Seattle and Canada, Part 2

I decided that I wouldn't overload you with pictures of flowers in one Post, but our one-day visit to Victoria, Canada was spent visiting The Butchart Gardens. I had seen pictures and heard about these Gardens for years from Jana & Mark. They really enjoy going there to take pictures. OMG, now I understand why. The 121 year old famous 55-acre "display garden" is amazing. But before I overload you with pictures of flowers, I'll start with our arrival in Victoria.

We had an early morning, 8:00am arrival and we only had 8 hours to see everything we wanted to see. So, as soon as the ship and all us passengers were checked into Canada, Linda and I headed into town as we had a 10:00 bus ride to the Gardens. It should have been about a 20 minute walk from the Port into town but we ran into a darling neighborhood market. They had local honey, perfumes, artwork, fruit, veggies, and lots of herbs. Some CBD type stuff too. We found several things we wanted but then we would be carrying them all day, so we had to pass. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and tons of families out spending time in the sunshine. We walked past the Parliament Building (officially the Legislative Assembly Building of British Columbia.) and it is huge. Very old British majestic type building. In the center of town is a large lagoon/inlet with lots and lots of nice big yachts and sea planes. I could have spent hours wandering around the docks just ohhing & awing at the boats. But we kept walking. I, personally, had never heard of the Empress Hotel but evidently everyone else has. Built in the early 1900's. All the Royals (Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and of course Will & Kate) have stayed there. I can't even imagine the room rate. I took a picture but our bus arrived, so no time to get a peek inside (if they would have let me). But, no worries, I may be back again in 3.5 years and I can drop in then.

Parliament House The Empress Hotel

A bus ride through town, then past the Butterfly Garden, and on to Butchart Gardens. The Gardens are divided into many different sections focusing on different flowers (roses) or locales (Italian Garden) all of which are stunning. We spent 3 hours in the Gardens and below are only a small portion of the pictures that I took. And don't ask me the names of any of the flowers, that responsibility goes to my sisters who are really into flowers and Gardens. (Love you, Kay and Jana).

My friend Linda really likes to do Tea Ceremonies and Butchart has one that is very nice. So, we reserved a late afternoon Tea with all the trimmings. We got a lovely table by a window over-looking the Italian Garden. We felt that the day certainly deserved a spot of Bubbly before our Tea. Perfect ending to a beautiful day.

After our long and enjoyable day, we still had to walk back from town to the ship. It was beginning to get a bit cold and there was this cute driver on his Pedi-cab saying we looked like we needed a ride. Of course we said No, but then we relented as long as he gave us a little tour around town too. So, there we were sitting in the back with a blanket over our laps, letting this 25 year old young man drive these two old ladies around thru the neighborhood. We definitely felt silly and pampered that day.

With a sea day in between, we arrived in Vancouver for another short stop before heading to Alaska. It was Canada Day week-end so there were lots of festivities going on in the streets and on the water. But I was on a mission. In a little over a month we were going to be in Japan. I am going to be getting off the Odyssey and 6 of us gals are going to see Japan & the Worlds Fair for 10 days. This will involve lots of walking and I realized that I probably needed better shoes than my flip-flops. I found a Sketchers store in a mall only a 35 minute walk away. Linda had come down with a cold so she decided to stay home but she needed sneakers too. I called the store before I left the ship and they actually had 2 pair in my size. Yea. I finally found the store in a huge mall, and it was fun to actually be in a place that had more than a couple of shops. I sent Linda phone pictures of shoes and she wanted two pair. So back to the ship I go, hauling 4 pair of sneakers and two bags of clothes I "had" to have for the cold weather in Alaska. I was ready now. Now I am back on the ship, and not interested in going back out to see the revelers, so unless you want to see a picture of my new shoes, that is the end of the Canada story. On to Alaska. Never been there either.