The Drrons shoot a killer and other delights.

[drron]

We stopped for a coffee break.Weather still perfect.

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But there had been no mention of the progress of the orcas and we had gone past 3 areas where humpbacks had been seen in the morning.I was putting money on our driver's first whale free cruise.
Whilst we were there this eagle caught a large fish.He was able to take off but gradually lost altitude.

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They often swim a fish to the shore but this fellow was a long way out so he eventually gave up.

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On the way back to the marina and we passed a rock island that was a Californian sea lion haul out.

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Then another stop as the young fellow on board wanted a restroom stop.The throne was behind our seats.

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Another ferry and an eagle was waiting at the marina.

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So very disappointed.The rest of the pax stopped to talk to the driver.We just walked off but mrsdrron wanted a break.A fellow came up to me and it turned out he was the manager,?owner.He apologised for the fellow's decision to turn north as the Orcas turned east.Offered a free cruise the next day but we were going back to Victoria.
So this trip could be looked upon as a bit of a disaster as I had 3 prime experiences I wanted-tail gunner in a B25-it went tech.
A round of golf at pebble Beach-was going to cost $US1000 so that was out.
And last but most important.Still no orca sighting.
Despite all that I still enjoyed the trip immensely and it's not over yet.

 

[drron]

We were going to have an early dinner at a seafood restaurant on "fisherman's wharf".but it closed at 1700.So we drove back to Courtenay and had dinner at the closest restaurant to the HI-White Spot a BC chain.Mrsdrron had the ribs and they were OK.

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I had the crispy cauliflower bites and the small halibut and fries.

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Nothing fancy but OK.
The next day the drive back to Victoria.We took the main highway.quick but boring.

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Stopped at Naimono and went to Walmart to replenish our M&M and Malteser supplies.Also went to the Bay dept store.In the shopping centre I again came across an AFFer's business.

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We were staying here and this represents the hotel.

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[drron]

The symbol is the Golden Bear wearing a green jacket=Jack Nicklaus.The Westin is a golf resort and the course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
So to our room.

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The view and we have a balcony.

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We had been upgraded to a corner suite.The views would have been better on the other side of the building-

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[Pushka]

We stopped for a coffee break.Weather still perfect.

.
But there had been no mention of the progress of the orcas and we had gone past 3 areas where humpbacks had been seen in the morning.I was putting money on our driver's first whale free cruise.
Whilst we were there this eagle caught a large fish.He was able to take off but gradually lost altitude.

.

.
They often swim a fish to the shore but this fellow was a long way out so he eventually gave up.

.
On the way back to the marina and we passed a rock island that was a Californian sea lion haul out.

.

.
Then another stop as the young fellow on board wanted a restroom stop.The throne was behind our seats.

.

.
Another ferry and an eagle was waiting at the marina.

.

.
So very disappointed.The rest of the pax stopped to talk to the driver.We just walked off but mrsdrron wanted a break.A fellow came up to me and it turned out he was the manager,?owner.He apologised for the fellow's decision to turn north as the Orcas turned east.Offered a free cruise the next day but we were going back to Victoria.
So this trip could be looked upon as a bit of a disaster as I had 3 prime experiences I wanted-tail gunner in a B25-it went tech.
A round of golf at pebble Beach-was going to cost $US1000 so that was out.
And last but most important.Still no orca sighting.
Despite all that I still enjoyed the trip immensely and it's not over yet.

I understand the disappointment. Bummer. But an excuse to return? A few things aren’t clicking for our current trip but we are still having a great time.

 

[drron]

Yes it is a good reason to return.fortunately mrsdrron wouldn't mind coming back for the Butchart Gardens so you never know.
The last pic from the restaurant before we ate.

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We decided to eat at the Westin as there isn't much around it other than condominiums and housing.We booked when we checked in but it wasn't necessary as only 3 other tables occupied but it was pretty good.We both enjoyed our appetisers.carpaccio for mrsdrron and scallops and Chorizo for me.

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For mains she had salmon and I seared tuna.The salmon a little overcooked the tuna really good.

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Now the waiter was from India so we asked what part of India.He said Mumbai but all my family are from Goa.mrsdrron said we have friends who live in Goa and they keep asking us to come and stay-actually true.At that he lit up and told us his whole family history and couldn't do enough for us.He really wanted to take our picture so we relented.

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We went on to desserts.A crème brulee for mrsdrron-excellent.I had apple crumble fritters.different.

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Back to the room and mrsdrron basically went straight to sleep.I stayed up and looked at emails and did a bit of the TR.I had closed the door between the lounge and the bedroom.about 11pm I decided to go to bed.Try as I might I couldn't open the bedroom door.Didn't want to ring about it as that may have woken mrsdrron up.So I went to sleep on the lounge.Fortunately there were extra blankets in the living room storage.Mrsdrron woke up about 2am.she could open the door from her side.So I finally got into a comfortable bed.
Tomorrow.Butchart Gardens.

 

[Pushka]

Yes it is a good reason to return.fortunately mrsdrron wouldn't mind coming back for the Butchart Gardens so you never know.
The last pic from the restaurant before we ate.

.
We decided to eat at the Westin as there isn't much around it other than condominiums and housing.We booked when we checked in but it wasn't necessary as only 3 other tables occupied but it was pretty good.We both enjoyed our appetisers.carpaccio for mrsdrron and scallops and Chorizo for me.

.

.
For mains she had salmon and I seared tuna.The salmon a little overcooked the tuna really good.

.

.

Now the waiter was from India so we asked what part of India.He said Mumbai but all my family are from Goa.mrsdrron said we have friends who live in Goa and they keep asking us to come and stay-actually true.At that he lit up and told us his whole family history and couldn't do enough for us.He really wanted to take our picture so we relented.

.
We went on to desserts.A crème brulee for mrsdrron-excellent.I had apple crumble fritters.different.

.

.

Back to the room and mrsdrron basically went straight to sleep.I stayed up and looked at emails and did a bit of the TR.I had closed the door between the lounge and the bedroom.about 11pm I decided to go to bed.Try as I might I couldn't open the bedroom door.Didn't want to ring about it as that may have woken mrsdrron up.So I went to sleep on the lounge.Fortunately there were extra blankets in the living room storage.Mrsdrron woke up about 2am.she could open the door from her side.So I finally got into a comfortable bed.
Tomorrow.Butchart Gardens.

We will be there this time next year. Well, late May anyways.

 

[drron]

We were at Butchart gardens on May17th so you will get a good idea of what to expect.It really is spectacular.Between us we took ~ 1000 photos.Going to be hard to prune-pardon the pun.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Also went to the Bay dept store.In the shopping centre I again came across an AFFer's business.

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I should have registered that name years ago

 

[drron]

So today is the day for the Butchart Gardens.Mrsdrron had been looking forward to today and we had lunch booked in their restaurant.We had nothing else in the plans for today and if you really like gardens that is a good idea.
Another thing we learnt was to arrive early.Officially the garden opens at 0900 but we drove in ~ 0840 and were allowed straight in.the importance of this will be shown in future posts.
The problem now is that with over 1000 photos between us which will I prune.this post is just the walk from the car park to the garden entrance proper.

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[drron]

We had a plan for our day and knew where we wanted to go first.Didn't stop us taking photos on the way.

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We were heading to the sunken garden.And this is the reson why it is good to arrive early.

Very few people get to see it with no one else there.

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[craven morehead]

We had a plan for our day and knew where we wanted to go first.Didn't stop us taking photos on the way.

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We were heading to the sunken garden.And this is the reson why it is good to arrive early.

Very few people get to see it with no one else there.

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Fantastic photos

 

[drron]

Thanks but I think the gardens and the weather were mainly responsible for the photos.
but to continue.The decision was should we go down into the sunken garden whilst no others around or stick to our plans.We decided to stick to our plans.

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Our plan was to head here.

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[drron]

So that is the Sturgeon fountain.Appropriate to celebrate the sturgeon.

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Again a good decision.only 1 other tourist there though 2 local women with annual passes who do their morning walks here.How sensible.

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[zig]

Wise move getting in early and seeing at least some of them without the tourists.

I was convinced that the gardens wouldn't live up to all the hype that surrounds them - how wrong I was .... they were spectacular. Enjoying your photos of them.

 

[tgh]

Indeed, the best "made" gardens we have ever seen and I would love to go back.
Where are the humming bird pics ?

 

[drron]

Yes we had high expectations but even those were surpassed.
Alas didn't spot a hummingbird.

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[drron]

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So in the summer you can come by boat.not running in May.

 

[drron]

They also have a trawler.

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[tgh]

The hummingbirds were around some feeders under the big trellis.
I tried to stop the wings with a fast shutter speed but failed dismally...
They also had an amazing display of New Guinea Impatiens in hanging baskets in the same area
My pic of the welcome sign had no flowers much at all.. they must have made a special effort for you….

I want go back
I want to go back
I want to go back
I…...

Oh hang on , I might be in Seattle after thanksgiving.. wonder what it would look like then

 

[drron]

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The peonies weren't quite out.

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