After the swift journey to Victoria Island from Seattle (Day Trip: FRS Clipper Ferry from Seattle to Victoria, British Columbia), I looked forward to revisiting a place that had been dear to my heart during a previous visit with my mother: The Butchart Gardens.
As I’d booked the day trip while booking my ferry on the FRS Clipper, it was nice to be taken care of after disembarking the ferry and passing through customs. Finding the check in desk was easy. And it was only a short wait until the two level bus picked all of us waiting for the tour to the Gardens.
This time, this tour of Victoria was much more in depth than I remembered it. The driver taught us that Victoria is one of the most haunted places in Canada.
Driving through Chinatown, he told us that the Chinatown in Victoria is the oldest Chinatown in Canada. And, second to San Francisco as the oldest in North America. It was profoundly interesting.
The drive to The Butchart Gardens was relatively quick. Walking off the bus, we were all told where to meet our driver once we were done.
As I traveled with my Fjallraven Färden Carry-On Pack, it was easy to check it in and store it at the Garden’s information desk. After that, it was just me and my camera and the vast expanse of beauty in front of me.
Overall, I had a bit over two hours to explore the gardens. It was absolutely, visually incredible. I felt so connected to the world and the beautiful aspect of simply being alive.
At the end of my time, I enjoyed a scoop of Lavender and honey ice cream from the Gelateria.
Driving back was rather straightforward. The group assembled at the meeting point and boarded the bus. I relaxed and checked my photos during the quick 30 minute drive back to the city center. We were then all dropped off across the street from the ferry station – at the Fairmont Empress.
After, I walked over to Red Fish Blue Fish and enjoyed a lovely lunch by the waterfront.
Overall, touring the The Butchart Gardens as an arranged day trip from FRS Clipper was a perfect day trip on Vancouver Island.
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveBrentwood Bay, British Columbia V8M 1J8, Canada
