Walking tour Bites and Sights

The weather was predicted to be clear with a high of 19C. My suite has a balcony which was sun drenched at the crack of dawn.

Breakfast downstairs was perfect with soft poached eggs and Canadian bacon.

I had made an appointment for a hair wash and blow dry at the Blo Blow Dry Bar Victoria. It’s less than a 5 minute walk from my accommodation. My hair stylist was the same girl that did my hair last August!

Then it was time for some retail therapy. I went to the department store called Winners. It was set out like a TKMaxx with lots of clothing, homewares, cosmetics and the promise of discounts. Unexpectedly I found some items that I could not resist, a pair of cool jeans, some tops and a pair of shoes. Luckily I packed light and have room in my suitcase for the flight home.

The wind had abated so less layers were needed for my Bites and Sights tour. The meeting point was outside the impressive Fairmont Empress Hotel on the harbour.

Our guide was Michael from Hidden Victoria tours and our group consisted of only 6 guests. We started out by catching one of the cute Water Taxis to the Chinatown of Victoria.

Michael explained the history of Chinese immigration basically for work on the railways and to look for gold. Supplies could only be purchased in Victoria so these traders flourished while the fossickers usually came back empty handed.

We wandered down the narrow Fan Tan Alley to our first bites stop at the Drake Eatery. This pub brews their own specialty beers and kombucha so along with our choice of beverage, we were served house made Babaganoush with sourdough bread and charred chillies. All was delicious.

We emerged from the rear of the Drake to a sunken courtyard bustling with activity and markets. Michael then walked us to Waddington Alley which is unique because the ‘bricks’ used to make the alley were made from Douglas fir wood blocks. It is protected as a heritage site and an example of what a Victoria street looked like more than a century ago.

Next stop was down the steps to Finn’s Seafood and cocktails for some traditional Poutine – fries, gravy and cheese curds.

Back up the steps we walked to Bastion Square where we heard about how this is the legal centre of town with a courthouse and what used to be a gaol. Market stalls were set up with locals selling their wares.

We strolled along the square back to Government Street and our next stop was The Bard and Banker pub. It was actually an English pub that was reassembled in Victoria. Here we chose another beverage, I chose the dark lager, and we were served tempura king prawns with a lemony sauce. Michael regaled us with more history and quirky characters while we ate.