We decided to explore Vancouver Island by way of joining a local 2D1N tour. Our tour bus driver after picking up all the tour members, drove straight to the Ferry Terminal at Tsawwassen. Once the loading process of all vehicles into the ferry was completed, all passengers disembarked from the vehicles. We had a simple snack at the ferry restaurant before we chose a comfortable spot in the indoor lounges to relax. When confronted with pleasant sea view, we moved out to the balconies to enjoy the scenery. The 1 hour 35 minutes journey across the Strait of Georgia was quite a pleasant experience. The ferry finally berthed at Swartz Bay Terminal of Vancouver Island and after unloading, we proceeded straight to the first destination - the Butchard Gardens.
Almost everyone who comes to visit Vancouver would make a stop at Butchart Gardens. Every year, a million visitors come to see this Gardens.
Butchart Gardens has a history dating back to the early 1900's. In 1904, Robert Pim Butchart first set up a limestone quarry and built a cement factory at the current garden site. When limestone was exhausted, his wife Jennie began to create something of beauty out of the massive dug pit. She organised the pit to be filled up and eventually the quarry was turned into the now famous Sunken Gardens.
The Gardens was later on given to the grandson, Ian Ross during the latter 21st birthday. For 50 years, Ian was deeply involved in the upgrading and improvement of the Gardens. He introduced outdoor symphony concerts and a variety of stage show. Ian died in 1997.
Ian's son, Christopher, a gifted dancer added new features to the Gardens. He designed, produced and executed firework shows choreographed to music. This tradition is maintained and kept to this days.
In 2009, the current owner, Robin-Lee Clarke, great granddaughter of Jennie Butchart continued the good works of her ancestors. One of her contributions is the Children's Pavilion in the Gardens.
Almost everyone who comes to visit Vancouver would make a stop at Butchart Gardens. Every year, a million visitors come to see this Gardens.
Butchart Gardens has a history dating back to the early 1900's. In 1904, Robert Pim Butchart first set up a limestone quarry and built a cement factory at the current garden site. When limestone was exhausted, his wife Jennie began to create something of beauty out of the massive dug pit. She organised the pit to be filled up and eventually the quarry was turned into the now famous Sunken Gardens.
The Gardens was later on given to the grandson, Ian Ross during the latter 21st birthday. For 50 years, Ian was deeply involved in the upgrading and improvement of the Gardens. He introduced outdoor symphony concerts and a variety of stage show. Ian died in 1997.
Ian's son, Christopher, a gifted dancer added new features to the Gardens. He designed, produced and executed firework shows choreographed to music. This tradition is maintained and kept to this days.
In 2009, the current owner, Robin-Lee Clarke, great granddaughter of Jennie Butchart continued the good works of her ancestors. One of her contributions is the Children's Pavilion in the Gardens.
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The next day, we went straight to Hatley Castle after breakfast. Hatley castle was built in early 1900's by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, a Scotsman, James Dunsmuir and his wife Laura as their family mansion. The castle was occupied by the family and James' descendants until the death of Laura in 1936. It was then sold to the Canadian Government in 1939. The Canadian Government had since then sold off portions of the land. Beginning 1995, the property has become the premise for the Royal Roads University. By then the Castle has been accredited as a Classified Federal Heritage Building. It is simultaneously being used as the University administration building. Because of its current usage, we were only able to appreciate the castle from the outside.
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