We were heading West toward Ottawa with a stop in Paulin. We had reserved a campsite in St Paulin and were looking forward to the pool and the rest. Na, na. We were out of Canadian money which we didn't think was a BIG DEAL since the site was a Passport America one. WRONG. They only speak French and wanted nothing to do with our American dollars. Of course they would have accepted our credit card but then we wouldn't have gotten our PA discount and the card company would have charged a 3% transaction fee...so no way Rog was going that route. So off to the village we went. The Drug Store, where no one spoke English; through sign language, the clerk pointed me to the Post Office. No luck, on a Saturday it was closed. Across the street, a lovely Canadian butcher, complete with a blood soaked apron, took pity on Mary and agreed to exchange $200 Us dollars for 20%. Not Bad (the exchange rate was currently around 27%)! So back to the PA campground,site secured and ready for a swim.
What delight the next day brought when we entered Ottawa...the architecture was marvelous, old, stately, majestic, regal......and on...and on. What was inspiring was to know that this is the Capital of the Country and the common folk were enjoying it by biking, hiking, sunning, kayaking and eating at bistros along the waterway. The Rideau canal runs right through the city. We saw pleasure boats, foreign boats and sailing masts down ready for passage to the great Atlantic. Phenomenal...we must come back as our friends from Punta Gorda did on their boat, our sister ship, a PDQ, just a few weeks ago. Enough said...let the pictures speak for themselves...
What delight the next day brought when we entered Ottawa...the architecture was marvelous, old, stately, majestic, regal......and on...and on. What was inspiring was to know that this is the Capital of the Country and the common folk were enjoying it by biking, hiking, sunning, kayaking and eating at bistros along the waterway. The Rideau canal runs right through the city. We saw pleasure boats, foreign boats and sailing masts down ready for passage to the great Atlantic. Phenomenal...we must come back as our friends from Punta Gorda did on their boat, our sister ship, a PDQ, just a few weeks ago. Enough said...let the pictures speak for themselves...