Victoria Express

Victoria Dragon Boat Festival

Each year, on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese year, Chinese communities all over the world celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. The exact origins of the festival are vague. One theory is that it was to somehow ward off evil on the most evil day of the most evil month of the calendar in ancient Chinese society. At some point during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), the festival became a commemoration of Qu Yuan, a wise man who served the Emperor Huai and fought against corruption. The wise Qu Yuan flung himself into the Miluo River upon learning that his country, the Chu State, had been defeated by the Qin State. Legend has it that fisherman took to their boats in an effort to find him, and then threw zongzi (wrapped rice dumplings) and other food into the river so that the fish would not touch his body. According to the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival website, “in the centuries since his suicide, people have commemorated Qu Yuan by recreating the circumstances of his tragic death. They race dragon boats and eat zongzi every year on the anniversary of his death – the fifth day of the fifth month.”

This year, the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival will be August 14 – 16. The festival will start in the Inner Harbor on Friday the 14th with the “awakening of the dragon” ceremony, performed by priests from the Ching Chung Taoist Church. This is an essential part of the festival, for the dragons cannot race unless their spirits are awakened. All people are welcome to watch the priests cleanse and bless the arena and ultimately awaken the spirits of the dragons by painting on red “eyes.”

Races will take place Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm in Victoria’s Inner Harbor. Ninety teams from across North America will race 500-metres, from Laurel Point to the Royal London Wax Museum. If you have never seen dragon boat races before, you will be delighted and amazed by the colorful boats and the skill of the paddlers. In addition to the races, a variety of vendors and all sorts of entertainment will be on land, including a Kids Tent. This is definitely an event that is fun for the whole family.

Taking the passenger ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, or the passenger ferry from Friday Harbor to Victoria, is a great way to travel to see the festival. You may be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the races while on board the Victoria Express.

“Dragon boat races are now held worldwide, and the ideals of Qu Yuan are still honoured – through Taoist ceremonies, the spirit of the paddlers, and the invitation and involvement of the local community. Through the festival’s many activities, people are reminded of the importance of loyalty and commitment to the community.” (Festival website)

Be whisked away to Butchart Gardens from your hotel on the Olympic Peninsula

Exploring Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC  has never been easier. If you are planning to stay at a participating hotel in Port Angeles, we will pick you up and transport you directly to our passenger ferry terminal in Port Angeles. You will ride the passenger ferry from Port Angeles WA to Victoria BC and board a comfortable bus waiting to whisk you away to the Butchart Gardens; you will even learn a little about the glorious city of Victoria while you travel to the Gardens. After your tour of the amazing gardens you will be transported back to downtown Victoria, where you’ll have time to shop or sightsee before boarding ferry to Port Angeles.

 Exploring Butchart Gardens is a favorite day trip for visitors to the Olympic Peninsula. For only $81.00 (USD – Junior and child rates are also available) we will arrange all the transportation from your hotel in Port Angeles to Butchart Gardens and downtown Victoria. This garden adventure is a lovely way to enhance your visit to the Northwest.

Travel between the United States and Canada now requires either a passport or an enhanced driver’s license.

Nothing captures the wild serenity of nature quite like a waterfall. Thunderous and soothing all at once, waterfalls invite passersby to lose themselves in reflection and let the sound of rushing water clear all thoughts and concerns.

The Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail is not one hike filled with many waterfalls. It is a series of trails throughout the Olympic Peninsula, each one containing a waterfall. Some trails must be hiked on foot, some are wheelchair accessible, and some can be reached by car; perhaps most exciting, some must be seen from the water. Only an intrepid few would have the energy to attempt visiting all the waterfalls on one trip, as there are 24 falls in every corner of the peninsula. Pick one or two, and plan to visit them at your leisure.

The passenger ferry from Victoria BC to Port Angeles WA brings visitors to the heart of downtown Port Angeles. Budget and Enterprise car rental agencies are not far from the ferry terminal, making it convenient to rent a car and head out to your waterfall of choice. Pack a picnic, or two, and prepare to experience the majestic beauty of the Hoh Rain Forest, the Pacific Coast, the Olympic National Park, the Quinault Rain Forest, and the Hood Canal, among other areas. The Northwest is an incredible place, and the Olympic Peninsula is a northwest gem.

Welcome To Forks...

What is it about VAMPIRES?

How do they manage to get under our skin, and keep us up at nights thinking about them, reading books about them, watching movies about them? It seems that most everyone goes through a vampire stage at some point between adolescence and the golden years – they are so alluring, mysterious, and strangely attractive. Bram Stoker knew their appeal. So did Anne Rice. And now Stephenie Meyers has tapped into the world of the Undead with her Twilight series. The books are wildly popular, as was the first film. The second film, New Moon, is due out late this fall.

Those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest are proud of Forks, Washington, which is home for the Cullen family. We want to show visitors around. Twilight fans from Victoria will be pleased to learn that they may go from Victoria to the land of Vampires and Werewolves in Just One Day.

The passenger ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles departs at 9:45 AM; upon arrival in Port Angeles, visitors will be swept away to Forks in style by Dazzled by Twilight Tours , where you will have time to explore the town where the Cullens don’t sleep and Chief Swan keeps law and order. At 3pm you will be taken to the house Bella and Charlie call home, the Cullen House, The Hospital where Dr. Cullen works and the Police Station where Chief Swan spends his days when he isn’t out fishing.

Across the treaty line in Werewolf territory, you will learn the history of the Quilieute People while gliding past some of the most incredible scenery in the northwest – the Washington Coastline. You will see where Jacob went to school and where he lives now. And of course, no Twilight Tour is complete without a stop in Port Angeles, where Edward and Bella had their first date. You’ll have time to visit local Twilight landmarks before boarding the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, which departs at 9:30pm.

It is a full day, to be sure, and it is well worth it. If you are visiting the Pacific Northwest, when is the next time you will be able to get such a glimpse into the Forks of Twilight? If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you simply must experience the Forks of Vampires and Werewolves. Call the Victoria Express for details.

Travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

Cyclists visiting or living in Victoria should consider taking the ferry from Victoria BC to Port Angeles WA for a cycling adventure and a stay in an authentic railroad caboose. There is great cycling on the Olympic Peninsula, particularly along the Olympic Discovery Trail, which stretches from Port Angeles to south of Sequim. The trail meanders along the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Port Angeles, through farmland in Sequim, and hugs the coast of Sequim Bay; along the way, there are spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Baker and the North Cascades.

Travel on the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles and then ride your bike to the Red Caboose Getaway. Mike’s Bikes, near the Red Caboose, can tune your bike for you. By leaving your car on Vancouver Island, sailing a passenger ferry and using your legs to power you down the trail, you will have a Green Getaway Experience. Bring your friends and share the 20 mile adventure to Sequim from the ferry terminal of Port Angeles.

The Red Caboose Getaway B&B provides lodging in – you got it – cabooses. Not all are red, but all are authentic, spectacular, retired railroad cabooses; while the exteriors look like they belong on the rails, the interiors have all been converted into comfortable, luxury lodging. You should plan to work up a healthy appetite while cycling; Stationmaster Charlotte is a gourmet cook and Stationmaster Olaf serves with style in the beautifully restored 1937 Art Deco stainless steel private dining car.

When it is time to leave, y0u can cycle back to the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria. Contact Victoria Express for details. Travel between Canada and the United States now requires a passport or an enhanced driver’s license.

Victoria Express and Executive Wine Tours celebrate the wines of the Pacific Northwest

Have you ever wanted to tour wineries around Victoria in your own limousine with your friends?

Sail the Victoria Express to Victoria B.C. and enjoy a relaxing tour of the finest wineries on Vancouver Island with Executive Wine Tours. First you’ll enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Pacific Northwest aboard the passenger ferry connecting Port Angeles WA with Victoria BC. Then you’ll ride in style to several wineries around Victoria. The folks at Executive Wine Tours take their wine seriously, and do their best to create an experience that is enjoyable and relaxing for everyone. You’ll meet with winery owners, learn about the wines they produce and have the opportunity to taste many of those wines.

Although tasty snacks are available aboard the ferry to Victoria, be sure to save room for a gourmet, multi-course lunch. The tour lasts about five hours, and is perfectly coordinated with the ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria. So sit back and let others do the hard work while you enjoy locally produced wines of the Pacific Northwest.

Travel between the United States and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

July 1 was Canada Day, when Canadians in Victoria stepped out in great numbers to celebrate being Canadian. Victoria was hopping all day to the sounds of live music as people created an enormous living Canadian flag, participated in walking tours, rode in horse-drawn trolleys and strolled through Market Square. Enthusiastic fans also attended a baseball game.

Take the passenger ferry to watch the Victoria Seals

Baseball, you say? Yes, Victoria has its own team, the Victorian Seals, and fans are not merely Canadians. Some folks on the Olympic Peninsula consider the Victorian Seals to be their home team. It’s true, although they don’t say that too loudly for fear of insulting fans of the Seattle Mariners. But you have to admit that it is easier to ride a passenger ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria than to drive all the way to one of those other ferries in order to cross Puget Sound.

The Victoria Seals are at this moment engaged in a four game series with the Tucson Toros. It’s not too late to be spontaneous and catch the last game of the series, on Friday evening. Or plan ahead a bit: the Seals will be hosting the Edmonton Capitals and the Yuma Scorpions over the coming days, and will play at home frequently during July and August. Check out the Seals‘ schedule.

The ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria offers numerous specials that include lodging in Victoria; they are a great value. Make a long weekend out of it, or a mid-week vacation, and take in a game while you are there. See how the Canadians put their own twist on baseball.

Passports or enhanced drivers licenses are now required for travel between the United States and Canada.

Love that Sequim Lavender Festival

Ok, you can’t actually ride the passenger ferry to Sequim, but you can do the next best thing: ride the passenger ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles and let Victoria Express arrange the rest.

Sequim is considered the lavender capital of North America, and with good reason. Its dry, sunny climate is reminiscent of Provence, France, lavender capital of Europe. Let us take you around to the seven participating farms, where you may learn about cultivation and drying techniques from farmers, and stroll through lovely, fragrant lavender fields. At the Lavender Festival Street Fair in downtown Sequim you will see many products crafted from local lavender, from soaps to ice cream to wine (yes, wine).

The Sequim Lavender Festival runs July 17, 18, and 19, 2009. Our Lavender Festival Package Tour leaves Victoria at 9:45 am, upon arrival in Port Angeles we will shuttle you to and from Sequim and provide you with your own Lavender ‘Button’ for the Lavender Farm Tours. Your return ferry heads out of Port Angeles at 8 pm. This gives you a full day to immerse yourself in lavender.

Travel between Canada and the United States now requires a passport or an enhanced driver’s license.