Victoria, B.C.

Two of Victoria's iconic buildings - The Empress Hotel and the Parliament Building

For those of you who have never been to this gem of a city on Vancouver Island, you've been missing one of North America's prettiest and most liveable cities. It feels more British than (North) American, both in its gardens and stately aesthetic and its mellower pace. Jenny, our Aussie friend and erstwhile renter, says that it makes her feel like she's back home. We're staying with Jenny as she house-sits for a friend of hers from Australia. When we got in on Thursday night, Jenny had just got in the day before (late) from Beijing -- yes China. She was participating in a conference that touched several Asian countries, assessing the state of the different country's animal forensics labs. Fascinating.

One of the hundreds of outdoor cafes throughout Victoria

"Splendour  Without Diminishment" -- British Columbia's fitting provincial motto

Erin befriends a local sailor down on the waterfront

A favorite mural downtown