Strait to the Mountains

Our final evening in Victoria brings a beautiful golden moon posing beside the magnificently lighted Parliament House - a perfect send off.




















The Coho Ferry whisks us away this morning and bring us back home to these United States. The route takes us across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, crossing the same waterway we've walked and beached for the past week and we arrive in the city of Port Angeles, gateway to the amazing mountain range at Olympic National Park.









A climb up Hurricane Ridge for a picnic in the same mountains we've eyed across the waterway is a surreal experience. The clear skies offer a view which feels like we can actually reach out and touch these soft peaks. It's breathtaking. The only way for a picnic!

Oh, Victoria

As our time comes to an end in this beautiful city, we reflect on all we've been able to experience in our brief stay. This is truly one of the most lovely places in the world.














The gorgeous gardens, mountain vistas, and inner harbor create a truly magical setting. We have been so fortunate to have stayed in a spot that highlighted the best Victoria has to offer.












On one of our prettiest afternoons, we hiked the coast line showcasing the magnificent Olympic range beyond the strait. Absolutely amazing! We pulled our chairs from the Vue and grabbed our books, soaking up the magnificent sun and breathing in all that coast was providing. It was a spectacular moment!



















Our beautiful home couldn't have been more perfect as it's modern conveniences and incredible location provided more than we could have hoped for.

Only pause was the "EARTHQUAKE" button on the elevator - what exactly was that for!?!

Castles and Waterfalls

Good weather fortune continues and a small journey to Hatley Castle seems to be in order. The beautiful grounds overlook the sound and the magnificent Olympic Mountains, a breathtaking setting.

















The gardens here are just as impressive as the ones we visited yesterday, just smaller and quite serene. There is not the throng of visitors that Butchart garners, and the peace is extravagant.

Before touring the castle itself, we stroll through the gardens, again enjoying the different venues it allows. The rose garden is in full bloom, housing heirloom roses dating back to the 1500s. Incredible. Balance in the Japanese garden is palpable and meandering through the area, complete with tea house overlooking ponds and arched bridges, is pure heaven.


Peacocks prance and hens with their babies are spotted often along our stroll.







































The castle itself is quite impressive.
"Money doesn't matter, just build what I want." This is the quote of the original owner, James Dunsmuir, and is apparent in the spectacle we witness today. Taking only 18 months to complete is much more understandable when cost is no option whatsoever.


Today the castle and it's beautiful gardens are part of Royal Roads University and the castle actually serves as administrative headquarters. This would be a very nice place to come to work each day indeed!


We have one more excursion this afternoon before we call it a day. We've heard of a little waterfall called Niagara. A short drive brings us to the beautiful Goldstream Provinal Park where it's found. Just a 15-minute hike brings us to an area of such bliss, it's hard to imagine. The fall is almost as high as it's famous namesake, but quiet and serene. Hidden in a corner of this park where it's not even marked, we have to inquire several times to find it's location. It is, indeed, a magical and mystical spot. We are fortunate to have witnessed it's beauty.

The day has been filled with special moments and the glory of Victoria has been fully appreciated.

Fountains and Flowers

After several days of staying close to home, we venture a bit to visit the legendary Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay. What a spectacle awaits us here!









These renowned gardens definitely do not disappoint and we spend several hours exploring the wide range of venues. A carousel ride is not to be missed and brings back visions of Mary Poppins for all of us. If only we could get these horses to go off trail...this is the perfect place for that to happen!





There are sunken gardens to traverse, a rose garden to inhale, Japanese gardens to reflect and a Mediterranean garden to lead us to tea. It just doesn't get better than this. As the weather continues to cooperate, clear sunny skies prevail and provide the perfect backdrop for this glorious haven.

















A charming boat tour takes us along the bay surrounding the gardens. Our guide is from Denmark and has the most melodious tone when speaking. Between his voice and the scenery, we are transformed into an other worldly place. The peacefulness and serenity of the area is pure heaven. Swarms of non toxic jelly fish surround and large, beautiful, and colorful
starfish are prevalent everywhere. We literally float off our little vessel at our journey's end. This is more than worth the extra $$ for the excursion. For all of us, one of our favorite experiences by far.

















The gardens cannot be complete without the obligatory high tea experience at the dining room and so we, of course, have to indulge. Another must and more than worth the expense it entails. The quaint room has gorgeous views of the grounds and the tea and service exquisite. Dessert is served first (does it get better than that?) with a delicious individual trifle loaded with the most amazing cream. Champagne cocktails accompany the first course and, therefore, bring us to a whole new level of enjoyment. Tiers of goodies follow, each with a specific purpose. Top tier is loaded with scones, lemon curd cream and strawberry jam. The middle has offerings of truffles, lemon tarts, and raspberry napoleons. At the bottom, a savory display of salmon and cucumber finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, pinwheels and mushroom tarts. Pure heaven! Oh, and the tea is pretty good, as well.

Yes, high tea at the Butchart Gardens is a very good thing!