Sorry they didn't have any pictures for Ottawa and as I have still been unable to upload any photos this will have to do. It's actually Quebec but there are some buildings here that look similar!!

This blog is for Friday 5th and Saturday 6th November.

We arrived in Ottowa around 5pm on Friday and driving in I think Kelly and I were thinking the same thing- that this looks like it could potentially be another Edmonton or Calgary! There didn't seem to be much around. To be honest I think it's the areas around the bus terminals where there isn't a lot going on.

We got a taxi to the hostel which looks pretty amazing! It used to be a prison, original name: 'Carleton County Gaol' and was in operation for over 100 years! Our dorms are the actual cells- quite a novelty hostel. We didn't do much on Friday evening other than head to the supermarket. The hostel is in such a great location- the supermarket is a 5-10 minute walk away located on Rideau street which is a great street for shops etc.

We were quite tired from the journey even though this was a rather short bus ride in comparison to the last- only 5 hours this time! Again the drive was very boring with dull scenery. Also the bus was packed so we had to sit next to each other not leaving much room.

Ottowa was actually chosen by Queen Victoria as 'her Canadian capital'. I think the main sights are the Rideau canal, Parliament Hill, and lots of museums, galleries, and shops.

We saw both the Rideau canal and Parliament Hill today- Saturday, although I think we may return to the Parliamentary buildings because we didn't go in today and they actually offer free tours.

It was a nice walk and the buildings are beautiful- very gothic in style.

The Rideau canal, which is 124 miles becomes a roadway of ice in the winter which looks so amazing in pictures (we won't be in Ottowa long enough to see though) Locals boast that it becomes 'the world's longest skating rink'

It was built between 1826-1832 for military purposes as the British Army wanted a 'more secure route connecting upper and lower Canada in the event of an American seizure of the St.Laurence River'. It was Irish labourers that were brought to Canada to construct the canal working in foul conditions where mosquitos were rife, and yellow fever claimed '1,000 victims'.

Walking around, this area has a nice feel to it, there are lovely shops, lovely buildings, the Ottowa River, lots of restaurants and cafes, the market, plenty of museums, all within walking distance of the hostel. I think Ottowa may even be well known for it's galleries and museums.

We may extend our stay here (currently booked for three nights) so we'll see what the next few days bring.