Victoria, Canada
We bid a fond farewell to Port Angeles as we head to Victoria.
Arriving at Victoria, one of many seaplanes in the area taxies for a takeoff
The impressive Empress Hotel.
We had lunch at Milestone Grill & Bar (near the bottom of the tower).
After lunch we enjoyed the harbor vista.  The "Ladies in Black" are stylin' in their shades.
This boy looked like a modern day Charles Dickens character.  Street musicians are different in Canada.
The Butchart Gardens occupies 55 acres of a former limestone quarry.
The Sunken Gardens are a lesson in what one can do with a retired quarry, ingenuity and money.
The graceful winding paths to the Sunken Garden offer numerous 'Kodak' moments.
The seasonal colors.
Just imagine the number of devoted gardeners required to keep the gardens manicured.
No need to explain the necessity for a picture of Blackeyed Susans.
The graceful Ross Fountain changes shapes every few seconds.
The colorful Begonias were incredible.
Two colorful totems reflect the native culture of the northwest.
The Dahlias were magnificent.
 
We tried this at home but it just didn't look the same.
The Rose Garden boasted a dazzling variety of roses in full bloom.
Butchart Cove leading to Brentwood Bay.
Linda and Susan inspect and admire the koi.
Several rustic stone and wood lanterns adorned the serene Japanese Gardens.
A view across Star Pond to the Italian Gardens.
Where the Italian Garden's cross shaped pond is located once was a tennis court.
The perennial garden was carpeted with marigold during our visit.
Rubbing the boars snout is supposed to bring good luck - or lots of germs.  Bill immediately washed his hands.
The Inner Harbor as we bid adieu to Victoria.
As we were leaving Victoria a cruise ship was making its way into the harbor.
Click to jump to pictures:
39-room Craigdarroch Castle built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in the 1890s.