"Thanks for giving me the opportunity to see what it's like to live in a better environment."
Fernando waited for the Prius cab to take him to Victoria's airport this morning, as he spoke. 
Refreshed after two days in Victoria, he didn't want to return to LAX and the smog capital of the western world but he had to.
His words touched me. 
People leave comments that make me believe that my travels have value beyond my own lungs, but a friend
traveling to meet me and experience clean living for himself, and acknowledging that it feels worlds better to be in clean air Victoria with no traffic and plenty of parking and nothing to fight against, felt great.
Based on my rave reviews of Victoria, Fernando left his busy business for someone else to run--a business that supports several families, which is why he remained glued to the cell phone on our first day touring the town on Victoria's Harbour Ferry and Big Bus--looking exhausted.
Big Bus is powered by biofuels, by the way.
But yesterday Fernando came off the Los Angeles daily-grind-high--which Victoria may do for you too--and he left that noisy cell phone of his on the kitchen table, and we proceeded to experience the best of clean air Victoria.
After a long walk along Dallas Road and through Beacon Park, Fernando's bum knee started hurting, so I called a Pedicab--my creative-let's-try-something-new response.
I had no idea what a treat we'd be in for when Andrew picked us up on a three wheeler-- Canadian time.
In other words, promptly.
Fresh air with periodic scents of fragrant flowers wafted by as we guiltily boarded the bicycle built for three.
It's not slave labor, I was assured before settling into the comfy carriage of Andrew's Pedicab under blue skies.
Can you get over how blue and non-polluted this sky is? I've done nothing to touch up these photos. This is what a sunny day looks like here!
So the pedicab is a workout for Andrew, which keeps him in shape for his wife and two young kids.
Sustainable travel for us.
Zero carbon emissions for everyone.
And a way to travel slow, which I learned I love to do. (I also loved traveling slow on the train)
With Andrew as our knowledgeable guide, we were offered one of three tours. Castles, Heritage Houses, or City Tour.
We opted for Heritage Houses.
Our tour included eatting fennel from a local organic garden, a history lesson about historic homes and landmarks, including tallest totem pole in the world, and a ride through Beacon Park.
We especially enjoyed the camaraderie of a pleasant local who knows his stuff and smiles with the regularity of a Swiss clock.
Victoria Pedicab Company can be found at www.victoriatours.net or (250) 884-0121--especially recommended for those coming from a fast-paced world and ready to slow down and get intimate with Victoria.
And those with bum knees.
Next we went to Harbour Air Seaplanes, a totally 
different experience. And let's face it, while they consider themselves to be the most sustainable airline in the world, because they've gone carbon-neutral by buying carbon off-sets...a good thing no doubt... the pollution is still unpleasant.
Of course, there are certain places like Victoria, where the only way to get here is by plane or boat. So at time
s we must choose.
Hopefully, cleaner fuels are on the way.
According to our cheerful pilot, Terrence, environmentalist David Suzuki says the seaplanes are a cleaner alternative to the B.C. Ferries, and Suzuki flies them when coming to Victoria from Vancouver.
Look who's in the cockpit! 
We did the 30 minute scenic tour over Victoria and Butchart Gardens.
As you can see, the terrain is beautiful and the short ride was fun.
I highly recommend a visit to Victoria, which, so far, is the only city I've traveled to that appears to offer all of my criteria:
Clean air, beauty, and a sustainable life.
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