Check the web page for details of our four fantastic April trips
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
God's Acre, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, China Town
Our contact at the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum suggested we preface our visit by calling in to God's Acre, the Veteran's Cemetery. We met Dave Smith there, and he was a fount of information about God's Acre which has been under his care for about 15 years.
A fascinating memorial to some fairly young sailors from the 1860s buried on Dead Man's Island.
The chapel is still used today, with special permission, for marriages, christenings, memorial services, and other special events.
Several lamps from wooden ships adorned the chapel walls.
The white ensign of the Royal Canadian Navy can be seen above the altar.
The large cross of sacrifice is a monument found in all war cemeteries in the British Commonwealth.
The cemetery has been an honoured final resting place for those who served at sea since 1868. Today, more than 2,500 military personnel and their family members are buried at God's Acre.
We had some fun at CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum completing a self guided tour search of the facility. Among other things we found out about the dirtiest job in the navy, what a Carley float is, and the name of Victoria's very own ship. Some of the ladies thought the lifelike manikins in the officers' mess display were "well fit!" Congratulations to Louise and June for perfect scores. They both won "valuable" and slightly naval linked prizes!
The "secret agent" attache case radio in one of the photos below looked as if it would be a bit of a giveaway - not something I'd like to be caught with. The medals room complete with two (replica) Victoria Crosses reminded us of the courage of the Canadian veterans and our debt to them. The helpful guide, a volunteer at the museum, told us that, while all the other medals were genuine, the VC.s were worth approximately half a million dollars each and so replicas had to be used in the display.
The cafeteria in the Nelles block lived up to our expectations - it's well worth a visit in its own right. We rounded off our trip with a browse in Chinatown and some of us had a quick cup of tea at the Venus Sophia Tea Room before heading back to the centre. Thanks again to John and to all the Let's Do It Day Trippers who joined us!
The cemetery has been an honoured final resting place for those who served at sea since 1868. Today, more than 2,500 military personnel and their family members are buried at God's Acre.
We had some fun at CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum completing a self guided tour search of the facility. Among other things we found out about the dirtiest job in the navy, what a Carley float is, and the name of Victoria's very own ship. Some of the ladies thought the lifelike manikins in the officers' mess display were "well fit!" Congratulations to Louise and June for perfect scores. They both won "valuable" and slightly naval linked prizes!
The "secret agent" attache case radio in one of the photos below looked as if it would be a bit of a giveaway - not something I'd like to be caught with. The medals room complete with two (replica) Victoria Crosses reminded us of the courage of the Canadian veterans and our debt to them. The helpful guide, a volunteer at the museum, told us that, while all the other medals were genuine, the VC.s were worth approximately half a million dollars each and so replicas had to be used in the display.
The cafeteria in the Nelles block lived up to our expectations - it's well worth a visit in its own right. We rounded off our trip with a browse in Chinatown and some of us had a quick cup of tea at the Venus Sophia Tea Room before heading back to the centre. Thanks again to John and to all the Let's Do It Day Trippers who joined us!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Itinerary and information for Feb 9th trip CFB Esquimalt
9 February – CFB ESQUIMALT
NAVAL & MILITARY MUSEUM /
NAVAL & MILITARY MUSEUM /
CHINATOWN BROWSE
Depart: 10:00am
Cost: $6 + lunch (cash only) + tea (optional)
Depart 10:00
10:15 Arrive at Gods Acre Veterans Cemetery
Esquimalt, BC V9A 4P7
11:15 arrive at CFB Esquimalt museum
Self guided quiz competition
12:30 Lunch at base restaurant
Check quiz - valuable prize for winner
2:00 Arrive at Chinatown
2:30 Tea break at Venus Sophia (optional)
3:00 Take bus back to centre
3:30 Arrive back at centreBase Restaurant – Nelles Block Cafeteria
Large menu
Main entrees $5-$7
Wraps $3.50
Killer salad bar $2.50
Soup and big bun $1.50
– cash required
Venus Sophia Tea Room
540 Fisgard Street
Cream tea (scone, cream and jam – beverage not included) $4.50
Pot of tea for two $3.95 (unlimited refills)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Imax Trip Feb 2, 2011
The first movie, Arabia, was interesting in pointing out the pivotal role of the Arab world in maintaining and developing mathematics and science while Europe was languishing in the dark ages. The Nabateans, the importance of frankincense in the Roman world, and the development of Petra based on that resource was covered well. Aerial photos of the Hajj were incredible. Legends of Flight focussed on iconic, innovative aircraft through the decades, and showed the development of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 in detail.
Our visit to the projection room viewing area and talk by Kyja, the IMAX manager, was very interesting. Kyja gave us samples of the extra-wide film stock used in the projector, and we saw the huge size of the the reels necessary for a 40 minute film. The film reel for the latest Harry Potter full-length feature film, currently showing, was the size of a decent-sized dining table! We had the tour between the two features rather than before the start because of a mix-up on the stuffed bear and gift shop front. We planned to meet Kyja close to the big stuffed bear in the gift shop, but with two gift shops in the museum sporting a large stuffed bear each, the inevitable hilarity ensued.
Lunch at Samuel's and a brisk stroll in the park for some of us rounded off an enjoyable trip. Thanks to all the Day Trippers for joining us - see you again for another Lets Do It Day Trip!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
LET’S DO IT TRIPS FEBRUARY 2011
9 February – CFB ESQUIMALT NAVAL & MILITARY MUSEUM / CHINATOWN BROWSE
Depart: 10:00am Cost: $6 + lunch
Mystery visit on way to CFB Esquimalt
Guided tour of museum features:
- Canada’s Navy on the West Coast
- The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC)
- The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS)
- The West Coast Defences
Lunch at recently remodeled restaurant on the base Great food, great prices
Chinatown browse
Tickets available at office
*Chris and Tom Walton (778) 433-2546*
Check out the blog http://lets-do-it-trips.blogspot.com Contact us at waltonjt1@gmail.com with questions or comments and to get on the email list with information about future Let’s do it Trips. No email? – phone is fine.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Still time to get tickets for Feb 2 Museum /Imax
Feb 2 Museum /Imax
$5:00 plus admission plus lunch. Departs 9:30.
IMAX PROJECTION ROOM VISIT
LUNCH AT SAMUEL’S BY THE PARK
STROLL IN PARK and SCENIC DRIVE BACK TO CENTRE
Tickets still available at office
*Chris and Tom Walton (778) 433-2546*
comments and to get on the email list with information
about future Let’s do it Trips. No email? – phone is fine.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Let's Do It Trips for March 2011
March 2: No trip - bus not available
March 9: Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Sidney / British Columbia Aviation Museum
Depart: 9:30 Cost: $7 plus Ocean Discovery Centre admission plus lunch
Depart: 9:30 Cost: $7 plus Ocean Discovery Centre admission plus lunch
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is an aquarium and marine education centre focused on the amazing ecosystem of the Salish Sea. The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is an aquarium and marine education centre focused on the amazing ecosystem of the Salish Sea. They’re back! The enormous skulls and skeletons from Sidney’s former Marine Mammal Museum have returned to the waterfront and are on display in a special exhibit at the Centre. Skulls, teeth, vertebrae and baleen adorn the revived exhibit. A full scale killer whale skeleton is suspended overhead. The display showcases the biology of Salish Sea cetaceans — whales, dolphins and porpoise — and pinnipeds — fin-footed mammals. Discover the differences and striking similarities between humans and marine mammals!
The British Columbia Aviation Museum is a major attraction on Vancouver Island. There are many interesting aircraft, engines, pictures, models and artifacts. The Memorial Room contains artifacts from the wars that Canadians fought, either as members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Flying Corps, or Royal Air Force. There is a historical display of the Pat Bay Airport as it was during its time as a Commonwealth Air Training Centre, complete with models of all the aircraft that were stationed here during those years. We will have a guided tour of the facility and visit the gift shop.
March 16: Centre of the Universe / The Hive
Depart: 10:00 Cost: $12.50 plus lunch
Depart: 10:00 Cost: $12.50 plus lunch
The Centre of the Universe is the interpretive centre at NRC's Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria. We’ll be treated to spectacular views of Victoria and the cosmos! Interactive exhibits and talented staff will introduce us to the amazing world of astronomy. We will tour the awesome 1.8-metre Plaskett Telescope, try the fascinating interactive exhibits, travel the constellations in the Starlab Planetarium, and experience a special theatre presentation - the Falling Asteroid ...
The Hive opened on December 4, 2010, and is a great new destination where locals and visitors alike can delight in discovering and celebrating West Shore community, culture, and commerce! The Hive has a mission to transform the Chamber’s street-level space in downtown Langford into a trendy urban GO LOCAL boutique to promote West Shore. We’ll have a presentation from Kelly Sturmey and browse the archives and boutique. The coffee shop will be open.
March 23: Craigdarroch Castle / View Art Gallery
Depart: 10:00 Cost: $16 plus lunch
Depart: 10:00 Cost: $16 plus lunch
Craigdarroch Castle historic house museum is a "must see" destination. The wealthy Dunsmuir family saga and the mansion they built is a key piece of British Columbia's history. Designated as one of Canada's National Historic Sites, this Victorian castle is a legendary tourist attraction. As the castle is a historic house museum, there are no ramps or elevators and it is not wheelchair accessible. However, it is an easy climb up the 87 stairs and there are chairs for our use on all four floors. We will have a tour introduction followed by a leisurely browse of the 39 lavishly furnished rooms and tower.
View Art Gallery exhibits contemporary modern art, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and new media. It is an exciting showcase for Canadian and international artists. We will have a presentation by Maureen Flanagan, the owner, and an opportunity to browse the gallery the new exhibit “Wild Things.”
March 30: Chemainus Theatre - "The Thirty-Nine Steps"
Depart: 10:30 a.m. Cost: $65.00 (incl. transportation, theatre, buffet, HST & gratuity)
NO REFUNDS AFTER 12:00 NOON 16 MARCH
From the novel by John Buchan (previous Governor General of Canada) and the movie of Alfred Hitchcock.
Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps. This award-winning comedy is packed with nonstop laughs,more than 150 zany characters, and some good old-fashioned romance!
BROADWAY'S LONGEST RUNNING COMEDY
Depart: 10:30 a.m. Cost: $65.00 (incl. transportation, theatre, buffet, HST & gratuity)
NO REFUNDS AFTER 12:00 NOON 16 MARCH
Tickets for all trips go on sale: Tuesday,8 February at 08:30 in the Small Lounge
*Chris and Tom Walton (778) 433-2546*
Check out the blog http://lets-do-it-trips.blogspot.com
Contact us at waltonjt1@gmail.com with questions or comments and to get on the email list with information about future Let’s do it Trips.
No email? – phone is fine.
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