Today we were on the road for several hours busing it from Toronto to Ottawa. While I usually hate riding in a car for long periods, I really enjoyed our trip today as I feel like I’m riding in the lap of luxury. We are traveling in a 9-month old Mid America Coach and it has every convenience imaginable including phone charging stations behind each seat, wifi, a bar in the back and extremely comfortable seats with overhead vent controls and reading lights. It’s truly a pleasurable ride!
Also, I’ve got to compliment our driver, Dave Bruning, for the excellent driving job. It’s not easy maneuvering this huge coach on some of the smaller side streets, but he makes every tight turn look effortless. You can’t beat it..safe, comfortable and I don’t have to worry about driving.
After arriving in Ottawa, we spent some time touring the Canadian Museum of History. It has four floors crammed with numerous art works and interesting exhibits from chronicling the founding of Canada to clothing exhibits from the ‘60s.
There just wasn’t enough time to cover it all, but here’s some pics of the art I found most interesting including a life size replica of an Inuit man who lived over 800 years ago on the northern Baffin Island. From the ivory tools and other items found in his grave they were able to determine he was a skilled kayaker and hunter who lived a very eventful life.
The Inuit are an Aboriginal people, the majority of whom inhabit the northern regions of Canada. An Inuit person is known as an Inuk. The Inuit homeland is known as Inuit Nunangat, which refers to the land, water and ice contained in the Arctic region
Nuvumiutag, the Arctic Bay Kayaker
Designed by artist Christi Belcourt and titled “Looking Ahead”. 
The above is a picture of people who identify as “First Nations People” and who were a vital presence in the development of Canada. These people were not the first immigrants but they identify themselves by the nation to which they belong, for example Mohawk, Cree, Oneida. There were more than 1 million indigenous people living in 800 villages, towns, and cities spread across the land country. They spoke over 50 different indigenous languages. This was quite a large exhibit as these people have contributed so much to the growth of Canada.
We stayed in the majestic hotel Fairmont Château Laurier, conveniently located within walking distance of both the Parliament Building and with steps leading right into the famous Byward Market District. The hotel was very comfortably appointed with modern day conveniences while still conveying old world charm from it’s elegant front entrance to the regally appointed lobby.
This hotel is built next to the Rideau Canal, an officially designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk, bike or in the winter skate all the way from Kingston to Ottawa. UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with their primary missions being to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. The Organization currently focuses on 2 global priorities - Africa and gender equality.
After a brief stop at our hotel, we ate dinner at the “The Fish Market” Restaurant which is located in the historic Byward district. The Byward Market is a charming hub of outdoor market stalls, specialty food shops and restaurants. It’s home to one of the oldest and largest farmers markets. A delicious treat of this area is the BeaverTail which is a sweet fried pastry in the shape of a beaver’s tail.
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