Purchasing a Greyhound Bus Ticket from Ottawa to Toronto at the Best Possible Price!

We got a ride going to Ottawa on Monday afternoon after my morning meeting at Jordon’s school.

Doug and M. came to pick us up at our house and we left by 1pm.  It was a pleasant ride and a non stressful one for us as neither I nor my husband had to drive. 

Doug did all the driving and the drive to Ottawa was uneventful.  As we didn’t make too many stops,  we made  it to Ottawa by 6pm.

We spent a week in our capital city and enjoyed the many attractions in downtown Ottawa

We spent almost a week in Ottawa enjoying our time here leisurely. It was relaxing.

It was time to go home and we decided on taking the long distance Greyhound bus to head back to Toronto.  Though our railway system is not as highly developed as the European's, our long distance Greyhound buses can take Canadians from coast to coast,  to all parts of Canada and USA with reasonable fares.

However, we can get the cheapest fare for our long distance bus trip if we follow the steps below. This was what I did for our tickets to Toronto from Ottawa.

Greyhound Station, Ottawa

1.  Plan to book or purchase bus tickets at least a week in advance.








2.  Do some research online  to compare ticket fares which are different depending on the departure times of the buses. Go to:

 www.greyhound.ca

 It took me to the homepage.

3. I entered the departure  time as well as the destination city, plus the dates of our travel, then I got the bus fare. But it was not the best price. If my husband and I wanted to travel on Friday, we would pay the most expensive fare.  However, if we could be a little bit flexible with our travel date, then there would be a big discount.  To get the cheapest bus fare, schedule your travelling on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Boarding the bus at the Greyhound Station

4.  Finally, we got the best price for our planned travel  ( a ticket to Toronto from Ottawa  for 2 people for under Canadian $100.00)  by travelling on a Saturday 3pm bus using the senior discount. Not bad at all.

5. After  deciding on the time of our travel and having paid online using my visa, I obtained our tickets online. However, I could not print out my tickets as my laptop was not hooked up to the printer. So I saved the ticket information on my computer. But when I opened to see it, it was a page of mumble jumble.  I did not want to lose the info, therefore, I took a  cell phone picture of the ticket info as appeared on my computer screen.

6. I  also wrote down the conformation number so that the Greyhound staff could find my tickets on their system if I needed help.

With power supplied, I was able to do some work on my computer while traveling

We left  Ottawa on Saturday afternoon at 3pm and were home in Toronto by 9pm.

There was a power outlet by my seat and I was able to get some computer work done on the bus.

It was a comfortable  bus ride from Ottawa to Toronto 

It was a comfortable ride and a hassle free trip. We enjoyed it and will do it  again another time!

R.T.
A Greyhound bus passenger
from Ottawa to Toronto
May 19, 2018

Discovering Great Architecture on Foot in Ottawa

Chateau Laurier, Ottawa

Architecture is another area of my interest.

Ottawa is an excellent place to visit if you appreciate architecture of various types and from different eras.

Chateau Laurier by the Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Canada

I love buildings of all kinds.

Global Affairs for Pluralism Building

I used to collect miniature wooden houses. Since my collection has grown to a certain number, I could not longer afford to keep them in our basement or found storage space for them. I started giving them away slowly.

Courtyard of the Global Affairs for Pluralism Building

However, my passion for architecture has not waned.

I get very excited whenever I see interesting buildings, old and modern during our travel.

The Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Having walked and explored Ottawa for the past week or so, we came across many beautiful buildings and architecture.

The Royal Canadian Mint Building

One of my favourite buildings was the castle like building where the Royal Canadian Mint  located and where our souvenir gold and silver coins are made.

Connaught Building, Ottawa

This tall building with a few turrets on top located on George Street in downtown Ottawa is the national headquarters of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

View of the Connaught Building at dusk, Ottawa

This is where Canadians send in our income tax returns every April and hope for a refund!

I saw this address many times. Finally I got to see where Canadians tax returns are processed annually.

















It was a pleasure walking along Rideau Street as we saw many different types of buildings.

We first saw the Notre Dame Cathedral with its twin steeples  shimmering in the sunlight.

This is where both English and French masses are held daily for the residents and visitors of Ottawa.















Right across from the Notre Dame Cathedral is the Reconciliation Square with statues of  three soldiers honouring Canadian peacekeepers and their contributions to Canada and the world.

Then we saw the more modern side of  Ottawa's architecture -  the National Gallery of Canada.

Away from the busy main thoroughfares, we discovered other beautiful architecture in a smaller scale.

Tucked in the alleyways, we saw arches, gardens and bistros where visitors relaxing and enjoying drinks.

Stores on Rideau Street, Ottawa

We were delighted that by exploring Ottawa on foot during our visit, we were able to take a closer look of the many fantastic arts and marvelous buildings in the downtown area.














We hope to make this arts discovery trip in Ottawa an annual tradition for us!

R.T.
A Recent visitor to Ottawa

Exploring the Arts and Culture Via Public Transit in Ottawa, Canada's Capital City

Having decided to minimize our stress on this holiday and taking it easy in Ottawa, we aimed to see only one attraction a day so that we would not be rushing around here and there. 

A huge spider sculpture in front of the National Gallery of Canada , Ottawa

We also wanted to take advantage of the fine weather and the opportunity to walk outdoors as much as possible.

The Three Watchmen near the National Gallery

Since the public transit was pretty easy and frequent in Ottawa and its surrounding suburbs, we did not need to rent a car at all. 

Taking the public bus to and from where we were each day to the various attractions enabled us to see lots more on the ground in Ottawa.

Numerous sculptures and monuments lining the walkway to Parliament Hill

Taking the public transit to explore the city of Ottawa was a breeze!

The Dancing Bear

Of the numerous famous cities we have visited, Ottawa is one that offers a multitude of  interesting mix of old and modern sculptures and monuments that would excite those  who are interested in arts and sculptures.

A monument honouring soldiers of  WW1 

We love to see architecture and art exhibitions whenever we visit.

Horse sculptures outside the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

We were not disappointed as we saw lot of interesting architecture and sculptures for the past few days.

Laura Secord - A Canadian Heroine during the War of 1812

Besides old buildings,  there are many sculptures and monuments commemorating historic and brave Canadians.

On our way to the National Gallery building we passed by the  Reconciliation Square.
 It was built to commemorate the sacrifices of Canadian peacekeepers and soldiers.

Statues of Canadian peacekeepers in Reconciliation Square with the National Gallery in the background

Walking within a couple blocks in the downtown core of Ottawa from Byward Market to the National Gallery of Canada, one would easily come upon some spectacular sculptures and fantastic art exhibitions.

The stairs leading up to Major Hill Park became a canvas for some artists in Ottawa 

We also saw art exhibitions inside and outside the Byward Market.

At the  Tip Toe Through the Tulips art exhibition,  we saw the artist  explaining her work in person to a group of visitors.



























Art was everywhere in Ottawa including on the cable boxes around the city.














There were so much to see in our capital city!






















We just loved it!

We never got tired of walking and discovering what we would see at the next street corner or on top of a building.

Here was a sculpture put together using children's plastic toys.












We enjoyed all the arts and culture in our capital city!

R.T.
Ottawa

Enjoying the Interesting Shops and Ambiance at the Byward Market, Ottawa

Byward Market, Ottawa

One of our most favourite places to visit in Ottawa is the Byward Market located right in the downtown of the city.

In our recent week long visit to Ottawa, we focused on the activities and attractions in the downtown area. Therefore, we either visited or passed by the Byward Market everyday.

We love visiting and trying different foods at the Byward Market

We love visitng the market as it is very central and easily accessible via the public transit. 

There are always lots to see and do.

One could choose to stroll around and visit the many interesting shops.

An artist recycled old LP records into clock, and purses

We could always find something creative and new at the market.

This time we saw how an artist recycled used LP records and turned them into beautiful clocks, purses, bags and even wine bottle holders. 

Farmers selling honey and maple syrups at the market
. 

We enjoyed being outside visiting the stalls where local farmers selling fresh farm products such as maple syrups, candies and honey.

For me, I am always drawn to the brilliant and colourful flowers and hanging baskets stalls.

I am always happy among flowers and plants.

At the Market, I looked for beautiful, hardy and low maintenance perennial flowers and plants  for our garden in Toronto,

Or at the Byward Narket one could simply sit and relax at the market square.

A street musician performing at the Byward Market

We enjoyed the buskers performing their music at the Byward Market.

The most special feature for us was the variety of food and dishes being cooked and served up at the stalls and restaurants in the Byward Market  area regardless of what time we get there.

There was one cafe which we visited and returned often for its ambiance and delicious French pastries. 

Our favourite cafe at the Byward Market

After a walking tour or visiting an attraction close by, we ordered our beverages and pastries at the cafe, seated ourselves at one of the outside tables and watched the world go by. 

Visiting the Byward Market  was an absolutely delightful experience!

R.T.
Byward Market
Ottawa, Canada
Week of May 18, 2018