Day #6: Back to Butchart

The sky was SUNNY and blue this morning! We decided to go back to Butchart and do the B.C. Museum in the afternoon.

As soon as we entered the park we could smell the perfume of the hyacinths blooming everywhere.


We were surprised to see camelia blooms that had fallen and scattered to the ground. My mom said that samurais hated camelias and called it kubi kiri which translates literally as cutting the neck referring to seppuku (ritual suicide where the stomach is slashed and neck cut off). Seeing the beautiful, in tact flower heads fallen to the ground seemingly still in their prime reminded the samurai of heads fallen in defeat.


I'm sorry this post is so long. The day was incredibly beautiful and we have a zillion photos that I just can't help but need to share.


Pasque Flower (pulsatilla)


Art spent a long time watching this beautiful woodpecker.


Mom said willow trees in Japan were often thought to have ghosts beneath them.


OK... Can't help myself....more cherry trees...


Art was explaining to my mom who rarely uses gym shoes how to double tie her shoe laces so they would stay secure.


Azaleas


Another cherry tree


We had to go back to see the sunken garden. A sunnier day made the garden even more striking.


We had a hot dog lunch at the Coffee Shop.


In the Japanese garden Mom was excited to see a Goyo no Matsu (5 leaf pine tree). She said she remembered her mother telling her how valuable this type of pine was.


I was having way too much fun photographing as many flowers as I could. I wish I had an even better macro lens.


Don't know what kind of flower this is but I just liked it.


This is Art's idea.


We had to see the sunken garden one last time before we left.


Mom and I had to have a soft serve to celebrate this gift of a sunny, beautiful day.


We went back to the hotel to get a little rest. Unfortunately, mom and I fell asleep, which didn't leave enough time for the B.C. Museum. I know Art was disappointed. There just isn't enough time in the day. We let mom rest at the hotel while Art and I wandered about the city. We saw this statue of Queen Victoria outside the B.C. Legislative Building.


There were decorated eagles placed around the city which reminded us of the decorated cows we had in Chicago.


We noticed that there were green parking meters for VERY small cars. It cost $1.00 for 1 hour instead of the $1.00 for a half hour for regular sized cars.

We'll be leaving Canada tomorrow and heading back to Seattle to see our friends, Patty and Paul. It's been a glorious visit to our northern neighbors!