A Rockie Road: To whale or not to whale

Vancouver island, as you probably know, is a world renowned whale playground, so we decided we should take a whale watching trip. We had to get up early to be at the dock for 10am. The hotel restaurant, The London Tube, was run by a very gay man, and very empty. Just as we started breakfast Ian got a phone call from the whale woman. Our boat was full. Did we want to go on a RIB. No i didn't. Not with my cold ( still here, the longest lasting cold I have had since childhood) and my wussyness. So we were out. Just spreading the jam when Ian got another phone call. A second firm could take us but we had to be at the office by 9.15. We were in! We golloped our breakfast down, got the bill and checked out, then rushed down to the dock ( not far). A lovely Irish girl explained that she would walk us to the new firms office as soon as another group she was waiting for showed. We needn't have rushed as the three Germans were another 15 minutes. In the meantime she explained that we would be taken by shuttle bus around the bay where we would join our tour. After that we could explore Fishermans wharf. she even gave us a token (remember Game of Thrones) to catch a water taxi back across the bay. Eventually the Germans were ready and we arrived at the Orca Spirit Tours office. Not long later we were around the bay and boarding our boat. The naturalist, Alex, explained that the outside seating on top would get very wet, so naturally Ian decided we should sit there. It was a beautiful day as we left the harbour, But as soon as we got to open water the Captain, Bill, opened the throttle and it did indeed become a little damp. We retired inside. Alex, regaled us in a very loud voice with tales of whales, until Bill got the word that some had been spotted. Soon our boat and about five others were all heading for the same spot. There were indeed Whales Humpback Whales. They were fluking and blowing it was wonderful.

One even popped up behind us really close to The boat. It was like jaws. No rest for the wicked though, as Bill had got word of some Orcas nearby. 'Let's go' yelled the enthusiastic Alex. we rushed inside and held on as our boat and the rest of the flotilla sped towards the unsuspecting killer whales. 'We don't like to get too close to Orcas' explained Alex, but that didn't stop the other boats.it was lovely to see a male and two females speeding through the water. (Thanks to Alex I am now an orca expert).

See his big fin, he is a male.

Alas, all too soon it was time to return to Victoria harbour. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable trip, we met some people from as far afield as Australia and Leeds, and saw loads of whales. Next we walked around the corner as recommended by the Irish girl, Fiona, to see Fishermans wharf. This is a community of float homes that has become a Victiria tourist attraction.it has places to eat and is very pretty. It also has begging seals that splash you if you do not feed them.

It was lovely and warm, so we had some fish and chips, as recommended by Fiona, followed by ice cream.

One of the splashy seals.

Some tiny little ferries had been zipping about the harbour so we assumed our coin would get us on one of these.

We handed it over, said 'valar morghulis' and were soon on our way to wharf street, downtown, and back at the hotel. We retrieved our car and luggage and said goodbye to Victoria. A short drive up the coast later and we were arriving at Schwartz bay ferry terminal. As you recall we were crossing back to Vancouver a different way, this way passed through lots more islands. About halfway in the captain pronounced that he had spotted orcas on the starboard bow. An almost riot ensued as the passengers rushed to see the whales, I was afraid the boat would tip. No worry, the next announcement told of Orcas on the port side, the boat was righted. Clever captain.

Once we got off the boat it was around a 45 minute drive to downtown Vancouver and our hotel. The century Plaza Hotel and spa is another tower block hotel, we were in a room on the 23rd floor. It was also studio apartments which we like, and had one big bed.

As it was already 8 PM we went straight down to the restaurant and ordered food. The kind check-in clerk had given us a two for one voucher for tea. Wonderful! The restaurant was very classy and also very empty, although the table next to us was occupied by a British couple who we chatted with throughout. I decided to have an aperol spritz just because they did them.