We disembarked the ferry at Sidney, BC on Vancouver island and drove a bit further north on the Saanich Peninsula to have lunch overlooking picturesque Deep Cove. We then proceeded down the west side to the area’s most visited attraction.
Butchart Gardens began from an idea Jennie Butchart had to beautify a worked-out quarry over 100 years ago. The gardens, which attract a million visitors annually, are still owned and operated by the family.
Through one of my favorite online resources, Boondockers Welcome, we found a convenient host location in Victoria at the home of Tom and Lorraine. Rather than drive into the congested downtown area the next morning, we walked a block to the bus stop and took advantage of the city’s excellent public transit.
Amazing street-side public art.
Victoria’s inner harbor.
H2O Water Taxis.
The Empress Hotel where a very expensive high-tea is offered.
Our visit to the Royal BC Museum provided a thorough overview of the natural and human history of this region we plan to explore. We expect to see wildlife, but probably not this particular variety. The BC also included an amazing traveling exhibition of Viking artifacts on loan from a Swedish museum. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed in that area.
Haida carved argillite ceremonial pipe.
Captain Cook’s desk aboard the HMS Discovery replica.
Gold mine replication.
Travels with haRVy 
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