After some research and discussion, Jack and I decided to go to Victoria, BC, by ferry from Bellingham. The ship (Victoria Star) took 2 1/2 hours, giving us lots of info along the way. Unfortunately, it was so foggy we couldn't even see the San Juan Islands!
Fortunately for us the clouds disappeared and the sun shone the rest of the day!
So, we were very excited getting ready to visit Victoria. We had arranged for a tour bus to take us to the Butchart Gardens, about a half hour from the city.
There were several iron art instruments at the Garden entrance-naturally, we had to play them!
I always wanted to play an instrument.....
The Gardens are celebrating their 100th anniversary. This beautiful pace is really several themed gardens, about 55 acres. It's privately owned, still run by the Butchart family (great, great grandchildren).
These are the sunken gardens. They were planted in the field that was mined for lime-the Bucharts owned a Concrete Co.
This totem was made and erected to celebrate the 100th anniversary..and now, the flowers!
Oriental Poppy
Daisy
The rose garden
The Ingrid Bergman
The Princess of Whales....and so many more! Everywhere we went the flowers were perfection...
So I finally got a chance to sit on Santa's lap -right in front of the sturgeon pool. Somehow, I thought it was fitting.
There was a hothouse showing off a variety of flowers...
Before I knew it, it was time to depart and return to Victoria. The Empress Hotel is a landmark...The popular activity is high tea. Then, it was time to return to the Victoria Star. Dinner was included on the return trip but the real bonus....
Whales! We saw a grey, several Orcas, a porpoise and a dolphin!
This guy comes out every day to ski-doo on the wake of whatever boat goes by...
It's been a wonderful day-full of surprises and...WOW!
1 comment:
all we can say is AWESOME!!
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