Niagara Falls

Up early the next morning to catch a flight from La-Guardia to Toronto then a coach ride with the group to Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls, Ontario, is a Canadian city at the famous waterfalls, linked to US by the Rainbow Bridge. It's site on the Niagara River's western shore overlooks the Horseshoe Falls, the cascades' most expansive section.  We had a falls view room on the 16th floor in Sheraton on the Falls. This was very special and when we entered our room Hels make such a loud exclamation of 'OMG' I heard one of the attendants in the corridor have a little chuckle.

After settling in we walked up Clifton Hill passing heaps of amusement shops with music blearing and lights flashing - bit tacky and so different to the natural beauty of the falls. Found a lovely Indian Restaurant (Guru) where we had a very tasty meal, checked out some other shops then headed back to our room to stare in awe at our beautiful view all lite up at night.  Absolutely spectacular!  Watched the 10pm Fireworks display while Helen slept!

The view from our hotel room, absolutely amazing!

At night the falls are lit up and change colour 

Met up with our fellow travellers for a 'briefing' before gorging ourselves with the Breakfast Buffet - not good when it is all you can eat!!  Walked down to the Niagara Parkway and bought an Adventure Pass from Niagara Parks -  Journey Behind the Falls (journey below and behind the heart of Niagara and stand right in the mist and spray):  Niagara's Fury (travel back in time 10,000 years to re-live the ancient story of the falls, witnessing the power and beauty of nature in 4D):  Hornblower Niagara Cruise (ride into the breathtaking American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls). Everything was amazing and the force of these waterfalls was unbelievable.  After an action packed day it was a freshen up and off to our hosts Gerry and Sandy's room for Happy Hour which started at 6pm and continued to 9.30pm!!  What a great group this is to travel with!

Walked to Perkins Bakehouse for breakfast then back to our room via the Casino.  Helen felt a bit unwell so went to bed while I walked across the Rainbow Bridge into US (had to show passport at the border!).  Went onto the Viewing Platform then took a lift down to ground level and the bottom of the American falls.  Met up with fellow travellers John & Judy who were drenched, so decided not to go down any further.  In the afternoon Hels was feeling better so took the 'WeGo' bus to the fourth Attraction included in the Pass, White Water Walk (deep in the Niagara Gorge explore the boardwalk overlooking some of the world's wildest stretches of "class 6" rapids).  This was also spectacular as the boardwalk takes you very close to the rapids.  Hopped back on the bus again and enjoyed the drive to the terminal passing Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Conservatory, Floral Clock.

One of the cruise boats going to the falls.

From the top of Horse shoe falls

Looking towards our hotel on the left and American side falls on the right.

At the base on a observation platform of the Horseshoe falls

Our hotel on the left

Two boats from the Canadian side are continually taking trips to the falls

On the boat heading to what seemed to be right under the falls - we were drenched by the spray  

Looking from the US side

A different colour, just amazing

We were surprised by the amusement alley around the area.