniature art, from collectable dollhouses to historical scenes. For many children and adults, this form of art may look like tiny toys but this is truly a craftsmanship of skill and precision. It was fascinating to have a bird's eye view of so many famous landmarks, fairy tale worlds and real life places.

Everyone will appreciate the time, attention to intricate details, and effort that has been put into creating these models and scenes. What makes this believable and realistic to the eye is that the measurements of each piece are carefully calculated to the chosen scale. In other words, the houses, furniture and landscape had the proper scale and proportion size to the actual real life object. This is probably one of the challenging elements for the artist when creating the miniature world. The artist will then add detailing, texture and create a 3-D element to the objects. It is a hobby and craft that is a unique form of art.

As I peered into one of the dollhouses, what impressed me was how perfect the insides of the rooms looked. If you take a snapshot of the room in the dollhouse, it would be so hard to tell whether it was actually real or not. I especially admired the paintings on the walls. The artist’s attention to detail was astounding in the picture, from the facial parts to the strands of hair. One would need a magnifying glass to really appreciate the art within the art. The artist did not leave any detail out in the house from the crown moldings to the gutters on the side of the house. Everyday things we take for granted, the artist has not left anything out in creating this miniature world. I commend the artists for their precision, skill, patience and passion for this craft.

Miniature World is an engaging place that will leave visitors with a sense of wonder and awe.

THE FAIRMONT EMPRESS HOTEL – Victoria’s Grandest Tradition Lives On

A trip to Victoria is not complete without experiencing Victoria’s grandest English tradition of taking afternoon tea at the elegant Fairmont Empress Hotel. The hotel is exquisite in every way, from the furniture in the rooms and the interior decoration, to the mouth-watering bite size food served with afternoon tea in the opulent lobby.

I sat back and enjoyed a fine selection of teas, delicate sandwiches, and the renowned Empress scones. It is a good idea to make reservations as afternoon tea seatings start at 12:00 noon and are regularly fully booked.

For attire, I suggest wearing smart casual wear. Flip-flops, jogging pants and tank tops are inappropriate for this location. I would also encourage you to relax and make the most of the afternoon tea experience by turning off your cell phones and electronic devices - if not for your own benefit, then as a courtesy to other patrons. If you want to take a memento home with you as a reminder of your visit, you may wish to drop into the gift shop. There you may purchase a selection of tea blends to recreate your experience at home. I purchased the Fairmont special blend and Earl Grey – I am enjoying a cup of tea now as I write.

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS – One of the Most Photographed Buildings in British Columbia

During the day, it is hard to ignore the grandeur and presence of the parliament buildings in Victoria’s inner harbour. But in the evening these buildings become even more spectacular as 3,300 light bulbs illuminate the dark velvet sky. Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is home to the government buildings where the province’s laws and provincial government decisions are made. This architectural masterpiece will catch the attention of every visitor and their camera.

In 1893 a talented young 25 year-old architect, Francis Ruttenburg, designed and constructed the parliament buildings. It has been said that during construction he recognized the importance of supporting and working with local businesses; he tried as much as possible to use local materials and labor. The granite that was used in construction was brought in from nearby Nelson Island on the Sunshine Coast. Advanced beyond his years for creativity and talent, Ruttenberg can be lauded for the fruit of his labor.

The parliament buildings in Victoria are arguably the finest of all government buildings across Canada. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy daily tours of the buildings.

PHOTO GALLERY