Oysters are silmy, gardens are pretty, I love my husband, I'm so witty.

Carolyn here. It's my turn to journal about our day, a day which happens to be my first Wednesday as a married woman. And my first Wednesday in Canada. AND my first Wednesday, in fact my first time ever, eating a raw oyster. Scroll down for pictures.

Long before I met Jason, I thought Victoria would be the perfect place for a honeymoon. I imagined walking around garden after garden after garden, picnicking, drinking tea, eating seafood, listening to ocean waves, and not recovering from any level of jet lag, simply relaxing.

Today was the first day I thought, "This is my honeymoon! This is what I've always wanted!" And I'm glad Jason had the wherewithal to record our memories on this blog.

We woke up early. 6:30!!! (Unintentionally.) But the sun rises so darn early here. Jason watched the Tour de France and I read my book about the sordid love affair of William and Kate.

And THEN...Jason joined me for a running adventure through Beacon Hill Park. We ran past a giant watering-can-fountain, a pond full of lily pads, two peacocks, a memorial to a family lost at sea in 1977, a petting zoo, THE OCEAN, and lots of dogs and cyclists and cute old couples. This is the way I want to live my life. I want to run up a hill, feel my lungs pumping air through my body, and smile. Jason doesn't smile while he runs. That's why he's much faster than me, even though he hasn't been running for years, and I run nearly every day. Whatever.

Next up: Butchart Gardens! Where we told nearly everyone we met, "We're on our honeymoon!" This place was heaven on earth. Jason and I were both inspired to expand the beginnings of our own backyard garden. I definitely think we need a fountain.

Gardens

Gardens

Gardens


More gardens

Gelato!

Again, this is the way I want to live my life. I want to be outside. I want to breathe fresh air. I want to play in the dirt and grow pretty flowers. And then I want to admire my work. Butchart Gardens has several gardens, including a Mediterranean garden, a rose garden, and a Japanese garden. Jason was disappointed there was no koi pond in the Japanese garden. And then in a fit of disappointed rage, he tried to throw me into one of the ponds. I bribed him, however, with gelato. It worked.

Tonight we met up with an old co-worker and friend of mine, Rebecca. We drank prosecco and slurped down some oysters and enjoyed the sunshine.

The Oyster Bar has an oyster happy hour: $1 per oyster! I hate oysters. Truly, I'm afraid of ALL shellfish. This includes cute (ugly) little shrimps. I think all the old Levitical laws have turned me against bottom-feeders. I have chosen not to live a life dictated by my fears, so I promised Jason I would eat an oyster tonight.

Slimy. Yet tasty.

Now we're back at the hotel. Jason made me dinner. He did the dishes. (As I've been sitting here writing.) I love him.

By the way, alcohol is expensive here! We bought wine and beer for dinner. It's like DOUBLE the price in the states. Yikes. It's time to ration ourselves.

And good night. :)