Tag: Victoria

Day 10 Western Adventure

Day 10

The choice for dinner last night was an excellent one ! We headed out of the main downtown area onto a side street in the antique district where we found Sen Zushi. Todd booked a reservation on Open Table after I did some research about the place on TA. We had a great time there….

When we entered and mentioned the reservation, we were warmly greeted and promptly seated in the front area of the restaurant. The décor is rustic Japanese. There is a bar in front of the sushi/sashimi work station and numerous tables that run the length of the restaurant. It was obvious many regulars frequent here, by the greetings to the owner working at the sushi/sashimi bar. Every time someone was leaving the restaurant, the owner and his wife thanked the patrons for visiting.

6527465_3806acef9e_m

We didn’t feel rushed at any time and took our time ordering various items while people-watching and enjoying the energy at Sen Zushi. We started with Miso Soup – a perfect mix of salt and pungent flavours and an order of Edamame Beans which had only a hint of salt (nice change from other places where we have had these overly salty). Next we ordered the Maguro Sashimi (melt-in-your-mouth buttery texture) and Yakitori (perfectly cooked chicken on a skewer with a delicious teriyaki glaze). Then we ordered Goma-Miso Udon to share (Sanuki Udon noodles with chunks of tender white-meat chicken and daikon in a creamy sesame sauce served warm). And, to wrap up the meal, we decided on an order of Yam Tempura for our dessert (lightly fried, perfectly cooked with a side of soya for dipping). This meal at Sen Zushi was the best Japanese food we have had in years and highly recommend it if visiting the Victoria area….

6527466_4892cb1888_m

We took the truck and drove north about 30 minutes to Butchart Gardens this morning (55 acres of garden begun in the early 1900s to cover up a quarry area; comprised of a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Sunken Garden, and so much more…). The gardens are intensely populated by a number of different plants – a huge undertaking to create, a huge undertaking to maintain…

6527468_6542051893_m

After exploring the grounds, we headed back towards Victoria and found the State & Church Winery. We were just in time for the raptor show. The Raptors, based out of Duncan, have paired up with Stone & Church to put on shows to the public and protect the vineyards. We were given info and firsthand  introductions to a Barn Owl, a Great-Horned Owl, a Peregrine Falcon, a couple of Ferruginous Hawks, and another hawk that neither Todd and I can recall.

6527467_3e894db375_m

Once the Raptor demonstration was complete, it was time for some wine tastings and purchasing (a couple of Cabernet  Blanc Rosés and two 2009 Meritage bottles). Then we went for lunch at the restaurant on site. We ordered the Cabernet Blanc Rosé to go with our Watermelon and Feta Salad and our Vegetarian Pizza (eggplant, cherry tomatoes with basil and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses – yummy). Nice flavours and just the right amount for a late lunch.

The remainder of the afternoon comprised of relaxing on our balcony, opening some wine, and continuing the blog. If the weather remains nice (and by the way, weather here each day has exceeded the forecast; today was sunny and a high of 26°), we will be eating outside at Red Fish Blue Fish tonight.

Day 9 Western Adventure

Day 9

Because we were so tired last night, we fell asleep before 11, then awoke before 6AM… to the insatiable sound of seagulls (There are no shortage of seagulls here and their droppings can be spotted everywhere). Todd went in search of the Tim Horton’s listed on his app, but was unsuccessful. He spotted someone with a Starbucks cup, so he enquired as to the location and was led a couple of blocks up the street from our hotel. He also discovered a grocery store for us to return to later.

6525659_01773a403a_m

After breakfast in the hotel (nothing fancy…toast, scrambled eggs, and sausage), we went for a morning walk through the downtown area – the Parliament Buildings, Bastion Square, Market Square, and Chinatown. We then wandered down by the City Hall and Centennial Square where numerous volunteers were setting up for Victoria’s 150th Birthday Celebration. Within the Square, numerous vehicles from the past were on display – police cars, fire engines, and cars. We also spoke to a man who compared the original electric-driven car here on the Island and his new Nissan electric car. He was a firm advocate for clean, sustainable living. Later in the morning the festivities were to get started with the mayor making some opening remarks and then various cultural groups performing.

6525660_028c18c7cf_m

After lunch, made from products we purchased at the local grocery store Todd found earlier, we ventured out to Beacon Hill Park. It is located a few blocks from where we are staying. We saw the standard park-life (ducks, geese, birds, trees, bushes, and flowers), then came across a cricket park where a game was underway. We stopped to watch and try to figure out the gist of the game…not successful…….very confusing. Further down from the park, we came across the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole at 38.8 metres.

6525662_7fa0e3e455_m

Just outside the park’s boundary, towards the ocean, is Mile Marker 0 for the Trans-Canada Highway. The 7821km highway was actually built east to west (so technically, shouldn’t Mile Marker 0 be in St. John’s NFLD?). Here also stands a memorial to Terry Fox because this is where he planned to end his cross-country run.

6525661_bd337db462_m

Later in the afternoon, Todd headed out on his bike to ride the trail outlined on a tourist map we picked up. After a short time on the trail, he noticed the “no biking” signs (apparently the map hasn’’t been updated). So he headed over to the main drag…the Trans-Canada highway and was just “getting in the groove”, when Jon and Ponch (remember Chips?) asked him to pull over. ….Turns out it is a law in BC for everyone to where bike helmets. “Jon” kept threatening him with a $29 fine, “Ponch” recommended he get a helmet. Then “Jon” told him he would need to walk his bike back, but “Ponch” suggested if he moved over a couple streets (away from the Trans Canada), he would probably be okay for getting back to the hotel. Now Todd is off to buy a helmet…..

After checking out both Trip Advisor and Open Table, we decided to try a Japanese restaurant a couple of kilometers from the hotel…… !