More about Vancouver and Vancouver Island

Only about 3% of British Columbia is available for farming (the remainder is comprised of mountains, lakes, or unsuitable climate).  Only one house is permitted on each farm, and properties are small by our standards.

Average house price in Vancouver is $1m.

About 30% of Vancouver's population is ethnic Chinese.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia (not Vancouver as you would expect)

We were transferred by bus onto the ferry bound for Vancouver Island (see photo posted on yesterday's blog entry.  This ferry was very large, with 6 stories (1 level for trucks and buses, and 1 for cars).  The trip took about 1.5 hours to Swartz Bay.

A bus then took us to the Butchart Gardens - a treat not to be missed (see photos on previous blog entry).  These gardens cover 55 acres which were lovingly created over time by Jennie Butchart on the site of her husband's disused limestone quarry.  They are now 100 years old and visited by 1m people each year.  The family still owns the property, which has been passed from generation to generation.  During the winter there are 50 full-time staff, rising to more than 250 in spring/summer.

There is a Japanese garden, an Italian garden, a rose garden, and a sunken garden, plus countless hanging baskets, fountains and statues.  The gardens are beautiful all year round, both day and night (illuminated and fireworks displays).

We tried to find a weed to take a photo for the record, but not one to be found!