This was the start of an extended trip lasting from early September to about May 2023.
Day 1 Sept 5 Fly Comox – Ottawa (UVBLBO) YQQ-YYC @05:45-08:25 WS3210 / YYC-YOW @09:20-15:09 (Westjet WS610 $421. Bus 97 airport to Hurdman (3.75 cash), then train to Rideau Centre.
I stayed at Ottawa Backpackers, the only hostel in the city and easily the cheapest in the city.
OTTAWA (pop city 1,017,449, metropolitan 1,488,307, the fourth largest metropolitan city in Canada). Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Ottawa is the political centre of Canada and headquarters to the federal government. The city houses numerous foreign embassies, key buildings, organizations, and institutions of Canada’s government, including the Parliament of Canada, the Supreme Court, the residence of Canada’s viceroy, and Office of the Prime Minister.
Founded in 1826 as Bytown, and incorporated as Ottawa in 1855.
Ottawa has the most educated population among Canadian cities and is home to a number of colleges and universities, research and cultural institutions, including the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Algonquin College, the National Arts Centre, the National Gallery of Canada; and numerous national museums, monuments, and historic sites. It is one of the most visited cities in Canada, with over 11 million visitors in 2018.
Rideau Centre. A large modern shopping mall near a major train stop giving best access to Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and Lower Town, the old part of Ottawa.
I stayed at Ottawa Backpackers 05/09-08/09 $35/night. It is in an old house.
Monument to the Aboriginal Soldier. On the west side of Confederation Park is this large bronze (base with bear, elk, bison and wold, 4 indigenous men topped off by a large eagle) on top of a large granite boulder. For WWI, WWII and the Korean War.
Byward Market. An old brick market occupying a narrow block. Has one aisle down the middle. The outside has many stores and eateries, streets pedestrianized, stores and food places on street.
Day 2 Sept 6
Up early, I left the hostel at 08:30 heading for the Algeria Embassy to pick up my passport (have had it since Aug 9, refused to communicate, and have made this detour to Ottawa necessary. SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!! FOUR VISAS in 5 HOURS. I walked 1.6 km to the Algerian Embassy but it was not open till 09:30 (09:00 is advertised). I received my passport with the visa in 5 minutes. But Ernestine Chan’s visa was not approved yet. “Blue suit” was very nasty and threw E’s letter down (giving me permission to pick up her Hong Kong passport with the Algerian visa that had been at the embassy since 21/07. Mine had arrived 09/08), saying it wasn’t signed. Another agent appeared and said it would be ready in 30 minutes. Apparently, the problem had been with our guide as approval for her visa had just arrived on 05/09 (yesterday) because of delays in getting the permit for Djanet. I departed at 10:20. Note that the desert of Algeria is the highlight for coming to the country. There are some WHS and a few interesting things to see in the north but the magic is here. Apparently a permit to visit is required and because of being busy, the process at the Djanet end is very slow. Libya Embassy 11:00, left with business visa ($102.50 by debit) at 12:11. Chad Embassy 12:40, left with same day visa ($200) at 14:20. Great day!
Bank of Canada Museum. All about money. Note closed T, W. Free.
Monument to the Victims of Communism. Sitting behind a fence, is the base for this monument. It was never finished (under pressure from China?)
National Holocaust Monument. Opened in 2017, it appears to be an unattractive conglomeration of reinforced concrete. But inside are wonderful etchings on the concrete by Edward Buntynsky from 2014 on many walls. Treblinka – 900,000 Jews, 2000 Roma and Sinti. Track 17 Berlin. Auchwitz/Birkenau fence – 960,000 Jews, 120,000 Poles, Roma, Sinti and Soviet prisoners of war. Hiding Place – Warsaw ghetto cemetery. Prayer Room – Theresienstadt Czech Republic. Site of Death March – Mauthausen Austria, April 1945, 20,000 died on march from concentration camp at end of war.
Other Stats. 6 million killed. 2/3 of European Jews (90% were from outside Germany). Half of German Jews had fled before 1939.
Canada has little to be proud of. Less than 5000 Jews were accepted into Canada between 1933-1945. The SS St Louis was denied entry into Canada in June 1939 with 907 on board, 254 later died. After 1947, ~40,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors entered Canada.
Canada War Museum. 4 galleries and a special exhibit tell war since Boer War, WWI and II, Korea, Afghanistan. $16
Peace Tower Church. High silver tower. Closed.
Canadian Museum of Nature. In a wonderful old building, the highlight was the special exhibit on Planet Ice (archaeology of ice ages). $15 + $7 for Planet Ice.
Outside was a futuristic bench with the saying “Courage, my friends, ’tis not too late to build a better world.” Tommy Douglas
Corktown Bridge. Crosses the Rideau Canal which is lined by a park on walkways on both sides of the canal.
Day 3
Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica. Built in 1847, it has skyline-dominating spires. The inside is a wonder of faux marble columns, elaborately decorated walls/ceilings in the lateral naves, a cross-vaulted ceiling that is blue with yellow stars, Ways of the Cross are oil paintings and the altar a riot of statues and spires. The 2 rows of stained glass are very nice.
National Gallery of Canada. I have seen this before, but wanted to see it again. First floor all Canadian with Group of Seven, indigenous art, and many more. Second floor European with good representation. $18
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. This was three buses and a significant walk to see the four pavilions. $10
Dominion Arboretum. A huge park with trees all over. Free
Billings Estate. The first settler in the Ottawa valley was Braddish Billings (1783-1864), originally from Brockville. He built a log cabin in 1812 and this lovely wood, 3-story house in 1829. The house is a museum.
After dinner, I went for a drink with a long lost nephew, Ian Anderson. It was lovely.