…The Bug Zoo

Ok, I know some of you were expecting “…Zombie Flamingos”, and while the infamous Zombie Flamingo is in James Bay, it’s only considered a landmark by a few incredibly astute individuals.

So, in the end, I live in Victoria, meaning how could I do “Z” and NOT do the Bug Zoo? It’s one of the tourist destinations in downtown Victoria, and I do have to confess, I have never been inside. Why? Don’t know. I don’t particularly like bugs, but I think it’s more that I just haven’t gotten

around to it yet. Like I haven’t gotten around to going into Miniature World (I would rather go to the Bug Zoo).

Anyway, from what I’ve read, “The Bug Zoo exhibits about 50 species of insects, arachnids, and Myriapoda and is currently the largest tropical insect collection in North America and has Canada’s largest ant farm that contains leaf-cutter ants.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Bug_Zoo)

By the way, I did go into the Bug Zoo, but I was too late for a real tour, and they don’t allow cameras inside anyway.  I’m not yet convinced I’m going back.  She said you get to hold the bugs…that they are friendly bugs that don’t bite…I’m not convinced…

Websites of Interest

• The Victoria Bug Zoo: http://www.victoriabugzoo.ca/
• Victoria Bug Zoo at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Bug_Zoo
• The Bug Zoo at Tourism Victoria: http://www.tourismvictoria.com/listings/Victoria-Bug-Zoo-Inc-/34762/

So, now I’ve come to the end of my A to Z Challenge for April 2015. I hope you’ve enjoyed it – I know I certainly have! I’ve learned some interesting things about landmarks near where I’ve lived, and taken some really cool photos. In fact, I’ve enjoyed it so much, I am considering making reporting on landmarks near where I live a regular part of my blog. Stay tuned to find out more!

Part of the April A to Z Challenge.

…Ye Olde Victoria City Hall

Just a short post today as we head into the final 2 posts for the A to Z Challenge. The old Victoria City Hall. It’s still used today, and has been renovated inside, but it is not the main City Hall Building any more.

Built in 1890, the old City Hall building was almost torn down in 1963, but it was saved and designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1977. I just think it’s a cool building (although, I have to say, I don’t like visiting it – I’ll share that story sometime in the future), especially the “four-sided Gillet and Johnson clock, including: the original works and housing, and translucent glass clockfaces; and original bell attached to the clock that chimes the half-hour, housed in an open rooftop structure: (http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=1461). Anyway, there you have it – just something I wanted to feature here.

Here is Centennial Square, which was still built even though they didn’t tear down the old building for it.  There is always something going on here on weekends in the summer – concerts, etc.  It does get pretty lively, although it doesn’t look like it right now.

Here are some views of the NEW City Hall building, which links to the old one

And here is the OLDE City Hall Building. 

Ok, I was lazy and didn’t cross the street to take a picture of the whole building with the clock tower.  It was rush hour, and I was tired.  But there are lots of pictures of the full City Hall online, and here is one (the rest are mine…)

By Georgio at fr.wikipedia [CC BY 1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/1.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AVictoria_City_Hall.jpg

Websites of Interest

• Victoria City Hall at Historic Places: http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/departments/parks-rec-culture/parks/improvements/fishermans-wharf-park.html
• Victoria City Hall at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_City_Hall,_British_Columbia

Part of the April A to Z Challenge.

…X marks the spot – James Bay

Ah, X.  Sorry, nothing actually beginning with “X” leapt out at me for this challenge. So, there you have it.

Anyway,  James Bay was kind of the inspiration for this year’s A to Z Challenge. James Bay is where we live, and James Bay is the location of many of the landmarks I’ve featured here (Emily Carr House, Dallas Road, Beacon Hill Park, etc.).  Hence, X marking the “spot” of my A to Z Challenge.

James Bay is a vibrant community. But, back in the day, James Bay was not the draw it is now – ask locals who’ve been here for awhile. It was NOT a place you wanted to live (or be in any way) after dark (well, I may be exaggerating a little…but it was not thought to be a desirable place to live being the home to shipyards, mills and plants of various kinds). Of course, it makes sense that, over time, James Bay became a desired neighbourhood – proximity to downtown and to the ocean of course being the main factors for that.

There are many heritage houses in James Bay. The Victoria Heritage Foundation was established in 1983, after many old historic James Bay homes had been demolished in the 1960s and tall apartment buildings erected in their place. Since then, many old homes have been saved and restored, which makes us very happy!

I love living in James Bay and really don’t want to live anywhere else. Even with the big old heritage house constantly needing work, it’s a great place to be.

Here again, in no particular order, are some of the sights in my ‘hood.  See if you can remember which is which!

Websites of Interest

• James Bay at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bay,_Greater_Victoria
• James Bay at the City of Victoria: http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/community/about/neighbourhoods/james-bay.html
• James Bay at the Victoria Heritage Foundation: http://www.victoriaheritagefoundation.ca/Neighbourhoods/jamesbayhistory.html

Part of the April A to Z Challenge.

…Fisherman’s Wharf

Finally! Fisherman’s Wharf. I’ve already shown a bit of Fisherman’s Wharf in my piece on the Float Homes. What letter was that again?  “K”.  Why?  I don’t remember…

Anyway…Fisherman’s Wharf is an interesting place. I hadn’t been down there in awhile when I went to take pictures of the Float Homes. I was quite surprised. Barb’s Fish and Chips (http://barbsfishandchips.com/) has been a fixture there for years, but today, it’s in the middle of an outdoor food court – Mexican style fish tacos, sushi, BBQ, coffee, etc. Very strange, but kind of cool. Of course, there are also float homes as you’ve seen, as well as a dock for the Harbour Ferry, and also docks for fishing boats. Nearby are some fancy condos. And, in the summer, lots of tourists (especially since Fisherman’s Wharf is near Ogden Point (“O”), there the ferries dock.

People feed the seals here. Not always a good idea. Don’t ever let yourself get bitten by a seal. Only bites worse are cat bites and human bites. Very toxic. Did you know that seals are the gophers of the sea? They are cool when you don’t know much about them, but they really are pests sometimes.

Nearby the Wharf itself is the park. The Fisherman’s Wharf Park is fairly new. There are benches, a little playground, native plant gardens, and an herb garden. A nice place for a walk, or a site down and reflection moment.

Fisherman’s Wharf Park

Fisherman’s Wharf

Food Court Row

Seals (don’t get too close…)

Websites of Interest

• Fisherman’s Wharf: http://fishermanswharfvictoria.com/
• Fisherman’s Wharf at the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority: http://gvha.ca/f_fishermanswharf.php
• The Fish Store at Fisherman’s Wharf: http://www.floatingfishstore.com/
• Victoria Harbour Ferry/Fisherman’s Wharf: http://www.victoriaharbourferry.com/destinations/view/16-fishermans-wharf
• Fisherman’s Wharf Park: http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/departments/parks-rec-culture/parks/improvements/fishermans-wharf-park.html

Part of the April A to Z Challenge.