8-29-13 Thursday (Day 7, Gardens And Castles)

It’s the last full day on board.  The ship was rocking a lot.  I woke up with a headache behind my eyes and a neck ache to match.  As if it wasn’t enough, I was also feeling sick, probably sea-sick.  I woke up at 10am.  Jim slept a little longer and he wasn’t feeling well either.  We started packing but I felt so bad I laid down again.  Then Jim laid down and it turned into a nap.  All in all, we didn’t leave the cabin until 2ish.

We ate a late lunch at an onboard creperie.  This particular eatery had a $5 cover charge.  The cover charge, like the specialty restaurants, is one flat price for whatever you want there.

We didn’t dock in Victoria, BC until 6pm.  We’d set sail again at 12pm.  We disembarked, boarded a tour bus and listened to a guide tell us about Victoria and its history.  After about 45 minutes, we arrived at Butchart Gardens.  They supplied clear umbrellas all throughout the gardens which was nice since it was raining.  Unfortunately we didn’t have much daylight but from what we saw, these gardens are amazing. We’ve never seen better.  I took a few photos here and there but with the loss of light and rain, most were deleted due to blurriness.  I would absolutely love to see this gorgeous gardens again in daylight.

We hopped on the bus again and went to Craigdarroch Castle.  It’s a huge old house.  What more can I say. 

Here’s Celebrity’s excursion description if you’re interested.  If not this is the end of this entry:

Craigdarroch Castle & Butchart Garden(VI33)

Victoria, British Columbia

Visit Craigdarroch Castle, a landmark home dating to the 1880's, accompanied by live classical music. You must negotiate a gradual uphill walk to the castle & 87 steps to view all four floors of the castle. Later your drive will take in views of a rolling landscape en-route to Victoria's famed Butchart Gardens. During your visit, children have the option to partake on a specially designed Garden Discovery. The gardens are stunning in the evening when illuminated by thousands of hidden lights, creating soft background lighting (not floodlit). Garden illuminations offered when night falls (mid May - mid June & from mid August - mid September). Approximately 1.5 hours at Butchart Gardens.

Departing Ogden Point your guide will point out Mile Zero, which is the western end of the Trans Canada Highway and Beacon Hill Park. Later your drive will take in views of a rolling landscape and farms en-route, arriving at Victoria’s famed Butchart Gardens, still owned by family descendants. The Gardens began with a turn-of-the-century effort to beautify a quarry site and since its inception has grown into 55 acres with all the colors of nature. During your visit, children, if they so desire, get to partake on a specially designed Garden Discovery - a great experience for the entire family. The gardens are stunning in the evening when illuminated by thousands of hidden lights, creating soft background lighting (not floodlit). Garden illuminations offered when night falls (Mid May - Mid June and from Mid August - Mid September). You will have approximately 1.5 hours at Butchart Gardens.

Your tour continues with a drive to the Craigdarroch Castle, an outstanding landmark home dating to the 1800’s. The Castle stands most affluent in a city steeped in heritage. Built in 1890 by Robert Dunsmuir, it boasts a unique collection of residential stained and leaded glass, period furnishing, and wood paneling and carving. You must negotiate a gradual uphill walk to the castle and 87 steps to view all four floors of the castle.