10 AVAILABILITY, GROUP R

RESERVATIO

als, ma Bae

Wednesday, April 28, 1993 - North Shore News - 27

VICTORIA HAS been in the
news recently as the city where
politicians make bad decisions.
Yet, it is a great decision for
people to go there and visit.

By Mark Korytowski
Contributing Writer

B.C.’s capital, perched on the
southernmost tip of Vancouver
Island, is known as Canada’s
Best Bloomin’ City. Springtime
finds streets lined with blossom-
ing trees and lit with street lamps
hung with brimming flower
baskets.

‘Victorians have always had a
reverence for the past and as a
result many museums call the ci-
ty their home.

The Royal British Columbia
Museum complex is rated one
of the best in the world, and
traces the history of the province
from the pre-ice age to the pres-
ent day.

Thunderbird Park where
carvers create new totem poles,
and ancient totem poles are: on
display, as well as Helmcken
House, the second oldest house
in B.C. still standing on its orig-
inal site, are also part of the
museum,

The area’s maritime history is
displayed in the fascinating Mar-
itime Museum in Bastion
Square.

Adjacent to the marvellous
Empress Hotel, newly renovated
and restored to its grandeur of a
bygone era, people will be
marvelled by a special treat.

The Miniature Museum is a
masterpiece of historical and
futuristic displays to scenes from
literature and fantasy. Most ar-
rays are made of plastic and tin
models ranging from one
millimetre to 54 millimetres in
size.

The domed buildings of the
legislature are worth a_ visit.
Tours through the building are
offered for those people who
want to learn about the political
history and the government of

B.C. . .
Across from the legislature is

a wax museum that people will
enjoy.

A walk along Government
Street will lead visitors not only
into a shopping area placed in
historic retail complexes but to
Chinatown and = the beautiful
Gate of Harmonious Interest.

See Victoria page 28

bape Cn tor oe