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!

Tea and Parliament

Today shall be decidedly British. A tour of Parliament House is quite interesting, albeit a tad busy. The stately building we've admired from afar is just as beautiful when we enter. A very knowledgeable guide gives a thorough tour and we are all much more informed of British Columbia's politics when we retreat. This is another must do while in Victoria.
















The neighboring Empress Hotel is just as impressive and we tour the beautiful surrounding gardens as well as peek inside the elegant hallways and lobby.



Instead of tea at the Empress, which we've been told is also a must do, the busy tea room and high price ticket leads us elsewhere. We find the perfect spot at the Point Ellice House and Gardens. Afternoon tea in the gardens and a tour of the beautiful home is just what we're looking for. The home and gardens sit on the banks of the gorge and provide a breathtaking setting for the quintessential tea service. Our hostess is charming and a beautiful spread of scones, trifle and finger sandwiches accompany our delicious tea. Croquet in the adjoining garden complete the experience.

We're feeling oh, so British by the end of the day!

Exploring the Inner Harbor

With so much to see and the weather absolutely beautiful, we can't wait to go and explore some of what the Inner Harbour has to offer.

As directed by several guides, we board the little Victoria Harbour Ferry to begin our adventure. The captains are all very helpful as we hop on and off exploring. It's definitely the ticket to viewing this area the most efficiently and fun way possible.


A stop in Chinatown is not what we think it will be so we don't linger very long. Further along our route we find the Craigdarroch Castle and this excursion enjoy quite a bit. What a beautifully restored piece of architecture is here. The views from the higher rooms are amazing and though the inside furnishings are not originals, they've taken great pain in attempting to still furnish lavishly. This is a must see while in Victoria.


Interesting architecture abounds and the flowers adorn everywhere. It is the picture book perfect seaside village which surrounds all areas of the harbour.


Float homes at Fisherman's Wharf and West Bay Marine Village are enchanting and we all pick our favorite home we'd choose to buy. Both areas are markedly individual. The busy Wharf allows visitors to meander all around and is hopping with activity while the laid back and more private West Bay seems quite calm and near deserted save the neighboring RV park which is full of summer travelers. Each marina is full of character and provides docks for a plethora of small and large vessels boasting fun names. Job Less tickles the most!



The colors are vibrant and the people so friendly. We're thrilled with all there is to take in. Victoria is one beautiful place, just as we've heard.

Making Victoria Home

As we depart the ferry, we travel to James Bay in downtown Victoria. It is absolutely gorgeous as we hit the inner harbour. Our beautiful condo overlooks charming Fisherman's Village, housing several floating homes, a great seafood market, harbor cruises, and quaint eateries. The views afforded from our balcony are out of this world!











After strolling the little village, we set up housekeeping for our visit. Kimberly has offered to create one of her amazing dinners this first evening and armed with her necessary glass of wine begins preparation.











Dinner on one of our two decks overlooking the float planes runway as sun sets is the perfect start to our time here. We drink our wine and enjoy a feast of smoked salmon stuffed mushrooms, baked goat cheese with peppers, sauteed swordfish and scones with strawberries and fresh cream. We sure have missed Kimberly's little creations.




The harbour is quite busy at dusk with ferries, barges, tugboats and sea planes. It is quite something to watch these little planes take off and land with the bay as their runway. Mixed with the spectacular color of the little village, the sun setting over the city and the night lights starting to shine, we could not ask for a better evening!



Here's to a week of good friends, good wine, good food, and spectacular Victoria!