A Romantic Mid-Week Getaway...

(posted by ange)

NOTE: I started writing this right after our "weekend" in Victoria, June 13-14, but just finally got around to finishing it now, so it's long, probably a bit broken, but hey, I figure at least I'm getting something up here!!! So here it is....

Dave and I spent Wednesday and Thursday enjoying a most romantic getaway to Victoria, celebrating the fact that we are still utterly and completely in love after one year together. We started off Wednesday morning, rising oh so early at 8:00 a.m. with intentions, but little actual belief, of leaving at 9:00 and catching the 11:00 ferry. As we pulled on to the street at exactly 9:12, we congratulated ourselves on being on time (something we are not known for). Anticipating traffic and road work, we were pleasantly surprised as we smooth sailed up to the Tswassen ferry terminal at 9:50, just in time for the 10:00 sailing. Things were going our way. The half our delay due to a missing life boat (no explanation was given, but I am still trying to figure out a life boat goes missing) did not dampen our spirits. We were already early!

As it turns out, catching this earlier ferry was an extra bonus. We were treated to a pretty spectacular display put on by a pod of 6 Orcas. They were absolutely amazing, rising in and out of the water, at times all six jumping out at once. We were lucky to have sat ourselves down at a table on the view side, while most of the passengers were running to our side of the ship to see the display.


We arrived at our shi-shi hotel at 12:30, hoping for an early check-in but really just expecting to park the car and head downtown until the room was ready. But, continuing in the charmed fashion of the day thus far, our room was ready and we were able to check in and unpack before seeing the sights. Although we were only staying for one night and packed our gear in duffel bags (we’re so chic), Dave unpacked his entire bag, hanging things up, putting things in the drawers. Almost a week after our stay, when he couldn’t find his swim trunks, he realized he had left everything in the room! (insert doubled over laughing on my end). Anyways…

We wandered around Victoria, checked out the Parliament Buildings – much more impressive and interesting as an adult than as a 10 year old, which was the last time I was there on a school field trip. Note to the school system: save that field trip for grade 12! We had drinks in the Bengal Bar at the Empress and a great lobster feast at a restaurant on the water, the name of which I now forget. Upon returning to our room, we found a bottle of champagne, our bed turned down with a shower of rose petals, robes and slippers and a bath bar from Lush. It was so romantic I immediately started taking pictures of it all. :) The rest of the evening is obviously x-rated and cannot be commented on here.















We slept in (ask for a late check out and you shall receive it) before our room service breakfast arrived, complete with fancy chocolate and a rose. And then it was off to the Titanic Exhibit. This was so above and beyond what I expected. If you have a chance, you have to see it. Upon entry you’ve given a boarding pass with information about a passenger from the actual Titanic. Of course Dave ends up being some young rich guy in first class and I’m some lowly, poor, single, middle aged woman in the bottom class, not even allowed to set foot in Dave’s area!!!! You can guess who died and who made it out alive! (At the end you actually find out). We took our time heading out of town, stopping in Sidney for the best fish and chips ever at Fish on 5th before catching the ferry home to reality.

It was an absolute perfect getaway and celebration of our one year anniversary. Any time spent with Dave is good time and I can’t imagine us ever not having a great time doing anything, but this little getaway was extra special.