Strolling down Memory Lane in Victoria

Strolling down Memory Lane in Victoria

It was a new experience visiting Victoria with Baby B. We have fond memories of Victoria from the days when we both lived there 10 years ago, but times have certainly changed!

We were both in University back then, frequenting the local watering holes and dreaming about where our lives would take us. It was a fun period.

We knew that our recent visit to the laid-back British Columbian capital was going to be different from previous trips (no whale watching this time). Our travel style has changed now that Baby B has joined our family. We now need to consider his needs (specifically his 3 naps a day and 7:00PM bed time!), so we planned to spend most of our time wandering around Victoria’s Inner Harbour and relaxing by the hotel pool.

We were invited by the good people at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa to check out its newly renovated digs on the Victoria Day long weekend. We love Victoria, so it didn’t take much convincing.

This was our second time staying at the Delta Victoria, but our first visit was before the renovation so we were curious to see the difference.

Our room was on the 7^th floor, boasting magnificent west facing views of the inner harbour. There was a noticeable difference in the quality of the rooms after the upgrade. The style and feel is modern and fresh, with all of the latest toys and gadgets. And our comfortable king size bed was big hit with Baby B.

We love the waterfront location of the Delta Victoria, just across the iconic Johnson Street bridge (pictured in the opening photo). It’s far enough away from the noisy bars (which is now a good thing) but still within walking distance to the downtown core.

Baby B is an early riser so having access to the waterfront seawall was a big plus for us. Morning coffee always taste better when consumed outdoors on a waterfront walkway.

We spent our first day in Victoria cruising around the city, make good use of the sun’s welcomed presence.

It rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest, so when the sun does finally make an appearance residents quickly head outdoors. Like Vancouver, Victoria is blessed with a great seawall that snakes around its active harbour, providing the perfect scenic route for walkers, cyclists, roller-bladers and runners.

The fresh smell of the salty Pacific seawater on a hot summer day is something we can’t get enough of – it’s what West Coast living is all about.

We were provided complimentary Harbour Ferry passes to take Baby B around the habour and show him some of Victoria’s highlights. The little water taxi puttered from the Delta Ocean Pointe ferry dock to the Westbay Marine Village in Esquimalt, a popular marina with beautiful house boats and floating cottages.

Baby B and Nicole on the Harbour Ferry in Westbay Marine Village

Westbay Marina in Esquimalt

Floathome village in Westbay

Float plane about to take off from the harbour “airstrip”

We had the water taxi drop us off at the popular Fisherman’s Wharf so that we could sample some deep fried fish and chips (an old tradition from 10 years ago). Barb’s Place has been a favourite Victoria take-out joint for many years. It’s located directly on the Fisherman’s Wharf boardwalk, the perfect waterfront location for a hot summer day.

We were glad that Barb’s still serves tasty fish and chips, but disappointed that its service has gone downhill. Be prepared to wait 25 minutes to get your food!

Barb’s Place Fish & Chips at the Fisherman’s Wharf

Fish and Chips from Barb’s Place

Kayak rental shop and floating houses at Fisherman’s Wharf

Baby B feeding the seals at Fisherman’s Wharf

After devouring our fish and chips we took Baby B to feed the seals. The fat seals literally stretch out of the water to eat fish right out of your hand, to the delight of giggling toddlers and children. By the looks of things, these seals have been eating well!

Rather then take the harbour ferry back to the hotel, we decided to walk along the Inner Harbour to visit the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria’s most well known landmarks. It gave us the opportunity to capture this photo, so that we could see the difference that just a few months makes.

Back in our university days, Nicole worked on the horse carriages, driving tourists around the city and pointing out its historical sights and attractions. To this day, it remains her favorite job because of her love of horses and travel. It was fun watching Baby B’s reaction when we brought him up close to the horses – he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.

It was a strange feeling, lying on the soft grass in front of the Parliament Buildings. We couldn’t help but reflect on our university years and all that has happened since those memorable days. As the cliche goes, time flies when you’re having fun!

Every time we visit Victoria memories come flooding back at warp speed. Although it’s only a ferry ride away from our home in Vancouver, we don’t make it to Victoria as much as we’d like. It will always hold a special place in our hearts, since it’s the city where we met for the first time.

This time around, it was fun showing Baby B our favourite spots – walking down memory lane. It’s one of the simple joys of being a parent. Something we hope never grows old.

A big hit for Baby B was the pool at the Delta. He’s definitely an aqua-baby! Whenever he gets cranky, all we have to do is put him in water and he’s back to his happy, giggly self. We like that the pool was enclosed in glass, making it a year round facility (ideal in a city like Victoria).

If you enjoy a good beer and find yourself in Victoria, we recommend you visit a local brewery (Victoria is home to some world class brewpubs!). The Delta is located between two popular breweries – Spinnakers Brewpub and Swans Brewpub. Both have a variety of beer selections that can be consumed at the brewpub or in bottles to takeaway (both are within walking distance to the Delta Victoria).

Delicious Nut Brown Ale from Spinnakers Brewpub

Our suite at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort

Dinner with a view at LURE Restaurant, the hotel restaurant at the Delta Victoria

Victoria Day celebrations at the BC Parliament Buildings

Victoria’s Inner Harbour, views from Johnson Street Bridge

Johnson Street Bridge

Statue facing the Empress Hotel (its back faces the Inner Harbour)

Downtown Victoria and Inner Harbour

Read more posts about Victoria, BC

• A Delicious Journey at LURE Restaurant in Victoria
• 7 Things You Should Do in Victoria, British Columbia
• Photo of the Week: Victoria Inner Harbour at Night
• Surrounded by Killer Whales in Victoria, British Columbia

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Editor’s disclosure: we were invited as guests to the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa in downtown Victoria. As always, thoughts and expressed opinions are entirely our own.