International Fleet Review

[Kabey's Van]

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/13/13-w_eng.asp

It is the Royal Canadian Navy's 100th anniversary and Internation Fleet Review in Victoria this weekend. There are 22 war ships anchoured just off the beach in Esquimalt Harbour.
One of my favourites are the Nimitz Class Carriers. We usually see one a year in our Naval base, this time we are host to the USS Ronald Reagan.
There are also ships from, France, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
I've been working on the new interchange for Victoria International Airport all week and have been treated to an air show of sorts as the Snowbirds are in town as well.
My G/F informs me that down town Victoria is full of sailors.

[Cobra]

oh that looks like something i'd like to check out, will you be going to watch any of the show?

[Kabey's Van]

Yes we are, we are going down early to beat the crowds of people. Down town Victoria is basically shut down for a parade of sailors from all nations and a parade of sailors just walking around.
There are thousands of extra people in town not to mention two cruise ships as well, the whole city is buzzing. Big Big day today and not a cloud in the sky.

[Cobra]

i hope to see lots of pictures of the event [-o<

[T.Low]

Wow, Peter, that sounds cool.

If we had known about it earlier we may have gone. Victoria is always a great trip. The harbour is so beautiful, it must be downright amazing with those ships in the area.

I don't know, though, this is our first weekend home in over a month, and our first weekend free since...not sure when.

Just hanging out in the sun on the deck, fiddling with bikes and kayaks, my buddy trying to get to buy a Sportsmobile that i like but wouldn't trade even up for my van even though he's asking $48k.

Have fun Peter. Looking forward to the pics.

[Smiliesafari]

Yup.........that's cool. Seeing the military toys is always great. For all of you that live in the Great Lakes region the parade of tall ships starts July 7th.

[Kabey's Van]

[Smiliesafari]

Simply Awesome.......... I was stationed onboard a carrier during the Cuban missle crisis in '62. It was the highlight of my military service.

[astrozam]

Nice pics Kabey they turned out pretty good

[Kabey's Van]

Thanks Smilie, Thanks Zam,
It was a pretty cool day.
We left the review early cause of our dogs and the huge amount of people that were arriving so we missed the Snowbirds show. It wasn't there regular routine just a short show.
I called up a buddy of mine who works at the airport and who owed me a favour so, we headed out to the airport to collect. The shots at the airport were the result of that favour being payed back, as I was able to get right out on the taxiway with the pilots, talk to them, watch them climb into there jets and take off.
Thanks Scott that was very cool.
All the ships were in the harbour to start with, they then came out of the harbour, through the narrow entrance, sailed past the review ship and onto their anchorage for the day.
We got a shot of every ship. The HMCS Algonquin was anchoured just to the left of Fisgard Lighthouse. The Governer General and many other Canadian Forces dignitaries were onboard the Algonquin for the sailpast.
The Governer General is the Queen's representative for Canada. The "GG", although mostly a figure head, does hold an active place in our Parliamentary process and is the Commander of our military.
It was a great day, I have never seen so many ships of anykind in one place before.
When they were all at anchour it looked like a full size game of Battleship.

Peter

[Cobra]

oh that looks cool i especially like the picture of the snowbird just above the runway thanks for the pictures