Victoria

Saturday July 27, 1991

We're loaded on a tour bus at 8 a.m. for a 10-hour trip over to Victoria Island. It's a lovely drive. The ferry is huge--carries 250 cars. It takes 90 minutes to cross. Our tour takes us to Bouchard Gardens. It is 50 acres but hard to see it all. Alot of walking, alot of stairs. It's unbelievable--so beautiful--so many different kinds of trees and flowers and so healthy.

On to the city of Victoria, where we have time to walk much of it and go through the wax museum. No chest pain today, just ache all over and knee pain. We're returned to our hotel about 8 p.m. We walk to pick up a pizza to eat in our room. Bob and Anita come to our room at 10 p.m. to watch the fabulous fireworks from our balcony. We have the best view! We're so lucky. The Chinese are presenting the display tonight, the French, Spanish and Canadians on other nights.

If there is one event that defines summer in Vancouver, it's the Celebration of Light international fireworks competition and festival at the end of every July. It is four nights of fabulous fireworks. The first celebration was held in 1990, one year before mom was there. It has become one of the most prestigious fireworks competitions in the world, attracting the world's best fireworks pyrotechnicians and designers.