Victoria, British Columbia
Tendrils of gray fog crept along the Inner Harbor of Victoria, British Columbia as we awoke to the second full day of our expedition. The Sea Bird had tied up at the dock in Victoria the previous evening and we had spent a restful night nestled in the heart of this historic city perched at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. After breakfast, we prepared to board our motor coach for a short trip to the world-famous Butchart Gardens. As we departed the Sea Bird, two frolicking river otters in the water below reminded us that the wild is never very far away in the Pacific Northwest.
We spent our morning wandering around Butchart Gardens. The Butchart family created these amazing gardens in the early 20th century from their former limestone quarry. Today, the gardens contain a profusion of flowering plants and trees in various themed gardens, and attract nearly one million visitors a year. The sunken garden in particular attracted our attention. Formed around the heart of the old quarry, the floors and walls of the garden displayed the richness and diversity of the floral life cultivated by the skilled gardeners here in southern British Columbia.
After a hearty lunch, we walked a short distance to the Royal British Columbia Museum. Here, we strolled through a wonderful exhibit on the native coastal cultures of this region. We learned how the native Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples used abundant natural resources such as western redcedar trees for their homes, furniture, clothing, and ceremonial masks. The exhibit helped us to better appreciate the place of these native peoples in the broader history of British Columbia. Along with visiting the museum, guests also had the opportunity to wander around downtown Victoria and explore this historic city on their own.
Later, as the sun began to set over the Straight of Juan de Fuca, the Sea Bird departed Victoria. On our way out of the harbor, we spotted humpback whales nearby. We watched these magnificent creatures as they calmly made their way along the coast. As a full moon rose over the water, the humpbacks lifted their tails and dove under the surface, seemingly bidding us farewell and wishing us a pleasant journey. We returned the salutation and turned north towards our next adventure in Princess Louisa Inlet.
Tendrils of gray fog crept along the Inner Harbor of Victoria, British Columbia as we awoke to the second full day of our expedition. The Sea Bird had tied up at the dock in Victoria the previous evening and we had spent a restful night nestled in the heart of this historic city perched at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. After breakfast, we prepared to board our motor coach for a short trip to the world-famous Butchart Gardens. As we departed the Sea Bird, two frolicking river otters in the water below reminded us that the wild is never very far away in the Pacific Northwest.
We spent our morning wandering around Butchart Gardens. The Butchart family created these amazing gardens in the early 20th century from their former limestone quarry. Today, the gardens contain a profusion of flowering plants and trees in various themed gardens, and attract nearly one million visitors a year. The sunken garden in particular attracted our attention. Formed around the heart of the old quarry, the floors and walls of the garden displayed the richness and diversity of the floral life cultivated by the skilled gardeners here in southern British Columbia.
After a hearty lunch, we walked a short distance to the Royal British Columbia Museum. Here, we strolled through a wonderful exhibit on the native coastal cultures of this region. We learned how the native Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples used abundant natural resources such as western redcedar trees for their homes, furniture, clothing, and ceremonial masks. The exhibit helped us to better appreciate the place of these native peoples in the broader history of British Columbia. Along with visiting the museum, guests also had the opportunity to wander around downtown Victoria and explore this historic city on their own.
Later, as the sun began to set over the Straight of Juan de Fuca, the Sea Bird departed Victoria. On our way out of the harbor, we spotted humpback whales nearby. We watched these magnificent creatures as they calmly made their way along the coast. As a full moon rose over the water, the humpbacks lifted their tails and dove under the surface, seemingly bidding us farewell and wishing us a pleasant journey. We returned the salutation and turned north towards our next adventure in Princess Louisa Inlet.
