Be a tourist in your own town

By Trudy Chiswell

We got the tickets… did the deed… and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! 

We had many naysayers about experiencing the Tourist in Your Own Town venue, but my friend and I decided to do it anyway. People said “the lineups were too long, too many crowds, I’ve done it before” and many other comments. What we experienced was quite different and my overall assessment of the program is positive. It is well worth doing. What a great way to banish the tail end of winter and jump into spring!

One morning we hopped on the number 75 bus with our monthly bus pass and took a ride all the way into Butchart Gardens. Now, if you think at this time of year there would be nothing to see at Butchart Gardens; you would be wrong. They had turned the Blue Poppy cafeteria into a spring oasis of colour. Bringing spring into the greenhouse environment with small trees as backdrops there were beautiful orchids of every description and colour. Some looked like pink butterflies on thin curved branches, while others were pure white perfection. We strolled along curving pathways that lead around corners with surprise beds of hyacinths, tulips and daffodils. A lovely little bridge walkway went over a pond with gold fish and a sparkling water fall. Spring flowering trees in a Japanese setting all made for a magical morning. After taking a walk around the rest of the property we could see that the spring display for the whole garden was only a week or two away. 

Still using our monthly bus pass, we hopped the bus again and went into Sidney to experience another free pass into the Sidney museum. This would be a great place to take children with all the many Lego constructions. Beyond Lego is a small museum of local Sidney artifacts. We also enjoyed just strolling along Beacon Street and enjoying the many quaint little stores to shop in. Of course a day there wouldn’t be complete without a stop for lunch at Lunn’s Bakery Deli and Coffee Shop or the Sidney Bakery for delicious fresh bread.

We ended our day by hopping back on the bus to Victoria and enjoying an amazing Ukrainian dinner at the Ukrainian Hall on Douglas Street. Yum!

On a beautiful sunny day we rented a car with our 25% off coupon and headed an hour out of town to the Sooke Regional Museum. What a great museum they have out there! It was very interesting and chocked full of local history and artifacts. They have a good amount of local First Nation artifacts, and a well-equipped gift shop with friendly people to wait on you. Even though we were a week early with our tickets the staff opened and gave us a tour of Moss Cottage and the Triangle Island lighthouse. This is well worth the trip out to Sooke! On a warmer day you could then head to the Sooke Spit or the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park for a picnic.

After the museum we headed for Fort Rod Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse with another free ticket from the book. There is so much to see there that half a day was just not enough! Wandering through the grounds I wondered if this location every saw any action. Big and little boys alike would love this area. Walking past the Fortress Plotting Room and around the corner there was the Fisgard Lighthouse in all its glory. Imagine the lighthouse keepers having to row out to the lighthouse before the causeway was constructed.

Topping off the week we went for High Tea on Sunday at the Empress with a 50% off coupon. The open- air dining room with all the little seating areas and the pianist playing soft background music was magical. Gracious and attentive staff made it a memorable event. Of course, there was the three tiered china plate with little sandwiches, scones with cream and strawberry jam and tiny sweets on top.  Sitting by the window in the opulent setting we enjoyed views of the Inner Harbor. After wandering downstairs to ogle the old pictures and artifacts of the Empress we crossed the road. Taking a picture of the Scottish bagpipe player with the hotel in the background was a memory of our adventure. 

Some of the tickets carried over for the second week so we had time to enjoy a full day at the Royal BC Museum and IMAX theatre. These were not free, but 50% off was a good deal. Heading up to the third floor first, we were fortunate enough to jump into a tour just beginning with a group of 14 year olds. First Nation, Leslie McGarry, of Kwakwa’wakw  Nation, Kwagiiulth village, our tour guide, is the great granddaughter of Jonathan Hunt. Leslie took us into the longhouse of her great grandfather and gave a great explanation of the contents and purpose of each artifact. Taking us around to the different displays she explained how her people lived before and after the Europeans came to BC in 1823. It was a fascinating tour and we felt privileged to have been able to join the group and hear all this past history of a rich heritage.

Going down to the second floor we enjoyed the beautiful Wildlife Photography of the Year. The back lighting of the photos gave them real depth. Spectacular! We topped off our museum tour by watching one of the many wonderful films at the IMAX theatre, always an enjoyable place to go.

The Legislative Building tour is wonderful for anyone interested in architecture, stained glass and history. The Market Square Historic tour was also a very interesting window into the past.

So, next year when the book comes out for Be a Tourist in Your Hometown, buy one. It is well worth the price and time to just enjoy the world around you. The summer will get packed with tourists and if you have been around to these places beforehand, you’ll know where to take your visitors. You will know which attractions will appeal and those that won’t. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and the $12.50 for the book was well worth the money! Map out your own adventure next year and visit some of the places you pass by every day.