Victoria: Fun, Funky, Quirky Flaneur Finds
One of the things I love to do when visiting any city or town is to wander the streets looking for fun, funky and quirky things. I call it “FFQing!” I am always on the lookout for something fun!
Could be a sandwich board with a fun saying. Could be storefront widow display? Could be the name of a business? Could be people in the street? Could be a fun book in a thrift store? Could be public art?
That is why I love my iPhone as I can whip it out faster than a shootout in a spaghetti western and quickly post to Facebook, Instagram or X.
Here are some FFQing photos from my recent visit to Victoria BC. Hope they will bring a smile to your face. FYI: I saved the best for last….
Found these fun characters in the lobby of the condo building I was staying at.
I loved coming home to them. What a simple way to liven up a lobby.
Found Lucy in a consignment store in Oak Bay. I was tempted to add her to my small doll collection. Yes I have a doll collection, doesn’t everyone?
Loved Patisserie Daniel’s window with all the rolling pins. I am sucker for unique shop windows. And yes, Daniel’s has great patisseries and bread…had to have a rum ball for the road.
Thought this was a fun mural.
Fun, Funky & Quirky
This made us laugh. FYI there is no IKEA in Victoria or on Vancouver Island.
At first I just saw the funky window
Then the Chinese food box with chop sticks made me smile.
Saw this window across the street from WINs thrift store and started walking back and forth to see how the reflection changed. Very surreal….
Fun puzzle, game store…great slogan.
Any guesses what this is…
Now that’s funky watering can…not sure why they would need one as all it does is rain in Victoria.
Fun sidewalk in a park next to playground for kids…and me!
Betty with her large diamond ring.
Found these socks in the Parliament Building gift shop…too much fun.
Behind the Parliament Building near the rose garden is this chair. It was too wet to sit in it…
Found this chair when exploring some residential streets, at first I thought it was a sculpture…..hmmm…I might do this with my porch chair for the winter…
Becky’s Farm today is a care home, but the area was once a farm in the James Bay neighbourhood. The residents make fun art objects and put them in the barn for people to take. I took the bookmark you can see in the front.
I enjoy finding fun books in thrift stores. Soon after finding the International Cookie Cookbook, I found these Flyer Saucer Cookies and wondered if there is an Extraterrestrial Cookie Cookbook.
Even storm sewer grates can be fun, political statements.
Found these garden sculptures when walking home from Little Dickens puppet show.
Would you say there are fun, funky or quirky? Perhaps all three.
Loved this illuminated staircase at night. Love to see more of this.
I should have gone…
Love these quirky stairs to funky bookstore in Cook Street Village.
More stair fun…
Thought this was fun and clever…
I saved the best for last…
Last Word
Downtowns need more fun things to see and do. Downtowns need to be more colourful, less conservative, corporate in their design sensibility. Here are some links to other blogs about downtown fun: