The Inner Harbor of Victoria is an experience in itself, with the stately Empress Hotel (opened in 1908) at the head of this very protected bay and the regal neo-baroque Parliament building, home of the British Columbia legislative assembly, next door.

Frenetic activity describes this waterway, with a constant stream of float planes, water taxis, private yachts, commercial vessels, and even the mammoth car ferry Coho, which travels from Port Angeles on the Washington coast across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

A profusion of flower baskets line the promenades which border the harbor. What a perfect setting for strolling and watching the action in the bay. We certainly did our share of that!

Breakfast at charming Willie’s Bakery began each day, and over the course of our mini-vacation, we had fish and chips at Fisherman’s Wharf, took a bay tour past floating homes, and captured night shots of Parliament, which is outlined with lights all year long. Wanting to photograph a sunset over the water, we were steered to Beacon Hill Park, with acres bordering the Strait of Juan de Fuca, whose often tumultuous waters lead to the Pacific Ocean. From the rocky beach, we encountered many others searching for a beautiful sunset and the soothing that comes with sounds of water lapping at the shore. Mmmmmm…what an evening.