Niagara Falls

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Yesterday we visited Niagara Falls. It was interesting to compare these falls with Iquazu. Both are beautiful. Iquazu is three kilometres in jungle environment and heat, yesterday Niagara Falls still had glacial-type snow at bottom of falls. We took the Maid of the Mist boat to get up in front of the falls. This was fun; quite the experience. I was pleasantly surprised at the price,$14.95 each. When I think of the entry price to Iquazu and MachuPicchu and some museums in South America, the Niagara Falls boat trip is a bargain. Everyone in the boat laughed while getting soaked. Being so close to the rushing falls was awesome...yes, awe inspiring awesome.
There was leftover snow and ice at the bottom of the falls that looked like vanilla and chocolate ice cream. We were given (wow, given!) rain ponchos to protect us from the spray. No way.....the torrents come in the neck of the poncho and blow in the arms and soak the bottom of your jeans and shoes. It felt good, even if it was cool April. As we got closer to the wall of water and clouds of mist, we questioned how close (and how safe) the boat was going to the water. The river was churning like the sea on a windy day. When we were in the cloud of mist/torrential rain, it felt as if we hit a storm at sea. I moved to the centre of the boat to ease the amount of rain. There were a few tourists who bravely clung to the tip of the boat. I had fun taking photos from different angles.
On the way back down the river, Tammy and June pointed out the international boundary on the bridge. If you enlarge bridge photo you might see the flags in the middle.
I had been warned that Niagara Falls was built up with tourist traps. It is not as bad as that. We left the area and had dinner, greek salad, hot wings and nachos drenched in cheese....hmmmmm, welcome to Canada.

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Photos

Niagara Falls
The Canadian falls, view from boat

Soaked
The Maid of the Mist boat takes you up to falls

Perspective
View from above, you can see how close the boat gets to falls

Top
On top of the falls

Driving to Falls
Entering Niagara Falls town

Tourist Traps
There are casinos and restaurants a block or so away from the falls.

Steps
Walking down steps and take an elevator to get to dock

Cousins
Everybody gets blue raingear at the beginning of the tour

Away from Dock
The beginning of boat tour.

Dry
Beginning of tour

American Falls
Boat moves past american falls. See the ice?

Canadian side
First part of horseshoe-shaped falls

Towards the Falls
Maid of the Mist moves towards the falls.

Closer
As water rains down on us, we wonder 'just how close is the boat going to go?'

Hang On
A few brave tourists hang on to front of boat and get soaked.

Bridge
Heading back to dock. Halfway on bridge is border between Canada and U.S.

Spring Flowers
View of U.S. falls

Wet
Can you see which one didn't wear rain hood?

Park
Walking back to Cliffton Hill (where casinos and restaurants are)