This exclusive journey is about hopping on and off around the Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada! We flew in a G550 from John Wayne Airport to Victoria, Canada. Had a class act flight attendant on board who served us mimosas for a bon voyage and let me tell you I was pumped indeed! We had breakfast on board and we all started to update our lives nonstop. Not only did we explored British Columbia but we also had a reunion trip with our close friends as well. After a 2 and a half hour flight we arrived to Victoria, B.C Canada and a nice sharp black sedan was waiting and took us to the harbor where the private yacht was docked.
Here we come! 16 crew worked full-time on the magnificent yacht and welcomed us and started to introduce themselves. The chief stewardess showed us inside the sophisticated interior and around the 36 foot wide and 200 foot long super yacht, I mean WOW is right. She escorted us to our room and we unpacked our suitcases. This super yacht offered over the top amenities, I mean I could only pack my Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, and other clothes plus my daily face care routine and skip my flat & curly hair-iron because god knows the yacht has it! There is a TechnoGym, Jacuzzi, Bar on the deck, Water toys such as wave runner / kayak / diving gears, and on and on. Everyday we hydrated with Fiji water or Perrier sparkling water. Every night had a special turndown. Not to mention that every meal is like the Michelin starred restaurant on board because every meal was served at the right temperature, plate is hot, fresh food, right portion and well-presented. The yacht serves only the best wines, Dom Perignon champagne, I mean it.
All the crew are so professional, helpful, lovely and so thoughtful. They all made sure that we were having the best time of our lives. Not a single word could I complain and why would I. After we finished lunch on the yacht, the captain greeted us with the introduction and safety on board, and we’re off to explore downtown Victoria
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific coast. The city is very pretty and had paradise weather. I loved the cool breezes and it seemed to be that the city was filled with flowers corner to corner. One of the things to do in Victoria is to experience a high-tea at the Fairmont Empress. It’s a must if you’re a tea lover like me or if you wanted to indulge a traditional afternoon tea in a palace so this is it. It is something special and unique to have a high-tea at the Fairmont Empress, a grand tradition for over a century. The Fairmont Empress has served England’s most beloved ritual of afternoon tea to famed royal celebrities and dignitaries alike. We savored the traditional high-tea with a set price $75 per person in a sophisticated lobby lounge. You can pick your tea by the coolest menu ever! (see the pic below) On one side, it described the teas, and the other had the actual loose leaf teas under clear plastic. I picked the Cream Earl Grey one which I paid extra $4 to savor the creamery taste.
Next morning, our yacht was off to the next stop on the itinerary and anchored at the Brentwood Bay to visit The Butchart Gardens! A garden sounds boring doesn’t it. Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen this is the best garden you will ever seen! I guarantee it’s worthwhile and gave great photo opportunities. The Butchart Gardens has over 100 years in bloom. It began from an idea Jennie Butchart had to beautify the worked-out limestone quarry which had supplied her husband Robert Pim Butchart’s nearby Portland cement plant. The Gardens, through the skillful mixture of rare and exotic shrubs, trees and flowers, often collected by the Butcharts during their extensive world travels, continually expanded over the years to become the world famous Sunken, Japanese, Rose, Italian and Mediterranean gardens you see today. If you are interested in a more complete history, please visit www.butchartgardens.com
From Victoria, we hopped on and off the Southern Gulf Islands / Vancouver Islands. Went ashore and did some shopping at Salt Spring Island. Enjoyed drinking on a beach at Sydney Island. Celebrated the 4th of July day and night with family and friends and the 16 crew on the super yacht which was the best American vibe and the best 4th of July ever!
Cruised from Bedwell Harbor/South Pender Island for a cocktail. From Bedwell Harbor to Montague Harbor, where we fished for salmon (catch and release) with a competition boys vs girls although the boys won. I caught a baby shark my first time fishing. Next morning, we went for a hike but the highlight of the story is we rescued a dog we found in the middle of the bay in icy water while we sailed back to the yacht. The poor dog swam around in circles and followed us, asking for help with those eyes. Our chief stewardess didn't hesitate to take off her jacket and immediate wrap her in it to make her warm. We radioed about a missing dog. We named her lucky but later found out that her name is Keeley. She was returned to her owner with a tearful reunion. We were glad to have such a sweet story to document in my diary. We rescued a dog while we were on vacation!
Next, we hopped from Montague Harbor to Pender Harbor, Pender Harbor to Lasqueti Island, and cruised to Nanaimo Islands for our final night and then took off from Nanaimo, B.C Canada straight back to Santa Ana, California U.S.A.
For people who want to have a summer getaway in British Columbia I’d recommend these Islands because it’s quiet and not a touristy kind of place which is rare to find these days.
I could not thank our host enough and to our amazing friends and the crew who made this trip so special and memorable. I’m so grateful for everything. This is truly a lifetime trip for both of us.
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