Trip to Vancouver

Today we are taking another grand adventure, we go to Vancouver! The day began with one more wonderful breakfast; an asparagus omelet with smoked salmon and a berry compote. I don't like yogurt, but the yogurt they serve here is wonderful!

We finished packing and Stephanie, the girl that cleaned our room, came up ,while Ed was paying the bill and showed me how to make the swans from towels. I hope I can post a picture, but I am having a problem doing that on the iPad. She then helped us get our bags down the stairs. Michelle one of our hosts, presented us with a snack bag with chocolate
Cookies and water bottles.

Then the taxi arrived and we were off to our next adventure, we purchased our tickets and position ourselves, and our bags; all right in front of our bus bay. The coach ride to the ferry lasted about 45 minutes. We reached the ferry terminal and they placed the bus first in line. The ferry holds 2100 people and a total of 480 vehicles. The trip across from Vancouver island to the city of Vancouver lasted one and a half hours with the journey through an archipelago similar to the journey to Stockholm. It was beautiful!

We arrive at the downtown bus stop on time; then the major bag drag down the street and around the corner up the hill to the taxi Line; finally a quick ride to the Westin Bayshore by the harbor. We received complimentary room upgrades for my brother and wife and us; the rooms overlooking the harbor. After unpacking we left to walk along the boardwalk for about a mile in the mist rain watching all the sea plans come and go with the ships. Then we stopped at Cardera's Restaurant, at a pleasure boat marina, and enjoyed a beautiful dinner on the covered deck in the misty weather; what fun! Finally it was back to the hotel for a restful sleep and looking forward to a day with Karen and Joe tomorrow.

Victoria

May 28 2012


The day started very cloudy, but breakfast consisting of seafood crepes and berry compote changed our demeanor. Then it was off to visit the Craigdarroch Castle walking up the hill and along the streets of the city. Gosh the yards and their flowers were beautiful! After seeing the castle and climbing the five flights of stairs we started our walking journey across town mostly down hill to the Abkhazia Garden. Wow and double wow! This is the most beautiful gardens we have even walked through. Just breath taking, we had lunch at their cafe, complete with tea and scones. Then it was off to find a bus to the center of town and the bus station to arrange for travel to Vancouver on Wednesday. After visiting the station we wandered through a totem forrest. It was impressive. Then off to find a place for diner. We completed the evening with tea and chocolate cookies at the B&B. Great day and the rain held off and did let the sun shine as the evening came to a close! Tomorrow it's two more gardens and another bus adventure!

Good morning all,
Reading over Ed's email, brought a giggle to me, as does he sound like he is gardened out? :)
The garden at Abkhazia was really spectacular, I think I must have taken a 1000 photos. I will try to post a few later.
Tomorrow, we are going to the Butchart garden. It is the garden that is supposed to be the best in the country. We shall see because it will be hard to top Abkhazia, and the history behind Abkhazia, is a real love story. I want to read the book "a strange cage" about her time in the concentration camp, this is feeding my artistic sole!

I still haven't figured out how to post a photo using blogger from the iPad, when I do I will put them on.

Victoria

May 28 2012


The day started very cloudy, but breakfast consisting of seafood crepes and berry compote changed our demeanor. Then it was off to visit the Craigdarroch Castle walking up the hill and along the streets of the city. Gosh the yards and their flowers were beautiful! After seeing the castle and climbing the five flights of stairs we started our walking journey across town mostly down hill to the Abkhazia Garden. Wow and double wow! This is the most beautiful gardens we have even walked through. Just breath taking, we had lunch at their cafe, complete with tea and scones. Then it was off to find a bus to the center of town and the bus station to arrange for travel to Vancouver on Wednesday. After visiting the station we wandered through a totem forrest. It was impressive. Then off to find a place for diner. We completed the evening with tea and chocolate cookies at the B&B. Great day and the rain held off and did let the sun shine as the evening came to a close! Tomorrow it's two more gardens and another bus adventure!

Good morning all,
Reading over Ed's email, brought a giggle to me, as does he sound like he is gardened out? :)
The garden at Abkhazia was really spectacular, I think I must have taken a 1000 photos. I will try to post a few later.
Tomorrow, we are going to the Butchart garden. It is the garden that is supposed to be the best in the country. We shall see because it will be hard to top Abkhazia, and the history behind Abkhazia, is a real love story. I want to read the book "a strange cage" about her time in the concentration camp, this is feeding my artistic sole!

I still haven't figured out how to post a photo using blogger from the iPad, when I do I will put them on.

Canada

On Mon, May 28, 2012 at 12:41 AM

We have arrived here in beautiful Victoria BC. Departed Dulles airport on time after being taken to the airport by Bruce. The United flight was fast arriving in Seattle 45 minutes early. We arrived at the ferry boat departure site 3 hours early, thank goodness, they had the reservation messed up and had us down for the morning sailing which had already departed. We had our reservation tickets to confirm our afternoon sailing and the necessary were made. We had lunch at Paddy's Pub a short distance from the pier; gosh it was good, meatloaf, garlic potatoes, carrots and peas! Hum, hum, good! Then on to the ferry and Victoria. We arrived at Victoria on schedule and caught a taxi to Abbymoore Manor. It was a great trip and it's now off to catchup on a bit of sleep.