Canada Day Four - Rideau Canal and Byward Market

What a great first day in Ottawa! We started off slow this morning, the boys slept in until 9 and James and I were so grateful for the extra sleep. Then, after a leisurely breakfast and cartoons in Grandma's room we finally headed out into the city. Getting in was super easy, perhaps because of the weekend, and we quickly found a convenient garage. The only downside was that poor Camille had to walk quite far before we reached the elevator. We emerged from the parking garage into a large lobby which had three high backed swivel chairs. Immediately the boys ran to them and proceeded to slowly turn round and say in a creepy voice "Hello Mommy (or Daddy), we've been waiting for you"

Creepy kids

We got down to the canal just in time to step onto the boat for the Rideau Canal Cruise. The canal runs right through Ottawa and is often bordered by parks or picturesque sections of town. It was a very pretty and pleasant ride. Our tour guide was adorable and very funny. She had to give the whole tour twice, in English and in French, which seemed exhausting! But she was cheerful and engaging the whole time. But both this and Niagara on the Lake made me feel rather bad about my lack of knowledge about the war of 1812 which seems to be a significant part of the history for both places.

Jon is ready to get on the boat

Will and Grandma on the Rideau Canal

Dow's Lake

Jon and Christian enjoying the boat ride

Jon's picture of Christian

Jon's picture of Daddy

Christian the photographer

The tour was an hour and a half long, right at lunch time, which was poor planning on our part and came very close to the end of the boys' patience. But both Christian and Jon were entertained for a large portion of the boat ride by taking pictures. Thank goodness for camera straps!

Jon's picture of me

Jon's picture of Daddy

Jon the photographer

Jon's picture of the Rideau Canal

Boys on the boat

Jon's picture of me and James

Christian's picture of a kayaker on the canal

We enjoyed the ride down the canal but by the time we got back we were starving. So we set off for Byward Market in search of lunch. The Market is full of shops, stalls, displays, and cafes. Very similar I think to Faneuil Hall in Boston but with its own Canadian flavor. One of the very first things we saw when we entered the area was a log stacking competition and a large crowd gathered to watch. We ended up having a delicious lunch at a beautifully decorated Irish Pub. And when we came back out we found a woodcarving demonstration which captivated Christian.

Beaver Tails

Woodcarving

We spent the rest of the day wandering the Market and going into various stalls and shops. One of the first things we did was order a Palestinian dessert called Knafeh (at least that's how they spelled it) which was being cooked at a small stall. It is apparently made with a bit of pasta, cheese, and a sweet syrup which made for a very unique taste. It was interesting to try but after the first bite the cheese and syrup together was just too strange for me. We also tried the Beaver Tails which Loobster and his sisters had recommended to us. This was much more familiar and delicious! It was very much like fried dough but a little bit more dense.

Watching them make Knafeh

Christian found some art

After our snacks and shopping we got drawn into a bookstore that was selling Tintin puzzles. (Even now I regret not buying one!) But we weren't in there long before we realized it was a French bookstore so we left and went to the larger, English bookstore across the street. And once we were inside we didn't want to leave! If they'd had comfortable chairs or couches we might have stayed much longer.

Boys in a bookstore

I love Christian's pose here

After the bookstore it was back to Byward Market and even more food. Camille had found a pastry shop and we all enjoyed a treat. And afterwards we had to stop at the chocolate store to get even more delicious desserts. I think we've had enough sugar today to last us the rest of this vacation! But by this time it was pretty late and time to head home. 

Will's cookie

We stopped to buy maple candy from this stall twice!

Carrying my tired son

Christian really liked this courtyard

The Rideau Canal

After all the walking and eating we did this afternoon our evening has been pretty quiet. But still the boys had plenty of energy for the pool and some drawing afterwards. And now the boys are asleep and it is still early enough that I might have time to get a little reading in before bed! Hooray! :-)

Jon's still life

Christian's picture of Munchlax