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Subject:Re: Victoria BC
From:Stephen Engel
Date:Fri, 19 Apr 2019 15:10:53 -0400

Thanks Roger, great info!

I feel like I’ve been there now.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 19, 2019, at 1:25 PM, Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Dear Never on Ferry - Never on Land - Only in Vanagon where I can barely
> stand -
> (ok nuf dr suess like talk)
> 
> Some stuff that you may want to  heed
> 
> Heading for Victoria -- ( i assume you can look up on google earth and maps
> - or follow name via internet to see how to access the information i have
> included below )
> 
> Firstly
> You will have customs to tend with -
> 
> Do not bring fire arms into Canada - (just not worth the hassle ) -
> 
> If you have a DUI from home you may be turned away - as DUI is considered
> what you guys call Felony and Canada supposedly does not allow criminals in
> :) -
> 
> Pets require proper paperwork and if you are going south again *pet food
> and citrus bought in canada is not allowed into usa* -
> 
> Have your paper work in order including a utility bill from home - and
> maybe some sort of paperwork that shows you are required to be going back
> to usa (mortgage - business - kids - what have you )
> Passport and or Visa from country of origin -
> 
> DO NOT bring POT with you - in any form -
> 
> USA $ are accepted nearly everywhere in Victoria and fair value is usually
> offered - though you may want to not use cash at all -
> green backs are often traded for Loonie at between 29 and 35% depending on
> any number of things - you will get a better deal at your own bank before
> you cross (do not use storefront currency traders ) they charge a premium
> for exchange -
> 
> You will be in CANADA - that is not USA - all members of your party should
> always carry passport in pocket or on person at all times -
> Before you cross utilize your AAA insurance to beef up health insurance for
> the stay in Canada the few $$ you spend for AAA Auto club health insurance
> will pay off if you find your self having a problem and need medical
> services -- Health care is not FREE in Canada as you may have heard - IT is
> subsidized - foreigners pay huge $$$$ for simple procedure - and hospitals
> in Victoria charge for parking -
> Most important to remember - You are a visitor here and as such you have NO
> rights - that is ZERO - NONE AT ALL -
> Rights are for citizens - so if you find your self in trouble with Customer
> Service Representatives of Her Majesty QEII - you will need to contact your
> own consul offices - You SHOULD HAVE THAT NUMBER EASILY AVAILABLE for each
> member of your party - as only the bad guy will be taken and the rest of
> you left - so the rest of you will have to figure out how to extract -
> which means calling your consul office -
> That will be the embassy with all the barricades around it :) and they are
> actually in Vancouver - Consulate General of the United States, 1075 W
> Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6 -
> 
> in victoria -
> Cook Street Village around Cook Street and Oscar - there are  all sorts of
> markets and coffee shops - both corporate and local -
> AT the foot of Cook Street is the road running along the ocean (Dallas Road
> ) where you can park either on breakwater or along street -
> Dogs and kids and old folks - and miles of beach and ocean - so called
> Spiral Beach -
> 
> BIG WHEEL BURGER on COOK at Mackenzie - is awesome -- and maybe be most
> awesome - that is up to you -
> 
> I know you are in a Vanagon -- BUT sometimes hotel is required - I strongly
> urge Hotel Zed if you require - (also Pet friendly) and a great restaurant
> --
> 
> If you want a play ground experience - just before Dallas road and on Cook
> Street there is a huge playground for kids - lots of adults there too- this
> is also home to largest totem pole etc - -
> 
> You may want to try Butchart Gardens -
> 
> Stealth camping is frowned upon nearly everywhere in the city -- i have
> done - but you have to be extra double stealthy - no pop top up - no coming
> and going from van in night - you know the drill - - from what I understand
> walmart still allows parking over night in their lots -
> 
> Cordova Beach is awesomeness times 500 and usually a little less crowded
> than Spiral -
> 
> There is a really great China Town in the heart of Downtown -
> 
> The down town wharf sea wall usually has all sorts of interesting stuff
> going on - and there is a ton of olde Victoria to see along that street -
> including BC Museum and the Provincial Legislature Buildings etc
> 
> There is a very healthy arts scene in victoria --- I once attended a 5 hour
> showing of David Lynch college movies - it was great -
> there may be an open mic at some restaurant or bar -- or some great show at
> the Belfry Theatre -
> 
> There will be repertory movie theatre and  any number fun things if you
> look around and ask a variety of persons
> Localized free papers will have adverts for smaller events
> 
> The mayor of victoria is on a campaign to eliminate motor vehicles in the
> city - bike lanes are being installed everywhere and not all are happy
> about this - so be very careful when driving - bikes riders often operate
> as if there are no rules that apply to them (calm down - bad bike ops know
> who you are ) --
> you may even find bike lanes running inside sidewalk cafe - as the drive
> through (joke) -
> 
> 
> Stay Calm - Be Brave - Wait For the Signs (Dead Dog Cafe)
> 
>> On Thu, Apr 18, 2019 at 3:50 PM Stan Shapiro <mail@stanshapiro.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I am thinking about taking my 77 Bay  from Idaho, to Fort Flagler meetup,
>> and then heading over to Port Angeles and then  taking the ferry to
>> Victoria
>> to explore for a few days.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Any camping suggestions for Victoria?  Or any other advice for taking the
>> ferry?   I have never done the ferry before.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks!!!!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> stan
>> 
> 
> 
> --
> roger whittaker 604.414.6266
> 
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