CANADA: Victoria's Inner Harbour

Another place our footsteps keep taking us back to is Victoria, on Vancouver Island, on the west coast of Canada.

Victoria was first settled by Europeans in 1843 when the Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Victoria as a trading post.

It quickly grew into a key port and became the capital of British Columbia in 1868.

The inner harbour in the city’s centre is always active with boats, ferries, water taxis and planes.

There are always float planes coming and going in the inner harbour.

There are flights between downtown Victoria, Vancouver, Seattle and some of the other nearby islands. Because the takeoffs and landings are located in downtown harbours they are much quicker than regular flights to airports.  

They are also used for scenic flights over the coast and surrounding mountains.

There are cute little passenger ferry boats for harbour tours and water taxi service within the inner harbour. 

Then there are the big ferries. The Victoria Clipper passenger ferry runs directly between downtown Victoria’s Inner Harbour and downtown Seattle.

The Coho ferry takes both passengers and vehicles between downtown Victoria to Port Angeles, in Washington State.

Just at the edge the harbour cruise ships from the US going up to Alaska stop for guests to explore the city. 

Built to look like a grand château, overlooking the inner harbour, is the Empress Hotel. It opened in 1908 and is one of Canada’s iconic hotels. 

I have not partaken of them, but, the hotel is famous for its Victorian tradition of Afternoon Tea. 

The British Columbia Legislature Building, completed in 1898, is the home of the provincial government. 

I've saved the best for the last.... The sunsets are stunning over the harbour.

Our building has a rooftop terrace and we have a great location to watch the sun set.

Every night they are different and as the season progresses the location of the setting sun changes.

A very pretty way to end the day.