Today was spent in the wonderful city of Victoria, which is also known as the “City of Gardens” due to its large number of parks, interesting waterfront and mild climate. The famous Butchart Gardens which are visited by over a million guests a year was on our morning agenda and is the home of a myriad of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees that are impeccably looked after. With names as exotic as Celosia Argentea Plumosa or the Feathered Cockscomb seen in the foreground, it is easy to understand how one could be engrossed with such beauty of form and color. The Butchart Gardens have come a long way since their early beginnings as an attempt to hide the remnants of limestone quarry, the rocks of which were used to produce Portland cement. This scene was captured in the sunken garden, but visitors also enjoyed spectacular views around the Japanese Gardens, Italian Gardens, Fountain of the three Sturgeons, and Ross Fountain. After strolling in the gardens time was spent enjoying Victoria especially the fascinating displays of the cultural and natural history of British Columbia at the Royal British Columbia Museum or just enjoying all the sights and sounds of this metropolitan area.