V136: Butchart Gardens, The Empress Hotel, and Costumery in BC

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The Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens, planted 100 years ago in a quarry.
The last day of my cruise with Lady Carolyn was spent in gorgeous Victoria, British Columbia.  We visited Butchart Gardens, AKA Paradise, and stuck our heads in the exquisite Empress Hotel.

The Empress Hotel, truly stunning
Carolyn and I dressed 1920s for the day, she in her adorable sporting togs, and I in my tennis dress.

Carolyn - doesn't this thing go any faster!?
This pathway at Butchart Gardens felt like we'd been transported to Middle Earth

Only one gratuitous flower picture, promise!
A little watercolor painting in the Japanese Gardens.  The whole place was overwhelming - photos and paintings (at least not mine) don't capture it
For the last evening, Carolyn decided to go out with a bang, and don her enormous bustle gown.  She brought it, why not wear it!  I wore a brown 1950s cocktail dress I made earlier this year, along with the large fur musher's cap I found in San Francisco.


It was sad to leave the wonderful world of our floating hotel.  We ended in Vancouver, but didn't get to tour any of the city - straight to the airport and home to Reno, for us.  What an experience, though!

Comments

  1. CaitMay 15, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    Wow those gardens looks stunning!! What a wonderful experience you both got to have :) sounds like you had a fabulously great time and you both definately looked fabulous in all your great outfits!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  2. AngelaMay 15, 2012 at 4:58 PM

    What a beautiful place! I think BC is now on my list of travel destinations! Cute White and Red 20's!

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    1. Lauren RMay 15, 2012 at 5:33 PM

      Yes, you must visit Butchart Garden. It is enchanting!

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  3. Angela W.May 15, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    I'm so pleased you enjoyed visiting my hometown! I'm biased, but it is one of the prettiest places around.

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  4. GwenyverMay 15, 2012 at 6:53 PM

    Oh wow! I visited Butchart Gardens in '94, and it has not changed at all! Love the tennis dress.

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    1. Lauren RMay 16, 2012 at 4:43 PM

      I was first there in '98, and I say the same!

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  5. Katy RoseMay 16, 2012 at 4:55 AM

    I am originaly from BC and have lived all over the province. Its an amazing place to be! If you ever get back to Vancouver, I recommend Dressew downtown and Rokko's Fabrics and Sari's. They were my favorite fabric stores when I lived there.

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    1. Lauren RMay 16, 2012 at 4:44 PM

      I will check those places out! I would love to go back, hopefully sooner rather than later

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  6. AnonymousMay 16, 2012 at 5:14 AM

    I love Victoria. My mother winters there every year. That is my plan when I retire too. It is my favorite city!

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  7. AnonymousMay 16, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    My uncle lives in victoria but I have never been there, It looks so amazing, those gardens are stunning. I wonder how big the gardening staff is. You all look fabulous.

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    Replies
    1. Lauren RMay 16, 2012 at 4:44 PM

      I bet there are an army of garden experts, but it was pretty quiet - they keep them hidden :-)

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