Good Morning from Vancouver!
We woke up early and had breakfast at the Marriott, which I never care for and then the 5 of us were picked up in front of the hotel by Landsea Tours for our day in Victoria & Butchart Gardens. Everything was arranged for us.
Our guide, Bazil – with a short a, nicknamed Mr. Charming by our friend Debbie, was great – every knowledgeable, friendly, helpful….. Once in Victoria, Bazil told us history, fun stories, where to go……
It is a big city not that different from Vancouver.- way too big to see it all or even part of it on a day trip. Chinatown is very small. Government St along the water was very pretty. I wish we had gone to Beacon Hill park instead of walking around the city. Bazil drove us through the park on the way out of town and it looked lovely. The world’s tallest totem pole is there and lots of peacocks.
After yesterday’s tour with only 12 people on our bus, I was optimistic that this too would be a small group, but our bus was full. We drove for about 45 minutes to the BC Ferry in Tsawwassen to catch a huge ferry headed for Victoria aka Vancouver Island, about 90 minutes away.
The ferry was the largest I’ve ever seen. Dozens of cars drove on, followed by semi-trucks, U-Hauls, large buses like ours, road equipment, even trucks towing boats. At least 3 or 4 levels are dedicated to vehicles and another 3 or 4 levels for people.
When I say big, I mean huge. The ferry going to Victoria held 1100 people plus all the vehicles and the return ferry held 1400 people, but neither seemed crowded at all. It was a very smooth ride and the food was not too bad. It’s best described as a small, not so luxurious cruise ship with no cabins.
There is a sit-down restaurant, a buffet, a cafe, game room, private lounge, several different seating arrangements throughout, plus 2 upper outdoor decks. It was very cold and windy out there. Abby and I only stayed about 2 minutes. We had hoped to see whales but ultimately decided that warmth was more important.
We didn’t plan on eating on the ferry, but hunger crept up on us so we tried the cafeteria/buffet, and surprisingly, it was okay. We had breakfast, a second one, since I don’t like Marriott food plus it was a long time in between, on the way over and dinner on the way back. A little pricy for cafeteria style, but you don’t have any other options if you’re hungry.
We got off the ferry in Swartz Bay, about 45 minutes north of Victoria, so we headed south on a bus.
Our driver dropped us off in China Town with a map and directions how to find the pick up spot later in the afternoon. China Town was surprisingly small, just a couple of blocks.
Remember the 1990 movie ‘Bird on a Wire’ with Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson? I remember the title but never actually saw the movie. Well, as it turns out the alley motorcycle chase scene was filmed in Victoria’s Chinatown, in Fan Tan Alley.
Right here, the skinniest commercial alley anywhere.
There are actually shops down this narrow little street.
we saw Mr Handsome, yesterday’s tour guide several times in Victoria and he was just as nice to us even though we weren’t on his bus. We were still traveling with Landsea Tours though.
After China Town, we walked around town a bit and finally found ourselves by the water. The Empress Hotel is pretty big. There is a shopping area where non-guests are permitted to enter.
This atrium at the back was pretty cool and had a few totem poles in it.
The Empress Hotel from a different view.
Not sure what these stairs lead to. I wanted to climb up for the view, but they were closed.
We didn’t actually go in the museum, but we toured all the outdoor totem poles. They had quite a few.
I liked the Legislative building just across the street. It is huge and definitely picture worthy.
Some of the Paparazzi shooting the Fairmont Empress. You would think the Queen is there!
The world’s tallest totem pole created from a single piece of wood.
WOW! That’s impressive. Isn’t it? I shot that from several hundred yards away from a moving bus where I was seated on the ‘wrong’ side. Now it sounds even more impressive – Eh?
I knew this was here, but it seemed like a long walk on the map and I didn’t think we had time to see it, but luckily Bazil drove us though the park on our way out of town and the park was lovely.
You will find this awesome creation just up the hill from the museum on Douglas St in Beacon Hill Park. Worth the walk or take a taxi. There were plenty of peacocks showing off for us too, but again I was on the bus. Don’t take the bus everywhere!
The city of Victoria was not at all what I expected. So many people had told us that it was this cute little English town….blah blah blah. It is a big city! Not that different from Vancouver – way too big to see it all or even part of it on a day trip. From what I saw, driving through on the bus and the little bit we walked through, the only area really worth seeing is Government St near the water. Keep in mind that my judgment is limited because I only saw this city briefly but it was not at all how it was described to me.
Back on the bus and headed north about 30 minutes or so to Butchart Gardens. I think this is why so many people come to Victoria.
It was a little overcast and cool but no rain until we were leaving – Nice! We had about 2 1/2 hours to walk around. I could have used just a bit more time, but I like to take a lot of pictures and I like to wait until people are out of my view, if possible. Sometimes I even wait for the lighting to change.
The sunken garden was so incredible to me.
Thousands and thousands of clovers.
To the Rose Garden
Al captured this bee – great shot.
You really have to look at this for a moment to really see it, or at least I did.
British Columbia’s miniature version of the Bellagio.
Another Al find.
Butchart Gardens was the highlight of the day.
I must say this garden is pretty magnificent! It is the most beautiful and meticulously manicured botanical garden I’ve ever seen.
This tour is long. Be prepared with a jacket, umbrella, snacks, water, camera….. We left our hotel at 8am and returned around 9:30pm.
NOTE: Not all of the images displayed on this site were taken just by me. My husband and my daughter also shoot. We are Canon folks and some images are from our phones.
Good Night Vancouver!
For more images from Vancouver and Victoria, visit my facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/GanleyPhotography/photos/?tab=albums
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Alaska & Vancouver 