Bonjour Canada! - Solo travels (Day 6 Part II)

Parliament Hill, Chinatown and Rideau Falls Park Part II

We had a sumptous meal of rice, vegetables, shrimp omelette and gong bao chicken at one of the Chinese restaurants there. The Chinese couple told me more about Canada during the meal, and that i could consider going to Montreal for a day tour since i've some free time the next few days.

After lunch, we went back to Ottawa downtown, and they dropped me off outside Parliament Hill. It was about 2 plus then. I first went to the Info Center that was opposite Parliament Hill to enquire about Gatineau Park that i heard from the couple. It was supposedly very beautiful during the Autumn, and they held a Fall's Rhapsody just a couple of weeks ago. To my disappointment, a lady at the Info Center informed me that it's not advisable to go Gatineau Park now due to the weather, and also bcos there're less things/view to see now that we're at the end of autumn.

I then enquired about tours to Montreal. Also disappointed to hear that there's no tours organised from Ottawa to Montreal. But they do have buses that go to Montreal, which takes about a couple of hours, and i could go on tours in Montreal itself.


After getting the necessary info about the bus to Montreal, I went off to Parliament Hill.

As mentioned before, Parliament Hill is not only Ottawa and Canada's key landmark, it is also a functional workplace where members of the House of Commons and House of Senators meet on a regular basis to debate draft Bills and whether to pass them. This is possibly the most important place in Canada, as the policies passed here affect all Canadians, one way or another.

Only the Centre Block of the Parliament Hill is open for visitors to enter. You also need to go on guided tours, as some areas are not open for visitors. I signed up for the 3:15pm tour (which is free, btw).

Our first stop was the House of Commons Foyer.

Photo: © 2001 Library of Parliament

The Foyer is probably most familiar to Canadians as the setting for the ritual known as "the scrum", where Members of Parliament field questions, surrounded by journalists, cameras and tape recorders, following Question Period and debates in the House of Commons.

The staircase that is always featured in the news when the Prime Minister fields questions from the journalists after a session is over:


Some of the intricate details in the walls of the foyer. Many of these have been added only later, as a result of re-building of the House of Commons after a fire that almost destroyed the entire Centre Block (except for the Library) in 1916:





House of Commons chambers, where Members of Parliament assemble to debate issues and pass laws for all Canadians:



The Speaker's chair is the focal point of the room. Government members sit on the right hand of the Speaker, while members of the Opposition parties sit on the left. Above and behind the Speaker's chair are the galleries for the public, the media, distinguished visitors and political staff.

It is interesting that the intricate details such as the provincial and terrritorial flowers in the stained glass windows, and the Canadian wildlife that runs through the ornate white borders are taken care of in such details, such that the chamber is not only symbolic as the core of the democratic system in Canada, but also portrays the national identity of Canadians.

Next, we passed through the Rotunda, which is also called the Confederation Hall.

Photo: © 2001 Library of Parliament

From its initial designs in 1916, the Rotunda was meant to represent the coming together of the diverse elements of Canada in a strong federation. Each one of the provinces and territories, including those that joined after the construction of the room are represented by their coats of arms.

The Neo-Gothic design made the hallway a very attractive place, and also reinforces the design of the entire Centre Block as a whole.

Library of Parliament. Modelled on the Reading Room of the British Museum, this distinctive circular structure features a ring of sixteen flying buttresses, pinnacles, decorative windows and beautiful ornamental ironwork. The Library building is crowned by a circular lantern.

The first Librarian of Parliament, Alpheus Todd, advised that this Gothic marvel be separated from the Centre Block by a corridor to protect it from fire. That advice helped save the Library from the disastrous fire that struck the Centre Block in 1916.

Impressive Library, that is still functional till today:

The Library of Parliament serves the information, research and documentation needs of Parliament. Its collection covers hundreds of years of history. Its staff answers today's questions and anticipates tomorrow's information needs while working in the oldest part of Centre Block -the only part that survived the fire of 1916.

Shelves of books and archives that line the walls of the Library:


Work desks for the librarians, with photocopier machines and computers in the background:


Other intricate details of the Library:

Next, we were at the Senate Foyer.

The Upper House of Canada's Parliament, the Senate plays a central role in Canada's legislative process, examining and debating bills passed by the House of Commons as well as introducing new legislation.

Photo: © 2001 Library of Parliament

Senate chambers:

Brilliant in royal red and gold, the Senate Chamber is where the Queen or her representative, the Governor General, addresses Parliament and gives assent to bills destined to become law. The Senate is also an equal partner in the legislative process: it is where Senators debate and revise bills passed by the House of Commons, investigate national issues, represent and protect regional, provincial and minority interests and introduce new legislation.

After finishing the tour, i still had a couple of hrs before sunset, so i decide to take a walk to Rideau Hall, along Sussex Drive.

The National Research Council of Canada:


Rideau River:

A gem discovery is the Rideau Falls Park, which i didnt realize/notice on the map until i actually passed by the place.

The Rideau River, just having passed Ottawa's old city hall (now the Canada and the World Pavillion), tumbles into the Ottawa River, cascading over a dramatic sheer waterfall. On June 4th 1613, explorer Samuel de Champlain named the river for the French word for curtain, "Rideau." You could also see the Leamy Lake Ecological Park and the Gatineau River on the opposite Quebec shore.

Rather spectacular waterfall:

It was very relaxing and cooling here, where you can enjoy the majestic view of Ottawa River, yet feel the warm of the sunshine on your face.

I continued my walk to Rideau Hall. Walked pass the Prime Minister's Residence and South African High Commission. Rather disappointed to find out that the Rideau Hall was closed for the day by the time i reached (about 530 pm). It was getting cold by then, so i quickly made my way back.

On the way, i discovered a recreational pathway along Rideau River, and a few locals pushing baby crams, walking the dog or cycling. I popped over to take a look, and it was rather fun to see dogs running freely on the fields near the River. A friendly golden retriever suddenly jumped on me and gave me a shock. His (or her?) owner came over and assured me that the dog meant no harm. I smiled at her, and patted the dog before i walked off.

It got really dark, so i quickly left the area and walked back to Rideau Center for dinner.

The whole journey is about more than 18 km, back and forth. It was no surprise that i felt SUPER exhausted and drained, and practically gobbled my dinner in less than 10 min.

After dinner, i popped over at my favorite haunt, Chapters bookstore to finish up a book that i was reading the other night.

Planned for tommorow's activities before i turned in at about 12.