Friday, July 24, 2009

Faerie Tales do come TRUE!

THEY CAN HAPPEN TO YOU...
If you plan real well!!!
Oh, I'll bet you thought I was going to say, "if you're young at heart," didn't you? That too, but this takes a little bit of planning!

This is the closest I've ever come to a cruise ship...The Queen Mary...docked in Long Beach, but come October hubby and I will be setting sail on a lesser vessel. One that will ferry us across the Pacific Ocean to a chain of beautiful little islands and our final destination,
Vancouver Island British Columbia.

I don't know what it is that I love about Canada, but whenever I think of vacationing the first maps to come out of the closet are those of Canada. Yes, I have a collection of maps...weird huh? Anywho, there was a time when I tried convincing hubby to buy an old Carpenter Gothic home in Annapolis Royal, but no matter how much I begged and pleaded, he didn't give in and it was such a great deal...situated right on the Bay of Fundi. Alas, my dream cottage was sold.

Do you remember the Old Victoria Magazine from the Eighties? They had several features on Taking Tea at the Empress Hotel and I became smitten with the first article I read, so of course, one of the things we're going to do is have tea...

AT THE EMPRESS!
And we'll tour the Butchart Gardens
and eat breakfast at The Blethering Place
and...and...and...

It's going to be a faerie tale dream come true!!

Have you ever been there, and if so, what was your favorite thing to do?
I would love to know!!

14 comments:

Deborah said...

Oh Cori, how exciting! And romantic!!! I have never been on a cruise but have always want to go. Anywhere. Catalina Island would even do. I am so happy for you and your plans. YIPPPEEEEEE!
For everyone. **kisskiss* Deb

ellen b. said...

I've been working on a fast trip to Victoria with Dear and Katie when Dear gets to Washington for the first two weeks of August..
We have eaten at the Blethering Place. We enjoyed it.
I haven't been to Butchart Gardens yet and haven't had tea at the Empress but I have walked through it.

Joanne Kennedy said...

I've been to Victoria 3 times now and each time I love it more and more.

The tea is nice but very costly! There are other places around there that is just as nice and don't cost as much. But, then again they can't say the Queen has tea there.

The gardens are to die for! I almost missed out on them. The first time I went I didn't go. I figured there was to much to see to spend time at the Gardens. The 2nd time I went and saw what I missed. So pretty. Each season it is totally different looking. Be sure you have LOTS AND LOTS of room on your camera as you will take tons of photos.

They have a little horse drawn carriage ride that is nice to take. It's only about an hour and you get a chance to see the town and where things are so you can go back on your own.

There are so many cute bed and breakfast places there and darling old homes.

I love Victoria and know I'll be going back again and again.

What cruise line are you going on? I just got back from an Alaskan cruise and we stopped there.

You are going to LOVE it! It is your kind of city.

I'm excited because next month I'm going to go to the other side of Canada on a cruise through the New England states and up to Canada.

Have a wonderful time! I know you will.

Hugs,
Joanne

Dee said...

You're pictures are just beautiful. I've never been on a cruise, but would love to go some day soon. Your trip plans sounds wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Oh Cori G
how lovely that will be!
excitement you cant suppress
for taking tea at the Empress!
and Breakfast at Blethering Place...
I can see the smile on your face
Take lots of pix
you lucky chick
for the roo
who'll
miss you!

YAY VAKAY!
xoxox Rooty Roo who
{{doggy paddles in the kiddie pool in happy delirium for Cori G}}

Just A Girl said...

Rooty Roo,

Just for you I will take a million or two
pictures of the loveliest kind
some may even blow your mind.
For I've been told the gardens there
are more beautiful that non compare.
In Spring or Summer, Winter or Fall
blossoming plants they have it all.
Castles there be beyond this shore,
wouldn't it be nice to have a magical door
that could take us away on any old day
to visit lands so far away?
It may be raining, but that's OK!!!
If I see the Queen I'll tell her you said "Hey!!!!"

xoxo Cori

Just A Girl said...

Hi Joanne,

we're taking the ferry from Anacortes to the Island. I've never been on a cruise although I'd love to take the Mississippi Queen up the Mississippi River. Now that's my kind of cruise.
The cruise you're taking up North, does that stop at I'll de` Orleans? They have a great chocolate shop there. I would love to take the cruise up through Nova Scotia. Lucky girl!!!
Have fun!

xoxo Cori

Deanna said...

Hi dear!
What a wonderful place to go and I can't wait until you do go and come back so we can see all of your photos! Sorry about your dream cottage...I know how you feel having had that same experience happen to me. Tea at the Empress should make up for that though...lol!

¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ Deanna

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Cori!

This sounds so exciting! I'm thrilled for you! I've heard Buchart Gardens are unbelievably beautiful. And I don't care how much the tea costs--make sure you go and enjoy it! :-)

My hubby and I actually cruised on the Queen Mary 2 to Canada to celebrate our 30th anniversary five years ago. It was a "fall folliage" cruise and took place in October too -- it was also the QM2 maiden year. The ship was gorgeous, very Bristish with a large library, and tea served every afternoon. I ate so many scones I gained back all the weight I had lost for my son's wedding that year..lol!
In Nova Scotia bagpipers played as we entered the harbor. We sailed up to Newfoundland and down the Saint Lawrence River to Quebec! We also saw Orleans --had lunch there one day. I loved Peggy's Cove in NS and its post office light house. So many more charming places...sigh ...I want to go back!
It was pre-digital camera days but maybe someday I'll scan some photos and put them on my blog.

I'd LOVE to see Vancouver and all the places you will visit someday too! Canada is such a beautful country. Have fun planning your trip!

Hugs, Pat

Beverly said...

Please, please, please take me with you. Pretty please.

This is something I have always wanted to do, too.

Renee said...

Cori is it because I am Canadian that I am happy that you love Canada too.

Cori, I want to let you know that I am very grateful for the love you have shown to me and my family.

Thank you.

Renee xoxo

Seawashed said...

That does look like a dream...enchanting. I think It would feel like being on the Titanic!

Sonalida said...

Hello friend, just came across your inspiring blog, love your dog and your selctions. I hope you will stop by my blog and have a cup of tea with me.

Duchess of Tea said...

Oh! darling you have a few fantastic blogs here. Love them all, thanks for coming over and for joining my followers, much appreciated. I too joined your followers and placed a link to your blog on mine.

Have a rosie Tuesday.

Duchess xx