Sight seeing events on Wednesday June 4th

Cancelled due to lack of interest

Butchart Gardens ($40.00)

Leaves Victoria 1:00 pm, returns 5:00 pm

The first stop will be at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory where you can treat yourself to spectacular views of Victoria and astronomy exhibits.  Next visit Butchart Gardens, the most popular tourist attraction in Victoria BC, hosting about 1,000,000 visitors per year.  These spectacular gardens include 55 acres of garden displays that will move and inspire you with their beauty.  For a virtual tour visit: rnrnow.com/onlinetours/buchartgardens/ulthm.htm

Whale Watching ($80.00)

There are three Orcas Whale pods that live year round in the Southern Vancouver Island area and 97% of tours last year resulted in sightings.  Other large whales such as Minke, Humpback and Grey Whales are also frequently encountered. Naturalist interpretations are offered throughout your excursion. Two options are available: (1) a larger yacht the can accommodate up to 32 people or

(2) a high speed open zodiac; that holds up to 12 people, for those who prefer high speed open vessel excitement! The tour group will meet in the lobby of the conference hotel and walk to the docks.

Malahat Bus Tour ($40.00)

Leaves Victoria 1:30 pm from the hotel and returns 8:30 pm.

The tour starts with a short visit to scenic Saxe Point, followed by a drive to the Esquimalt Lagoon.  From the lagoon you will travel to Goldstream Park for a walk through one of Canada’s premiere old growth forests ending with a visit to the education centre and the estuary where you may see some bald eagles.  From Goldstream the group will travel up the spectacular scenic Malahat Drive to Duncan. While there, visit the Totems and the Native Heritage Centre. Then you travel to Cowichan Bay and finally Chemainus, the famous City of Murals. On the return to Victoria the group will stop for dinner. The tour does not include the price of the dinner.

Guided Bicycle Tour of Victoria and Region

Start time: 13:00, Wednesday June 4, 2008. End time: Before sunset.

This scenic and energetic ride will start at the conference hotel and head north for about 15 minutes on city streets. Then we will continue on the Galloping Goose bicycle trail for the rest of the ride which will last for about four hours. The first 15 kilometres are paved and the remainder is firm gravel. The total distance travelled on this abandoned railroad with gentle hills will depend on the interests and speed of participants but will be more than 40 and less than 55 kilometres. Towards the end of the ride we will see some old forests typical of protected forest areas in British Columbia. A modest optional picnic dinner will be provided and there will be an opportunity to go for a short swim in a lake or river before returning to Victoria by public bus (about $3.00) or taxi ($more). Bicycle loans may be possible depending on availability and requirements. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in Victoria and must by provided by each participant. Group size is limited and prior notification is required. For more information contact Mikael Jansson mjansson@uvic.ca).