Just back from Victoria where the spring flowers and trees at Butchart Gardens were gorgeous and the crowds weren't too daunting yet.

Annoyed to learn that Kipling's in the Empress Hotel has closed, leaving only the overpriced Bengal Court for buffet eaters and its menu is limited to Indian food. Consoled myself with a couple pounds of Rogers' Chocolates and a fabulous High Tea at my favorite Tea Room--The White Heather in Oak Bay. See my original Web site for particulars.

The Titanic artifact exhibit opened at the Royal BC Museum the Saturday we were there and it's already getting rave reviews. If you're planning to visit Victoria soon reserve tickets now.

Speaking of reservations, we discovered that we should have made reservations on the Coho ferry, which we took from Port Angeles, WA. Normally I take the 8:20 Coho but this time we opted for the 2 PM (it was a Friday) and almost had to go foot traffic (a disaster because I always travel with steamer trunks--even for a weekend jaunt). Anyway, make your reservation 24 hours in advance. We came back on Monday and the ferry was half-full, still with high season fast approaching it's better to be safe than sorry.

Speaking of safe AND wise: a dear friend recently broke her arm while in Barcelona (she was on a Holland America cruise). While the cruise line got her immediate medical assistance, she was comforted knowing she'd purchased TRAVEL INSURANCE. Don't leave home without it, ladies and gentlemen.

That's it for now...I am still preparing my Travel Smorgasbord Workshop for May 19.