Canada's insider blog

It’s a few minutes before midnight and we just got back to our room. After a full day of events, food, friends and fun, I think our exit strategy to watch the fireworks from the 23rd floor of the Westin Ottawa was a good one.  The night sky was unobstructed and ours.

While media, politicians and “just” guests of the hotel schmoozed over hefty portions of beef, melted Stilton and champagne, we were nestling into the ultimate vantage point on the terrace of the Bonaventure Suite, so we could watch the fireworks.

Overlooking the entire city, in particular the National Gallery of Canada where the fireworks spectacle was produced, the terrace felt like a floating oasis of exclusivity.  We were shielded from the massive crowds below (I think there must have been at least a few hundred thousand people), those patriotic souls reduced only to appear as shadowy-and-small,profile-like outlines. 

As soon as the arms of the “Big Ben” stroke that Roman numeral X, La Boehme started to play, and an array of colours painted glittery rainbows into the blackness. We gushed.

First it was just baby pinks that slowly folded over each other and then fizzled out, like small bubbles in a glass of champagne.  Next, five or six larger straight shooters elbowed their way to the centre of the scene taking over the show.

For almost 20 minutes, we were completely dazzled:  Weeping willows, folding angels and shooting stars bombarded us.  I don’t know what the technical term is for them, but they were supernatural (especially the gold ones).  I love the gold ones!  Kattrin was in awe, snapping quick photos in-between her "wows" (and more), "oh-mys."  The immediate crowd was also reacting well to the sensory feast.  All-in-all, a phenomenal night.

Kattrin from Ontario Tourism and Jantine from Ottawa Tourism treated us so well, and were so gracious to us that I simply cannot thank them enough for their hospitality.  So, thank you!  I can’t wait to start the Ontario-leg of our trip.  We’re taking the Rideau Canal to Kingston tomorrow.  Later from the road…until then where should we stop on our way to Kingston?