Congratulations! An excellent choice for your celebration. We have enjoyed the Empress version of the Gold experience. Truly no need to go further, but when you do all the best is at your doorstep. If not, then from one of the handy buses that line up there. Sounds like you had a glorious time. Proximity to BC travel by float plane and water are supreme perks to our move north to Puget Sound.
We are on Bainbridge Island, a 35 minute ferry across the Sound from Seattle. We walk to the boat on the Island, then it's a 10 minute uber from the Seattle dock to the terminal on Lake Union. Finally about a 40 minute flight to the San Juans and under an hour to Vancouver or Victoria. It's speedy transport at a good price and breezy border crossings in both directions
Happy Anniversary. I remembered to not put an exclamation mark😀 Such a special place to celebrate. Thank you for such a descriptive story. I felt like I was there.
The Empress is so impressive, but even us ordinary folks are allowed to walk its hallowed halls. A special place indeed. Even that old fun that was pictured actually worked.
What an affair. Happy Anniversary. Like you, we have many happy memories of The Empress, Butchart Gardens, and the many delights of Victoria. We were once stranded there for several days when the ferry pilots went on a sudden strike-- no warning, just "sorry" when we showed up at the ferry terminal at Nanaimo. It was annoying at first, but then we were happy for the stranding and wished for a few more days of strike when it was over.
Congratulations on 25 years of wedded bliss. Returning to the scene of the honeymoon is a good idea. From your description, it sounds like you both are having a good time, again.
My first wife and I did that in 1995, going back to New Orleans for our 25th after honeymooning there in 1970. However, instead of the Hotel Monteleone we settled for a smaller place outside the French Quarter. With both children still in college, it was better for us...and we still enjoyed the visit, getting to take a steamboat ride we missed the first time. (Long story there for another time.)
I see today you have extended the visit; need to read your whale of a report.
Happy Anniversary! We visited Victoria a couple of years ago and the highlight was tea at the Empress. You described it perfectly although the gin and tonics were equally as good😉
How fun to read this, as we were in Victoria two weeks ago (we celebrated our 29th). Very fun to revisit those same experiences (the Empress afternoon tea, the harbour stroll, the water taxis, the museum, Butchart Gardens, the Malahat Skywalk, Nanaimo bars...and more). If you can tear yourselves away from the Empress, we had probably our best breakfast ever at Blue Fox Cafe and wonderful dinners at Part and Parcel and Il Terrazzo. Great pics! And especially happy 25th!
Nice photos Bob. My wife and I were in Vancouver and Victoria last June. I was pleased to find the Canadian people warm & friendly. I apologized for Agent Orange. The response: Don't our leadership is just as bad. Wishing the Dunnings another 25 years.
Congratulations to you and Shelley on 25 years of wedded bliss. Glad you both are celebrating in style. Thank you for including your loyal followers in your journeys.
Congratulations! An excellent choice for your celebration. We have enjoyed the Empress version of the Gold experience. Truly no need to go further, but when you do all the best is at your doorstep. If not, then from one of the handy buses that line up there. Sounds like you had a glorious time. Proximity to BC travel by float plane and water are supreme perks to our move north to Puget Sound.
I'll have to try the float plane sometime. Looks like fun landing in the Harbour.
So good to hear from you. Where are you located?
We are on Bainbridge Island, a 35 minute ferry across the Sound from Seattle. We walk to the boat on the Island, then it's a 10 minute uber from the Seattle dock to the terminal on Lake Union. Finally about a 40 minute flight to the San Juans and under an hour to Vancouver or Victoria. It's speedy transport at a good price and breezy border crossings in both directions
Happy Anniversary. I remembered to not put an exclamation mark😀 Such a special place to celebrate. Thank you for such a descriptive story. I felt like I was there.
Thanks, Cathy.
The Empress is so impressive, but even us ordinary folks are allowed to walk its hallowed halls. A special place indeed. Even that old fun that was pictured actually worked.
What an affair. Happy Anniversary. Like you, we have many happy memories of The Empress, Butchart Gardens, and the many delights of Victoria. We were once stranded there for several days when the ferry pilots went on a sudden strike-- no warning, just "sorry" when we showed up at the ferry terminal at Nanaimo. It was annoying at first, but then we were happy for the stranding and wished for a few more days of strike when it was over.
Yes, sometimes strikes have wonderful unintended consequences, don't they?
Happy 25th Anniversary! What a sweet place to celebrate.
Thanks so much, Helen.
Yes, it was more than splendid.
Well I have had high tea but I prefer the high tea at Butchart😎
There's is very good as well, but how much tea can you drink on one vacation.
Congratulations on 25 years of wedded bliss. Returning to the scene of the honeymoon is a good idea. From your description, it sounds like you both are having a good time, again.
My first wife and I did that in 1995, going back to New Orleans for our 25th after honeymooning there in 1970. However, instead of the Hotel Monteleone we settled for a smaller place outside the French Quarter. With both children still in college, it was better for us...and we still enjoyed the visit, getting to take a steamboat ride we missed the first time. (Long story there for another time.)
I see today you have extended the visit; need to read your whale of a report.
Thanks, John.
Whale watching and then Butchart Gardens. What a treat.
Happy Anniversary! We visited Victoria a couple of years ago and the highlight was tea at the Empress. You described it perfectly although the gin and tonics were equally as good😉
Even the cucumber sandwiches were out of this world, Shirley.
I am captivated by the "perfect tea timer". Happy Anniversary.
Pretty cool device, Sherri, but I had no idea what it meant.
Congratulations! Sounds like a great journey and destination.
Happy 25th!
Nothing but fun, Bill. Thanks.
How fun to read this, as we were in Victoria two weeks ago (we celebrated our 29th). Very fun to revisit those same experiences (the Empress afternoon tea, the harbour stroll, the water taxis, the museum, Butchart Gardens, the Malahat Skywalk, Nanaimo bars...and more). If you can tear yourselves away from the Empress, we had probably our best breakfast ever at Blue Fox Cafe and wonderful dinners at Part and Parcel and Il Terrazzo. Great pics! And especially happy 25th!
Thanks, Kari.
Yes, Nanaimo bars are something special.
My wife and I celebrated our Anniversary at the Empress last year. High Tea in the afternoon of course.
Thanks for saving us a table, John.
Afternoon Tea is an absolute trip.
Way cool location for your 25th, Bob. Maybe you have (had) time to see Butchart Gardens also. Our 25th was spent in Sedona, also a fun trip.
I thought it was missing something😂
Sedona is full of mind boggling beauty. But it doesn't have Afternoon Tea.
Nice photos Bob. My wife and I were in Vancouver and Victoria last June. I was pleased to find the Canadian people warm & friendly. I apologized for Agent Orange. The response: Don't our leadership is just as bad. Wishing the Dunnings another 25 years.
Happy 25!
Thanks, Carolee.
It's been a special time.
Congratulations to you and Shelley on 25 years of wedded bliss. Glad you both are celebrating in style. Thank you for including your loyal followers in your journeys.
It's been a complete joy, Anne.
So glad I could share it with everyone.
Blessings! A milestone indeed.
The Empress is a grand lady, we see her often as we are only 90 min away
90 minutes away, Laurie.
You could have High Tea every afternoon and twice on Sunday.