Our trip to Victoria B.C. with the Victoria Clipper

We haven't much to report lately, but last weekend was our 2nd wedding anniversary and for this occasion we did not go cheap and went on a trip. 

Saturday morning at 6 am rang our alarm clock. We had a second one as backup, just in case, then we had to wake our baby son which is a very tough job, then grabbed our trolley, the child car seat, our backpack and took our SUV to Downtown Seattle. 

After some extra laps around the parking garages (we couldn't decide where to park) we arrived just before 7 pm for the Clipper check-in. From there it went very fast - stayed in the waiting room for very short before the people with small children (us) where called for preboarding and so we were the first on board the Victoria Clipper. We picked some nice seats with tables, bought us a breakfast basket and 3.5 hours later arrived in Victoria B. C.

We had booked a combo tour with Clipper Vacations and waited in a bus for a few passengers that did not show, but a little while later we went on our way to the city tour with our very funny bus driver & tour guide. The tour went to "The Butchart Garden" north of the city, where we had two hours to stroll the pretty lawns and gardens with sun but cool Spring temperatures. On the way back into town we were dropped off at our hotel. # 1 in value! Says it all, right?. The bus driver gave us two tips where he likes to eat (we always ask locals for their favorite place to eat).

After a short break we went for a walk in the city on your own. At the port we went to dinner at Harbour House (first recommendation of the bus driver), where we ate a very delicious rack of Lamb - also a recommendation of the bus driver and our traditional Anniversary dessert 'creme brulee'. Slightly drunk from Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay, a little sick and tired (of course our toddler was tired), we took a cab back to the hotel. 

On Sunday, after a not so quiet night (cold and noisy) we got our free breakfast in the very cheap & greasy restaurant of our value hotel. Breakfast was simple, cheap, but free. The hotel shuttle drove us back into town. We went to the Visitor Center where a very unmotivated student with a heavy coffee breath have us the advice to walk to Beacon Hill Park to check out the petting zoo and playground. Unfortunately, there was a very cold wind and so we were very glad when we came across the  the second recommendation of our great bus driver by accident - and right for lunch time: the Samuel There was also a brunch going on - which we learnt is often fully booked out for days - and where we got the last two seats for the day. 

After a great brunch buffet we went to the Fairmount Empress to see, drink coffee, write postcards, shop in their boutique and then we strolled back to the port for the 6 pm sailing. Again a very fast ferry check in (pre-boarding) and at 10 pm we were back home. A very nice, relaxing weekend - especially thanks to the great restaurant recommendations of the bus driver.

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