ÿþ<html> <head> <style type="text/css"> body { background-color:black; color:white; font-family:bookman old style,times roman; font-size:105%} h1 { text-align:center; color:gold; font-family:Monotype Corsiva,times roman} h2 { text-align:center; color:gold; font-family:Monotype Corsiva,times roman} table.big { width:850; font-size:110%} table.left { float:left; width:1; font-family:arial; font-size:50%} table.right { float:right; width:1; font-family:arial; font-size:50%} table.small { float:right; background-color:AA5500; color:black; font-size:60%; font-weight:bold; border:red blank; width:225} tr { vertical-align:top;} td.time { font-weight:bold; width:70} td.odo { font-weight:bold; width:60} p { text-align:left} p.center { text-align:center} p.bottom { text-align:center; font-size:80%} b.gold { color:gold} b.aqua { color:aqua} b.white { color:white; font-weight:bold; font-size:110%} img.v { width:77; border:0} img.h { height:77; border:0} </style> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="d.css" /> <title>West Coast Trail -- Day 1</title> </head> <body> <p class="center"> <table class="big"> <tr> <td colspan=2> <h1>Day 1 -- 27th Aug</h1> <td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">Time</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">6:45</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0942.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0942.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0945.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0945.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Our kinky room.</td> <td>City Hostel Seattle.</td> </tr> </table> We woke up in our room at <b class="gold">City Hostel Seattle</b>. We checked into the hostel at around 1am in the morning, after a long evening flight from our east coast home. The hotel room had a very offbeat eccentric feel, with the wall covered with graffiti-like drawings. (We kind of like it in the hostel, although we would definitely not try to do that in our own apartment.) Nonetheless the place was cheap, clean and friendly, and we were happy to have a nice place to sleep for a few hours. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">7:15</td> <td> <p> We checked out from the hostel and walked down to the harbor, a few blocks away. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">7:25</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0947.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0947.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Ferry at Pier 69.</td> </tr> </table> At <b class="aqua">Pier 69</b> we got our ferry tickets and had some breakfast at the cafeteria before sailing. It was a sunny day and looked perfect for sailing. (Little did we know ...) </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">8:40</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0952.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0952.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Before the sea got rough.</td> </tr> </table> The full ferry left Seattle and sailed north along <b class="aqua">Puget Sound</b>. The narrow bay was well sheltered by the Olympic Peninsula (we could see the majestic <b class="gold">Mount Olympus</b> on the port side) and the sailing was smooth. However, after we left Puget Sound and entered the much wider channel of <b class="aqua">Juan de Fuca Strait</b>, the sea became much rougher, and half the passengers on the ferry became seasick. The discomfort lasted for almost an hour, until our destination was in sight. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">11:30</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0959.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0959.JPG"></a></td> </tr> </table> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0960.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0960.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Legislative Assembly.</td> </tr> </table> Everyone on the ferry was relieved when we sailed into the harbor of <b class="gold">Victoria</b>. We walked along the flower-decorated avenue along the harbor; how nice it felt to be on terra firma again! Five minutes from the ferry terminal was the <b class="gold">Legislative Assembly</b> of British Columbia (of which Victoria is the capital). And right across the street was ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">12:10</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0963.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0963.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/P01a.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/P01a.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Empress Hotel.</td> <td>Victoria Harbor from the 6th floor.</td> </tr> </table> <b class="gold">Empress</b>, the most famous and iconic hotel in town. The landmark, named after Queen <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/P01b.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/P01b.JPG"></a></td> </tr> </table> Victoria (just like the city itself), was more than 100 years old; its chateau-like exterior was covered with climbing ivy. Having housed kings and queens, the venerable dame was obviously way out of our humble league; however, we took advantage of a packaged deal offered by the ferry company, and got a comfortable room on the top floor of the hotel. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">12:45</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0984.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0984.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mr. Waffle.</td> </tr> </table> Just across the street from the hotel was the marina, where many yachts swayed lazily over the waves. By the marina we started to chat with the owner of a waffle stand. Mr. Waffle (name forgotten, sorry) originally came from Belgium, visited Victoria a dozen years ago, and never bothered to leave. Now he was running a chain of waffle shops, and of course we bought one: hot from the oven, very yummy! </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time"></td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0989.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0989.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Festive Victoria.</td> </tr> </table> Victoria is a very walkable city, with a compact downtown featuring countless restaurants. Some kind of festival was taking place in Victoria; the streets were full of pedestrains, enjoying the warm August afternoon. Walking made us hungry, so we stopped at ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">13:50</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0995.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0995.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Beer sampler and veggie chips.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN1003.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN1003.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN1000.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN1000.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Swan Brewpub.</td> </tr> </table> <b>Canoe Brewpub</b>, where we sat on the outdoor patio and enjoyed their beer sampler with some crispy veggie chips (zucchini, beet and sweet potato) as well as a large bowl of very fresh mussels. Then we stumbled a few blocks to <b>Swans Brewpub</b> and had another round of samplers. The beer put us in a merry mood and we started chatting with the elderly couple at the next table: we congratulated on their good fortune in living in such a pretty city, and they gave us some tips on sightseeing and dining options in town. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">15:25</td> <td> <p> Filled up with beers, we decided to seize the remains of the day to do some sightseeing. We caught a bus and in ten minutes we were standing on ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">16:05</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN1017.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN1017.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/P01c.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" style={height:103} src="thumbnails/P01c.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>Craigdarroch Castle.</td> </tr> </table> The grounds of <b class="gold">Craigdarroch Castle</b>, the mansion of a coal baron at the end of the 19th century. The interior of the castle was expectedly grand and ornate, but what impressed CK most was the expansive views of the neighborhood from the top tower. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">16:50</td> <td> <p> Leaving the castle, we strolled downhill and soon found ourselves back in downtown. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">17:50</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN1024.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN1024.JPG"></a></td> </tr> </table> We were walking by the small restaurant <b>Sauce</b> when Emily noticed the happy hour deal (CAN$10 for 2 appertizers) posted at the door. Immediately CK was dragged inside and soon chilli prawns and tuna tataki were served before us. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">18:35</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN1026.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN1026.JPG"></a></td> </tr> </table> The last stop on our day of gluttony was <b>Ferris' Oyster Bar</b>, where we had some excellent half shells. Even more memorable was the superb smoked seafood plate (oyster, salmon, trout and tuna). The friendly waitress tried to explain the differences between hot smoke and cold smoke, but the technical distinctions were lost on us: they were all very delicious. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">19:30</td> <td> <p> Back in the hotel, we relaxed lazily on the bed and followed the news coverage of Hurricane Irene, which was pounding our home in Maryland. Feeling lucky that we had escaped from the hurricane, we went to bed early, looking forward to meet our hiking group in the morning. </p> <p style={text-align:right}><a href="d02.html">next day</a></p> <td> </tr> <tr><td colspan=2> <hr> <p class="bottom"> <form name="nav" method="POST"> <div align="center"> Jump To: <select name="xfer" size="1"> <option value="../../private/index.html">CK's Home Page</option> <option value="index.html">West Coast Trail Trip</option> <option value="d01.html" selected="selected">Day 1</option> <option value="d02.html">Day 2</option> <option value="d03.html">Day 3</option> <option value="d04.html">Day 4</option> <option value="d05.html">Day 5</option> <option value="d06.html">Day 6</option> <option value="d07.html">Day 7</option> <option value="d08.html">Day 8</option> <option value="d09.html">Day 9</option> <option value="d10.html">Day 10</option> <option value="d11.html">Day 11</option> <option value="thoughts.html">Thoughts</option> </select> <input type="button" onclick="location = ''+document.nav.xfer.options[document.nav.xfer.selectedIndex].value;" value="Go!" /> <div style={font-size:75%}> (These pages were developed with Internet Explorer and may not align correctly in other browsers.) </div> </div></form> </p> <p align="center">Created on 4th Oct 2011. 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