Extended our stay in Ottawa for an extra five nights as the area seems pretty interesting and the jail hostel is pretty nice!

Explored Parliament Hill by taking a guided tour inside, which was much more interesting than I expected! The interior was as amazing as the exterior, with stained glass windows and stone carved ceilings.

We took a lift upto the Peace tower, passing the bells which still chime and where we were able to look out onto Ottawa city. It was great to get a broader view of the city.

The memorial chamber was like a crypt, where it contained beautifully decorated books which held the names of all the fallen soldiers who served for Canada. Every day the pages of these books are turned so as to make sure each page is displayed at least once a year, which I found quite emotional and extremely respectful. The memorial chamber was an extremely moving room and what touched me was the Flanders Field poem engraved in a stone panel on the wall.

The senate and house of commons were not as spectacular as Britains however, they did seem more cosy, perhaps because they were smaller. They had fantastic stained glass windows too!

We then moved onto the library, which was the part I had been looking forward to as I'm a geek for when it comes to books! The library is the round building that I was getting keen over from outside and I was fascinated with when taking photos. As soon as I stepped foot inside the huge iron doors my jaw fell to the ground! As the building was circular, there were book cases from floor to ceiling completely surrounding me! The cases were filled with beautifully old antique looking books. I was in awe; the wooden cases and ladders, the warm glow from the lamps, the beautifully decorated ceiling with a sky light letting in natural light! There was even a statue of Queen Victoria (another period of history that fascinates me!) I could have spent hours in that room!

We then went to Starbucks where we have discovered their Seasonal Range of food and drinks! I wouldn't usually note about this; but their seasonal range of drinks are so good that they need to be mentioned! I hate to admit it and thought I'd never succumb to being one of those people who live by starbucks or anyother brand for that matter, but I'll be visiting them again next Christmas period!!!

We then took a lovely Sunday stroll around a park near by, watching yet another dog amuse us! We sat outside soaking up the crisp air and the warmth of the sun for a while, watching the world go by! Blissful and peaceful! :)