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Published: January 5th 2017
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Meeting the Rhinos
@ Canadian Museum of Nature Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 Day 4: Ottawa – Re-leafing prehistoric times, the life of the Governor General and Canadian art. Today, I am out on my own exploring the nation’s capital since Renata has to attend a conference for work. Since I had limited time and had to use up our remaining museum pass tickets, I visited the Canadian Museum of Nature as soon as it opened.
Some of the interesting exhibits I saw were the fossil and the water gallery. There was even a real skeleton of a blue whale – the largest animal known on earth. I did not spend long at the Canadian Museum of Nature before I had to head off to Rideau Hall.
Rideau Hall is the official residence of the governor general and his family. Most of Rideau Hall is used for state affairs with only a portion of it being used for private living. You know that the governor general is in residence when the official flag is raised up at the entrance to the estate. Rideau Hall is also the location of many Canadian reward ceremonies including where the Prime Minister of Canada and the federal Cabinet ministers
Froggy
@ Canadian Museum of Nature are sworn in.
Some of the interesting rooms include the tent room, the reception room and the ballroom.
The Tent Room was used as an indoor tennis court that could also serve as a dining or reception hall. It has striped canvas draped over the bare walls and ceiling, creating the look of a tent.
The reception room belongs to the oldest part of Rideau Hall. It is where dignitaries are welcomed and briefed on their role in official events and ceremonies.
The Ballroom, is used primarily for ceremonial purposes and is the room in Rideau Hall most seen by the public. It is here where the Governor General swears in prime ministers and honours outstanding Canadians.
The Long Gallery was built in 1913 as a “long drawing room” to accommodate the rising social demands of Rideau Hall. Today, it is used as a space for discussions and round tables, small musical recitals, and receptions to welcome new ambassadors and high commissioners to Canada. It has also become a gallery space to display wonderful Canadian artwork from public institutions across the country.
After the highly recommended Rideau Hall tour, I headed off to the
Meeting the dinos
@ Canadian Museum of Nature National Gallery of Canada, one of Canada’s premier art Galleries. I was a little disappointed in this museum, compared to all the other museums I visited in Ottawa. I was able to go through the entire museum in an hour. This was partly because a huge chunk of the museum (the Canadian and selected Contemporary Galleries) were temporary closed for renovations. They were going to be reopened for Canada’s 150 anniversary the following year. Oh well, at least I did not pay for admission as I used Renata’s last museum pass ticket.
My last stop before taking the train back to Toronto was the Byward Market where I had to try a Canadian speciality, a Beaver Tail. A Beaver Tail is a fried dough pastry stretched to resemble a beaver’s tail. The first official Beaver Tail store was opened in Ottawa in 1980. So it is inevitable that I had to try my first beaver tail where it was started, in the nation’s capital. I tried the classical cinnamon and sugar. It was so good. I would definitely have to buy another one as soon as I come across a stall again.
So the delicious treat marked the
A blue whale skeleton!
@ Canadian Museum of Nature end of my time in Ottawa. As I settled in on the train to Toronto. I contemplated on my time in Ottawa. I had an incredible time and would definitely need to go back. Perhaps, next year for Canada’s 150 year anniversary. We will just have to wait and see!
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