Parliament Hill, Chinatown and Rideau Falls Park Part I
Today is my 6th day in Canada, and the 1st day for REAL sightseeing and doing all the touristy stuff. Kinda excited too, as i'll be heading out to Chinatown with a Chinese family whom i've made friends with.
I woke up really early at 645am, and decide to pamper myself today with the hotel buffet breakfast in Cafe Laurier:
This, plus orange juice (which i think is free flow, as they re-filled my cup twice without any apparent extra charges on the bill) set me back by about $CAD12 (~S$15), but again, i've no qualms with paying this sum as it was really good and filling, as expected of the standards in the Cafe.
As i was supposed to meet my friends at 11am at my hotel lobby to go Chinatown, i decide to visit Parliament Hill first to while away the time.
Breath-taking scenery at the Ottawa River, on Ottawa's side. It was worth waking up early to see such fine weather and beautiful spectrum of colours:
Bytown Museum:
Ottawa Locks. They connect the Ottawa River to Rideau Canal Cut.
Location of Ottawa Locks:
The Rideau Canal is a chain of lakes, rivers and locks winding 202 km through the eastern part of the province until it reaches Kingston, on the shores of Lake Ontario. Built between 1826 and 1832, it was intended to be a safe way to transport military supplies in case of hostilities between Great Britain and the United States.
The Ottawa Locks was built in 1861 as part of the Rideau Canal. The magnificent flight of 8 locks at Ottawa is now framed by Canada’s Parliament buildings on one side and the impressive Chateau Laurier hotel on the other. This is the largest single set of locks on the entire Rideau system, providing a lift of 24 m (79 ft.).
In memory of the 1,000 workers who died building the canal:
Parliament Hill next:
As i later found out that it was still too early and the guided tour is only available slightly later, i decide to come back again after going Chinatown. Instead, i opt to walk on the grounds on Parliament Hill.
Sir John A. Macdonald (1815-1891). As one of the Fathers of Confederation and Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald's role in shaping Canada's history is unparalleled. During his years as Prime Minister, Canada experienced rapid growth and prosperity:
Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned as Canada's monarch since 1952:
The Famous Five (no reference to the series by Enid Blyton whatsoever). Inaugurated on October 18, 2000, this monument entitled "Women are Persons!" is a tribute to Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards. Known as the Famous Five, these women won the "Persons" Case, a 1929 court ruling which legally declared women as persons under the British North America Act and made them eligible for appointment to the Canadian Senate:
I went on to visit Byward Market to see the open-air vendor stands which open in the daytime, selling fresh food, grocceries, flowers etc.
Beaver Tails. It looks just like a beaver's tail.. but is really a piece of deep fried dough covered with granulated sugar and cinnamon, maple syrup, stuffed with apple pie filling or whatever topping you wish to put on it or into it. I did not try tho, as i was just too full then.
Pumpkins!
Nice pastries in the window display:
Fresh fruits and vegetables sold:
Fresh, luscious-smelling flowers:
I made my way back across Alexandra Bridge, but stopped at the Nepean Point to take a panoramic view of Ottawa River and the Capital core. Fantastic view~~
Alexandra Bridge:
Statue of Samuel de Champlain. Marking the passage of the famous explorer along the Ottawa River in 1613, this statue, erected at the top of Nepean Point, has become a symbol of the Capital.
Left at about 10:35am, and went back to hotel rm a short while, before heading down to the lift lobby. At this point, i suddenly felt slightly apprehensive, as it hit me then that i'm following a family whom i've barely met more than twice to a place i myself am not very sure where it is located. I told myself that i'd see whether the store owner would actually be coming with his family in his car, and if not, i'd just make some excuse and not take his car.
At about 11am, his car came, and his family is in his car. I told myself to take a leap of faith, and boarded the car. The store owner and his wife chatted with me happily about Chinatown and some other attractions in Ottawa/Gatineau that i can visit later. I also played with their 3-yr old daughter, who was seated in her child seat at the back.
The trip took about 20 min, and we arranged to meet at 1 am for lunch at the alighting point. Chinatown was quite different from downtown Ottawa, more laid-back with many shophouses, and of course, more Asians i can see on the streets here.
I pretty much walked around aimlessly, looking slight out of place as i wasnt there to do groccery shopping, and there isnt much sightseeing to be done. I did find the foodstuff found there to be pretty comprehensive. There're stores selling Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese fresh food, sauces, spices, canned food, etc. Also saw some "angmohs" buying roasted duck at one of the stalls, which is not surprising actually, considering that Canadians generally like Chinese food.
I saw a couple of bubble tea shops here, and walked into one for a lychee aloe vera drink. Refreshing. Went back to meet the family for lunch at a Chinese restaurant, and had REAL chinese food for once in the last 6 days. Yummy!
Have decided to split this entry into 2 at this point, as i realize that it's gonna stretch too long. Look out for part II!!
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