Going to the island.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Tyler Werbowski

In Victoria you'll hit the Inner Harbour. Undersea Gardens is there and a little bigger that the previously mentioned Shaw Ocean Discovery but it is all native westcoast fish/undersea fauna (nothing to fancy).

you forgot about old boots, tires, and other garbage.. don't waist your money on the undersea gardens, its a tube that goes to the bottom of victoria harbour and being its a very busy harber there isn't much to see. same as the wax musem if it is still open was very disapointed in that. my recomendation for things to do down town is walk, lots of shops on victoria st, but remember they are tourest traps, and then across the causeway and out to ogdin point. also check out beacon hill park. as you move out of victoria you can check out fort rod hill if your into old military instalments, where you also have a good view of the naval base.

as for fish and chips.. go to england for good ones I never found any real good ones in victoria but the co-op gas station in langford has a fish and chip place beside it that was ok. cant remember the name of it now.

Tony, in the 20 years I lived there I never heard of a goat on the roof market, is that the real name?

Steve

[Aquattro]

Steve, you've been here, right??

Goats on the roof of Coombs market is known world wide. Yes, a real market with real goats. Kinda cool.
Tons of great fish and chips, but http://www.redfish-bluefish.com/ gets great reviews, right in Victoria.
As Tyler mentioned, Botanical Beach is cool, tons of little tide pools with burrowing urchins, my kids loved going there.
Butchart on a Saturday night hosts a fireworks display that shouldn't be missed, try to get there then.

[KevinK]

ok so my input, not knowing how long you want to stay, ore if you camp in tent, trailer ore hotel.

so come down to victoria,

visit Shaw ocean discovery, and walk a bit around in Sidney,

than when you like go to the butcher gardens (depends on how much you and the kids are into plants)

find a place to sleep

mornings head down to Victoria, se to make the day there.

find a place to sleep

make your way to the West shore, and go to Sooke (when it is nice and warm, I agree go to the pot holes)
from here you go all the way to Prot Renfrew (past all the nice beaches (Mystic Beach, Sombrio Beach or Botanical Beach ) and

you can camp on your way at Gordan river on the beach for about $15 ore drive all the way to Port Renfrew.

strawl the marina’s (ohhh thy are so nice)

from here you can ore find a place to sleep, ore drive towards gordan river / cowichan lake, and camp there

I love this short trip from sook to here (you can Easley do it in one day, but take your time and spot bears (we always do)

mornings you head to duncan, and from there towards Coombs/Parksville/Qualicum



- I think Parksville has there annual sand castle contest on, check there website !
- Coombs, thy have the goats on the roof and is noce to spend a 2 ore 3 hours

you can camp again at Englishman river falls.

mornings you head up to Cathedral grove, go for a walk and head to port albernie.

definitely take the day trip on the lady rose and stay overnight again


sorry, now my time is up, I have to go,

but you could go from here even further up island if you want and take the ferry back to vancouver

[Leon71]

Thanks for all the info. I think I will pass on the Shaw centre and Gardens and go up the west coast instead. Especially if they paved across to Cowichan. Been on that road about 16 years ago and it was crazy. Definitely want to show my kids the Coombs goats. We will be stationed at Ladysmith, and doing day trips from there. Probably check out the Vancouver aquarium on the way back off the island. Then Hell's gate. I know I won't have a chance to see it all in four days, but will try to cram in some really cool things for the kids.

[pinhead]

Just got back from Tofino a few days ago. One of our favorite places to go. If you have teenagers I would recommend: sea kayaking to the big trees on Meares Island, a hike to the crashed World War II plane near radar hill or a whale watching tour. My brother-in-law took a Zodiac tour last Wednesday and saw Orcas, Eagles, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and Puffins.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

Tony, in the 20 years I lived there I never heard of a goat on the roof market, is that the real name?

I think the real name is just the "Coombs Country Market" but everyone's called it "Goats on the roof" for so long that this is it's unofficial name. http://www.oldcountrymarket.com/

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I think the real name is just the "Coombs Country Market" but everyone's called it "Goats on the roof" for so long that this is it's unofficial name. http://www.oldcountrymarket.com/

hmm you know I looked at the web page and I have been there once.... and no I have never heard of a goats on the roof in the last 23 years. I usaly go to whippletree junction when I went to a market and the other one up by nanimo on the other side of the road.

Steve