Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Victoria Recap - Part 1

Greetings and happy Wednesday!  I am back from Victoria and settling back into real life.  It's always such a tough adjustment when you come back from a vacation!

As I mentioned in my race recap, Victoria was a magnificent city to explore.  I would return there in a heartbeat.  It would be a great honeymoon destination as the city was charming and there were lots of things to see and do!

Without further ado, here are some photos from the trip, taken by Lauren and Amber (I have a crappy point-and-shoot, so I am using their lovely DSLR photos!).

Standing by Green Lake in Seattle on Friday morning.  Lauren and I walked in this area before embarking on our road trip to the Vancouver area.  And yes, I am rocking out 2 striped pieces - a shirt & a purse!


We hit up a Lulu Lemon outlet before hopping on the ferry.  We all spend a lot of hours each week training so we felt we owed it to ourselves to buy some high quality workout gear!!


The view on the ferry ride to Vancouver Island.  The views were amazing!!


After settling into our hotel in Victoria, we headed out for some food - luckily we found a Thai restaurant that had an extensive GF menu.  Mmmm...  my pad thai was SO good!

After dinner, we headed to the famous Empress Hotel.  This place was amazing and beautiful.  It was like stepping back in time.  If I went to Victoria on a honeymoon, I would try to spend a night or 2 in this hotel!

The Bengal Room of the Empress Hotel was our next destination.  We were seeking dessert - and they had a GF creme brulee which was TO DIE FOR.  Ahem, that green thing on the dessert?  It's not edible.  How do I know this?  I tried to eat it as I was SO SURE it was edible.  Turns out it was wax.  Whoopsies.  This restaurant was so swanky, we were all wishing we were in a dress & heels instead of jeans & running shoes!

After dessert, we walked home, and walked past the beautiful Parliament.  Isn't it stunning all lit up?

The next day, we went to a brunch place that was recommended by Lauren's friends.  It was a great recommendation and once again - it had a great gluten free menu and my breakfast actually came with a great gluten free roll.  Be still my heart!  I never get to eat bread in a restaurant - and it tasted so good!

After brunch, we wandered down to the water and go our one and only shot of the 4 of us together!

I think that is enough photos for today!  As you can see, we had a wonderful time.  The weather was beautiful.  The city was amazing.  The company was fabulous.  What more could a girl ask for?  I feel so blessed to have met these amazing women!  We traveled so well together, I would go on another trip with all 3 of them in a heartbeat.  So far, I have felt this way about all of the women I have met through the blogging community!

If you want a recap from another perspective, check out these posts:
Amber - Day 1
Amber - Day 2
Lauren's Trip Recap

Have you ever been to Victoria or to any area of British Columbia?  I am head-over-heels in love with this part of North America.  This was my 2nd trip to BC and I will be back there next summer for Amber's wedding *insert squeal of excitement*!! 

21 comments:

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I can't wait to see this area of the country next summer! I am really concerned that I will not have enough time or money to see everything I want to see :)

Glad you guys had such a good time. I'm sure all your great eating and great company made for a good physical and mental state for the race!

Becky said...

Great photos - it looks gorgeous!!!

Raquelita said...

I have spent a lot of time in Canada, but most of it has been in Toronto. I've been to Ottawa and Montreal and to cottages in Ontario, but I've never been to BC. I really want to go, and your recap here is just confirming that!

Marlys said...

Such a beautiful city - awesome photos! I love to "travel" via photos & blogs of others! Thanks for sharing!

Leigh said...

Can we go back now? Pretty please? :)

Stephany said...

Between your recap and Amber's recap, I really want to go to Victoria now! Sounds like such a beautiful place.

Unknown said...

Looks like a great trip. I think that placing inedible items on a food item in a restaurant is an odd thing! What a beautiful city!

Anaïs said...

I'd love to see details of the lululemon purchases! Pics please!!

I've never been to BC although Olle lived there for 12 years... So I'm also VERY excited to go there this summer - and see you! :D

Amber said...

Great recap! I love the photo of you with the pad thai, that is such a good one.

Miss you girls lots already. It really was a fabulous, fabulous weekend!

Cherry Blossoms said...

So jealous you got to go a Lulu lemon outlet! Chandler mall is getting one and it opens up on Friday. Guess where I will be?!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

OH, I cannot wait to check out BC someday - after seeing so many photos from Amber over the years and now your visit, I truly cannot wait. All of those pictures are gorgeous!

I'm glad you found some great GF items! Sounds like they really take great care of all the different kinds of eaters in BC - or maybe it's just a midwest thing and we're NOT good at catering to everyone's needs! Regardless, I am on a quest to find a restaurant in Des Moines that has a GF menu for when you visit ;)

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Victoria really is beautiful. And what a fun group of gals to explore the city with!!!!

I have always loved the Pacific Northwest, Canada inclusive! I have a cousin who lives in Vancouver and would do anything to have Sweets, Gavin and me visit. Someday...

Amy --- Just A Titch said...

This looks amazing! So glad you ladies had an awesome trip!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I love BC. I too have been twice. Once to Vancouver, which I loved, and once to Amber's neck of the woods for some hiking (along with Whistler and Banff). I would go back there in a minute. It is beautiful! I have never been to Victoria though. BC reminds me a lot of home, as we have the same flora -- pine trees, mountains, etc.

I am glad you guys had a good time! I am sure that there will be more of these outings to come!

crystal said...

Looks like fun, thanks for sharing pics!! The first one made me miss Greenlake....but not the dreary Seattle weather like it looks in the pic!

Mandy said...

Be still my heart. It looks so beautiful there. I really need to get to this part of the country and BC, I am keeping my fingers crossed for next summer!

Nora said...

Such lovely photos of you girls. And the photos of the food... YUM! Glad you had such a great time; you totally deserve it :)

Lisa-Marie said...

It looks so lovely! Victoria is on my list of places to go.

I can't believe they put wax on your pudding. Who does that? All food decorations should be edible. IT'S A RULE!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I have been to BC, but never to Victoria. I also haven't seen a whole lot of BC, as I was just there briefly. I will be in Kelowna this summer, and probably Victoria too!

AndreaClaire said...

I live there and I was sorry I wasn't able to cheer you guys on! Next time :)

Jamie and Missy said...

What a fantastic trip! I may be most envious of your shopping stop @ Lulu Lemon!