Woke up in the Ruby Room having had a decent night's sleep, no bears to be seen. Went down to breakfast at 9am. Had to sit on a table with all the other guests. Thought that might be weird but turned out ok. Two of them were from St Albans and two from Cardiff and they were travelling together up through Canada.
Normally when you have breakfast in a B and B you get a choice of food. Not here. Were just given stuff and that was that. First was a bowl of fruit followed by French toast (Bread dunked in egg and then toasted) with maple syrup. Not keen on the fruit but French toast tasted like pancakes. Bizarre mental owner woman sat down at the table with us all whilst we ate and went on a bit. Told us her life history when nobody had asked. The others very quickly made excuses and left. Thanks then. Us Brits are meant to stick together.
Eventually got away so we could start our day. Got passes which enabled entry to a few of the attractions for one price. Also meant free travelling on bus thing that goes up and down. Good lazy start.
First stop, the Maid of the Mist boat trip up to the falls. Queue seemed to move very fast and soon we were donning our blue rain ponchos. Was told by people in Maid of the Mist t-shirts to pose for the pre tour picture in front of a green screen. Walked straight past and got on boat. Trip was great, got slightly wet. Cameras got slightly wet too.
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| Horseshoe Falls |
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| American Falls |
On exiting had to pass through gift shop. Tourists were taking pictures of things in the shop. Why?!
Dried out very quickly as the sun was so hot. Sat under a tree and had a drink to cool down. Next headed up to the Skylon Tower which is next to the falls. Very surprised that there was nobody there at all. When buying tickets man asked us if we planned to dine up in the restaurant at the top, as then the ride was free. Price of meal $35 each. Ride with no meal $11 each. guess which one we chose. Made to stand for picture in front of green screen. Deliberately looked glum for picture. Threw bit of paper they gave us away. Went up on glass elevator on the outside of building. Views from the top are great. Managed to take a panoramic photo using phone. Impressive photography.
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| Panoramic! |
Lunchtime. Got some sub sandwiches and sat under a bush. Sun still very hot.
Made way to 'Walk Behind the Falls'. They should rename it, 'Stand in a cave and watch some water go past window'. Recurring theme again when asked to stand in front of green screen. Frowned when told to smile. Felt small battle had been won. Watched Mr and Mrs Pisspoorparents give in to a sulking 6/7 year old who didn't want to go down because he wanted to go on the boat. Wanted to smack him around the head and tell him to shut up. Needless to say he now knows if he cries and stands in a corner saying 'I don't want to go' he will always get his way. Wanted to smack parents around the head.
Was queue to get to the small opening behind the falls. Couldn't understand why people took so long posing in front of a metre square opening when so many people were waiting. Water is not going to show up on camera so get out the bloody way. Went out on walkway next to base of falls. This time wearing yellow poncho.
Took long bus thing ride to next stop, Walking with the Rapids. Mental B and B woman had told us it was great. Had booked in advance and had a express pass so thought we would just breeze in. Waited for what seemed like an eternity with everybody else in the world who all had exactly the same pass. Only one elevator the size of a hamster's cage. Eventually got into elevator. Just as we were about to go down saw the best bit of queue jumping. Some foreigners just wandered into the shop and straight to the front of the line.
Got down to bottom went outside. It was just a bit of deck next to the river. Also smelt of sewerage. Not worth the wait at all. Would have been furious except it was free. Decided to leave fairly quickly. Waited in long queue to go back up the one elevator. Left feeling disgruntled. Only upside was we hadn't been forced to stand in front of a green screen.
Got bus thing back to main part of town and went to find a restaurant Ann had researched prior to trip, Tony Roma's, http://www.tonyromas.com/ . Found it having taken a massive detour due to poor map reading. Ann decided to start limping again. Got seated at a table and given menus. Having ordered drinks we both decided that in fact neither of us wanted anything on the menu. Asked Ann why we were there. Couldn't be bothered to move so ordered something anyway. Portions that would have fed the five thousand appeared. Rounded it off with a piece of cheesecake to share. Ann had one mouthful and then said she was full. I then got the cheesecake sweats trying to finish it off. Died by cheesecake.
Headed out to experience the nightlife of Niagara to pass the time until the falls were lit up at 9pm. Went to the main street and found Dinosaur Park mini golf. Could swear it wasn't where it was 12 years when I was last here. It was really busy but played anyway. Didn't get mistaken for Ian Poulter as normally happens.
Beat Ann to take the title. Headed back down 'Crap' street to the falls. It really is a ghastly place, so tacky and horrible.
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| Oh my god! |
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| Who the hell are they meant to be? |
Ended up back at the falls to see them lit up at night. Ann said it was rubbish and she much prefered them by day. On that note got bus thing for the last time and headed home.
Facts learnt today:
The Falls erode one foot backward every year.
Only 50% of water in the river goes over the falls during the day as it is taken out for hydro electricity.
If all water that should go over did, it would erode by 3-5 feet every year.
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