Ottawa Aug. 3/12

Left Burritts Rapids this morning at 7:30, travelled a lot of miles on the Rideau River, through 8 locks, arrived downtown Ottawa about 1:15.  Found, to our great surprise and delight that since the last time we were here, they have installed power outlets on the canal wall above the 8 locks going down to the Ottawa River.  There are several changes, including wooden docks, a walkway with no benches for loiterering teens and the homeless.  Now, if they would just add water outlets as well.....      Saw this "pirate ship" in the small lake in Ottawa.

Our view coming down the canal, with the Chateau Laurier in the background.

I love how this reflection shows the old and the new in this amazing city!

There were several buskers on Sparks St. today, but this guy was the best!  He made amazing sounds come from these plastic buckets!  And he was very entertaining as well.

The post office building at the end of Sparks St. is more than 100 years old.

Thw War Memorial, with the Chateau Laurier in the background.

Our boat is about the 3rd one after the tour boats.  We thought it would be so busy here this long weekend that we would never get a spot.  We were pleasantly surprised!

Believe it or not, these are some stairs leading down to the canal - amazing, isn't it?

There is an underpass which used to be a real problem with kids hanging out, drinking, doing drugs, sleeping, begging, etc., and now it is quite nice, with people selling art etc, performers, and even these 3 statues entitled "Faith", "Hope", and "Charity".

This was kind of cool - a bridal party all riding in these rickshaws, some of which said Alberta Travel on them.

Sunset over the Gatineau Hills.

There is an area on the hill where someone feeds and cares for feral cats.  There used to be a lot of them, but tonight we only saw 2.

Every night there is a sound/light show in front of the parliament buildings, and this year it is called MosAika.  We always go to see it when we are here, but this year's show is amazing!  It shows all aspects and provinces/territories of Canada from historic til now, in French and English, in 30 minutes!  It was awesome!  30 minutes never went so fast.  But it was really hard to get decent pictures.

Tomorrow we are going to ride a hop on/hop off bus and see as much as we can, since I can't bike this year.  Should be good.