Our local guide this morning was Nico who, along with his son Fabiano, took us on an excellent 2 hour tour, seeing neighborhoods (including the second oldest Chinatown in North America, fantastic scenery, feeding harbor seals, viewing totem poles & a Scottish-style castle, & more!
After saying goodbye to Nico we drove out of the city to nearby Butchart Gardens. Created in 1904 from a discussed limestone quarry, the gardens are an incredible achievement, benefitting from the ideal climate here to bloom magnificently throughout the year.
This afternoon & evening were entirely free.
About half the group chose to go whalewatching in the hope of seeing orcas, most in the larger (& likely smoother) boat but Ella & Declan opted for the evening zodiac ride.
The afternoon boat proved not so smooth once the wind picked up, with many passengers (but not our group) getting very wet & some a little nauseous. Most importantly though they enjoyed great sightings of orcas close to their boat & returned with quite a tale to tell.
Ella & Declan departed just as the large boat was getting in - in time for the zodiac captain to inform his passengers that it was going to be 'very bumpy' out there. The first few minutes were a little nerve-wracking, but once everyone was used to it & confident in the boat & captain it turned out to be great fun - & with more great orca sightings too.
Breakfast at the Best Western Plus Inner Harbor
Judy, Judy, Judy!!!
Sea & USA views
Hand-feeding harbor seals at Oak Bay marina
Victoria's Scottish-style 'castle'
Incredible Butchart Gardens
Preparing for a rough ride on the zodiac!
First glimpses of orcas!
Other whale-watching boats nearby
Whale!
Bumpy, wet, windswept.. but fun!
British Columbia's Parliament Building
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