Onwards... to the Warm Tropical Sun

Believe it or not... I am going on another trip but... this time, it's not Victoria. No... we are going to the warm tropical sun... thank goodness.

And this time, I don't have to stowaway since this is part of my Christmas present.

Good thing cause there is NO room in this suitcase...

And it's pushing the upper limits of the weight limit at 50 lbs. Not that a little bear weighs much...

First... we go to the ferry terminal. Whew... it sure is bucketing rain here.

And... we're on! Excellent.

Ramp has been pulled up and...

We are off!

Hmmm... this is an interesting sign... do you see it?

I wonder how many people travel with their elf?

... and... whirlwind overnight at Rose's place, followed by early start and... we are through security!

I met a few RCMP colleagues...

Early start means this little bear is hungry...

Oh, a lox bagel for me?

Thanks!

We are in the international terminal but... our flight is not docked at the terminal. It is way out on the tarmac and we have to take a shuttle bus... eesh.

But I'm here! Window seat too...

Nice...

I wonder whether they have salmon on this flight...

... and...
Bing! Here we are in the warm Mexican sun! Ahhh....

I need this sweatshirt off... now!

Sooo warm... so sandy... so beautiful.

My pale Canadian bear hide needs some tanning...

And now some sleep...

Mail!

Hello! I got a postcard!  (a few weeks ago...)

It's from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs... hmmm... I know two stuffie pals who went to Colorado recently...

Ah-hah! It's from my pal Ajdin... he sure gets around... I wonder if he's doing some work for the Ministry of Puzzles?

Thanks Ajdin! (P.S. It came December 31... that's like 2 weeks for a postcard! eesh)...

On the Hunt for More Art Deco....

Oooh... look at this!! This is the Queen's Printers building... I don't think it's... what's that? My head is in the way?

Are you saying I have a fat head? No... OK good!

OK... good?

Anyhow - the Queen's Printers building is not art deco but still pretty cool. I wonder what happens when the Queen goes and Prince Charles takes over... Does it become the King's Printers?

And here we have 780 Blanshard Street, built 1939-1940... for the B.C. Power Commission... it's apparently a great example of art deco architecture... hmmm...

It was recently bought and apparently they are going to turn it into a hotel... huh... go figure.

It's pretty enough I guess... but not my favourite...

Although... one entrance had this cool mural...

See... cool mural!

There are pictures of animals and plants... It's the Wildlife Diversity mural - apparently the Ministry of the Environment, Lands and Parks used to have offices here too. Cool... Can you see the bear?

Oh, what's that in the distance? That looks cool!

Not the building behind me, that's just the Law Courts... the one way back over to the right of my ear...

It's a massive cathedral! Ooooh... pretty...

It's Christ Church Cathedral (Anglican)... built 1923 and in the years following... as money became available.

It's quite an imposing entrance...

I wonder what it looks like inside?

Oooh... quite impressive...

And... some random bear shots!

This one's made out of driftwood pieces - cool!

More adventures coming...

Foot-sore Bear

Oh hello... er... WAIT...

FLOWER ALERT!!

Ah-hem... hello! We are in Victoria tracking down Art Deco buildings...

 We are starting along the waterfront... See the BC Legislature in the background (with the green room)... we're heading thataway...

Along the way we say the Prince of Wales... heh-heh...

That's Prince Charles for you non-British folk... believe me? Sigh... me neither... we saw....

The Prince of Whales! Heh-heh!

Anyhow... this is the Empress Hotel... it used to be covered in ivy and looked much cooler...

See... cooler!

But I guess ivy damages buildings soooo... phooie on the ivy.

That's a nice totem pole... looks like a bear with a frog on his head (don't ask me why)... and maybe a human on the bottom? Apparently the bear is holding a "copper" the symbol of a chief. Cool.

 Across the street is the legislature... we didn't go in...

And behind me is the harbour...

When you walk around Victoria you see a LOT of these symbols... It's a dogwood, BC's provincial flower (it's a tree)...

 See... it's a garbage can! Pretty garbage can though...

But I don't think it's art deco...

Across the street is the Royal British Columbia Museum.... we should go in some day...

Ah... here we go... finally... this is the Douglas Building, built in 1951 as accommodation for civil servants. It's supposed to be art deco but... who can tell with the bus in front!

It's kind of... meh... maybe cause the paint is all faded...

There's a side door...

 I've going to vote "no" to this being my favourite art deco building. Hmph! Onwards...

 We saw this lost little building amidst a bunch of condos...

 It's a pioneer's house - the Robert Portman House... cool... Do you think maybe Craftsman style?

Hmm... saw this sign which seems a bit perplexing... Day is for Resting? This little bear has pooped paws and is going to rest for a bit!