Float Planes and Flowers!

sbcrosby .
Aug 21
3 min read

We started our Wednesday with a float plane ride from Vancouver to Victoria. This was a first for all of us, and it took some convincing by Jeff and me to get Nan on board! I might be testing the boundaries of our friendship with how many new “adventures” I’m exposing her to on this trip! That said, she was a trooper and ended up thoroughly enjoying the ride. And we can all now say that there’s nothing quite like taking off and landing on water. It was actually much smoother than we thought it would be. The short flight (about 35 minutes) offered sweeping views of the Gulf Islands and surrounding coastline, and as we came in low over the Inner Harbour, Victoria greeted us with its mix of old-world charm and beauty.

We were met dockside by our guide, Alan, who provided an overview of the nearby highlights as we began our drive. As we drove into Victoria’s Chinatown, he shared that this is the oldest in Chinatown in Canada and second-oldest in North America (San Francisco’s is the oldest). We passed Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, and passed the Chinese Public School, which opened in 1909 to accommodate Chinese children who weren’t allowed to attend schools in Victoria until they learned to speak English.

From there, we made our way to the Bay Street Armoury, an impressive red brick building that feels like a castle with a military past. Our guide filled us in on its history as a training site for Canadian forces — a great example of how Victoria blends its British heritage with a proud Canadian identity.

Victoria is actually located on Vancouver Island, the largest island on the west coast of North America and known for its dramatic landscapes, mild climate, and laid-back pace. The town itself if quite charming with flowers exploding with color everywhere you turn and lacking the grittiness that the more cosmopolitan Vancouver exhibits.

Butchart Gardens was our primary destination of the tour, so we headed there next. I know it’s a “must-see,” but honestly, it deserves every bit of the hype. Walking through it felt like stepping into a living impressionist painting — the colors, the textures, the sheer scale of it all. From the Sunken Garden to the Japanese and Rose Gardens, each section unfolded more color and vibrancy than the last. The dahlias were particularly stunning during our visit, and we could’ve easily spent hours just sitting on a bench, taking it all in.

After our leisurely stroll through the gardens, we headed to Craigdarroch Castle, built in 1887 by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. The castle definitely has Victorian character and charm and is interestingly surrounded by a local neighborhood, with houses on every side. The original land was sold off over the years, with only two acres remaining.

Next came Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The sprawling gardens were open to explore and are tended by volunteers (mostly senior citizens). From there, we made a quick stop at the world’s tallest totem pole, standing proudly at 127 feet tall in Beacon Hill Park. Just down the road, we reached Mile Zero — the symbolic western start of the Trans-Canada Highway (with the eastern end located in Newfoundland). Standing there, it hit us just how vast this country really is.

We capped off our day in Victoria with a quintessential stop – afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel. The hotel has served tea since 1908 and Condé Nast named the Empress one of the 10 Best Tea Experiences in the World. Tea is served on stunning Royal China, reproduced from the original china gifted by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (also known as the Queen Mum) following their visit in 1939. They actually had the china shipped to the hotel for use during their stay, and then gifted it afterward. As someone who loves a good afternoon tea, this was definitely a favorite!