THE LAST WATERFALL OF THE TRIP, BRING ON NIAGARA

It was quite late by the time we arrived in Buffalo as we had to fly through New York to get here. We got a taxi straight to our hotel and were just sat chilling watching a bit of TV when Sharon called to say that she had sent the Fedex and the wallet would arrive by lunchtime the next day. This meant we could still go and hire the car and once again Sharon had found out where we could go that was close to us and it turned out Avis was just down the road. With all that sorted and settled (cheers Sharon) we settled in for a good nights sleep.

Waking late we found that the fedex was already at reception so while Tim went to sort out the car I went to make use of the free internet to try and get the blog somewhere near where we were now. At this point it is so far behing but we just havent found access all that easy.

With a few hours of that under our belt and Tim having sorted out all our laundry we headed off for something to eat. Settling for a nice buffet in a place across the road. Our first day here was pretty much organising for the following day to go to Niagara. So the following morning we set out for the Canadian border. The weather was not really playing ball and in comparison to the day before it was very overcast and a bit chilly. The drive out to the falls was only about an hour and that time did little to improve the cloud situation. As we paid to get over the toll bridge and then through immigration it looked like it might even rain, this was not how we imagined it would be. However, we do feel we have been very lucky with the weather in all the big tourist attractions throughout the trip so we promised to make the most of it and not complain. We entered the park which we were surprised to find was free, no admission at all. What surprised us the most though is that as you follow the signs for the falls down the road you turn a corner and there they are, you can see both falls from the road. We were astounded and then anxious to get parked so we could take a proper look. Our first sight of them was pretty impressive to say the least. We parked the car for $18 for the whole day which we thought was pretty fair. Rushing across the road we take a look over the wall and we can see the top of the horseshoe falls, the water runs rapidly past us and straight over the edge. It is unbelievable how quick it is flowing and as we walk to get a better view of the edge we can only see half way down the white torrenting water as the spray bounces back us and masks the falls basin. The pictures we were taking really did not do the sheer size any justice and with the constant haze from the spray they are not as good as we hoped. But we were here, Niagara falls the last major tourist destination of the trip we cant believe it as this was just a dream at the beginning.

As neither of us ahd eaten and the morning was drawing on we stopped for some lunch and then took the maid in the mist tour. Donning our lovely waterproof dress they gave us it had just started to rain a little. Our boat was not as crowded as some we had seen and from the deck we got a really good view of the American Falls. As these are no where near as high as the Horseshoe you can see right to the rocks at the base. The boat set off and we headed directly towards them, the water rushes down the rocks and the spray is really heavy. The free waterproof is all but useless as the wind whips it around you and my sleeves are getting soaked. The boat backs away a little and then we cruise up to the horseshoe falls. Now before we took this tour we were not really feeling overly impressed. We get annoyed with ourselves when this happens and sometimes we think we may have just seen too much in the last 12 months we were like okay it a very big waterfall. Spoilt brats! As we get closer to the basin the spray is horrendous, the water thunders down the steep drop and for a good few seconds you cannot see anything and literally I had to turn my back to the falls just to gather myself together. As I turned back round we are right up close to the edge and that is when we were blown away, it was unbelievable and well worth getting wet for. You just cannot appreciate the amount of water until you are on the river bed looking up it was an amazing feeling. Then as we back away we get hit by the spray again and by this point we are completely soaked through and rather cold. The boat trundles back to the dock and thats it, Niagara falls has been experienced another memory in the bank. The weather had still not improved and it was steadily drizzling we decided it was foolish to hang around for the sake of it, we had achieved what we wanted so we headed back to the car to warm up and dry out. Not without having one last look from the top though, the weather was a real shame as a blue sky would have really added to the drama but you can will them all. We both wanted to see how Niagara compared to Iguazu, the answer for us was simple the Horseshoe falls is without doubt the biggest we have seen but for sheer beauty and more to discover Iguazu wins hands down. Niagara is a bit of a concrete world whereas Iguazu has natural vegetation and over 200 different falls to experience.

As we thaw out in the car we decide to stop at the whirlpool on the way out as we duck and dive the rain to see over the wall here we were less than impressed it was just a large part of the river that breaks out and there was no whirling to be seen so we didnt dwell too long here. Driving back to Buffallo in the now tipping rain Tim saw a nike superstore from the road and we stopped to take a look. This little detour cost me a fortune as I found the most beautiful collection of evening gowns in the mall. With a few things coming up for work I took advantage of the amazing selection and spent the next hour doing a complete fashion parade in the very quiet boutique. All the sale staff were really helpful and honest too it was so nice to wear a dress!!!! So with purchases in hand and Tim bearing nothing we hit the road again and arrive back in Buffallo about 5pm. I never used to like shopping that much now I love it, I think its just the simple fact that I have been unable to do any. So another day gone and another step closer to coming home, feeling strange now, sad but also wonderful.

The next day we pottered about me doing more on the blog as we still had free access and Tim having to go out and find me a little suitcase to put my gowns in. Not quite a backpacker anymore!! That evening we sat and for the first time in a while we chatted over all our experiences good and bad. With the red wine flowing we literally chatted the night away leaving time for only 3 hours sleep before we left for the airport and our final destination....where has a year gone????????????

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