Victoria Butchart Gardens

We are up early, have breakfast and wander the marina area of Victoria before we jump a bus for a twenty minute ride to Butchart Gardens. I was not really sure I wanted to spend hours wandering in a garden but upon arrival I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the place. Take along a extra memory card there are so many photographic opportunities!  I've somehow managed to edit a couple hundred photos down to a manageable slide show.


We wandered for hours and finally caught the bus back to downtown. Just our luck it was time for happy hour and we were drawn to a restaurant called The Docks. They had beautiful outdoor seating but we had been in the sun most of the day and opted for an inside table. I had a great order of fish and chips and Avril tuna sliders. Good wine and company left us ready for a long walk back to the hotel.
We have more exploring to do in Victoria tomorrow.

Victoria Here We Come!

After a short but fun stay in Seattle we head a few blocks to Pier 69, home of the Victoria Clipper Ferry, for a three hour cruise to Victoria,  British Columbia. It is a little overcast but the water is smooth as we enjoy some snacks and wine. The menu is limited and I see some passengers have carried on picnic items. We chose a snack plate of cheese and crackers which calms our appetite. I booked our entire stay in Victoria through Clipper Vacations,  the parent of the ferry operation. It was a heck of a deal. Three nights lodging, round trip ferry, bus transportation, city tour and admission to Butchart Gardens was just over $600 U.S. dollars. I played on line and found that just the Gardens and Ferry crossing alone would have been about $300. We were housed at the Embassy Inn across from the ferry pier. The price included hot breakfast and wireless. The Embassy Inn has a few years on it but it is clean and meticulously kept. Our large room had a full kitchen, big TV and two comfy chairs I wanted to take home. It was larger than our first apartment. Next door the  British Columbia Legislation Building cast a regal presence.

 Snacks Victoria Clipper Seattle 

Carriage Rides and Legislation Victoria, B.C.

After checking in we wandered off to find dinner. It was past the golden time called happy hour and we were starved. After checking out a few places we landed at Pescatores Oyster Bar. I had the tuna tataki salad and Avril the Thai Steamers. Pinot Gris was our wine choice as we watched the beautiful group at the next table get their party on. Back at the hotel we found the Canadian Food Network on TV. Life is good!

Pescatores Oyster Bar Victoria B.C.

Next up our trip to the Butchart Gardens.