Canada 150!


Oh, Canada!

What better timing could there be for our Aussie cousins to visit than during our incredible Canada 150 celebrations?!  As luck would have it (ok, there was some planning involved!), our Fam from the Land Down Under was able to join us for the incredible Canada 150 celebrations in Ottawa.

You’re probably thinking “big deal, it probably wasn’t that busy…”

Well my friend, that would be fake news!

Yes, that’s the Peace Tower from Parliament Hill way back in the distance…

Added security meant up to 4 hours waiting in line to get up onto Parliament Hill.  We decided that we would rather spend that time exploring the areas around the Hill instead!

As it turned out, it was so packed in Ottawa that it was almost impossible to find a place for 9 people to stay.  Lucky for us, we had the good fortune to know some Couchsurfers in town, and so we split up from our Aussie cousins in terms of our accommodations, but were able to take in all of the celebrations together!

Connecting with Friends

We had met the Cliche family – Stephane, Isabelle and their two daughters Zoe (yes, another Zoe!) and Karianne – just before we left on our Global Fieldtrip in 2014.  At the time, Stephane and the girls were doing their annual cycling trip starting in Kingston and riding all the way to Niagara Falls.  They needed a place to stay and we just happened to have a vacant room!  This is the true magic of Couchsurfing.

We arrived at the Cliche’s in the afternoon, ahead of Canada Day, and were treated to some exciting jet-ski adventures on the Ottawa River!

Canada Day Exploration!

On Canada Day, we explored the city with the Cliches as we waited for our Aussie cousins to arrive!

Our Couchsurfing friends, the Cliche family!

Ottawa had a lot to offer for Canada Day this year.  Though it was a bit soggy from the rain, there were lots of activities to do.

Stacking plastic ice cream cones while on a wobble board!

Hanging out behind the Parliament buildings

Parliamentarians!

At the end of the day we were treated to a fantastic fireworks show, which lasted exactly 20 minutes and 17 seconds (20:17)!!  It really was amazing!

I couldn’t resist filming the grand finale!  Spectacular!

As you may imagine, this was one of our favourite and most memorable visits to Canada’s capital ever!  We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful country, and love every opportunity we get to share it with others.


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Comments

10 responses to “Canada 150!”

  1. Sandra Campbell Avatar
    Sandra Campbell

    What a great opportunity to show off our country to others!
    Sandra

    1. Hi Sandra,

      Not only was it a great way to show off our country, it was also a great “excuse” to explore and visit things that we may not take the time to do ourselves. Having visitors always motivates us to see different parts of our city/province/country!

  2. We enjoyed remembering the Canada150 celebration through your report. The photos are, as always, amazing, especially the fire works, just great. Thank you

    1. Hello Oma,

      We had a fantastic time celebrating the 150th…Ottawa is always lovely, but this year it was spectacular!

  3. Ravi Puliani Avatar
    Ravi Puliani

    Hi all,
    Reading about the Cliches, well, I recall, they have visited our home too in Delhi over a dinner though they did not stay with us – the entire family – Stephane, Isabelle, Zoe and Karianne. The world is small. I am delighted to see the group photograph of the Cliches and Oliver’s gang who are always thirsty for action, travel and fun.

    1. Hi Ravi,

      We had a fantastic time with the Cliches, and I think that this is becoming a life-long friendship, as with our second-family in Delhi!

  4. Sharon Faulhaber Avatar
    Sharon Faulhaber

    You guys are amazing. You really take life by the horns and jump in full throttle. Thanks for sharing all your escapades.
    Sharon

    1. HI Sharon,

      This has truly been a “full throttle” summer! Non-stop action – but we wouldn’t want it any other way!

  5. Spectacular fireworks display! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Hi Kim,

      These were by far the best fireworks I’ve seen! And when there are so many fireworks going off, it’s almost impossible to miss a great shot! 2017 – the year of Fireworks in Canada!

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