On this voyage, northbound is a key word. Backtracking southward might seem odd, then, but it’s worth doing to reach the lovely seaside city of Victoria. British Columbia’s provincial capital boasts one of Canada’s most friendly climates and consistently scores high on livability rankings. This was our only port call with a big city feel; Greater Victoria’s population nearly tops 400,000. Today was bright and breezy, ideal for checking out town on one’s own or joining a range of tours guided by local experts.
We wandered expansive gardens at the peak of spring beauty and strolled along the waterfront, regaled with tidbits from the city’s century-plus of colonial history. We zipped around on e-bikes and incorporated food and drink into our exploration of town. We listened, rapt and with open hearts as guides from the Songhees Nation of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) people shared generously from their stories, culture, and daily lives, welcoming us to the land they’ve called home since ancient times.
Evening meant one more outing, this one with a bit of style, as we gathered to cap off the day at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria for cocktails and hors d’ouevres. As the sun set, we rejoined National Geographic Quest and set sail, northbound.
