Photo TR: Ottawa - May 2008

[dandaman]

…It’s not late, it’s aged to perfection!

So a few months ago I went on a band trip to Ottawa for the Musicfest national competition. Also in those few days, I sat down and talked with Mike Duffy, saw the greatest orchestral concert in history, had been established as the second-best junior concert ensemble in the nation and fell in the Ottawa River.

I'm only telling you those now because I have no pictures of those events. But here's what I do have: Parliament, flowers, Parliament, museums, flowers, protests on Parliament… and maybe even something interesting!

So, without further ado (God willing), I present a most delayed and interesting look at the capital of America North.

If I'm gonna start this trip, I want it started right.

...And by 'right' I mean 'evil sneering villain'. (This wouldn't be bad for a Myspace photo; the lighting is just PERFECT.)

Gratuitous river shot #1

This report is presented by A&W, weird girl whom I don't know in the foreground nonwithstanding.

#2

One of the first things I see downtown is the War Memorial, right across from the National Arts Centre where we'd be playing the next morning...

...Immediately followed by the second thing, the Tibetan Freedom Torch of Freedomness running right by the driver's side.

About two cars behind the left frame were pro-China guys in a Ford waving flags, much like the rest of Canada politely waves to the rest of Canada.

The Holiday Inn was nice. I'm surprised the staff put up with 30 screaming band members... heck, I'm surprised I tolerated them for that long myself.

The weather was actually like 5 degrees warmer and 50% sunnier than the forecast showed for the entire trip. The only rain we got was on the 9-hour ride home. Awesome.

 

[dandaman]

Old train station, now a conference centre. Huzzah.

To my dismay, no Hard Rock Park advertising was to be found.

I mean, sure they have Lennon's jacket...

...But they have Brian May's guitar, which immediately trumps everything else.

And of course, right when I snap the guitar photo, Freddy shows up on the telly in all his pixellated glory.

"...Oh my, that little country boy sure can play!" (First played, of course, in 1955 at a high school dance.)

The first pants that Michael Jackson moonwalked in. (No MJ jokes, people… I do have standards, after all!)

Then again…

So, during all the free time we had between scheduled goings-on, we got to go shopping. Yaaaay.

The first of many flower pictures to come. May is Tulip Festival time around the capital and I think there's over 100,000 scattered around downtown alone. (Just an aside, but I call this the Flux Capacitor flower due to the uncanny resemblance in the centre…)

 

[dandaman]

At first I had no idea which building this was, but I posted this same TR on another site and they told me it’s the Canadian Museum of Nature. (Not much for advertising, are they?)

Shout-out to my northern peeps.

Presenting the less interesting side of the Rideau Canal, the world's largest skating rink. (If you think that holds true in May, then I've got a pair of skates and some scuba gear to sell you.)

The Chateau Laurier, i.e. the cream-of-the-crop hotel in the city. This used to be where a lot of visiting dignitaries would shack up for the night.

Myspace preview photo of the highest office in the land.

...This, of course, reminded me that Bible Allegory II: Prince Caspian would open in a couple of days.

...And finally, a distant shot from the next day, just because the Myspace version is crap. (Isn't it always?)

It’s taking bloody ages to upload these photos, so possibly more tomorrow.

 

[dandaman]

...Perhaps this next batch of photos will generate a single post.

Waking up at 4:30 a.m. for the second day in a row was enhanced by the fact that we had a national competition performance at 7:00. By the time we were done I looked at my watch and realized school wouldn't even start for another hour. Oy. No photos of the actual performance, as holding a camera whilst playing a trumpet solo would be both unprofessional and freaking difficult.

Anyway, we ended up getting silver, which is a lot better than what we were expecting to receive (see: nothing). We tied with the "arts school" from our county, who was also performing that day. A great slap to the face, I say, considering our music program is only a 3-year-old infant. Go us.

Moving on...

Getting back to the room at 8 a.m. was an interesting experience... so interesting that I fell asleep for the next 2 hours.

We went back to the Arts Centre around 10 to watch a few other performances.

Five loonies says EPCOT enthusiasts do a double-take on this.

I was hoping the 5-story-tall chandelier threading down the stairwell wouldn't use me as an unfortunate Phantom of the Opera reenactment.

Not us, but here's the venue we played in at 7 that morning; more or less the "Stage B" of the Centre. We were in and out of there in about 20 minutes flat.

Moving on outside the hall, we’re back to the Rideau Canal…

Useless Fact: The Chateau Laurier was supposed to open in April 1912, but its original owner, along with a lot of its furniture, met an unfortunate demise in the North Atlantic on the 14th/15th…

Windy out today.

 

[dandaman]

Did I mention all the tulips? Trust me, there's a lot more than just the red ones.

I figured since I was casting a shadow already, I'd pull a Godzilla. This wouldn't be the last time I'd crush Parliament Hill...

These are actually on the roof of the Rideau Centre, a giant mall with what almost amounts to a city park spanning the length of the top floor.

...And this would be Stage A of the Arts Centre. Musicfest participants got a private concert by the Arts Centre Orchestra; overall I think they had just too many strings and not enough powerful sounds, but maybe I'm biased because it was NOTHING compared to the orchestra the next day.

 

[dandaman]

Floral onslaught!

They're supposed to be "The Mounties", but I see no horses or appearances in old Circlevision movies.

For coaster enthusiasts… this would be like the “4 trains in one shot” of floral arrangements!

 

[dandaman]

It seems that some part of Parliament is always under repairs, but past Election Day, it's never the government itself…

Well, the Center Block looks nice enough from here...

...But then the Tibetan protesters arrive on the scene...

...And then the black balloon people protest either for or against Palestine! WTH? Where did they come from?!

Rare that I can say this in context: SAVE THE CLOCK TOWER!

The newly-established Waterworld Party went to work on Parliament Hill right away.

These pictures were taken from the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, and I must admit the setting for a major city like this is just beautiful.

Yet I can't help but think something's missing...

…Aah, yes. A Disneyland reference. :drevil:

 

[dandaman]

"I don't understand, Charlie. With these million-dollar binoculars, the flag should be jumping right out at me."

"I mean, I see that blurry one across the river, but aren't these the right coordinates?"

So Quebec's turning "quatre-cent" this year, and so far the only thing to say as such are like 10 banners scattered through the city. Seems like it deserves bigger press than that.

Coasters… food… combined… it’s like an enthusiast’s heaven.

In Canada, it is custom to leave your horse and carriage parked with the proper signage to avoid a most impolite bumper-to-muzzle collision.

Finally for the day, the giant totem pole smack-dab in the middle of a shopping area. (No Hidden Mickeys on the top; I checked.)

More to come much later... don't wait up. :lol:

 

[nibblesandbits]

Yay!!! Loving it so far! Such beautiful flower shots my dear! :kiss:

 

[TowerOfTerror]

I really miss the trip reports of "Trashcan Point."

Nice photos Dan. :wave:

 

[Monty]

Wow! What a beautiful city!

Too bad you couldn't meet some fellow WDWMagicers while you were there! :lookaroun


:fork:


I'm glad you had a good visit in our fair town Dan. Give me a holler if you visit again, I'll play tour guide.

 

[Disneybird]

What a great trip report Dan. And such a beautiful city. The pictures are wonderful but your witty comments are even better.

 

[dandaman]

I was pretty much thinking of you being the tour guide in the back of my mind the whole time, Monty. :lol:

I was really quite surprised at how well most of the flower shots turned out... I have no idea how the pink ones turned out so vibrant. Thanks for the comments so far, guys! More should be posted by tomorrow, but the Internet doesn't always let me keep promises!

P.S. TowerOfTerror, no need to fear... I'm going to an event at Canada's Wonderland with my "other" park website on Monday. Rest assured they'll have many more "artistic points of view."

 

[Monty]

At first I had no idea which building this was, but I posted this same TR on another site and they told me it’s the Canadian Museum of Nature. (Not much for advertising, are they?)

Sorry Dan, but that isn't the Canadian National Museum of Nature.

You can get a glimpse of the upper structure of the museum at their website that looks nothing like that. Oddly, I couldn't find a decent full picture of the museum. :shrug:

The building in your picture above is a Canada Revenue Agency building in downtown Ottawa [the building behind it is the Chateau Laurier]. The building is known as the Connaught Building.

 

[Nicole220]

Great report Dan! Love the pics and comments. :lol: Those flower pictures are beautiful!

 

[dandaman]

Sorry Dan, but that isn't the Canadian National Museum of Nature.

You can get a glimpse of the upper structure of the museum at their website that looks nothing like that. Oddly, I couldn't find a decent full picture of the museum. :shrug:

The building in your picture above is a Canada Revenue Agency building in downtown Ottawa [the building behind it is the Chateau Laurier]. The building is known as the Connaught Building.

Damn... I did already know about the Chateau Laurier (one of the greatest buildings in the city IMO), but it seemed really odd to me to put a nature museum in a place like that. That's what I get for not researching thoroughly. Am I correct in assuming the Mint was just up the street for my picture location? It was taken at the end of Byward.

Thanks again, everyone! Final round of pics should be up later on.

 

[dandaman]

Final day now, and it's basically "Tourist Day" of the trip. Museum of Civilization, War Museum, Parliament (where I talked to Mike Duffy... I'm certain only some Canadians would even know who he is), and the aforementioned greatest orchestra ever, the Yamaha Symphonic Band.

About the band... all of the members make their own instruments and work at Yamaha in Japan. This was a historical performance, since it was the first time that nationally-acclaimed bands had been "exchanged" between Canada and Japan. (Our orchestra was over there, I believe.) Anyway, two highlights to the hour-long performance:

1. Brilliantly talented trumpet soloist with a funny bone. ("And it's not like I'd advertise myself or anything, like my CD that can found at my website: www.trumpetsolo.com. If you type solotrumpet.com, don't worry, I bought that one too.")

2. After the performance (which got a standing O after they played both the Japanese and Canadian national anthems at the START), the host looked at the audience and said, "One more song?" Well of course everyone cheered, and no one saw what was coming next.

...They all pulled out and put on Team Canada jerseys and played Hockey Night. These people know how to put on a show, folks.

Anyway, let’s get started to get this TR ended!

#3

The Museum of Civilization. The main building is shaped like a canoe, and the supports were made to look like paddles. This is also where I took the pictures from across the river of Parliament the day before.

Yes, apparently the IMAX Experience is shaped like a tractor beam and aims to destroy us all. Or it's the Eye of Mordor... open to interpretation.

Useless Fact: All Inuit mushers wear futuristic glasses.

Useless Fact: All Canadian monks look depressed and wear orange undercoats.

There. There's your music. Not me playing it, but whatever. Happy? I hope so.

 

[dandaman]

The exciting world of Canadian postage, showcased for your "enjoyment".

…Which features a quote/rather apt description of the whole affair…

Pfft. Beaver logo? Way to reinforce the stereotype, CP Rail.

“I have composed a new poem for you sir… ‘There once was a man named Macdonald, who died of scurvy.’ Sorry, sir.”

RUN AWAY!

 

[dandaman]

On to the War Museum, recently built in 2005. Wish I had a better picture.

Is this a Sherman? I don't remember.

Not pictured: Sean Connery shooting point-blank.

I think replicas of these were used in Indy III.

Canadian cannon vs. British cannon... how do they compare?

LOL Britain.

"Dammit Jenkins! I give you six characters of binary code and you break it with a 2!"

A UN peacekeeping Jeep, about 15 years old. The driver was shot in the head once and elsewhere an additional 5 times under ambush, and drove 15 miles to a hospital and lived. In-TENSE.

This tank is about 1/3 my height, but its purpose was to drive under enemy tanks and detonate from the bottom.

 

[dandaman]

I'll say it now: I seem to be one of few people my age who follow politics. Therefore, I was probably the only one who was extremely excited about the Parliament tour. (In the foreground: the Centennial Flame, lit in 1967 on Canada's 100th anniversary.)

One of my favourite shots of the trip.

Walking around the back before the tour started, the National Gallery was pretty prominent. (I have a full report from that from my last visit in December 2006, kicking around somewhere in this subforum. Search if you're interested.)

The Library of Parliament. In February 1916 a fire destroyed the Center Block of Parliament, i.e. the one most photographed. A quick-thinking librarian shut a set of iron doors and thus saved the library from destruction.

Even the statues get their own Myspace picture... "Bro"

Actually, it kinda looks like the lower guy’s just wearing a funny hat…

The mini-building in the background is a shelter for stray cats found on Parliament Hill.

In Canada, it is custom for politicians to give you a 3 p.m. phone call out of courtesy to graciously ask you for a vote.

The less popular East Block of Parliament.