Ep 25: Trip to the island!
We interrupt this program with a side quest at Victoria
Introduction
This week was special as I hosted a friend, and we capped it off with a trip to Vancouver Island! More specifically, Victoria - we’d heard lots of nice things about the place and were curious to explore. Our plan: saunter about Butchart Gardens (indulging my love for gardens) and then drive south to Downtown Victoria to check out the coastline, quaint buildings, and historical sites. I made a PamPam map with some places to check out.
En Route
The road trip to Tsawwassen ferry terminal was typical: sharing stories, excitement, the aux and chatting about random sights along the way. For this adventure to the island, we were boarding Coastline Celebration - BC Ferry’s largest vessel.
The vessel was impressively large and sturdy. As we boarded, I felt like we were about to get lost at sea. The sky was gloomy, the expanse shrouded in grey clouds, making it hard to tell our destination.
A large horn sounded off, clearly audible from our perch atop the ferry deck, and we felt the ferry begin to move. I walked slowly back and forth, my mind empty, just staring into the expanse. It felt meditative, stepping through puddles created by the light but incessant rain. A few other first-timers joined us on deck, mostly children with some adults, all gazing out at the open sea.
An hour passed before we scooted past Galiano and Mayne Island, and another hour until we reached Swartz Bay in Victoria. Those two hours flew by as we chatted. I can’t describe exactly what the bay looked like when we arrived - by then, we were back in the car, ready to drive onto island soil. Once the gates opened, we zoomed past - beautiful gardens awaited!
Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens wasn’t far from the terminal. We followed the main road to the entrance, where large trees created a forest-like atmosphere. I was surprised to learn that Butchart Gardens actually consists of different types of gardens, including a rose garden, sunken garden, and Japanese garden. The map felt like a game guide, showing various “biomes” to explore.
The rain had lessened since our ferry ride, but we still needed umbrellas. Colours popped amidst various hues of green, exciting me with the promise of countless sights to see.
I thought it was pretty cool how Butchart Gardens’ origins included a rock quarry that was somehow transformed into the beautiful gardens we saw before us. Back in 1904, Jennie Butchart began converting her husband’s exhausted limestone quarry into a sunken garden, kickstarting a century-long journey of artistry that made this place a world-renowned attraction.
The beauty around us was overwhelming - colours, shapes, ponds, sculptures, and rock formations that no photo gallery could fully capture.
My mind buzzed with clarity, ideas streaming through. Was this…inspiration? I imagined creating a grid map coloured to match the flowers and plants in each area - just one of the many random ideas flitting through my head.
I flitted from plant to plant like a bee at a buffet, exclaiming, “Woah, look at this!” and “Wow, see that!” I probably seemed childlike to my friends, which was accurate - I felt a sense of wonder in this magical place. Amid my excitement, I stumbled upon a scene that spoke to me deeply.
This view of a Rhododendron caught my attention, revealing something profound. Amidst the gardens’ vibrant life and colour, death was also present - not separate, but integrated. Dead leaves mingled with new growth, all part of the same mix. This integration of life and death struck me viscerally, in a way I’m still processing.
We explored further, marvelling at grand waterworks and venturing into connected gardens. The atmosphere was both contemplative and stimulating. “You know, I wouldn’t mind getting lost here”, I told my friends, and they agreed. It struck me as a great question for choosing where to spend time: “Would I mind getting lost here?” For Butchart Gardens, my answer was a resounding yes
Later, crossing a small bridge in the Japanese garden section, we realized how much time had passed in this well-kept pocket dimension. It was nearly time for us to leave, and we still wanted to see Victoria’s downtown. Although I wouldn’t have minded getting lost here longer, our lack of accommodation meant we had to stick to the plan. We left with hearts and beaming eyes, thoroughly impressed.
Victoria’s Coast
We reached the coast a bit late. Most quaint bookstores and landmarks were closed, but the coastline and natural features remained open. We parked as close to the shore as possible and walked to the water’s edge.
We strolled to Ogden Point, a pier stretching into the ocean. The view was picturesque, with glimpses of the harbour and old vessels painted in bright, quaint colours.
True to form, I led us off the beaten path, stepping off the railed walkway for a more intimate ocean experience. The vibe was immaculate, and we even spotted a seal playing nearby!
Conclusion
As night fell, we realised we were racing against time to catch our return ferry. We speed-walked through downtown Victoria’s streets, grabbing pizza at a joint (aptly named “The Joint Pizzeria” before rushing back to the terminal. It was quite a trek through new terrain!
Victoria definitely had a different feel from Vancouver - something more remote or removed, yet also familiar. The terrain was similar, but the overall vibe distinct. I wouldn’t mind getting lost on this island again sometime.
This trip to Victoria was a delightful side quest, full of natural beauty, historical charm, and unexpected moments of reflection. It left me eager to return and explore more of Vancouver Island’s hidden gems.
Later, I received Gogomi notifications about my walks on the island. While Gogomi couldn’t identify the specific region or areas, I appreciated the acknowledgement of my exploration of new terrain.
😭😭😭 So pretty!! Thank you for sharing!!
Also walking away with this: “Amidst the gardens’ vibrant life and colour, death was also present - not separate, but integrated. Dead leaves mingled with new growth, all part of the same mix. This integration of life and death struck me viscerally, in a way I’m still processing”.
It's really something.