An amazing local library with helpful staff and a lot of great nooks to curl up in with a good…read morebook. Has event rooms and a lovely outdoor rose garden for you to read in as well. Parking onsite and a place to lock up your bikes is helpful too.

Fan Tan Alley, one of the narrowest streets in Canada and is only three to six feet wide and 240…read morefeet long, that runs between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue (formerly Cormorant Street). It came into being between 1885 and 1920 as Chinese and Western landowners initially constructed buildings fronting on Fisgard and Cormorant, then over time filled in the spaces behind with new building. "Fan Tan" is named after a game played in gambling dens above the alley. The lower storefronts housed opium dens, restaurants, and shops. Opium was legal in Canada until 1908, but gambling was not. Trap doors to second floors and locked gates at each end of the alley helped slow down police during raids on the illegal gambling dens. Today, Fan Tan Alley is a neat shopping street with several locally owned stores. The shops are small in size, but each offers something different. Products available in Fan Tan Alley range from ice cream and other treats to vintage records and trendy clothing. Another key feature of Fan Tan Alley is its architecture. A significant amount of the exterior has a brick finish. The old buildings appear extra tall thanks to the street's narrow width.

fan tan alley feels like a secret the city almost doesn't want you to find…read more you can wander through victoria's chinatown without noticing it, then suddenly there it is: an impossibly narrow passage wedged between old brick buildings. stepping in feels less like entering an alley and more like slipping behind the curtain of the city. its name comes from fan tan, a gambling game once played in hidden rooms nearby. a century ago, this alley was alive with apartments, businesses, clan halls, gambling dens, and opium rooms, all connected by stairways, courtyards, and passageways mostly invisible from the street. while some activity was secretive, the bigger story is the community that thrived here despite discrimination and exclusion. for generations of chinese immigrants, fan tan alley offered work, friendship, support, and a sense of belonging. the buildings and hidden courtyards weren't just functional, they were the backbone of a community carving out its own space in a world that often shut them out. the narrow alley, tiny doorways, upper windows, and unusual fractional addresses like "1/2" all hint at the dense, layered way life was lived here. today, fan tan alley hums with a quieter energy. independent shops, galleries, studios, and cafés occupy spaces that once hid games, meetings, and everyday life. the history isn't confined to plaques or museum displays, it lingers in the narrow passage, the hidden courtyards, and the oddly numbered doorways. for all the stories of gambling dens and opium rooms, what remains most striking is the sense that this was, above all, a place where people built lives. walking through it feels less like seeing a landmark and more like stumbling across a piece of history that never quite disappeared.

Nice museum! It's only 30 min away from Victoria. They have a ton of airplanes and WWII…read morememorabilia. Lots of look through. The volunteers were really friendly and helpful.

This museum and its staff are true gems. We spent several delightful hours viewing vintage aircraft…read moreand memorabilia and learning about the fascinating history of British Columbia in aviation. There was something for everyone in our mixed group of: private pilot, airplane geek, and layperson, and the personal tour was wonderful.

I am leaving this review in December 2021 about Far and Away Adventures' offering of RAPID COVID…read moreTESTING for air travellers. If you are traveling out of YYJ Airport and live nearby, then this is the place to go because: (1) The rapid-test can be done quickly, with the option of picking up the kit from their store in Sidney and taking the test, at home, via live video, scheduled in a timely manner, such as (as I leave this review) less than 24 hours ahead of my flight departure. (2) Far and Away Adventures was the strongly preferred choice by a close friend who has traveled to the U.S.A. by air within the past week who told me these two things: (a) Far and Away delivered the services and the results in a timely manner, as promised, and they were able to board their flight; and (b) many passengers were made late for their flight because they used another service that is located VERY VERY VERY CLOSE to the airport. If I am able, I will leave my review about that other service. The only drawback to the Far and Away Adventures setup is you must pay in advance, instead of just 24-hours ahead of time. While the policy is understandable -- I'll be picking up my COVID test within the week but won't be taking the test until early next month -- but if my flight (or all flights to the USA) get cancelled (due to travel restrictions, if re-imposed) then I have paid ahead of time... well... perhaps they would, in that hypothetical case, revise the policy, and I wouldn't mind paying a deposit upon picking up the test, and then paying the balance the day before my scheduled online test. Just remember DO NOT go to the place that's so-close-you-can-walk to the airport terminal.

From the owner: Small ship cruising and South Pacific adventures to Tahiti and Fiji are only a few of our…read morespecialties. Far and Away Adventures can custom build a unique vacation that will take you to popular locations or the less explored corners of the world. Specialists have been to over 50 countries and each has over 20 years experience planning exceptional vacations.

3 hours wait time for simple passport renewal so far and counting ... supervisor makes zero effort…read moreto improve process ... Intead convinces people to leave and not come back ... incompetence.ca

The horror stories that I heard and read online about hours for waiting in line around the blocks…read moremust have been a thing of the past during the pandemic. Granted my visit today was an in-person submission of a simplified adult renewal application. There was no line at the entrance to the office. I advised the 2 security guards the purpose of my visit. I was given a slip to complete my credit card information for the application fee. One of them then led me to a very short line for 1 window with only 2 people ahead of me. I had my form fully completed (but not signed yet), my photos and my current passport. When it was my turn, the clerk reviewed my form, had me signed the application form and another form with my picture pasted on, and told me my passport will be mailed in 2 weeks time so I should get it by registered in 2-5 business days from the day it is mailed. I asked about the pick up option. She told me it would not be any faster and there would be an extra charge of $20 so I opted for the mailing option. Including waiting for the 2 people ahead of me to be processed, I was in an out in 30 minutes.

If you don't live on Salt Spring, you really won't have any reason to pop into the Post Office…read more Which would be a real shame, as it's probably the most cheerful post office experience you'll ever have. It's "small town charm" at it's finest. There's usually an adorable golden retriever to greet you, there's never a line, parking out front (trust me, in Fulford, this is a plus) and the folks that work here are the friendliest around. The lady who has served me all of two times (apologies for not remembering your name, but i'm sure my mother will correct me on this) always remembers me. Granted, my mother is in there a few times a week but it's still nice to walk in the door and get asked about your recent goings on. It's TINY and the supplies are limited but they have the basics and really, this review isn't about what kind of packing tape I can buy. It's about the fact that every time I leave here, I do so with a smile. I wish all post offices could say the same.

Really cute park near a school. A lot of space for families and they have a really big jungle gym…read more It's pretty quiet and relaxing. Love the trees and environment here.