128. Victoria Series: Leaving Victoria

Although we only stayed for two days, we managed to go to a lot of places, see many things, and interact with the locals. The atmosphere in Victoria compared to Vancouver is very homely. The locals were all very nice and friendly and fun to interact with. It felt like everyone was just one big family and that as a neighbour, they help one another out when they see someone needs it.

For example, the hostel we stayed at the people were very friendly and fun. Although it wasn't a five star hotel, it felt very warm. When we took the bus to Butchart Gardens, it didn't go directly there so we had to walk despite not knowing exactly how to get there. However, a lady that also got off the bus with us offered us helpful directions when she saw us looking around like lost lambs. At brunch, the waitress was extremely friendly and just very easy to talk to. It also felt sincere, not like restaurants where the people there turn their nose up at you secretly behind your back. Overall, I'm glad we went on a mini trip to Victoria and I was able to see and experience all the wonderful things that Victoria offered.

(Left: Geocaching in Victoria | Right: building along the way)

(Left: a harbor | Right: a fountain) 

(Both: the Parliament building)

(Both: inside the Parliament building)

(Both: inside the Parliament building | Right: a two-story Christmas tree)

(Both: mascot and keeper of their respective shops)

126. Victoria Series: Butchart Gardens

After wandering and sightseeing for a bit around downtown Victoria, we hopped onto the bus to do some more sightseeing at the Butchart Gardens.

They also had "The Twelve Days of Christmas" set up with the characters throughout a trail of some sort around the gardens. It was fun trying to find them all. Although I only have pictures for some of them, the only ones we didn't manage to find were the partridge in a pear tree (which we thought was always "porridge in a pear tree" when we were kids) and the twelve drummers drumming.

I think showing the pictures accompanied by the lyrics to the song and having you sing out loud while reading this would only be appropriate for the holidays. But, of course, starting from the twelfth one.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...

Twelfth drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords-a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids-a-milking,

(Even though they're not really doing anything but surrounding the cow and looking terrified)

Seven swans-a-'swanning' (just kidding, it's) swimming,

Six geese-a-laying,

Fiiiiiive golden rings!

Four calling birds,

(They were actually on their respective phones... calling... their bird friends... so punny - love it.)

Three French hens,

(See the Eiffel Tower in the background? So French.)

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

125. Victoria Series: Arriving in Victoria

Once we arrived in Victoria, we checked-in then went out again to grab a quick lunch. After that, we just walked around downtown until it was time to leave for Butchart Gardens.