Niagara Falls, Canada, Thursday 30-5-13

Today we used our breakfast voucher an enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast overlooking the falls at our hotel.
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2y3qMfczoY&feature=youtu.be[/tube]

Then we caught the WeGo bus to Table Rock to start our touring. Yesterday we saw an adult Adventure Pass advertised for $46.50 per adult so we thought this may be a good idea. This was until we went to purchase it and realised it had another $36 tax on top. So we were much better off buying out entry tickets separately so we only got exactly what we wanted to see, rather than a package including things that did not interest us.

Once the lady realised we were not buying the Adventure Pass, she told us of a special deal where we got tickets to Niagara Fury for half price if we bought tickets to the Journey behind the Falls. This suited us just fine ( and saved us about $30). Funny how that turned up all of a sudden. Also the Casino here is owned by the Government, no wonder nothing pays.

There seem to be so many school excursions here each day. I recall my excursions being to Lake Keepit near Gunnedah and Lake Narambeen in Year 11. What a different experience the kids here are getting!

Anyway the lady advised us to do The Fury first as she said 100 students had just lined up for the Journey behind the Falls. So we went to the 12 noon Fury show. This had about 40 high school students in the room – my dream to be with 25 screaming girls as soon as the lights went out. When the lights came back on we realised the screams were to get the boys to cuddle them. How glad I am that I am not on duty for this one! This continued every where we went all day.

The Fury was a 4D presentation that told the history of how the Falls were created by nature. You wear a blue poncho and EVERYONE gets wet. They had a technical hiccups at the start so we experienced the snow storm 3 or 4 times before it happened as planned (so lots of screaming in the dark by the girls!!!).

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Next we went to the Journey behind the Falls.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyvIyIBmOI0&feature=youtu.be[/tube]

This involves an elevator ride down 20 metres within the cliff face to tunnels that take you to a lookout area and then two portal where you are actually behind the falls. Again we donned ponchos, (yellow this time) and again you get wet. But its well worth it – lots of fun and an amazing view.

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To get to The Maid of the Mist we caught the Green northbound WeGo bus. The buses run pretty much to time and its so easy to get around.

We purchased our tickets. The sign actually said $19.50 (including taxes) so we were very happy to know exactly how much money to have ready when we go to the front of the line.

This time its blue ponchos again and you walk down a long ramp to the elevators, then down more rampway to the boat. We got on with no delays which was great I imagine in peak holiday season, what has taken us 2 ½ hours would up to 3-4 hours due to queuing.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UhQ92mTJOg&feature=youtu.be[/tube]

The Maid of the Mist ride only takes 25 minutes but was spectacular. Again, you get VERY wet, and again there were girls screaming (different ones this time – just the nature of Year 9).

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After this we completed the green route on the bus and then tried our luck at the Niagara Casino. Guess who won? Not us!!!

Again we caught the Blue bus line and returned to Fallsview Boulevard near our hotel and decided on a cheaper option for dinner as we were both tired and ready to relax. We tried Appleblys and we very pleased. Their deal was “share an appetiser and get 2 entrees ( our main meals) for a total of $30 (plus tax of course).

Then a short stroll back to our hotel where I sat and watched the falls for a few hours.

Great day! One of the best places I have ever been to. Thanks Mel and Glenn for your great advertising by sharing your trips previously.