VISIT CANADA - 5

We did manage to visit Curry House – the Indian Restaurant in Victoria—on second day of our stay. Food was average but it tasted familiar and that was all that mattered. Pick up transport for our visit to the Butchart Gardens was to arrive in the morning of the following day. I spoke to the Housekeeper who had come around in the morning; she was a Parsee from Amachi Mumbai and she spoke to Anu in flawless Marathi. She left a generous replenishment of coffee, creamer etc and also some fresh milk for us since we, in her own words, were her Gaavwallas. Pick up transport arrived on time and took us to the bus that was scheduled to leave for the Butchart Gardens.

The Butchart Gardens are located 21 kms North of Victoria in Brentwood Bay in Greater Victoria. Greater Victoria also known as Greater Victoria Region, is a cultural rather than political entity, and comprises of thirteen easternmost municipalities on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The driver of the bus doubled also a guide on our 25-minute drive and told us about the recurring debates about amalgamating some of these municipalities into Victoria. He seemed to subscribe to the Contra view. As we passed by a beautiful lake, he informed us that the Canadian Rowing Team was presently practicing there for the Beijing Olympics. (Greater Victoria Region had hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1994). I was surprised to learn from him that average yearly income in Victoria was about 50,000 Canadian Dollars.

As I sat listening to our driver cum guide, my eyes were busy caressing the very pretty countryside that opened up through the window. I had not read about what Kipling had to say about Victoria till then but I too sensed similarity between the typical English countryside that I had seen in 2005 and what I was seeing now although the English countryside had seemed greener. I was a little surprised when I found myself wishing (in retrospect), that I had settled down here soon after leaving the Army in ’91. I could have taken up a teaching or even an administrative job somewhere. May be, it was a cumulative effect of all that I had seen and heard, sensed and perceived and even imagined since I entered Victoria but I had never had such a feeling earlier as I had traveled across Europe and the United States. Now onto the Butchart Gardens.

In 1904, the concept of The Butchart Gardens began with an effort to beautify a worked-out quarry site on the 130-acre estate of Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Butchart, pioneers in the manufacture of Portland Cement in Canada. Their endeavour became a family commitment to horticulture and hospitality spanning more than 90 years and delighting visitors from all over the world. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Rose Garden, this 50-acre show-place still maintains the gracious traditions of the past, in one of the loveliest corners in the world. From summer splendour to autumn's golden glory and sparkling holiday magic - there's always something to see, learn and experience. Fiftty acres of floral finery offering spectacular views as you stroll along meandering paths and expansive lawns. (Extracted from the web.)

The Tourist Season in North America is mainly Summer and starts in June. We were a little early for summer but the Spring was still on. Sunken Garden and the Rose Garden are the two main attractions. We were a little unlucky since the Rose Garden was empty as the roses were to bloom in July but we did manage to see the Sunken Garden in its full glory. We were particularly impressed by the magnificent Tulips in various colours.

I do not think any description in words can do justice for the beauty and the splendour of the Butchart Gardens. Therefore, please look out for the Visit Canada 6 (Pictorial) that I would be sending subsequently, but you would need to unzip it for viewing.