Destination - Niagara Falls



"Water, whether still or in motion, has so

great an attraction for the lover of nature, that the

most beautiful landscape seems scarcely complete without it.

There are no effects so fascinating as those produced by the

reflections in nature’s living mirror, with their delicacy of form,

ever fleeting and changing, and their subtle combinations of colour. "

Montagu Pollock  

 

Horseshoe Falls

We recently made a trip to Niagara Falls.  I have always loved waterfalls, and have wanted to go see Niagara Falls for a long time.  It was on my list of things to do.  It was well worth the trip to see it.  I was impressed with the amount of water going over Horseshoe Falls, and the force of the water.

There are 3 falls at Niagara.  The American Falls, on the American side of the border, Bridal Veil Falls, also on the American side and Horseshoe Falls, which is really the most spectacular of the falls and is on the Canadian side of the river.  The best views for all 3 are on the Canadian side.



American Falls with Bridal Veil Falls to the right

The American Falls is completely within the U.S. state of New York.  The height of the American Falls ranges between 70 to 110 feet. The falls are viewable from a steep angle on the American side, where it is possible to approach to within several meters of the edge of the falls. One can view the falls from the bank of the river, as well as on Goat Island and Luna Island, which are accessible by a pedestrian bridge that crosses the rapids of the Niagara river upstream from the falls. The falls are viewable head-on from the Canadian side in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The ledge of the American Falls is shaped in a modified "W" form, caused by numerous rock falls over the past 150 years which have resulted in the huge mound of rock at its base.

The Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls. It is located on the U.S. side (in New York State); Luna Island separates it from the American Falls and Goat Island separates it from the Horseshoe Falls.
 

Horseshoe Falls from above - taken from Skylon Tower

Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls is the largest, and approximately 90% of the Niagara River flows over Horseshoe Falls. The name is derived from its curving, horseshoe-shaped crest. It passes over the crest at a speed of about 20 mph and the falls is 174 ft  high.  The falls produce a large amount of mist, which occasionally renders viewing them difficult. The amount of natural mist has been reduced since the early 20th century by the diversion of most of the water from the Niagara River for hydroelectricity. The Horseshoe Falls is observable at a direct angle from the Canadian side, and at a steep angle on the U.S. side on Goat Island.
 

The city of Niagara

When we went to Niagara Falls, we flew into Buffalo and took a shuttle from the airport to our hotel in Niagara on the Canadian side of the border.  I would recommend that if you are going to the falls, that you should see them from the Canadian side if possible, they have the better views of the falls.  You could also fly into Toronto and either take a shuttle or a rental car from there.  You don’t really need a car to get around, once you arrive in Niagara, as there is good transportation around the falls area.  There are also plenty of hotels to choose from.  Even if the hotel is not right near the falls viewing area, it is easy to hop the We Go bus from your hotel and get to the falls area.  The We Go bus tickets can be purchased separately and are about $6 per person for a 48 hour period.  If you plan to buy one of the packages, which I am going to talk about next, then you will not want to purchase those bus tickets, as they will come with your package.

George on the balcony of the Journey
Behind the Falls

Once you get to Niagara you will be deciding which things you want to do while there.  There are packages that you can purchase which combine attractions and can save you money.  When we were there we purchased the Adventure Pass, which gave us the Maid of the Mist boat ride (which is a must for everyone), the Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Rapids Walk and the 4D movie The Fury of the Falls.  I have to say that the boat ride and the walk were the 2 that I really enjoyed.  I thought that the Journey Behind the Falls adventure was pretty lame, and I would not recommend the movie to anyone unless they had small children – they might enjoy it.  The pass also came with the 48 hour We Go pass, which gets you on and off the bus.  It was helpful having that, saved quite a bit of wear on our feet.
 

The Maid of the Mist making its way toward
Horseshoe Falls

There is another pass available, the Discovery Pass, which includes the Maid of the Mist boat ride with the Niagara Adventure Theater, the Aquarium of Niagara, and the Cave of the Winds trip.  It also includes one day of transportation  The Cave of the Winds trip is on the American side, so if you decide you want to do this package, or just the trip, you will have to cross the bridge back to the American side of the river first.  The Cave of the Winds trip takes you closer to the waters of Niagara Falls than you thought possible. You ride an elevator 175 feet deep into the Niagara Gorge. Then, clad in a bright yellow poncho and wearing the special footwear provided, you follow a tour guide over a series of wooden walkways to the famous "Hurricane Deck". As you stand at the railing, you are a mere 20 feet from the billowing torrents of Bridal Veil Falls. The rushing waters loom above you, dousing you with a generous spray as you face the thundering Falls head-on. Rainbows are usually visible day and night.

View of Horsehoe from the deck of the Maid of the Mist

If you decide not to purchase a package, you should at least ride the Maid of the Mist.  It is well worth going on.  They give you blue plastic ponchos with hoods to put on, and you will need them as you would be drenched without them.  The boat takes you past American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls and right to the base of Horseshoe Falls.  While standing on the deck of the boat facing Horseshoe Falls all you can see is the mist which is directly above you and falling on you.  It is very exhilarating.  And you do get a new perspective of the falls and beautiful views of all 3 falls as you are on the boat.

Skylon Tower

Another attraction that I would suggest you go to is Skylon Tower.  You will see it towering above the city.  Take the elevator to the top and see the falls from above.  If you want some wonderful pictures you can get some from up there.  Also, you will see better how the river flows and how the falls separate into the 3 different falls.  You can also see the entire city from up there.

There are plenty more things to do while in Niagara.  You could go to the Butterfly Conservatory, Bird Kingdom or the aquarium, if you are into nature.  There are casinos for those who like to gamble, there is a large Ferris Wheel which will also get you high up for views of the falls, and there are lots of restaurants all over town, for just about any kind of food you are craving.  The city has lots of places to shop, as well.  But the main attraction is the falls, and for good reason.  They are beautiful, and most people spend the majority of their time there viewing the falls from different advantage points.  And at night they are illuminated with different colors, so make sure you stay till night time and see them lit up with bright colors.

View of Niagara from Skyon Tower
Rainbow Bridge and Ferris Wheel

There are also plenty of things to see nearby, so you could combine your trip to Niagara Falls with other places, such as Toronto.  There are also vineyards nearby which you can visit, or you could drive up to Montreal which is only about 6 hours away.  We did that drive as we combined our trip to Niagara with a 7 day cruise on the St. Lawrence River which started in Montreal and ended in Boston.  There is also a train that will take you to Montreal if you don't want to drive.  We were there in the fall, and the trees were starting to turn color.  We had some beautiful fall foliage during our trip, and this is a wonderful time of the year to explore that area.



A view of all 3 falls from above

Me on the Maid of the Mist

 

Destination - Eastern Canada

"When you travel you experience, in a very practical way, the act of rebirth. You confront completely new situations, the day passes more slowly, and on most journeys you don't even understand the language the people speak....You begin to be more accessible to others, because they may be able to help you in difficult situations."   Paulo Coelho

In my last posting we talked about Western Canada and the train trip on the Rocky Mountaineer, which can be combined with a rail trip on Via Rail to the eastern cities of Canada.  There are some great places to visit on the eastern side of Canada, whether you do it by rail or other methods such as a driving trip or flying.  The main cities to visit on the East Coast of Canada are Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Halifax, as well as other smaller towns, especially in Nova Scotia.  French is the main language of most of Eastern Canada.

Toronto and the CN Tower

Toronto is situated on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto is Canada’s largest city (with a population of 5.5 million).  People are drawn to the charm of the harbourfront district, the high-rise splendor of Yonge Street, the trendy shops and quaint cafés along College and Queen Streets, and the flourishing music and performing arts scene.  There are several distinctive neighbourhoods, such as Greektown, Little Italy and Chinatown. The CN Tower is Toronto's tallest and most defining landmark. Photos of Toronto are often defined by the building, stretching more than 550 metres into the sky.  The tower has become a major tourist destination. Visitors can test their courage by walking across the glass floor 113 stories above the ground. The first of its kind in the world, the glass floor gives you that dare-to-walk-on-air experience, with only 2.5 inches of glass holding you 342 metres in the air. The glass floor is actually stronger than most commercial floors and has the strength to hold 14 hippos! Or if you dare, travel higher up the tower to the Sky Pod another 33 storeys above ground.  The tower's revolving 360 Restaurant offers an award winning wine list and spectacular views for a romantic evening.

Niagara Falls is only a 2 hour drive away from Toronto, an easy day trip. At Niagara Falls you can take The Maid of the Mist boat ride that takes you to the base of the falls, expect to get wet. The Journey Behind the Falls tour sounds like thunder as you descend to tunnels that travel to observation decks literally behind the falls.

Old Town, Montreal

Montreal, with its unique mix of old world charm, radiates sophisticated glamour. Renowned for its innovative fashion, extensive arts community and delectable bistros, the city has plenty to offer the visitor. Spend an afternoon exploring the Old Montreal, taking a horse and buggy ride, tasting the famed cuisine, or retreat to the fine museums and the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica. The city’s history is rooted in Old Montreal and the Old Port, where you can stroll the cobblestone streets and walk along the banks of the mighty St. Lawrence River. We were there a few years ago, and had lunch at Jardin Nelson in the Old Town area.  It was a delightful place with a pretty outdoor courtyard and wonderful food. 

Quebec City

Quebec is the only walled city north of Mexico.  Visitors come to Quebec for its old-world atmosphere, its cobblestone streets and charming alleyways.  Quebec City is the cradle of French civilization in North America and the capital of Quebec province.  It is a busy seaport on the St. Lawrence River and the name literally means "where the river narrows."   Historic Quebec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.  The city is famous for its array of quaint shops, outdoor cafes and strolling musicians.  There is a funicular that will take you to the Upper Town, to reach the castle-like Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, one of the best-known landmarks in Quebec.  From there you have an excellent view of the St. Lawrence River, the Ile d'Orleans and the Laurentian Mountains.  You can take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city.

Montmorency Falls

Just 9 miles outside of Quebec are the Montmorency Falls.  The falls at 275feet  high, are the highest in the province of Quebec and 98 feet higher than Niagara Falls.  The falls are at the mouth of the Montmorency River where it drops over the cliff shore into the St. Lawrence River.  There is a suspension bridge over the top of the falls.

Halifax, is the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in the Atlantic provinces.  Halifax is the major centre of the Maritimes. Combined with its steep streets and the famous Citadel overlooking the city, Halifax is world-renowned for its beauty, character and vibrant nightlife.  Halifax is also a gateway to many of the other treasures that Nova Scotia has to offer: charming seaside towns, sparkling coves and miles of rugged shoreline guarded by graceful lighthouses.  Not to be missed is Peggy's Cove on the shores of the scenic St. Margarets's Bay.  It is famous for the natural beauty of the area, its lighthouse, and the freshest seafood.

Peggy's Cove

I've only touched on parts of Canada, there are so many more areas to explore.  "Canada is a country so vast that it is difficult to convey an adequate idea of its size; so fertile that nothing short of official returns will exonerate a description of it from a charge of exaggeration; so prosperous as to not only rival, but to surpass all other countries on the face of the earth; so healthy in climate, so beautiful in scenery, so abundantly supplied with magnificent lakes and rivers, so full of commercial resources, and so rich in minerals, that I am overpowered with the magnitude of the task I have imposed upon myself in attempting to convey even a faint idea of it."—Haliburton.

**Some photos taken from the internet