We decided to go to BUTCHART GARDENS and VICTORIA on the second Day. This involved taking a FERRY from the downtown over to Vancouver Island. If you plan on doing this, I would advise spending the NIGHT in Victoria as going back and forth in the same day make for VERY LONG day. We were the LAST car on this ferry. Half hour drive from DOWNTOWN, 30 min. to 1 hour WAIT at the ferry and 90 minutes to CROSS. We got there 45 min. early and we were the last car. It wasn't cheap either. $70 Canadian dollars EACH WAY.
The crossing is so picturesque. Lushly forested islands with storybook houses. There was a whale in the bay on our way back, but we were not lucky enough to see him. It took both of us about 3 minutes to figure out what the guy said on the P.A. By the time we got to the other side of the boat, the whale was gone.
Our first stop was the STUNNING BUTCHART GARDENS. I have NEVER seen anything like this. Made from an old QUARRY, it is now a SPECTACULAR garden. As we rounded the corner at the SUNKEN GARDEN
you could hear everyone GASPING IN AWE. Grown men were commenting OUT-LOUD that it was the MOST BEAUTIFUL garden they had ever seen.
The flower beds were jam packed with Tulips, Hyacinth, Forget-me-nots, Daffodils, Rhododendron, little button like flowers. It was the first time I could SMELL a garden. The paths were PERFUMED with a HEAVENLY SWEET smell. I think it was the Hyacinths.
Every COLOR combination you could imagine. Each flower bed layered in depth. Every flower looked like it JUST OPENED.
Not only were the flowers amazing, but the TREES were so peaceful and some colorful.
They had this wonderful DANCING waters fountain.
There were many things to catch your eye.
This moss covered toad had SUCCULENTS for his eyes.
So many tulips from the most SIMPLE to the COMPLEX!
This is a HOG fountain that everyone rubs for GOOD LUCK!
This was the house that is facing the Rose Garden. The Rose Garden was not in bloom. It was only 8 in. sticks with new leaves. I'm glad we arrived at this time of year and were able to see all the bulbs in bloom because we just don't get these beautiful flowers in MASS in California.
2 comments:
That really is a truly AMAZING garden! What an adventure! I love ferry rides!!! The picture of the tulips....WOW!!! And the weeping willow (I think that's what it is...) tree is stunning, too. I actually fell in love with the weeping willow trees at my college and that's one of the reasons I HAD to go there, if that doesn't sound too crazy!
Hugs/blessings,
Lana
Unbelievably Gorgeous Photos Janie! Great job on capturing such beauty.
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