So I am in Canada, a friend had suggested that I go to Ottawa to celebrate Canada Day. Ottawa is the capital city of Canada located in Ontario, the same province of Toronto (Canada biggest city). Ottawa is the central of all Canadian government activities.

The centre of the celebrations was on a stage in front of Parliament House. There were heaps of people celebrating with plenty of parades, even the Queen of England (Queen Elizabeth) made an appearance at midday. Despite the crowds, it was a very civilised celebration concentrating on a family theme.

Unlike us Aussies when we celebrate Australia Day back home everyone here seemed sober? What’s up with that?

Byward Market

After spending awhile enjoying the free entertainment in front of Parliament House, I decided to make my way to Ottawa’s Byward Market. Established in 1826, Byward market is the oldest and largest public markets in Canada.

Byward market sells the freshest fruit and vegetables. I was in time to catch the last remaining berry season as this year, the berries arrived really early. Byward market is also the best place to get your souvenir shopping done. Nearby, there were lots of cafes, restaurants, places to indulge alcoholic beverges and places where you can work your credit card a little more in cute little boutique and shops.

Lunch at Fairmont Chateau Laurier

I was suggested to have lunch at Fairmont Chateau Laurier which I gladly did. Chateau Laurier is a hotel chain by Fairmont which owns other wonderful looking hotels around Canada. Throughout my eastern Canada trip, I had a chance to visit each of Fairmont hotel in Quebec City and Toronto.

I had a really late lunch. It’s an opportunity for me to re-fill my energy, rest my feet, getting away from the crowd and get the best seat in town for the Queen’s parade .

I munched on sticky chicken drummettes, green salad dressed in raspberry vinagerettes and Italian prosecco (sparkling wine) in the indoor cafe of Fairmont Chateau Laurier. I had a great  time relaxing in a softly spoken ambient. Straight after I finished my meal and had a chance to digest, a black car with Queen Elizabeth who wore a red jacket drove past .

Rideau Canal

After lunch at Fairmont Chateau Laurier (next to the hotel is Rideau Canal) I decided to work off my lunch by going to the Canal.

Rideau Canal was built in 1812 to serve both as military and commercial purposes. For the military, it served as a communcation waterway between Montreal and Kingston to bypass St Lawrence river. Commercially it functions as a busy waterway pass (as it’s easier to navigate than St Lawrence river due to harsh rapids between Montreal and Kingston). The locks are in operation to date between mid May and mid October.

This was a perfect way to visit Ottawa and experiencing my first the Canadian Day celebration.

Related posts:

1. Eastern Canada Trip – A quick summary (more details to come)
2. Quincy Market – Boston, Massachusetts (USA)
3. District Market Hall (Vasarcsarnok), Budapest – Hungary
4. Italy – Tuscany (Farm House Feast)
5. Must eat pancake at Sydney Chinatown Night Market (Haymarket) – Sydney, Australia