Victoria and The Butchart Gardens

Our Monday started off with the alarm set for 3:45. This was one of those days when we had to make alternate plans due to not being able to drive our truck downtown and park in the garage. So plan B involved a 5 a.m. Uber. We weren't sure how long it would take to get downtown, wasn't sure about traffic at that time of morning, and wasn't even sure if we could count on an Uber showing up at 5 a.m. to take us the almost one hour drive into Seattle. Fortunately our fears were unfounded. The driver showed up right on time, traffic was heavy but moving fast, and we arrived at our destination just before 6 a.m.

Our destination was Pier 69 in downtown Seattle. We had booked a trip on the FRS Clipper V, a catamaran that would take us from Seattle to Victoria. The boat left at 8:00 a.m., traveled across first the Puget Sound and then the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada at 11:00 a.m. 

FRS Clipper V

When we arrived in Canada, the first thing we had to do, of course, was go through customs, because even though when you're in Canada, you feel like you're still in the United States, it is really a different country. The customs process was easy (although the lines were long). I told Joe that I found it odd that the only two questions the custom official asked us was 1) Do you have any weapons? and 2) Do you have any marijuana products? Joe said the reason for question number two is because if we said yes, he would probably say, "Then give me some."

We then boarded a bus to take us to the "world famous" Butchart Gardens. The bus driver was our tour guide for the 45 minute ride, and he had a nice sense of humor. The first thing he said was "Sorry about the weather". Well, the weather couldn't have been more glorious - beautiful sunshine, not a cloud in the sky, temperatures in the upper 70s, low humidity - very pleasant. We drove through the Old Town part of Victoria, Market Square, and Chinatown. The bus driver (whose name was Joe), pointed out as we passed a tiny street that it is the narrowest street in Canada. It is called Fan Tan Alley, and is about the width of a doorway.

The bus driver told us about the Garry Oak trees of Victoria, and he said a permit is required to trim them. He also mentioned that Victoria has lots of different neighborhoods, or sections of the area, and each section has its own mayor, city council, and government. He said they are definitely over-governed. He compared that to New York City that has a population of over 8 million people and has only one mayor.

The first Monday in August is a national holiday in Canada. He said the country decided it needed a long weekend in August, so they created a holiday. But the provinces (states) couldn't agree on the holiday. Since the whole country was going to observe it, it would be a national holiday, but there already was a Canada Day. So apparently because they couldn't agree, each province calls the holiday whatever they want. So here in British Columbia, the first Monday in August is BC Day.

Canada is a very large country, but most of the country farther north is wilderness. Joe, the bus driver, told us that over 90% of Canada's population lives within 100 miles of the US border. The average cost of a house here is $1.3 million, and that's for a small 3 bedroom house. The bus driver said that it is really difficult for young people to buy a house. They either need to have a really good job or really nice parents!

And one last tidbit from Joe the bus driver: He said that Victoria is a popular destination for honeymoons and also many people choose to retire here. He said they call it a place for the newlyweds and nearly deads.

When we arrived at The Butchart Gardens, we walked through and enjoyed some beautiful flowers, trees, and fountains. They say that the climate in Victoria is perfect for growing flowers, and it has the most beautiful gardens in the world. Here are some pictures from The Butchart Gardens.

Sunken Garden

Ross Fountain

The Dragon Fountain

The Rose Garden

Entrance to the Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden

Star Pond

Italian Garden

After we left the Butchart Gardens, the bus driver took us back to Victoria where we saw some different sights of the city. There are lots of hanging baskets around town, displaying beautiful flowers.

The Empress Hotel is a well-known landmark in Victoria.

Empress Hotel

I saw this sign in a store and had to take a photo. I'm not sure what the project involves, but I want in on it!

After the bus dropped us off, we walked along the wharf/harbor to a Chinese Restaurant that Joe, the bus driver, recommended.

Victoria Harbor

Water Taxis

Don Mees, Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown

After a good Chinese meal, we then walked through part of Chinatown to our hotel. It just so happens that a portion of the route from the restaurant to the hotel involved Fan Tan Alley, the country's narrowest street. So we enjoyed a stroll down Fan Tan Alley.

Chinatown

Fan Tan Alley

One of the stores along Fan Tan Alley apparently specializes in umbrellas. Really, that's all they sell.

We're staying at a Best Western in Victoria. We're just here for one overnight. We'll do a little bit more of sightseeing in Victoria tomorrow, and then head back to Seattle and our lovely campground in Puyallup.