NIAGARA FALLS!

The next day (1 Oct) we went off to the Cave of the Winds (where we got into touching distance of the falls) and rode on the Maid of the Mist to the Horseshoe Falls.

There are three falls altogether: two in the US - the American Falls and the Bride Veil Falls and one in Canada - the Canadian or Horseshoe Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are the most spectacular of the three. Apparently a greater volume of water is flowing over the Horseshoe Falls than over the other two, hence a more rapid erosion of the falls there.

We went first to the Cave of the Winds, where we were given little beach slippers and also a raincoat. We then walked down to the bottom of the Bride Veil Falls to see the Falls at pretty close range. This was quite exciting as the falls sort of spray you as you walk around the area. What I didn't dare do, however, was climb out to a platform about a third of the way up the falls. I did start up the stairs and then there was a sudden gust of wind which hit my face and my legs (including the bottom of my rolled up pants) so I beat a hasty retreat.

But, what was truly exhilerating was our ride on the Maid of the Mist to the Horseshoe Falls.

Frankly, it is difficult to see much of the Horseshoe Falls. The most active area is shrouded in mist and so you only see one of the ends more clearly. Nonetheless, it is spectacular - the water falling all around us, the roar of the water as it falls, the cold of the spray and mist around us. I must admit however I carefully tied my blue martian raincoat around my face and turned my face away from the mist and the spray of water when the wind inconsiderately blew it towards us.


After the MotM, we went up to the observation deck for a good view of the falls. The bridge between US and Canada was on our right and I could see why it was called the "Rainbow Bridge" because there was one just in front of us.

Oh yes, I forgot to add. We met one chap from the Masters in Public Policy (MPP) Prog in the School at Niagara Falls! He was doing a term in Columbia (this is part of the School's exchange programme with Columbia) and he chose to visit Niagara that weekend too. Talk about coincidence.

We left the Falls soon after and went back to Boston. But this trip has truly been the highlight of my US trip thus far. It really brought me face to face with what must be one of the wonders of the natural world. A moment to remember indeed.

See here for more Niagara (and Thousand Island) photos, the Multiply link on the left will bring you to my videos of Niagara (and other videos too).

Night at Niagara

We got to Niagara Falls City US at about 8pm on Sat 30 September. We had paid our $5 to the driver for his overtime work in driving us to the falls at night (he has a good thing going).

It was pretty chilly and windy at the falls. And frankly visibility was poor at that hour of the night. Theoretically there was supposed to be a nice laser light show but it did not really light up the falls that vividly. But, very surprisingly, once I took a photo (using the auto feature) the laser light seemed to somehow suffuse the mist which was rising from the falls:

Anyway, after a chilly half hour or so we checked into our hotel, which was clean and drab and dull. I pulled some of my classmates out and we had a drink at the bar across the road. Beer is surprisingly cheap in Niagara, just $1 per mug. The bar itself looked like the bars one sees on TV. But the bartender behind the bar was pretty helpful. She spotted us looking at the menu and told us that the kitchen was closed, but there was a pizza place which was open down the road and if we were keen, she could give them a call and ask them to bring something over. That's what I call customer service!

Niagara Falls

Just came back from Niagara Falls. This has to be the highlight of my US stay thus far. I will write a more detailed post later on, but this is to introduce my new Multiply website, where I have posted some videos of the visit. The website has also been added to my links on the left.