Aboard the Paula D.

CFUW-Ottawa's Diplomatic Hospitality Group invited diplomat families and friends to a cruise on the Ottawa River last week, on the Paula D., a river boat chartered from Paul's Boat Lines. About 130 people came along.

A Rockcliffe headland seen from on board

View from the Paula D.

The water was calm and smooth on a cold but very bright October morning, the passengers feeling the chill on the top deck, although it was cosy enough on the enclosed deck below where soup and sandwiches were being served. We sailed from the Hull Marina to beyond the confluence with the Gatineau River at Pointe Gatineau before turning back, but were too busy socialising to pay very much attention to the scenery, except for the Rideau Falls on the way out, which the boat approached closely enough for us to feel the spray.

With a D.J. on board the dancing soon began to dance and that and the sunshine warmed people up. Then, introduced by the Indian High Commissioner's wife Rina Gavai who was participating in the cruise, a special entertainment was provided by Indian dancers, demonstrating a classical dance in costumes meant for a warmer climate, and bare feet, with anklets of little bells.

Indian classical dancers entertain the cruise passengers