Ottawa - Canada Trip (Part IV)

We woke up around 7:30 am next day. We had our breakfast by 9:00 am and started to Ottawa. It was 4 and half hour drive and again mostly on highway. we reached around 2:10 pm the hotel Fairmont Chateau Lauri-er.

It is near the Parliament hill and one of the prestigious hotels of Canada built in 1903 and opened by then British Queen Elizabeth. The hotel was like a Royal Palace. It was so huge. We checked in the hotel and our room had courtyard view. It takes almost 10 mins to reach to our room from the reception. Room was so beautiful. We then went to Kothu rotti Indian restaurant to have lunch around 4 pm. The Food was delicious. Since we have been to this place on our first day so we now have good idea about the streets and places. Felt little comfortable in roaming the streets.

Around 4:50 pm we decided to go to Pink Lake but when we reached there the lake was closed. We came back to hotel and decided to tour the hotel. Around 7 pm we started exploring the hotel. There were many old paintings of the hotel and the famous VIPs that visited the hotel when it was newly built. We saw the elegant dining rooms, conference rooms, swimming pool, gym centers and various other rooms. There are many tea pots, flower vessels and other decorative items which are lavish and the ceiling has excellent finishings, designs and beautiful chandeliers hanging from the roof. The floors had superb carpets and the lightnings, colors all gave the floors a majestic look. It was so huge that we couldn't cover the entire hotel in a day. We then went to dinner around 9:15 pm to Roast N Curries Indian restaurant. Food was average. We left to hotel room around 10:30 pm and off to bed. Woke up around 7:30 am next day and started to Mint(Royal Canadian Mint) around 9:30 am which was at walking distance from the hotel.

It was not open yet and we decided to come in the afternoon. We went to Starbucks and then decided to go to Gloucester Center in Ottawa. It is like a shopping center with various Countrie's food courts and also has Bulk Barn (whole sale grain market). We had our lunch at Bagan Indian Restaurant around 11:30 am. Food was delicious. Then we started for Rideau canal. It was the canal that passes behind the parliament. we then went to see the Rideau falls around 1:00 pm. It was a lengthy walk and since we parked our car little far off from the falls we almost walked for 40 mins before we reached back to the parking. The falls were not so big, but good enough to do the evening walk around the canal and watch the water. Around 2 pm we again went to Mint. We came to know that there are tours for the Mint and we booked the English tour at 4:00 pm. As it was walking distance from our hotel, we went back to hotel took some rest and came back around 4 pm for the tour. The tour was very good. We saw how the silver and gold coins were minted and how it operates with precession. Also saw various old coins that have been minted for various countries. It was a great experience. The machines used are very expensive and some of the minting machines were only been used here and nowhere else. We came out of Mint around 5 pm and then went to Art Museum which is beside the Mint. It was a huge Museum and it has collection of various paintings and old art styles. It has movie theaters displaying the subtle science in various sounds and light. They have some competition for kids to perform art with given pieces. It was a great museum for art lovers. around 6:30 pm we went to our room. Around 7:30 pm went to Kochin Indian restaurant for dinner. It is 15 mins walk from the hotel. Food was just above average. After dinner we went to our hotel room and dozed off. Next day woke up around 7:00 am and started to Olympic park Montreal, we have not visited the observatory tower and decided to see that as there were not much places to visit as per our plan.

Around 10 am we had our breakfast on our way and 10:55 am we reached the observatory tower. Since we have already been to the Montreal before, we did not had much difficulty in roaming around the place and get near the tower. It was the tallest leaning tower in the world. It was a great experience to be in the tower and go to the top most point. The view of entire park from the top of the tower is amazing. Could see entire Montreal from the tower. We had lunch around 12:55 in the same canteen where we had our lunch before going to planetarium. Around 1:25 pm we started back to Ottawa and went to Gloucester Center and had slight snacks and around 5 pm reached our room. We took some rest and then around 7:30 pm went to Shafali restaurant where we first  our dinner. Food was good. we decided to walk around the hotel and visit the Parliament.

We reached the Parliament building. It was an old castle style building and there are couple other buildings for Government Officials nearby. We came to know that there are tours to visit the parliament and starts from 9 am in the morning. We decided to go to the tour and came back to room and slept. Woke up around 7:30 am next day and got ready and went to see the Parliament around 8:45 am. There was a huge line to take the tour tickets. After 25 mins of Standing in the cold weather we were able to get the tickets and our tour starts at 9:50 am. The ticket counter is in a small building in front of the parliament. We rushed to the entrance of the Parliament.The Parliament building was huge and very beautiful.we saw the great halls inside, we visited the House of commons and Senate where discussions happen by the Elected Representatives.

There was a huge library in the center block and it was astounding. It was built in such a fashion that even when the Parliament building was on fire decades ago, the library was not damaged. It has collection of almost every book including children fantasies to abstract editorial topics. We then went to the top most point of the Parliament tower, from there we can see the Parliament hill, Prime minister residence and all other office buildings of the elected officers. It was great experience being inside the Government building. We then came back to our hotel room around 11:25 am. We checked out around 11:45 am and went to Hindu Temple of Ottawa. There were no cars in the parking lot.

We felt that temple might have been closed. To our surprise it is open and we were the only people inside except for the priest. We took the blessings of the Gods and then we said by to the Great Hotel where we stayed and left to Airport to return the rental car. Our flight time was 7:30 pm. we checked our bags around 1:50 pm and waited to board the flight. After hours of waiting finally our time as come to say good bye to Canada. we boarded the plane. Due to heavy snowfall, our flight was delayed and flight was taken to melt the snow and spray the defrost liquid so that it can be ready for flight. we reached IAD around 9:10 pm and reached home around 10:00 pm. Finally back to sweet home. It was a great memorable experience visiting Canada and enjoyed it thoroughly. All is Well.
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Toronto - Canada Trip (Part III)

We woke up around 7:25 am , got freshened and had our breakfast around 8:50 am. Around 9:20 am started for Toronto. It was a 5 and half hour journey on road. The most part of journey was on the highway. We had our lunch at one of the service centers around 1:30 pm. we reached our hotel Days Inn around 3:45 pm. Toronto is similar to New York in traffic, congested roads and busy life except that Toronto has street cars(Trams) which go on the road with rails in the road.

We checked in and then started for Ripley's aquarium around 4:05 pm. Even though it is closer to our hotel it took 30 mins to reach due to traffic. we saw so many varieties of fishes, large massive stingrays. We attended live Sting Ray feeding show. It was amazing the way the rays are fed and the way they eat their food. We saw so many huge sharks through the tunnel. There were so many varieties of Jellies, star fishes, octopus. The aquarium is good. Around 6:45 pm we came out of the aquarium and went to CN Tower which is adjacent to it. While walking to the Aquarium from car parking we decided to go here after that. It is the tallest tower in the area and we can get great breathtaking views of Toronto from top of it. We went through lift to the observatory deck which is of two floors. The city view was amazing in the night lights from the top. We can further go 15 floors high in the tower. We went to the top most point of the tower and it was amazing. Great experience. Around 8:43 pm we went to Nathan Philips Square which is near to the CN Tower.

It is a place where many social gatherings happen and it is in front of the City Hall of Toronto. we went to the city hall which is the Mayor's Office. The view of Toronto skyscraper buildings from the City hall is amazing. This is one of the most happening places of Toronto. Around 9:30 pm we came out of the City hall and then went to Dhaba Indian restaurant. Food was tasty. Around 10:25 pm we had our dinner and went to our car parking area. We lost our fay to find the car. we then remembered the line "When in Dark, Retracing your steps would be the best thing to do" from Harry Potter 3rd part. We did the same and were able to find our car. around 11:15 pm we started from parking and 11:30 pm reached the hotel and slept. We woke up around 7:1 am next day and had our breakfast around 8:50 am. We started to Casa Loma around 9:40 am. Reached there around 10:15 am in the morning traffic of Toronto. It was a huge castle owned by Henry Pallet. It was magnificent.

The look and feel of the castle was very good. When we entered inside we were giving the audio jockeys through which we can know the history behind various artifacts and areas within the castle. The materials used to build the castle were imported from various countries and there were many fabulous paintings, articles, antiques in the castle. Even the bathrooms built in those times is in par with today's modern world.

The guest rooms, dining rooms, the main host and lady rooms were extraordinary. There was beautiful garden outside which can be seen from the Lady's balcony. There are two towers one on each side of the castle through which Pallet can see the city. There was a movie theater on the ground floor which presented the life of Pallet. There are many secret passage ways and stairs within the castle separate for the Maids and Servants. There is an underground path from the castle which they have converted to an Haunted house museum. It will lead to the building which is 100 meters away from the castle. 12:30 pm we came out of Casa Loma. We decided to go to Niagara which was not there in our plan initially. It was 2 and half hours from Toronto.

We reached Niagara by 3:10 pm. We had lunch in Shiv Kirthi Indian Restaurant around 4:00 pm. Food was excellent. We then walked a lot to reach the Falls. Crossed so many hotels, buildings and the Skylon Tower as well. This Tower we can easily see from US Side as well. It was great feeling to be on other side of Niagara. It was amazing to see the entire horse shoe shape of the falls.We spent some time enjoying the sound and splashing of water being so cold we decided to take rest and come back later once the lights are on. we went to nearby building but it was closed. So we went back to the building(welcome center) from where we came. Around 6:35 pm while walking in the stores of the welcome center we saw a board which said Journey behind the falls.When we enquired we came to know that they will take us near to the falls and it is closed for the day and opens at 9:00 am next day. Since we don't have time to be back next day, we requested  and were lucky enough to see that day.

We went so close to the falls behind the falls through tunnels. We could feel the heavy force of the falls and the vibrations throughout the tunnels. It was a great experience and we could see the lights on the falls. I am short of words to express the beauty and magnificence of the falls. we came back to the welcome center around 7:15 pm. Then went again to see the falls in colors. We took photos, enjoyed the views. Then we took wagon to reach to the level where we parked our car. From the wagon the view of the falls was amazing. We then did Go-karting. It was our first time together. We enjoyed it. Then we went to Ghost hunter ride where we were given 3D glasses and gun to shoot the zombies in the game. It was gun. We then Did the Sky wheel(Gaint Wheel). We could see Niagara falls when were are at the top position in the Sky Wheel. we did around 5 turns before we got down. We had memorable experience. What a day it was nothing was planned and turned out to be splendid. around 9:00 pm we returned to Toronto and 10:43 pm we reached our hotel and called it off for the day. All is Well.
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Montreal - Canada Trip (Part II)

We woke up around 7:25 am next day got freshened and had our breakfast around 8:45 am. Around 9:15 am we checked out from the hotel and started to Montreal. It was around 2 and half hour drive. We soon took the highway and most part of the drive was on the highway. The roads and rules were much similar to that of US except for in Canada they follow metric system, so the speed signs are in kilometers. We played our favorite songs in the car with bluetooth and had pleasant drive. Around 10:50 am we filled the gas. Around 12:05 pm reached Days Inn hotel. we already decided on what and how to cover the places around Montreal. The hotel check in time is 4 pm ,so we kept our luggage in cloak room and left around 12:10 pm to Not-re-Dame Basilica(Church).

We passed through the harbor of Montreal for the church. It was a very old church and also the name Basilica was given to it because of its huge size. There was a huge line in front of the church waiting to enter. Montreal is bit more cold than Quebec and people are standing in the cold weather and there were few who are performing some shows in the open air in front of the church. Finally after 20 mins waiting we were able to get into the church. The church hall was so big and spectacular. It was very colorful in the dim light. It was a huge prayer hall and then there were other prayer and Baptist rooms. The architecture was great. Around 2:28 pm We went to Park Olympic. It is the park built for 1976 Olympics.

The park was very good. IT had a huge observatory tower, Bio-dome, planetarium, Huge stadiums and huge indoor stadium for various sports. we had our lunch in one of the cafeteria in the Olympic around 3:20 pm. We went to planetarium and the show started around 3:30 pm. It was a like a circular screen and we were laying down on bean bags and watching the huge screen.The show is all about galaxies, milky way and how planet Earth formed. It was interesting but laying down for 45 mins and watching is bit painful. Around 4:40 pm we came out of the show and then headed for botanical gardens which is adjacent to the Olympic park. There are so many varieties of trees and plants. We saw Apple and plum trees with small fruit buds for the first time.

We saw some medicinal plants, poison plants. We saw blueberry, strawberry, raspberry plants. Around 6:15 pm we went to Greenhouse to see various type of plants grown in various regions. There were so many insectivorous plants. There were so many pumpkins decorated in various shapes. They were very delightful to watch. We had dinner in one of the cafeteria and went to Light show which is arranged in the Garden around 7:00 pm. There were lights put on the ground and on the trees which illuminated the trees and the whole appeared as though we were walking midst of divine trees.

There were birds and animals made with lights and they were beautiful to watch glowing in the dark.

Being Halloween time there were many pumpkin decorated lights hanging and all around the place. Then there was light show put up to showcase the Old Chinese tradition with lights showing fisherman, dragon, Chinese sculptures. It was beautiful. We then saw the Japanese lights showing their tradition. It was great experience to watch such spectacular lights in the dark surrounded by huge trees. Then there was a music and light show on of the huge tree bark presenting large explosion started before the start of Universe. Around 8 pm we then went to Insectarium. We saw the most poisonous insects in the world(spiders, crabs, scorpions, bugs). We were thrilled to know how fatal these insects can be. We also saw many variety of insects and astonished to know that such kind of living things do exist. We saw various stick insets. At first we couldn't find where the insects are in the glass cage. The stems of the plant and insects looks alike. We could hardly believe that such kind of insects also do exist. We went to car parking which was almost 15 mins far and then reached hotel around 9:15 pm and checked in. We then went to Maison Indian Curry restaurant and had our dinner around 10 pm. Food was ok not so great. We then went to hotel and called it off for the day. All is Well.

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Quebec - Canada Trip (Part I)

We went to Canada from 18th to 27th October.

Brief Summary
Place : Quebec,Montreal,Toronto,Ottawa.
Location : Canada
Distance : 2900 km in Canada.
Group:  Me and my wife.
Transport : Nissan sentra.
Duration: 9 days.

We reached Ottawa from IAD around 6:30 pm on 10/18(Thursday). We flew through United, very small aircraft with 2*2 seats.
we have taken hotel at Byward Blue Inn for that night. Reached hotel around 7:10 pm. In the room, hotel gave us a pamphlet about the tourist places and restaurants nearby. In that, there is one Indian Restaurant Shafali which is walkable distance from the hotel. We decided to try that. It was very cold and windy. We put on our jackets and set out to have our dinner. We reached the place which was an Indian store with only option of to-go and it was closed. The owner of the store, who was about to leave for that day, guided us to another Shafali restaurant which is two streets away from the current store. Hands are getting frozen in the cold climate. We finally reached the restaurant around 8:30 pm. The food was very delicious. we walked back to the hotel and as we headed back we got used to the street names, sign boards and shop names. Reached our hotel room around 9:45 pm. we fell asleep. All is Well.

We started around 10:40 am to Quebec. We checked out at the hotel and set out. It was a 4 and half hour drive from Ottawa to Quebec city where we have booked room at Holiday Inn. We had our lunch around 12:15 pm in the car itself. We drove on one of the highways of Canada from Ottawa to Quebec. We saw vegetation lands on both sides of the highway and huge trees with spectacular fall colors. With bright Sun above, the drive was good and comfortable. we tried to listen some songs, but since the car was moving we could not use the bluetooth and we don't have aux cable. We spend time in vain to find ways to play music from phone with feeble network and soon we reached the hotel around 3:40 pm. We felt temperatures were lower in Quebec than Ottawa. Checked in the hotel. We took the pamphlet from the hotel about nearby tourist attractions and decided to go for Montmorency falls.

We got freshened up and quickly started around 4:37 pm hoping to see the falls before the entrance is closed. We reached near the entrance(base of the falls) around 5:15 pm. There were wagons(rope way) taking the tourists to the top of the falls. we had only 30 mins before the last wagon from top to the base. we quickly boarded the wagon to the top. The view of the falls through the wagon is amazing. We could see the water splashing, the bank of the river and beautiful Lawrence River passing through the Quebec city. We reached the top of the falls. we were told to be back in 20 mins. It was very cold out there with freezing temperatures and chill wind. We rushed to see the falls very close. As we were reaching near the falls we could feel slight water drops on us of the falls. There were wooden stairs and bridge that led us near the falls. There were couple of view points where we could get good view of the falls. The view points are in front of the falls. The sound of the falls was echoing all over the place and it was loud thunder of water splashing on the rocks. There are road and rail routes as well to reach the top of the falls. The train route is a long distance and has already been full (booked in advance). we then went on top of the falls. There is a wooden bridge on the falls. we were standing above the falls and could see how the water was flowing down with great speed. It was a great experience. First time watching the such great falls vertical above it. we spent some time enjoying the flow of water, water splashing, sound and got used to the cold climate. Then we went to wagon to get back to the base. we were the only ones in the wagon, we sat and wagon started. Suddenly it stopped and was pulled back to the top. There was some technical problem in the wagon and we were taken to the base by the security team.

We then started to Old Quebec City around 6:15 pm. Quebec was a french province, so we found more of French than English. We had some tough time in understanding the sign boards, dinner menus etc. Old Quebec city is the place where the Quebec government buildings are located and also it looks like a two level area with full of old fashioned buildings, hotels, gift shops and some Halloween decorations. We reached there around 7:00 pm. We went into one of the coffee shop as we couldn't find an open Starbucks to have hot chocolate in that chilling weather. We could not walk continuously much longer and wanted to take some break before we explore the city shops. It was great relief after having the hot chocolate. Then we saw various decorations for Halloween, dazzling lights on the street, great government buildings all built in old fort styles. The streets are crowded and was very lively with people standing on the street inviting to their shops and some playing live music on the streets. Old Quebec City is on the hill and on the banks of the Lawrence River. It was a great place to spend the evening with some pleasant river views except for the freezing cold temperatures. we then left to Indian restaurant cari de l'inde around 8:05 pm. The menu was in French. we hardly could understand. We showed some signs, images from Google but not much successful. Finally much to our relief there was one waiter who speaks Hindi and able to order the food we want. The food was delicious. we then left to our hotel and reached around 10:15 pm.
We woke up around 7:00 am next day and then got freshened up had our breakfast by 8:30 am. We were exploring the options to cover the tourist spots in efficient way. We decided to go to Aquarium du Quebec which is very near to our hotel. We reached there by 9:30 am. It opens at 10:00 am. We went to the gift shop to pass the time until 10. Finally we got the tickets and entered the aquarium.

It was medium size aquarium with sand sculptures of various sea animals at the entrance and they have different buildings for various enclosures and attractions. It was very cold and windy and barely able to stand at one place. We then saw large seals floating in water. Wondered how they are able to be in water in such freezing cold temperatures. The seals were moving fast in the water. Then we saw two huge gigantic Walruses(they generally live in arctic regions). They are moving in the water pool swiftly turning their massive bodies upside down. they were making some strange noise. We then saw one huge Polar Bear which is relaxing on the grass. It was very cute. Then we saw two huge owls in different cages. There are two different species of owls and had never seen owl of this big and felt like the owls staring angrily at us. We couldn't bear the cold and so decide to watch the animals which are inside the buildings. There is a hurricane simulator booth. We experienced it. It was fun. They just blow air and increase the speed of air along with crackling sound of wood to give the feeling of house tops were blown during the hurricane. We saw piranhas, small cute little fishes. Then we went to see arctic foxes. We saw them live for first time. They were so cute. One of them came very to close to the glass of the enclosure. They almost looked like a cute Dog except they have thick fur. Next we saw sting rays and giant octopus moving in its tank. Then we saw some jellies. We then came out of aquarium around 11:25 am.

We then went to Citadell de Quebec (also known as La Citadelle). Reached around 12:10 pm. It is an old Royal Military installation which now used as museum to display the old styles. It has a huge plain grassland and has many trails in it. We can see the Lawrence river from one side of the Citadelle. It was a pretty lengthy walk along the corners of the fort. Being spring season about to end, we saw spectacular fall colors along the path. There were some guided tours as well which explains about the history of the fort and land. We were not much into the history so left from there around 1:30 pm. We then went to have our lunch at Taco Bell and then had delicious ice creams at Chocolate room around 3:00 pm. There are couple of amazing bridges in the Quebec city and we decided to go over the bridges to get the experience. We just traveled from one side to another side of the bridge and then finally reached our hotel around 5:30 pm. Took some rest and then around 7:15 pm went to Indian Restaurant Bombay Express. It was the only 5 star rated Indian restaurant in Quebec among what we searched. The food was very tasty. The best food we had so far in Canada. We reached home around 9:25 pm and then off to sleep around 10:20 pm. All is Well.
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