Fast Ferry to Victoria BC

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We left Seattle Saturday afternoon on a 3.5 hour ferry ride to the city of Victoria in British Columbia Canada. The weather was beautiful in the beginning, which allowed us to see the Olympic mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east. But soon after the fog rolled in and we still motored along at about 35 miles per hour. Must be they had good navigation equipment, but I am not sure how they avoided the telephone pole sized logs I saw whizing by in the water.

The ferry is a great way to travel. It is very comfortable (as opposed to being stuffed into a plane), you can walk around, see the sights and meet some nice people. We ended up sitting with a couple just back from there honeymoon in Bora Bora and on there way to meet the wifes parents in Victoria to sail back to Seattle in the parents new 65' yacht! And I thought we were living the life.

We got to Victoria and lugged all our luggage to our hotel a few 100 feet from the dock. It was past dinner, so we took a walk along the harbor to get some food. Ended up at a caribbean restaurant eating jerk chicken. Good stuff! We walked back in the rain and the city was really beautiful all lit up.

On Sunday it was Diannes turn to choose something to do since I had been planning everything up to that point. Our moms had both told us about Butchart Gardens so she decided on that. We took a 35 minute bus ride to the gardens and spent 2 hours wandering around the 55 acres. It was set in an old quarry from back around 1900. It was very beautiful with every type of plant you can imagine. The climate seems perfect for growing and everything seemed to be in full bloom even though it is late September.

We decided to hit a grocery store for dinner since we had been going through the money. It still cost $45 for two meals worth. It seems food is very expensive in Canada, especially with the 12% tax on everything. We took a taxi back to the hotel since all this walking is rough on Diannes leg. She has really amazed me with all the walking we have done. I think she has done more in the last 4 days then she has the last 3 years.

On Monday we checked out and headed to the bus station for a 3.5 hour ride to Vancouver. It was the most disorganized operation I ever saw. No information. All these older, nervous tourists trying to swarm the bus. It really wasn't that bad, but I still consider us cattle. We get in each others way and have a hard time being aware of anything other than our problem. I try to stand back and remember I am not under a schedule. Even though I have packed a lot in before our cruise, I still do not have to leave right now.

Victoria is a beautiful city, but a little touristy for my tastes. The harbor area is built up with these big hotels and condo buildings and seems a little antiseptic. I would have liked to have had a car to see Vancouver island (which is about 600 miles x 100 miles)as people who had said it was beautiful. It actually gets expensive without a car since you use taxis more and tend to take packed trips. But we came out here to see an area of the world we always wanted to so we deal with it and have fun.

Keep the sunny side up and I will do the next post from Vancouver. Dianne and I hope you are all doing well and miss everyone of you.

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Photos

Butchart Gardens
"Sunken Garden" in an old Limestone Quarry

Butchart Garden
Beautiful Sequoia (I think)

Butchart Garden
Dianne and I in the "Italian Garden"

Victoria Harbor
Rainbow

Victoria Harbor
These float planes landed right in front of our hotel all day

Victoria Harbor
More floating houses

Comments

[Louise]

Going in the right direction
Finally, I'm going in the right direction--just a little behind. Aren't you glad I'm not giving your directions? Louise