Alaska 2014

The elegant city of Victoria is situated on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Although many tourist operations would have you believe that Victoria fell off Great Britain in a neat little chunk, its High Tea tradition actually began in the 1950's to draw American tourists. Before the invasion of tea, Fort Victoria, founded in 1843, was a fur trading post and supply center for the Hudson Bay Company. But the discovery of gold in the Fraser River Canyon pushed it into the fast lane in 1858, bringing international trade and the requisite bars and brothels. The government soon followed and Victoria became the capital in 1868. Victoria is a clean, polite, tourist-friendly city of diverse origins and interests. With the mildest climate in Canada, architecturally compelling buildings, interesting history, and its famed gardens and parks, it is not surprising that two million tourists visit Victoria annually.

Since we had been here several times, we decided to stay on board.