Based in the Empress Hotel for meetings, the
grounds and location are gorgeous. The Hotel is a little odd in orientation,
but it still feels classy.
I have a few hours to explore the city so head
right from the Empress Hotel along Government St, with lots of lovely shops.
You will find the souvenir shops here, a number of your standard chains, and
some other more local shops. Definitely worth a stop at Artina's, for some beautiful
glass bead, silver, etc jewelry, all by Canadian artists.
Turning right on Fort St, it is a charming 20
min walk past antiques stores and cafes to Craigdarroch Castle, the home of a
coal baron. Built in the late 1800's, I recommend taking in the movie, with a fascinating story of its many uses,
from schools to hospitals.
Heading off to find Beacons Hill Park and the
tallest totem pole on the island, I detour at Government House to walk around
the grounds and visit the Tea House. Definitely worth the stop, although the
tip that there was a great local artist collective in the basement of the mall
at Fort and Douglas, was too late for me - a little shout out for Migration
here, although there was a selection of their work at the Tea House gift shop
as well.
Unfortunately that detour left me with
insufficient time to make it to Beacon Hill - I should not have slept in this
morning :(
The return walk back along Fairfield was
fascinating, as there was a very eclectic mix of architecture, old and modern,
Victorian features and wrought iron.
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