From Tsawwassen terminal we take the ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. First we go to Victoria, the very British capital of British Columbia. This impression is increased by the venerable parliament building with the gold-plated George Vancouver statue on the dome as well as the noble The Fairmont Empress Hotel, erected in 1908. In summer you have to fork out there 60 $ for a tea ceremony with biscuits or cucumber sandwiches and its still necessary to make a reservation. In front of the parliament that can be visited free of charge, and at the harbour on the opposite side some totem poles of the West Coast Indians were raised. We start a round trip on the Scenic Marine Drive at Saanich Peninsula. After few minutes we reach the Mile 0 monument where Trans Canada Highway officially starts. Scenic Marine Drive passes old manor houses with well-groomed gardens, accurately trimmed hedges and ornamental plants. Often we catch pretty views to the sea. Eventually we reach Cordova Bay from where we go back to Victoria to visit Carolyn and her family. She is Mikes sister whom we met in Québec.