The last segment of our trip. We spent a few days in Canada's capital city, Ottawa. There was so much to see and definitely not enough time to see it all. It was also a little bit prettier in this area, which was nice to see. I'm still amazed at how flat and brown most of the area was.
First just a few pics of our hotel room:
a full kitchen stocked with dishes, utensils, etc...cool!
The first thing we did was go to a hockey game! We were able to go and watch the Ottawa Senators play the Washington D.C. Capitals. Way fun! The Senators won :)
Singing the anthem
Here we are (Mom stayed to watch Karys)
Can't have a proper game without a fight...or several
We went to see the Canadian Museum of Civilization which takes you through recreations of various time periods of Canadian history. It reminded me a lot of the Royal BC Museum.
Obviously there was much more to see than what I posted, I just picked a few random ones. They had this really interesting image made by blending a photo and painting of the same location in different time periods on the river right by the museum looking back at the Parliament Buildings:
We also went to a local SugarBush which is technically a forest where maples are tapped for their sap, but around there they use the term to refer to a kind of maple celebration usually with a sugar shack there.
Karys of course loved seeing the horses.
Here's a very traditional & delicious maple taffy on a stick (anyone read Little House on the Prairie?)
one of the machines on display in the sugar shack
walking with her aunts
Rideau Hall
This is the Governor General's residence (the representative for the monarchy in Canada). It's a very large estate, but we were only permitted to take pictures outside. The Governor General basically stands in for the reigning monarch for mostly ceremonial stuff. For example, just a little while before we arrived the Prime Minister of Canada had come to the Governor General to formalize the dissolution of Parliament (in order to call for a new election). This is why you can see a stand still set up around the fountain behind us in the picture.
The skating rink where the first organized hockey tournament began, right next to Rideau Hall.
Playing with Karys:
She decided she had to wear Aunt Lisa's socks
She loved the closet mirror & kept giving the baby kisses
now she needed to try on everyone's shoes
The Parliament Buildings:
This is the main government building where Parliament meets.
The architecture & history was amazing.
House of Commons
where the MPs meet (where the Prime Minister would be)
The library - gorgeous!
Senate Chamber
The seat in front is for the Speaker, the throne and chair behind are where the Governor General & spouse sit. Of course that is where the reigning monarch & consort would be if in the country.
Next up the Peace Tower:
Looking at the clock
& one of the views
The Memorial Chamber:
Books of Remembrance
In the floor are all of Canada's major WWI conflicts made from spent shell casings found on the battlefields.
"In Flanders Fields"
A poem written by a Canadian about WWI which is used in both UK & Canadian Rememberance Day ceremonies, and is often memorized in elementary school.
There are so many statues/memorials on the grounds and around town. Here are a few:
The original tower bell. There was a big fire in 1916 and so the library is the only truly original section still standing.
The cornerstone
Queen Elizabeth II (the reigning Monarch)
The fight for womens' rights
Terry Fox
The National War Memorial where the big Remembrance Day ceremony is done.
the Unknown Soldier meant to honour all soldiers past, present, and future
The National Art Gallery:
the cool ceiling in the art gallery...these are the only pictures we were allowed to take of course. the place was HUGE though. we spent almost all day in there trying to see everything. I really love art and saw many wonderful pieces in there, but I still don't get the painting "Voice of Fire" which is simply 3 stripes and cost close to $2 million....yeah don't get that one.
On our last night there we had to stop and get some Beaver tails. For my American friends and family these are kind of like "scones" or "elephant ears" but with a gazillion different toppings to try. I had the maple butter one (not the one I'm holding in the pic), so delicious!!
First just a few pics of our hotel room:
The first thing we did was go to a hockey game! We were able to go and watch the Ottawa Senators play the Washington D.C. Capitals. Way fun! The Senators won :)
We went to see the Canadian Museum of Civilization which takes you through recreations of various time periods of Canadian history. It reminded me a lot of the Royal BC Museum.
We also went to a local SugarBush which is technically a forest where maples are tapped for their sap, but around there they use the term to refer to a kind of maple celebration usually with a sugar shack there.
Rideau Hall
This is the Governor General's residence (the representative for the monarchy in Canada). It's a very large estate, but we were only permitted to take pictures outside. The Governor General basically stands in for the reigning monarch for mostly ceremonial stuff. For example, just a little while before we arrived the Prime Minister of Canada had come to the Governor General to formalize the dissolution of Parliament (in order to call for a new election). This is why you can see a stand still set up around the fountain behind us in the picture.
Playing with Karys:
The Parliament Buildings:
The architecture & history was amazing.
where the MPs meet (where the Prime Minister would be)
Senate Chamber
Next up the Peace Tower:
& one of the views
The Memorial Chamber:
"In Flanders Fields"
A poem written by a Canadian about WWI which is used in both UK & Canadian Rememberance Day ceremonies, and is often memorized in elementary school.
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