Ottawa

September 10-11, 2016 – Days 22-23

Today we started our 3^rd week of our North American Safari #5. We went into Ottawa and took the red double decker Gray Line Hop on – Hop off bus tour seeing much of down town Ottawa. Highlights of the hour long ride were: The Canadian Museum of History, Parliament Hill, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Stables, the National Gallery of Canada, Rideau Hall (Prime Minister’s Home), Canadian Aviation Museum, The Fairmont Chateau Laurier (beautiful old hotel), Royal Canadian Mint, and many other beautiful old and new buildings. After the tour we had a nice lunch at the Mill Street Brewery. We walked off our meal by walking along the parliament row taking in the majesty of the old structures along the Ottawa River. Ottawa is one of the most attractive big cities we have visited. In the evening we enjoyed another Manhattan at the Fairmont Hotel and walked back over to Parliament Hill to enjoy the sound and light show called the Northern Lights – quite patriotic and colorful.  We got back to our car and the Ottawa skies opened up with their own light show of thunder, lightening, wind and rain.  

Sunday afternoon we returned back to the city and walked through the Canadian Museum of History. A very unique and attractive building in its own right. The museum is actually in Quebec, across the river from Ontario. The exhibitions were: Napoleon, The Gold Rush, and First Nation Peoples artifacts, including many totem poles and interesting statues.  We enjoyed a break out on the patio over looking the Ottawa River and the city - Parliament Buildings and many other iconic sights. Ottawa has been a great way to end the Canadian portion of our journey. Monday we head back into the US – setting our sights on New York.