Washington Day 1

Visit to US Capitol Building then the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off tours ...

After a somewhat stressful exit from New York via Penn Station we had the most enjoyable 4 hour train journey talking to a lady from Connecticut and some other interesting happenings too complex to describe here! We arrived here at Union Station, Washington DC. A fabulous train station that was, at one time the largest train station in the world.

Anne on the open top Big Bus as we leave Union Station on our first sightseeing day in Washington.

US Capitol Building comes into view

We walk up to the front only to find that visitors must enter from the back - way back!

An impressive building with a history from 1800

View from US Capitol down towards Washington Monument

The rear of the US Capitol

Visitor Centre in the US Capitol

The inside if the dome of the US Capitol. The dome is actually made from cast iron!

The canopy of the Rotunda (dome) 180 feet above the floor is a painting  called "The Apotheosis of Washington" created in 1865

Abraham Lincoln

Some fabulous oil on canvas paintings

Hall of statues

Leaving US Capitol on a very warm humid day - up to full Sydney humidity!

The original Smithsonian Institution although there are now many Smithsonian buildings

Passing over a Washington highway - will be driving in this the day after tomorrow?!?

The Washington Monument enshrouded in a steel support due to significant cracks from an earthquake in 2011. The steel structure is not fastened to the monument rather it is bracing the Monument whilst repairs are made

This was our very entertaining Big Bus Tour guide who told us all about the buildings we were passing. Department of Environment Building and IRS are such grand buildings for government departments!

Another grand government department

Anne outside the While House

Pushed the lens through the railings for this better shot of the White House

This was a not very good photo of the National Cathedral - sixth largest cathedral in the world

Some houses in the expensive North West of Washington which is also the Embassy district

Another small house! Washington is such a contrast from New York. Washington is like Canberra on steroids! Clean, uncluttered with wide tree lined avenues and plenty of room for everyone!