Victoria
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Victoria
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Butchart
Gardens
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| During
our stay in Washington, we took the high speed ferry from Port
Angeles to Victoria twice. The first time was taken up just
admiring Butchart Gardens, so we had to go back. We ate a great
Italian meal el fresco and then walked all along the downtown
streets. We visited the Crystal Gardens, where a tropical environment
is created for the birds and butterflies to fly around in. Even
though we've seen several of these type of gardens now, I always
enjoy being that close to the animals and plants that I miss
so much from Hawaii. |
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The harbor area
where you dock upon arrival is so charming that you could
spend half a day just walking around it, touring the majestic
Parliament building, and the inner harbor that is lined with
vendors, artists and musicians.
The streets
themselves are beautiful as there are massive hanging baskets
overflowing with brilliantly colored flowers hanging from
all the old fashioned lamp posts lining them.
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To the left
of Queen Victoria's statue is an expansive lawn that fronts
and sides the Parliament Building.
By the end of
the afternoon we were so tired we joined the other tourists
lounging about on the sloping park grounds. I got so relaxed
listening to the sounds of the harbor and the seagulls that
I actually fell asleep on the lawn. I slept for about an hour
and was awakened by the sounds of the churchbells tolling
the time. Don was so sweet and funny - I asked him why he
hadn't gone to sleep and he replied, "I needed to stand
guard over you and make sure security didn't come arrest you
for snoring on the governor's lawn." It was just another
picture perfect bon jour!
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| We
partook of high tea service at the Empress Hotel, a treasure
of an old Victorian inn with an amazing ceiling dome of stained
glass in the foyer outside the crystal ballroom. We had a great
view of the harbor as we sipped tea and munched on finger sandwiches,
scones and fresh berries. We had a jolly good time being elegantly
served by a very nice woman with a great English accent. Following
that, we had time for a brief horse-drawn carriage ride before
having to hop on the return ferry. What a day - just exactly
the sort of experience I envisioned when I used to fantasize
about what kind of things I wanted to do and see during this
journey. |
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