We Are Tourists, No Doubt

This is how we did Victoria...cruise in late night Thursday, stay at a cheap hotel in

Port Angeles, then board the early AM ferry to Victoria. We wandered the city, got

some lunch, checked into the B&B, then headed to the butterfly and Butchart

Gardens for the rest of the afternoon. Wander the city streets in the evening,

then call it an early night for some good rest!

On Saturday, start by having an amazing breakfast at your B&B. We had orange compote, a 

gluten free pastry, and an amazing salmon frittata. Get those walkin' shoes on

and head out for a long walk for the day!

Take to the wharf where the path starts and travel it as long as you wish. We took a slight

detour down the breakaway path to the lighthouse. It's chilly early in the morning, so

be prepared for cool weather and then for it to warm up by mid-morning!

Cruise down the path on the south side of the island, take some pics as you go.

What do you know about his sign?...

Since when have owners been able to tell their dog not to poop?

Is this sign for real?

Once you make it around the path along the water, head into Beacon Hill Park. You can

take the trail to see the cricket field, petting zoo, ponds, and loose yourself in its serenity.

Be sure to stop at Parliament. If it's during the week, they offer free tours. Unfortunately,

if you go over the weekend you cannot get in. Either way, all the detail is amazing from the outside!

Make your way further into the city and stop at Bliss Cafe. It is claimed 'vegan' but 

everything they make in here is paleo...desserts and all. Fresh raw juice, soups,

sandwiches, warm drinks, etc. I was obsessed to say the least!

Bahkti soup with crackers

Yam, avocado, sprouts, a creamy cashew chipotle mayo, and pesto sammy!

And if you're Ty, get two giant waffles with everything on it...forget paleo when you're out of town!

After the stroll around the peninsula and some lunch, do some shopping...or in our

case some 'looking around' since we never buy anything! This place was great &

they even sold some Oregon-made products!

After a long day of walking, head back to your b&b for a 

little snooze or just some reading/relaxing.

And if you're me, celebrate your birthday a day early with a piece of paleo 

tiramisu from yet again, Bliss cafe! If only they sold outside Canada...I'd be in trouble!

Decide on a play to go to for the night (McPherson's was a nice little place to check out),

stop at Bliss (yes, again. Because I'm obsessed with it) for juice or a warm drink!

(Guess who went back to Bliss for a warm drink and raw juice before the play?)

After you hit up a play, check out the Parliament at night. 

It's just beautiful all lit up!

Then take some oddball pictures with your husband...

Head home, call it a night, and be ready for another ultimate breakfast at your b&b in the morning!

Nothing like some gluten free lemon ricotta pancakes for my birthday breakfast!

Then hop on the ferry and head home!

There are a few museums you can check out or take the kids to the aquarium if you're 

interested. Plenty to do for all ages over a weekend! We do hope you enjoy a 

trip up there if you ever get the chance to go.

Happy Birthday weekend to me!

♥The Stanleys

A Lotta Canadian Gardens

The Butchart Gardens

Everybody and their moms need to go here. 

Seriously though, take your mom.

Butterfly Gardens

Also, another place every should check out. 

Take your kids to this one...our your spouse. Same thing.

The butterfly process

How awesome that these trees grow these mini bucket-like flowers to catch the rain

Our favorite frogs!

And we can't forget the flamingo (lots of birds, turtles, etc here)

Just a beaut is what they all were. Wandering through a giant garden with everything in bloom, 

all themed based on the type of flowers, was heaven for us after no sleep. It is so peaceful. In

fact, I noticed the change in our walking pace...speedy as usual to slug-like. That's what 

this place does to you.

Then you can go to the butterfly gardens and feel like you have to dodge in and out of things 

just to avoid the butterflies. What's awesome is that this place mimics a tropical garden, so 

it's humid and also has tropical birds and animals as well.

*Tip: be sure to ask your B&B or wherever you stay if they have discounts to 

places like these. May save ya quite a few buckaroos!

♥The Stanleys

OH Canada!

If you all get a chance, go to Victoria. We're already planning the next trip...just that next time it 

will be via bike and camping. No car, no house, hunt for your food. Ok not really the last part.

We just had one heck of a weekend to celebrate my birthday. Ty surprised me with a lovely B&B 

that we would suggest to all of you who decide to make a trip up north one day. The food 

that Don prepared and Fernando served was to die for and the house itself is a piece of art 

(Fernando was an artist in Spain and attempted to sell some of his artwork in Canada as 

well before taking on this large B&B). It is only a couple blocks off the wharf in two 

different directions, but tucked in the neighborhood just perfectly. It almost 

makes you never want to leave the place to explore the city! 

Check out all this detail to Albion Manor B&B, then take a trip up to see it yourself!

The art is not just inside, but clearly extends outside!

The well kept garden. So peaceful to come out here for tea in the afternoon!

Our own secret little patio that leads into our room

Details on the railing on our back patio

The vines were all in bloom over the top of us. Shaded the sun, 

but allowed for the sunlight to come through!

As you enter the B&B, you'll find odd decor. Fernando says that anything

we thought was weird art was his. Lots of neat pieces. The rest of the

decor came directly from England. Some amazing artwork as well

as some beautiful pieces of furniture.

Our room!

Each door had different handles, which gave it so much detail

All the photos are hung from the molding in the house. Interesting pictures

and unique frames for each and every photo!

Every lamp or light was different throughout the home.

We all know how much I love spending time in bathrooms. I'd spend even

more time in a bathroom if I had one like this!

Even the ceilings in the house had crazy detail!

Day one: orange compote, salmon frittata, and & gluten free treat

Day two: fruit and yogurt, GF sausage, and GF lemon ricotta pancakes

I wish it was a B&BLD (bed and breakfast, lunch, dinner)!!

Some brandy or sherry, anyway? This place sets you up for not just

the simple coffee and tea, but you can also be sippin' on a little

something else too!

Fernando was published in a art book for this piece of art. Always something

interesting on each wall on every table, all of which have a story behind them!

I am still amazed by all the decor, how they get it all to work together, and of course

the service at Albion Manor. As I said before, go to Victoria and stay here.

Worth every penny plus some! Ty made this trip one amazing birthday. 

I could turn 27 all the time for this!

Pre-bday week we've come to an end. Post-bday week, welcome.

♡The Stanleys