Victoria Adventure - Day 2

DAY TWO

Wednesday May 28th - We slept in a little and didn't get out of bed until around 7 am.  Troubadour was nice and went to the lobby to fill our travel mugs with coffee while the in-room maker brewed. We have a Bunn coffee maker at home with a thermal block and are used to piping hot coffee in 3 minutes.  And when that takes too long we have a CBTL single brewer system instead.

After an extra mug of coffee and getting ourselves presentable for the day, we packed some trail mix and grabbed a few complimentary (grown in Washington) Gala apples from the lobby then left the hotel.  Our destination was Butchart Gardens.  We had the address entered into the Garmin and I believe it took us along a different route than the one listed on the Gardens' website.  There were no road signs advertising the gardens along the way, but they were some nice twisty roads through farmland, so all was good.

We arrived just after they opened so there weren't too many people.... yet.  I think only two or three managed to annoy us before we could walk through the parking lot.

There are arrows and signs directing people through the entrance and into the park in the desired route they wish you to go.

For those of you that don't know Butchart Gardens is a once former private house and grounds now open to the public. Part of it was originally a limestone quarry and cement plant.  Originally owned by Robert and Jennie Butchart.  (Read more on their story and how Jennie devised her plans for the gardens by clicking the link on their names and scrolling down the linked page). Here is a link to a map of the gardens:  LINK.  The gardens were started over 100 years ago and remain in the family.

We walked through the gardens for a few hours commenting on the various types of plants and flowers we recognized as ones we see in Oregon and many we have in our own yard and taking lots of pictures.

Here are a few photos from our stroll:

(The Butchart Boar - Tacca, purchased in 1973, cast in Florence, Italy - Replica of Porcellino)

(A view of the Sunken Gardens - we skirted it and didn't actually go down closer)

(Former limestone quarry - see old chimney from cement factory kiln - top right quarter)

(Troubadour on a horsey)

(Attached to the carousel building)

(The Carousel opened in 2009 - each animal carved from basswood, aka Linden)

(There were several totem poles)

(Two totems and a Trobairitz)

(A variety of Deutzia - if I remember correctly)

(A beautiful sample of a Meconopsis Poppy)

(Another gorgeous poppy)

( A lot of arbors were leafing out, but not yet blooming)

(Troubadour catching me taking photos)

(Pretty Paeonia - aka Peony)

(Hmmmm, do you think he made a wish?)

(A stunning Rose, not many were blooming yet, but a few were)

(Photo bombing the gazing ball on Troubadour)

(More arbors)

(Entrance gate to the Japanese Gardens)

(Me in the Japanese Gardens)

(The Butchart Cove - adjacent to the Japanese gardens - tours of Tod Inlet)

(I liked the blue poppies combined with the red bridge)

(Archway through the hedge to the Italian Garden)

(Italian Garden of annuals)

(The patterns and colors attracted my eye - then it started to rain)

(People bolted for cover from the rain - great time to take a picture)

(All done, time for a soy chai latte and back in the car)

With no vegan friendly restaurants or cafes readily available we snacked on the apples and trail mix, then headed back to the hotel to regroup and check out how to get to the Malahat portion of the Trans Canada.  Princess Scooterpie and MotoMan suggested we might enjoy the drive.  We took a break (oh look, housekeeping left more cookies for us), consulted the maps, and headed back out.

The Trans Canada was easy enough to find once we discovered it turned into Douglas Street while downtown.  Off we went.  Traffic was heavier than we thought it would be.  Maybe people were heading out of town in that direction because there is a turn-off for the BC Ferry terminal or maybe just heading north on the Island to other cities.

We were surprised people seemed to be in such a hurry and the traffic was constant.  The terrain was pretty and it reminded us of some roads at home in some ways.  The grade was quite steep compared to most of our roads in the Willamette Valley though.

(Totem Pole at the Malahat Summit - 1156 ft/356 m)

(Taken at a  viewpoint on the Malahat)

(Zoomed in a little)

We drove down the other side, turned around and headed back over it once again as we headed back towards Victoria.  On the way we happened to get stopped at a red light.  We noticed the big Harley sign as we approached the light, but then Brad spotted the Triumph sign.  He'd discovered Savage Cycles - selling Triumph, Suzuki, and Ducatis.  

Of course we had to stop.  While they had a lot of bikes in stock, they didn't seem to have much gear or any shop shirts either.  We managed to get a little sticker shock with the out-the-door prices of new bikes in BC.  Between price, dealer set-up, and taxes, I am not sure how anyone could afford several bikes.  One very nice salesman offered to take Brad out for a long ride on some twisty roads if he came back at closing time, but we graciously declined.

We headed back to the hotel then walked downtown for dinner.  We ate at Green Cuisine.  While the website made it sound like a wonderful and fresh vegan buffet, we were unimpressed.  The people who gave it great reviews must have gotten there right when they put the food out or weren't good cooks themselves.  The food is sold by weight.  For the two of us we paid $27 for bland and flavorless food, except for the samosas, they were alright.  We wouldn't go back, nor would I recommend it.

As we walked back to the hotel we wandered around outside the Royal BC Museum (they were closed) and made our way by the Parliament Building.  Not many people mulling around so I took one close up of the front of it.

(Wow, no one on the stairs - quick take a picture)

We walked a block back to the hotel and called it a night.

Next up, Fisherman's Wharf, Ogden Point and Breakwater, and Beacon Hill Park.

- Au Revoir

"Like all travelers I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen." - Benjamin Disraeli
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Victoria Adventure - Day 1

What to do when we find ourselves with a few days off?  Head out for parts unknown of course. The weather was forecast to be a mixture of sun and rain and so we debated about staying fairly local and riding or getting away for a few days.

We chose getting away for a few days to Victoria, BC.  We then opted to take the trusty Subaru over the bikes since it was over a 5 hour drive on the freeway to get to the ferry terminal.  

To keep the posts from being too long and photo heavy I've decided to divide them up into the different days, but don't worry, there should only be three, the fourth day we just drove home.

DAY ONE

Tues morning, May 27th, the alarm rang at 3:30 am and we out of the house just after 5 am. Troubadour driving, we headed north on I-5 and then a little west onto Highway 101 just south of Olympia, Washington.  Our destination was the Black Ball Ferry terminal in Port Angeles, WA.  

317 miles (510 km) later we arrived.  Travelers are required to arrive 60 minutes prior to sailing and we were there 90 minutes early so we walked a block to the park/pier and had a picnic lunch.  I'd made some sandwiches the night before knowing we'd be hungry by the time we arrived.

(The view from our picnic table, and yes he was loud)

After eating we wandered down the pier and climbed the tower to see how far we could see.

(A few large ships/freighters in the strait)

(Polar Discovery in port, a crude oil tanker)

(A view from the tower - picnic spot in the group of trees on the left)

We heard a horn and knew the ferry was arriving so we walked back to the terminal in time to see the ferry turn around and back up to the dock.

(Black Ball Ferry - named the MV Coho)

(Turning around to back into port)

We sat on the top deck on the back of the ferry.  It was still breezy, but not cold.  We settled in for a 25 mile ride across the Juan de Fuca Strait.

( I liked the combination of blue and white in this photo)

(We took one foot picture just for Bobskoot, yes there is more than one foot in the pic)

(We moved to the front of the ferry when were closer to Victoria)

We watched the city come into view and things finally took shape as we approached.

(Ogden Point, little did we know we'd be walking this on Thursday)

(Canadian Coast Guard Ship)

(Not quite in the inner harbor yet)

(Almost there when you can see the ivy covered Empress Hotel)

They gave the all clear and we headed back down to the car to get ready to disembark.  A quick drive by the customs booth and we were in Victoria.  We drove the 1.5 blocks to our hotel and much to our surprise found out we were upgraded to a one bedroom luxury king suite at no extra charge. At 644 square feet it was over 2/3 the size of our house.

(Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, Victoria, BC)

(Troubadour posing with the mascot)

We were impressed with the size of our hotel room and the cleanliness too.  We had a full kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster, as well as all the dishes and cutlery needed.  The only downside was that our 'upgrade' put us on the main floor overlooking the parking lot.  Oh well, we weren't planning on hanging out there much.

We touched base with Princess Scooterpie and hammered out dinner plans for 7:30 pm.  Until then we decided to wander and get acquainted with the city.  While I may have lived in BC for 25 years, I had never been to Victoria before.

We glanced at a map and started walking.  Stopped by Starbucks for an iced coffee and headed towards Government Street.

(Obligatory picture of the Parliament Building, built between 1893-1897)

(Obligatory close up of Empress Hotel, built between 1904-1908)

We wandered into this shop and that.  Looking to see if we could find any cool shirts or non-tacky souvenirs.  I am sure people have the same trouble on the Oregon Coast.  We caught sight of a map and realized we weren't too far from Chinatown and the Gate of Harmonious Interest. Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in Canada and second oldest in North America.  Second only to San Francisco's Chinatown.

(Gate of Harmonious Interest looking from the East)

(Gate of Harmonious Interest looking from the West)

(I loved the colors of this picture)

(Oh look, the famed Fan Tan Alley, narrowest street in Canada) 

(Troubadour in Fan Tan Alley)

(A bicycle found further down the alley)

We walked up and down the alley then kept walking further west to Wharf Street to make a loop back to the hotel.

(The Swans Hotel's beautiful colors and patterns)

(Sculpture at Bastion Square, where we'd be returning for dinner)

(Original Customs House on Wharf Street, built in 1874)

(Parliament Building from across the Inner Harbour)

As we walked along the harbor we heard the sirens call of the bagpipes.  We'd not heard them in person since leaving Canada in 2001 so we had to go check it out.  We were walking along the lower level and he was playing on street level.  I snapped a pic as we walked up the stairs.

We walked back to the hotel for a quick rest and to use the facilities and then walked back to Rebar to meet Princess Scooterpie and MotoMan.

Rebar was a busy little funky/eclectic spot with a tasty vegan friendly menu.  Sorry no food porn pics, we were busy enjoying each others company.  The restaurant kicked us out about 10 pm and we had just enough time to take a group picture before walking back to the hotel.  Thank you Dar for taking the picture with your phone, which I've blatantly pilfered below for posting.  You can read Dar's post on the meet-up by clicking this ----> LINK.  A big thank you to you both for taking the time away from your hurt puppy dog to visit with us.

(Trobairitz & Troubadour)
(Motoman & Princess Scooterpie)

We walked back in the direction of the hotel, stopping for night time shots of the Parliament and Empress.  (The Canon didn't do so well but Troubadour was using the Olympus and got some great shots.  I'll let him post those. He is teaching this weekend and next, so we'll see when he has time to get to the computer.)

We walked a few blocks south of the hotel to a Thrifty grocery store.  Picked up a 6-pack of cinnamon raisin bagels, a small jar of all natural peanut butter, and 6 bananas to have for breakfast over the next three mornings.

By the time we got back to the hotel and to bed it was after midnight and 21 hours since our alarm rang at home.  It was a long and enjoyable day.

Next up Butchart Gardens and driving the Malahat Scenic Drive section of the Trans Canada.

- Au Revoir

" The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." - St. Augustine

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