Day 2 - Butchart Gardens and Tea at the Empress
Hello Parentals,
I'm Sydney.
This morning we woke up and put on our fancy clothes on the way to the Butchart Gardens. We walked around for 2 hours and saw really pretty flowers. There was a rose garden, a Japanese garden, a sunken garden and a star pond. Fun fact: the star pond was to house Mr. Butchart's ducks. At the end, most of us got gelato or sorbetto for a light snack. Then we went to the gift store and shortly left to the Empress.
When we got to the Empress, we had a difficult time finding a parking spot, but eventually we spotted one. It was a bit tight though. We walked into the very very fancy hotel and got in line to be seated. The table was lower than expected. We tried and enjoyed six different types of teas including Lady Londonberry and Blue Suede Shoes.
We were also served a lovely tiered platter of food (going bottom to top) to go along with our tea. It started off with fresh scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Next was five types of sandwiches: an egg salad, cucumber, roast beef and pickled onion, chicken curry and a smoked salmon cracker. Then there was very fancy dessert. There was shortbread, mini chocolate teacups, a small mocha cake, a macaroon and a raspberry foam mini tart. We tried everything and everyone liked at least one of them.
We then changed out of our fancy clothes and hopped on the Hop On, Hop Off bus tour. We learned some interesting facts and saw the gates of china town. We got off at Ogden point and walked the sea wall. On the way out, we walked on the boardwalk, but on the way back we walked on the rocks down below. Maddy and Claire found a sea noodle.
We went back to the bus tour to finish it. At the end of the tour we arrived back at the Empress and Caroline threw the sea noodle into the Empress grass. We then walked 20 minutes to Fisherman's Wharf where we had supper and saw floating houses. I saw a funny sign in one of them, but I'm not allowed to show it.
We then took a pickle boat (water taxi) across the harbour to the pier near our parking spot. Before we got in we took pictures with a Canada sign. I also learned something new today from Tara. We then drove to Mount Tolmie to take sunset pictures.
We then went to the Oak Bay rec center. Fun fact: it is only closed for 5 1/2 hours and it open until 12:30 am. After our one hour swim, we were able to take a shower! Everyone was quite happy about that. We then drove back, wrote the blog for yesterday, made lunches and went to bed.
Bye Parentals,
Sydney
Sydney, you gave us a fabulous description of day two! It's wonderful to see everyone in their fancy clothes ready for tea at The Empress. The food sure looks delicious! I am curious what a sea noodle is and why Caroline threw it in the Empress grass?!! The CANADA sign photos and the sunset photos are my favourite of the day. Love you, Care.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you had tea at the Empress, so fancy!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos today!! So many great sites to see. I’ll bet Madeline enjoyed the tea tasting! I’m really curious about that sign in the floating house window…
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunset! Elizabeth must have been happy.
ReplyDeleteI love those picture specially the sun set picture with the girls funny faces. Ashiya hoped you saved some macarons for me.
ReplyDeleteAnother jam packed day. I love Victoria and the Empress hotel so Sydney I especially appreciated all the descriptions of the food. Although it must have been a bit awkward at the very low table. Im glad you got to take a shower, I’m sure Tara and Crystal were also glad you fit this in! And more sealife, although a sea noodle sounds a bit slimy to touch? Thanks for another great update!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job describing everything you did. Very detailed. It sounds like your doing a lot of cool things. The pictures are great too. I like the one where all the girls have their arms in the air and the sunset is behind them. Look forward to reading the next blog and seeing more pictures. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Hope you’re having fun Kiera. Love you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun! It's great to see you all - you look like you are having such a good time. Curious how the Empress tea compared to the fancy tea we did in London??
ReplyDeleteCan’t believe you did all that in one day! Super photos
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys are having a great time!! Awesome pics!!
ReplyDeletelooks like alot of fun is being had
ReplyDeleteLOOKS AMAZING, I hope everyone is having fun!! ♥️
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! Very detailed for the most part but I want to know more about the floating houses, the sign you can’t post 😉 , the comparison between Empress and London Tea service, and the thing you learned from Tara!
ReplyDeleteCeleste that dress looks great on you and I loved seeing you all gussied up. I was sad to not see you in the sunset photo; are you not feeling well?
This sounds like it was an absolute amazing day!! And yay for shower day! Haha
I love all the photos and am excited to see more.
Love you Poogie!
Ooos - that was from me. 🤭
DeleteSounds like a great day! Caroline, I loved seeing the picture of you in your dress and runners 😂 Sensible footwear is a must. Since I was just in Victoria on the May long weekend I can envision most of what Sydney was writing about. Hope you had a great day today…I believe you are the author today, Caroline. I will check back later. ❤️ Auntie J.
ReplyDeleteSyd you did an absolutely amazing job with the blog post. Very detailed and descriptive for us parentals and other loved ones STUCK at home to enjoy and peruse. I want to go to the beautiful Butchart Gardens and have high tea at the Empress - Syd will you be my tour guide? I love all the pictures that you have included, it looks like you guys are having sooo much fun, cant wait to hear all about it. We all miss you very much and hope you are having fun. Bao has been playing with Chanel every night-she misses you too. Cant wait to see what's in store for tomorrow. Love you Babygirl!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure - you ladies look lovely. I never knew that the little green boats were called pickle boats! Caroline, I’ve had my picture standing at the same spot on that Canada sign. Happy to see you all living your best life! What did the sign say……?!
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