We finally succumbed, yesterday (Thursday), to the lure of hopping on and off a bus to see more of Ottawa than we have seen so far and we were really pleased we did. The tour guide was very informative with a great sense of humour which we all appreciated. However, photo opportunities were few. While we sat on the bus awaiting departure we had another opportunity to see the Ceremonial Guards parading after the Changing of the Guards. However, it was tainted by the thought of the young man who was so seriously injured the day before.
This is the Old Town Hall on which a fortune was spent refurbishing it and which was then closed. The metal structure in the background was to be a Bell Tower but it was never completed!
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| 24 Sussex - the residence of the Prime Minister. |
We did a tour of Rockcliffe Park, the most prestigious part of Ottawa, where modest houses could cost upwards of three and a half million dollars - Jim and I should get one each! On the way there, we passed Embassy Valley. We didn't see the Irish Embassy but there was a house for sale - maybe that could be it! On our journey on the Rockcliffe highway there is a wonderful view of the Ottawa River. Seemingly, on one of the Queen's visits, she voiced a desire to travel along here. Authorities realised that there were no restrooms available en route in case the Queen would have need of one. One was built at the cost of a quarter of a million but, in the end up, the Queen didn't spend a penny at the royal flush!
This is a spider structure, outside the National Gallery of Canada, called "Maman" (Mother) created by Louise Bourgeois (now nicknamed the Spiderwoman!) which cost three and a half million. The city of Ottawa has laws which prevent the placing of works of modern art outdoors within the city. As this is a Federal Building the city law is overruled and the spider remains!
These are the silver spires of Notre Dame Basilica (Cathedral) which is the most chosen place to have your marriage ceremony. However you have to wait more than 3 years to get a date - first you choose your date, then you find a mate!This cathedral is opposite the Art Gallery. So you wait 3 years to get married, then you come out the door and the first thing you see is a black widow. Not a great omen!
Following the hop on hop off tour, during which we hopped on and then hopped off, and lunch, we hopped on to the boat for our cruise of the River Ottawa. It was nice to see the landmarks from the water especially Parliament Hill.
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| Nepean Point with its statue of French Explorer Samuel de Champlain holding his Astrolabe upside down. |
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| Samuel de Champlain a bit closer! |
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| The National Art Gallery. |
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| View of Ottawa from the river. |
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| The Museum of Civilisation. |
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| And again! |
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| The Rideau Falls. |
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| And closer! |
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| And even closer again! |
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| The Lady Dive Tour on water - Canadian Splash! |
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| Parliament Hill from the river. |
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| Tehe Fairmont Chateau Laurier beside the 8 canal locks. |
Each lock takes 15 minutes so it must take a total of 2 hours to get from the river into the Rideau Canal. The Rideau Canal is open to boaters from mid-May to mid-October. In mid-October the canal is drained almost completely into Rideau Lake and when it freezes it becomes the longest ice-skating area in the world.
All-in-all a great day! We have discovered the main foodie areas in Ottawa so will make them part of our Canada Day outing on Sunday.
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