Citrus Growers Forum

JoeReal · Posted: Sun 19 Apr, 2009 2:59 am

And other pretty flowers.

By joereal at 2009-04-18

JoeReal · Posted: Sun 19 Apr, 2009 3:01 am

Even the lawn have very pretty tiny flowers.

By joereal at 2009-04-18

Overall, University of Washington Seattle is one of the most beautiful campuses we've been to in the West Coast. The dorms have outstanding view of the waterways and the city. The only other campus that has fantastic view but not much beautiful buildings would be the Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Millet · Posted: Sun 19 Apr, 2009 4:50 pm

Best of luck to your son. - Millet (1,371-)

Las Palmas Norte · Posted: Sun 19 Apr, 2009 9:16 pm

Sorry to hear your relatives live in Surrey, British Columbia. What a bleak place in winter with it's vast expanse of deciduous trees, incessant winter rain, and gang shootings. All kidding aside, hope you had a great trip. Next time you have to see the "real coast" and head for Vancouver Island. I live here and it's worlds apart from the gong show of Surrey.

Cheers, Barrie.

P.S. I haven't heard from GregN for a while either.

Millet · Posted: Sun 19 Apr, 2009 9:24 pm

I've been to Vancouver Island many times, it is, as Barrie writes, a beautiful place. So is Vancouver city BC, like Seattle, there is a lot of rain and cloudy days. The fairy ride from Vancouver island to the BC main land is also quite spectacular. - Millet (1.371-)

Patty_in_wisc · Posted: Tue 21 Apr, 2009 4:32 pm

Beautiful pics Joe! Thanks for posting them. Makes me want to go there sometime.
I never saw so many blossoms! and the architecture is great. Sounds like you had a good time. Good luck to your son!

_________________
Patty
I drink wine to make other people more interesting Wink

JoeReal · Posted: Tue 21 Apr, 2009 4:43 pm

Millet wrote:

I've been to Vancouver Island many times, it is, as Barrie writes, a beautiful place. So is Vancouver city BC, like Seattle, there is a lot of rain and cloudy days. The fairy ride from Vancouver island to the BC main land is also quite spectacular. - Millet (1.371-)

Better still is the Victoria Island. I reported about that trip a couple of years back, including the Ferry Ride and the Butchart Gardens. I have shown beautiful pics also, but it was easily forgotten by many people here.

JoeReal · Posted: Tue 21 Apr, 2009 4:44 pm

Patty_in_wisc wrote:

Beautiful pics Joe! Thanks for posting them. Makes me want to go there sometime.
I never saw so many blossoms! and the architecture is great. Sounds like you had a good time. Good luck to your son!

You're welcome Patty! When you go there, time it with the Tulip festival, the time when chances of sunshine are "brighter".

JoeReal · Posted: Tue 21 Apr, 2009 4:52 pm

Las Palmas Norte wrote:

Sorry to hear your relatives live in Surrey, British Columbia. What a bleak place in winter with it's vast expanse of deciduous trees, incessant winter rain, and gang shootings.

That could be the reason why the wait at the border is like torture by the gangs, Smile

The weather from Oregon to BC is similar to that of UK, having more gloomy than the sunshine days of California. But it was good for a change, to us who are overexposed to sunshine.

I learned from my friends who stayed in Seattle that many people living there have to undergo light therapy, otherwise, they'd snap. My son is unfazed by this weather fact and is prepared for it.

Millet · Posted: Tue 21 Apr, 2009 5:05 pm

Joe, "Victoria Island" is actually Vancouver Island. Victoria is the southern end of Vancouver Island. Canada actually does have a Victoria Island, but it is located in the far north, near the arctic part of the country. - Millet (1,368-)

JoeReal · Posted: Tue 21 Apr, 2009 5:33 pm

Thanks for that Millet! Yes, indeed, the place called Victoria is just a teeny tiny part of the big Vancouver Island. I was trying to emphasize only that portion running from Union Bay to Victoria and not the whole Vancouver Island which is like several hundred times bigger.

Millet · Posted: Tue 21 Apr, 2009 5:59 pm

The view of the Empress Hotel on the water's edge, that one sees when coming into the city of Victoria from the sea, is a stunning site. If you have never had High Tea at the Empress, it is something you should take your wife to, the next time you are in Victoria, she would love it. I agree with you that the area around Victoris is a place that Canada, and the people of Vancouver Island, can proud of. - Millet (1,368-)

Las Palmas Norte · Posted: Wed 22 Apr, 2009 12:23 am

"Victoria Island" lol ... thanks for clearing that up Millet. Yes, Victoria is a city on the southern most part of Vancouver Island and is also the capital city of our province, British Columbia.
I work in the tourist industry here and have seen and heard a great many funny and interesting takes on this region.

Here's a few for example;

Apon returning by ferry to the mainland from Vancouver Island, one American tourist asked when the ship would be "returning to Canada?" Poor guy was under the impression he was in another country while on Vancouver Island.

A woman arrived by car at the toll plaza to pay for her fair to Victoria. She produced British Pounds for payment. The ticket agent explained she couldn't accept British currency in Canada. The woman replied, "Well ... this is British Columbia!" I wondered if she tried that same tactic in New England?

I was once approached by a guy visiting from the southern states (can't recall where). The 1pm sailing was arriving in the dock and he asked me if "he should leave the keys in the vehicle?" He assumed the ship had valet parking. I pointed out I was incapable of loading 150 cars on the vessel in 20 minutes when it was scheduled to depart.

One couple wondered if they'd see "fur trappers and indians in tee-pee's on Victoria Island?"

Cheers, Barrie.

JoeReal · Posted: Wed 22 Apr, 2009 1:05 am

Millet wrote:

If you have never had High Tea at the Empress, it is something you should take your wife to, the next time you are in Victoria, she would love it. I agree with you that the area around Victoris is a place that Canada, and the people of Vancouver Island, can proud of. - Millet (1,368-)

She loved it! We've been there at the hotel, and you can watch the seaplanes docking into the harbor.

Millet · Posted: Wed 22 Apr, 2009 1:35 am

Berrie, one of the prettiest ways to come to Vancouver Island is via the BC Ferries across the Straight of Georgia from the city of Vancouver. Also two other good routes which I have taken are the Port Angeles Ferry and the Hydrofoil out of Seattle (neither of which are as scenic as the Straight of Georgia route).. The last time I rode the Hydrofoil, they passed out a survey asking how many people had a passport, or would consider obtaining one to continue Canadian visits. I'm sure they were concerned about they business. My guess is, that with the United States requiring a passport for Canada, the weekend tourist business on the Hydrofoil will drop drastically, and also on the Port Angeles route. How do you think the passport requirement effect Victoria weekend tourism?- Millet (1,368-)