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 Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:22 am Post subject: CANADA TOURISM GUIDE (OTTAWA) |
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CANADA TOURISM GUIDE (OTTAWA)
Most of Ottawa's major sights are clustered downtown, so it's not difficult to walk from one to another.
Paul's Boat Lines, 219 Colonnade Rd., Nepean (tel. 613/225-6781 or 613/235-8409 in summer; www.paulsboatcruises.com), offers two cruises. One departs from the Conference Centre in Hull and proceeds along the Ottawa River, picking up additional passengers at the Ottawa Locks 30 minutes later. The other cruises along the Rideau Canal, leaving from the docks opposite the Arts Centre and down to the Experimental Farm and Carleton University. The 1 1/4-hour canal cruises leave the Locks at 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3pm, and 4:30pm, plus summer-only at 7pm and 8:30pm. River trips take 1 1/2 hours, leaving at 11am, 2pm, and 4pm, with an extra 7:30pm departure in summer. The river trip is C$16 (US$12) for adults, C$13 (US$9.35) for seniors and students, and C$10 (US$7.20) for children; the canal cruise is C$14 (US$10) for adults, C$12 (US$8.65) for seniors and students, and C$8 (US$5.75).
The Sea Prince II cruises daily along the Ottawa River as well, from both the Ottawa and the Hull docks. The adult fare is C$15 (US$11), students and seniors pay C$13 (US$9.35), and children ages 6 to 12 pay C$8 (US$5.75). The boat also hosts Sunday brunch cruises, theme events, and day trips to Château Montebello. For details, contact the Ottawa Riverboat Company, 30 Murray St., Suite 100 (tel. 613/562-4888; www.ottawariverboat.ca). An intriguing variation kids love is offered by the "amphi-bus" of Lady Dive, 90 Wellington St. (tel. 613/223-6211 or 613/524-2221). The boat-shaped wheeled red vehicle lumbers around the land-based sights, then eases into the river and cruises past the waterside attractions. Find it beside the Info-Centre or in front of the Museum of Civilization in Hull. It leaves daily May, June, September, and October 9am to 5pm and July and August 9am to 9pm. Fares are C$24 (US$17) for adults, C$22 (US$16) for students, and C$20 (US$14) for children ages 14 and under.
The Top Attractions
Guided indoor tours of the Centre Block are offered on a daily schedule that varies throughout the year, while guided tours of the East Block are offered daily in July and August. Make reservations at the Info-tent on Parliament Hill lawn behind the West Block, which also distributes a free Outdoor Self-Guiding booklet. The Parliament's website is www.parl.gc.ca.
Parliament Hill
With their steeply pitched copper roofs, dormers, and towers, the several buildings of Parliament are quite impressive, especially on first sighting from river or road. In 1860, Prince Edward (later Edward VII) laid the cornerstone for the structures, which were finished in time to host the inaugural session of the first Parliament of the new Dominion of Canada in 1867. Entering through the south gate off Wellington Street, pass the Centennial Flame, lit by Lester Pearson on New Year's Eve 1966 to mark the passing of 100 years since that historic event. On September 14, 2001, over 100,000 people gathered on this broad lawn in a day of remembrance after the terrorist attacks against the United States 3 days earlier.
The Buildings
Parliament is composed of three expansive structures -- the Centre Block, straight ahead, and the flanking West Block and East Block. They're at the heart of Canadian political life, containing the House of Commons and the Senate. Sessions of the House of Commons can be observed, the 295 elected members debating in their handsome green chamber with tall stained-glass windows. Parliament is usually in recess from late June to early September and occasionally between September and June, including the Easter and Christmas holidays. Otherwise, the House usually sits on Monday from 11am to 6:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 2 to 8pm, and Friday 10am to 4pm. The 104 appointed members of the Senate sit in an opulent red chamber with murals depicting Canadians fighting in World War I.
The imposing 92m (302-ft.) campanile dominating the Centre Block's facade is the Peace Tower. It houses a 53-bell carillon, a huge clock, an observation deck, and the Memorial Chamber, commemorating Canada's war dead, most notably the 66,650 who lost their lives in World War I. Stones from the deadliest battlefields are lodged in the chamber's walls and floors. Atop the tower is an 11m (35-ft.) bronze mast flying a Canadian flag. When Parliament is in session, the tower is lit. Going up the tower, most visitors notice something strange about the elevator. For the first 30m (98 ft.) of the journey it travels at a 10-degree angle.
A 1916 fire destroyed the original Centre Block; only the Library at the rear was saved. A glorious 16-sided dome, supported outside by flying buttresses and paneled inside with Canadian white pine, features a marble statue of the young Queen Victoria and splendid carvings -- gorgons, crests, masks, and hundreds of rosettes. The West Block, containing parliamentary offices, is closed to the public, but the East Block can be visited, housing offices of prime ministers, governors-general, and the Privy Council. Four historic rooms are on view: the original governor-general's office, restored to the period of Lord Dufferin (1872-78); the offices of Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Georges-Etienne Cartier (the principal Fathers of Confederation); and the Privy Council Chamber, with anteroom.
The grounds around the Centre Block are dotted with statues honouring such prominent figures as Queen Victoria, Sir Georges-Etienne Cartier, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Behind the building is a promenade with sweeping views of the river. Here, too, is the old Centre Block's bell, which crashed to the ground shortly after tolling midnight on the eve of the 1916 fire. At the bottom of the cliff behind Parliament (accessible from the entrance locks on the Rideau Canal), a pleasant path leads along the Ottawa River.
Changing of the Guard
From late June to late August, a colourful half-hour ceremony is held daily on the Parliament Hill lawn, weather permitting. Two historic regiments -- the Governor-General's Foot Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards -- compose the Ceremonial Guard. The parade of 125 soldiers in busbies and scarlet jackets (guard, color party, and band) assembles at Cartier Square Drill Hall (by the canal at Laurier Avenue) at 9:30am and marches up Elgin Street to reach the hill at 10am. On arrival on the hill, the Ceremonial Guard splits, one division of the old guard positioned on the west side of the Parliament Hill lawn and two divisions of the new guard, or "duties," on the east side. Inspection of dress and weapons follows. The colours are then marched before the troops and saluted, the guards presenting arms. Throughout, sergeant-majors bellow unintelligible commands that prompt the synchronized stomp and clatter of boots and weapons. Finally, the outgoing guard commander gives the key to the guard room to the incoming commander, signifying the end of the process. The relieved unit marches back down Wellington Street to the beat of their drums and to the skirl of bagpipes.
Sound & Light Show
For years Canada's history has unfolded in a dazzling half-hour display of sound and light against the dramatic backdrop of the Parliament buildings. From May 5th to September 7th, weather permitting, two performances are given per night, the early one in English, the later in French. There's bleacher seating for the free show. After a three-year suspension to permit technical upgrading, the shows were renewed in 2002. For details, contact the National Capital Commission at tel. 800/465-1867 or 613/239-5000. |
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