There is more to Ottawa than Parliament House

Sunday 7 September

In 2011, when we were doing our east coast of the USA and Canada speed tour, we spent about an hour in Ottawa. We were dropped off in front of the Parliament buildings and were back on the bus about an hour later. That really did not give us any time at all to appreciate the many fine buildings and other attractions that the city has to offer.

This morning we headed off for a cultural experience. A short walk from our hotel brought us to Victoria Island, one of the many islands in the Ottawa River, where we partook of the Turtle Island Aboriginal Experience.  Turtle Island is the name used by the first nation people for Victoria Island.

After receiving a traditional greeting we proceeded to breakfast which was very much a standard breakfast with fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, hash browns and pancakes with the additional of fried dumplings, the only truly native element of the breakfast.

After breakfast we had an opportunity to wander around the compound and to talk to one of the hosts about issues relating to the life and times of the first nation people. It was interesting to discover that many members of the first nations group were treated in much the same way as our aborigines with children being taken from their parents so that they could be educated to be real people not savages. We have even more in common with the Canadians than we realised.

I remember watching the film Groundhog Day many years ago. I could not tell you anything about the creature in question if you had asked me. Today changed all that. Wandering around the compound I came across a groundhog.

Groundhog

Lorraine coming out of a teepee

 Next came a show incorporating three diverse first nation dances.

We had an opportunity to ask questions and the presenters provided some insightful answers. They were witty and articulate.

Leaving Victoria Island we drove to Parliament Hill where we visited the information centre before returning to the hotel to grab what we needed for our planned activities.

There were numerous buildings that we had wanted to visit and photograph.

One of the many memorials that dot the city

The Supreme Court

Parliamentary buildings with the Parliament Library (round building) on the left

Another view of one of the many bridges

A random building

Reflections in the glassy exterior of the modern buildings

One of the buildings in the parliamentary precinct

Parliament House by day

The eternal flame, in front of Parliament House

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

The Treasury Building

The Parliamentary Library

The peacekeeping memorial

The huge spider statue outside the National Gallery

The National Gallery

The Mint ... it only produces special coins

Yes, this is the residence of the Governor general of Canada. The gates are open and anyone can walk in. And we did.

Trevor at the entrance to the GG's residence

There were at least two cricket matches being played in the grounds of Rideau Hall.

One of the cricket matches

Fountain in front of the house at Rideau Hall

The front of Rideau Hall with the fountain. It did not look much from the outside

We could have done a tour of the residence ... but time was pressing and there was still a lot to do so we forewent the pleasure.

Lorraine standing in fron of the GGs front door

The grounds are full of trees many of which have been planted by visiting dignitaries.

As we were about to leave Rideau Hall a car drove up to the gates and was refused entry as they had not received an official invitation. Apparently they were intending to watch one of the cricket matches. The driver was informed where he could park on the street and how to get to the cricket match.

Uninvited cars are not accepted

The Prime Minister's residence is definitely closed off from the public with visably present security

The curtain falls

While Trevor finished the circuit and returned to our hotel I headed off to walk part of the way through Gatineau Park. Alas I was defeated. There were a number of detour in place and by the time I negotiated them I had no idea how to get to the track I had intended to follow.

I did come across a number of interesting things in my travels.

There had been some exeedingly wild weather on Friday night with quite a lot of damage along the Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa belt. Here is a tree with its top snaped off.

And here is a piper I cam across.

And a piece of public art ... a life sized bronze and piano.

It was good to put the feet up at the end of a long day.