rainbow at niagara
see how close the maid of the mist goes!
american and bridal veil falls
us
niagara from the boat
bronte on the maid of the mist, (nice poncho!)
from the sky wheel
USA side of falls
USA side of American falls
journey behind the falls porthole
viewing platform, journey behind the falls
pretty lights
more pretty lights
horseshoe fallsThursday 4th June
Up nice and early to head to Niagara Falls, it was about 120 kms away and we thought that it maybe busy on the road. Hit the road after getting a tank of gas and the traffic was not too bad. Only took just over and hour and we were there. Followed the road past the falls and parked in the car park. Walked down to the head of the falls and it was awesome!!! The roar of the water was amazing and the spray was going so high into the air and then blowing across the road and footpath where we were. You would get saturated if you stood there to long. Made our way downstream to the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boat and got our tickets. You have to catch and elevator down to the boat at water level. Donned the nice blue ponchos and got onto the boat. The boat set sail and we got a good position on the star board side. We went past the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls located on the American side first and then headed to Horseshoe Falls which is the main part of Niagara Falls. The boat goes so close to the water fall that you get sprayed with so much water. Once you have sat in the water for about 2 or 3 minutes the boat turns and heads back to the dock. The ride was cool and you could not go there and not do the Maid of the Mist, it is a must do.
From there we walked up into the main street of Niagara Clifton Hill and that is set up very touristy with shops and neon light and all sorts of arcades and stuff. Got some lunch and then went on the Sky Wheel which is a big ferris wheel similar to the London Eye but smaller. It is actually only 175 feet high but gave you a good vantage point to the falls.
From there we walked back to the river and decided to cross the Rainbow Bridge which joins USA and Canada. You had to go through a turnstile which indicated you needed your passport to get back. Once through we crossed the bridge to USA and had to clear customs/immigration. While on the USA side we walked to the top of the American Falls then onto Goat Island to see the Bridal Veil Falls and then onto the Horseshoe Falls. It was amazing how different it was to stand on the opposite side and look back. The view was really good but entirely different. From there we did a lap around Luna Island to see the approach side of the falls where the water comes from Lake Erie and to the water falls. The rapids were cool and the water moved so quickly. There is no way you would want to jump or fall in.
Back to the bridge and walked across. Once we got to the middle where the sign indicates the border I had to do the obligatory thing and put one foot in USA and the other in Canada. I am such a child!! Once we got back to the Canadian side we had to go through customs again to re enter Canada. Seemed like a waste of time but I guess it is necessary.
Now back on the Canadian side we did the Journey Behind the Falls where you walk down and behind the Horseshoe Falls in a tunnel which has been dug out and it has two port holes open to the rear of the falls. The final porthole is 200 metres along the face of the fall. It also has a viewing platform just on the side of the falls where you stand next to the falling water. That was really cool as well.
As we wanted to stay till dusk and see the night lights we had to fill in some time. Went to the local Imax and watched the Niagara film on the big screen and it was not bad. From there we went and got some dinner which took and hour and by that time it was basically 9.00 pm and that’s when the lights were turned on. Wow, how cool are the falls at night. We took another heap of photos with the time exposure and got some cool shots. Spent another hour there until about 10.30 pm looking at the lights as they change colours every few minutes.
Made our way back to the car and got there to find the car saturated. The spray from the falls was being blown over the car and the car park and you almost needed an umbrella to stay dry to get in the car. Drove slowly past the falls for one more last look and then up through the main street (Clifton Hill) back to the main road to Toronto. It took us a little over and hour to get back to the motel.
It had been a huge day to say the least, but the falls were magnificent to see. The amount of water going over the falls is incredible and it certainly has been a highlight of the trip, or at least one of the highlights as we have seen so much stuff so far.
Tomorrow we are off to Montreal with about 580 kms to travel. Won’t be getting up too early though as it has been such a full on day.
Stayed tuned folks.
Up nice and early to head to Niagara Falls, it was about 120 kms away and we thought that it maybe busy on the road. Hit the road after getting a tank of gas and the traffic was not too bad. Only took just over and hour and we were there. Followed the road past the falls and parked in the car park. Walked down to the head of the falls and it was awesome!!! The roar of the water was amazing and the spray was going so high into the air and then blowing across the road and footpath where we were. You would get saturated if you stood there to long. Made our way downstream to the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boat and got our tickets. You have to catch and elevator down to the boat at water level. Donned the nice blue ponchos and got onto the boat. The boat set sail and we got a good position on the star board side. We went past the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls located on the American side first and then headed to Horseshoe Falls which is the main part of Niagara Falls. The boat goes so close to the water fall that you get sprayed with so much water. Once you have sat in the water for about 2 or 3 minutes the boat turns and heads back to the dock. The ride was cool and you could not go there and not do the Maid of the Mist, it is a must do.
From there we walked up into the main street of Niagara Clifton Hill and that is set up very touristy with shops and neon light and all sorts of arcades and stuff. Got some lunch and then went on the Sky Wheel which is a big ferris wheel similar to the London Eye but smaller. It is actually only 175 feet high but gave you a good vantage point to the falls.
From there we walked back to the river and decided to cross the Rainbow Bridge which joins USA and Canada. You had to go through a turnstile which indicated you needed your passport to get back. Once through we crossed the bridge to USA and had to clear customs/immigration. While on the USA side we walked to the top of the American Falls then onto Goat Island to see the Bridal Veil Falls and then onto the Horseshoe Falls. It was amazing how different it was to stand on the opposite side and look back. The view was really good but entirely different. From there we did a lap around Luna Island to see the approach side of the falls where the water comes from Lake Erie and to the water falls. The rapids were cool and the water moved so quickly. There is no way you would want to jump or fall in.
Back to the bridge and walked across. Once we got to the middle where the sign indicates the border I had to do the obligatory thing and put one foot in USA and the other in Canada. I am such a child!! Once we got back to the Canadian side we had to go through customs again to re enter Canada. Seemed like a waste of time but I guess it is necessary.
Now back on the Canadian side we did the Journey Behind the Falls where you walk down and behind the Horseshoe Falls in a tunnel which has been dug out and it has two port holes open to the rear of the falls. The final porthole is 200 metres along the face of the fall. It also has a viewing platform just on the side of the falls where you stand next to the falling water. That was really cool as well.
As we wanted to stay till dusk and see the night lights we had to fill in some time. Went to the local Imax and watched the Niagara film on the big screen and it was not bad. From there we went and got some dinner which took and hour and by that time it was basically 9.00 pm and that’s when the lights were turned on. Wow, how cool are the falls at night. We took another heap of photos with the time exposure and got some cool shots. Spent another hour there until about 10.30 pm looking at the lights as they change colours every few minutes.
Made our way back to the car and got there to find the car saturated. The spray from the falls was being blown over the car and the car park and you almost needed an umbrella to stay dry to get in the car. Drove slowly past the falls for one more last look and then up through the main street (Clifton Hill) back to the main road to Toronto. It took us a little over and hour to get back to the motel.
It had been a huge day to say the least, but the falls were magnificent to see. The amount of water going over the falls is incredible and it certainly has been a highlight of the trip, or at least one of the highlights as we have seen so much stuff so far.
Tomorrow we are off to Montreal with about 580 kms to travel. Won’t be getting up too early though as it has been such a full on day.
Stayed tuned folks.
1 comment:
Wondeful photos of the falls. Sharyn used to live in Canada in Alberta, Ontario. I was just wondering if you had been there or are going there at all. Only another two weeks and back to reality. Keep enjoying your holiday.
Love Mum and Greg
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