From a distance, you can see the colorful houseboats bobbing up and down languidly on the water. Their colorful paint jobs brightening the cool and sunny spring day in Victoria, BC.
These signs that lead to the wharf might as well say, “tourist trap.” Indeed it is, but it’s worth it because this a truly unique community, a floating museum of aquatic home design. Price of admission: free. But if you're already there, you might as well support local businesses by trying some of the delectable sea-treats and merry-making libations.
These floating buildings really put a glint in my eyes. They’re simply superb. Each one is unique with its own personality, yet together they make for a truly eclectic neighborhood. It’s as if the only regulation on their design was make it fun and interesting.
There are signs around warning people not to make too much noise because this is a residential area. Cameras everywhere.
Would I live here? I think it’s an interesting and creative idea, but I don’t think I could live with a constant stream of people gawking my way and trying to look inside my home. What if I want to sunbathe in the nude? What if I want to engage in private activities like cooking a slippery fish? Wouldn’t that be embarrassing? I think it would be, unless you’re into that sort of thing, but we’re not going to go there.
Part of me is curious about what it takes to keep these places running. One has to think about power, electricity, water, heating, and all the variables of living in a floating vessel on a dynamic salty body of water in a region of the world notorious for its rainy stormy weather. It would be a great way to spend the weekend with friends and family. Or alone naked waiting for tourists to look through the window…heh
Some of the buildings are shops, and others are seafood joints. There is a great variety of food available that includes hamburgers, fish & chips, Mexican seafood, oysters, and a whole lot more. You can also buy drinks and sit outside on the pier, or inside one of the transparent geodesic bubbles for the covid paranoid.
This is truly a great spot to spend a relaxing afternoon. No hassles. Just the sun, the breeze, and the little boats floating in the ocean.
Beyond this point
Images by @litguru taken with an Olympus tg6