Yesterday we spent the day exploring Niagara Falls, Canada side.
After an all-you-can eat buffet breakfast (yum yum) with French Toast, lots of watermelon and bacon we decided to brave the cold to see the attractions.
We had purchased the night before a ‘wonder pass’ which gives you admittance to 4 different attractions on the Canadian side of the falls. The main one we were interested in visiting was the walk behind the falls, so this is where we headed first.
Donning the yellow poncho, we take a lift down deep under the falls. The moment you step out of the elevator the roar of the water above your head is just incredible. They have created tunnels through the rock, so you can walk underneath the falls and then there are little tunnels that come out behind the fall of the water, the furthest one being about 1/3 the way around the Horseshoe Falls. Standing behind the falls is just as amazing as watching them fall next to you (see photos).
After this we decided to brave the cold again to walk to the flower conservatory a little way down the road. We say brave the cold as the temperature was around 0 degrees and the wind-chill around -5. Brr. Part of the complex was indoors with lots of very interesting plants, and some outside. Needless to say, we didn’t linger outside for long… but did wait for the little train that runs around the miniature outside village to get going. The Village was very cute, particularly with real snow all over it.
After we very quickly walked back to the hotel (did we mention it was really cold???) via the railway incline (sort of like a gondola on tracks up the very steep hill) we had lunch (BK and Tim Hortons) before jumping in the car to drive around a bit and head out to a local Walmart. After 2 weeks Chris has succeeded with driving on the wrong side of the road and there is a lot less yelling “Stop” because we forgot to look the right or more correctly left way. He particularly liked this rental car as it actually drove itself – especially on the freeways.
After shopping we tried to have a swim in the Hotel’s pool, which was closed so tried to have a swim in the adjoining hotel. After 3 different access cards and pretending we were guests of the other hotel – we managed it. No spa though ☹
Dinner was at a restaurant north of Niagara Falls at a place called St Catherine so we could get out and explore a little more. By the time the sun went down the temperature was at -6, with a wind-chill of around -15. Dinner was very good though and we ate way too much. Dan is loving the Root Bear over here and is going to miss it greatly back in NZ. We also discovered another way the Northern America have used melted cheese, mixed in with mashed potato in little puffs. The things they come up with is just staggering!
Home time today, currently on our flight to Houston before our 14-hour flight home.
See some of you real soon!
Chris & Dan
