Ottawa

Jun 15-17

UA321 IAH-IAD, UA6185 IAD-YOW, UA6224 YOW-IAD, UA1927 IAD-IAH

I spent about 4 years of my youth living in the Ottawa area and still have fond memories of visiting the nation’s capital. I was really excited when I found out there was a new Andaz Hyatt property in the market, and built a trip around it. In addition to exploring the city, we managed to get together with old friends living in Ottawa. The weather was great, and we also managed to get back to the Science museum, that although considerably updated, reminded me of my visits I remembered from over 30 years ago.

Jun 16

After a late arrival on Friday night, we got a decently early start to check out the city. It was a beautiful spring day, and we took advantage of that to walk a good part of the day.

Every city needs to a have a lettered sign. This is one of two we saw on Saturday. Not pictured: the collocated AWATTO sign.

Connaught Building - Canada Revenue Agency - National Headquarters, where our tax money goes

The well-fortified US Embassy

Parliament buildings

Last of the Rideau Canal locks, heading into the Ottawa River and looking across to Quebec

The locks are surprisingly old school. Keeps the university students in shape though.

Broader perspective on the locks

Parliament Hill

The Peace Tower, strangely not under construction

Bear statue “Territorial Prerogative” on the Sparks Street Mall

National War Memorial - feeling more significant after the 2014 shootings

After a day of touring we had a nice dinner and drinks visiting old friends.

Jun 17

We had a late afternoon flight, so had enough time to check out the Science Museum. They were working on a big addition to the Museum, but many of the core elements were the same as I remembered visiting when I was young. We were also fortunate to relive another childhood past time with The Art of The Brick exhibition visiting the Museum. It’s a touring show with Lego Art Works by Nathan Sawaya, and it is definitely worth a visit if makes it to a city near you.

3D lego recreation of Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” painting

“Hands” with over 15,000 bricks, representing the nightmare of the artist losing the power of his hands

“Green Torso”

“Yellow”, one of Sawaya’s most famous works. Made with over 11,000 bricks

“Dinosaur Skeleton”, 20’ high and over 80,000 pieces

Some of the trains that have been a feature of the museum forever

Testing controlling a train with VR at one of the more modern exhibits

After the museum we made our way back to the hotel for lunch and then onto the airport and our evening flights home.