Victoria British Columbia
A dockside wake-up in a Canadian city is an uncommon occurrence on the National Geographic Sea Lion. After spending the previous night and all day today in Victoria, it was evident that the capital city of British Columbia is a must see. Located on the South end of Vancouver Island, Victoria has a population of about 300,000. Despite being the second largest city in the province, everyone we encountered were unbelievably gracious and friendly, giving us a relaxed small-town feeling. Victoria’s historic architecture and plethora of fine art exhibits offered everything one might see in a modern European city. At our moorage in the city’s inner harbor, we were surrounded by gorgeous tall ships, classic cruising vessels and an intermittent humming of float planes.
Victoria is blessed with the best of temperate weather. With 2000 hours of sunshine and only 26 inches of rain per year, this city is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to grow flowers. With this in mind, we headed north 12 miles to Butchart Gardens. Started in 1904 by the Butchart family, this masterpiece of horticultural planning and design has resulted in one of the most impressive gardens in the world. Its landscaped and manicured 55 acres display virtually every flower and shrub that can grow in the Pacific Northwest, including dozens of exotic plants that add bursts of color and greenery. There are no signs that say "don’t pick the flowers" or "stay off the grass". Visitors here have no desire to tamper with such enchanting surroundings. Riots of color exploded around every corner and we were dwarfed by dahlias taller than our heads and carpets of begonias in every size and color. Vibrant purple heliotrope issued heavenly aromas; we could have inhaled them forever.
Our afternoon was filled with appreciation and relaxation. The nearby Royal British Columbia Museum captivated us all and a visit to the quaint Roger’s Chocolate shop for the perfect handmade chocolate cream is a delightful moment to enhance a lovely day.
Departing Victoria, bound for adventures in Desolation Sound, was a remarkable contrast to our eventful day. The evening sky was painted with a peaceful rose sunset and sweet seas stretched before us.
A dockside wake-up in a Canadian city is an uncommon occurrence on the National Geographic Sea Lion. After spending the previous night and all day today in Victoria, it was evident that the capital city of British Columbia is a must see. Located on the South end of Vancouver Island, Victoria has a population of about 300,000. Despite being the second largest city in the province, everyone we encountered were unbelievably gracious and friendly, giving us a relaxed small-town feeling. Victoria’s historic architecture and plethora of fine art exhibits offered everything one might see in a modern European city. At our moorage in the city’s inner harbor, we were surrounded by gorgeous tall ships, classic cruising vessels and an intermittent humming of float planes.
Victoria is blessed with the best of temperate weather. With 2000 hours of sunshine and only 26 inches of rain per year, this city is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to grow flowers. With this in mind, we headed north 12 miles to Butchart Gardens. Started in 1904 by the Butchart family, this masterpiece of horticultural planning and design has resulted in one of the most impressive gardens in the world. Its landscaped and manicured 55 acres display virtually every flower and shrub that can grow in the Pacific Northwest, including dozens of exotic plants that add bursts of color and greenery. There are no signs that say "don’t pick the flowers" or "stay off the grass". Visitors here have no desire to tamper with such enchanting surroundings. Riots of color exploded around every corner and we were dwarfed by dahlias taller than our heads and carpets of begonias in every size and color. Vibrant purple heliotrope issued heavenly aromas; we could have inhaled them forever.
Our afternoon was filled with appreciation and relaxation. The nearby Royal British Columbia Museum captivated us all and a visit to the quaint Roger’s Chocolate shop for the perfect handmade chocolate cream is a delightful moment to enhance a lovely day.
Departing Victoria, bound for adventures in Desolation Sound, was a remarkable contrast to our eventful day. The evening sky was painted with a peaceful rose sunset and sweet seas stretched before us.
