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Published: January 26th 2016
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14
th We purposely booked a later flight to give us time to get to the airport out of rush hour. As it was, the tube (or metro as they call it here) was packed as we crammed in with our luggage. That was only for about 4 stops and then it cleared out enough for us to get a seat the rest of the way. We transferred to the ‘air train’ towards the end of the line and then only a few stops to terminal 5. Pretty easy really. And not expensive. Taxi or shuttle bus was going to cost us way too much.
We didn’t have a long wait, and check in was painless. We had a lovely lady checking us in, chatting away. Wondering why on earth we would want to be going to Buffalo and having a laugh when I replied..to see snow! Well it snows there every day she reckoned!! Anyway, she ended up giving us both a ‘skip the security screening line’ pass. I’m not sure how or why or what goes on with that, but with clearing security, we went to the fast forward line (no one else going
through there at that stage, and a big line up for normal security clearance) we still had to put our bags through the machine, but didn’t have to remove laptops, we didn’t have to remove shoes, and it was so painless and fast. Now we just have to work out how to get that every time!!
A short flight and then as we were descending into Buffalo, we saw the snow! We came below the clouds and the ground was just completely covered in snow, houses where hidden, cars were buried, it was just so beautiful!!
I had done my research as to getting to Niagara Falls, and had found a taxi company that would take us both for $50, rather than the widely advertised company that charges $50 per person. The taxi guy was very friendly, gave us some good places to visit and chatted all the way!
Check in was easy, our room was ready..we were staying at Sheridan at the Falls, dropped our bags off and then went out to explore. Oh it was so beautiful. They must have had a big snow drop a few days prior,
the trees were all white, and the snow was thick and soooo soft!! I couldn’t stop taking pics of the trees. Just a winter wonderland. We were looking down on the American Falls and saw 2 foxes running about, but of course…that’s when the battery on my good camera died…and for some reason, my spare hadn’t charged yesterday. Blast!!!! We walked until it started getting dark (about 1700) and then headed back to the hotel. We looked around at the places to eat, but then found on google that the Casino across the road had a buffet for $21 each. Well it was 21 if you joined up at their club, more expensive if you were a visitor….so we joined! Not only did we get a good price for dinner, we both got $20 free credit to play on the pokies…and free drinks as long as you were actively playing. So after dinner we went and had a play. Didn’t do us much good mind you…but good fun and not our money!! That’s the best way to play the pokies I think!
15
th BIG day today. Checkout wasn’t until 1200 so we
had time to pop out and do a circuit of ‘goat island’. It’s a small island, and didn’t take long to walk around….well wouldn’t have if we hadn’t stopped all the time to look at the amazing scenery. Had a good view of the American falls, but the most interesting thing we found was the trees. All the ice was melting off the branches and falling to the ground with a resounding crash. It really was noisy and the ice dropping was thick and heavy. It seemed as although someone had turned a switch and all at once all the trees were dropping their ice. Sometimes we had to rush quickly along the path to avoid being hit by dropping ice. It was just so amazing. As we walked around, we saw a group of ducks foraging in the snow digging for the grass underneath. We were surprised to see the grass is all green under the snow. A bit further on we saw a black cat just sitting in the snow and then there were 4 more behind it still hiding in the trees. Not sure what their story was, seemed strange just out there with nothing else around.
Finally walked back to the hotel, and called up our taxi friend to move across to the Canadian side. $30 flat rate from hotel to hotel. Seemed fair. However if we didn’t have our bags..we would’ve just walked across. Very easy. Got through border control pain free and were delivered to our hotel….Sheraton on the Falls. This is a birthday treat stay. We ended up on the 21
st floor, with a king bed, Jacuzzi and views of the falls….and amazing views of the falls I should say!! It was just 1200 but our room was ready so we checked in and then went off exploring.
We walked the length of the falls, from the American falls to the horseshoe falls. Just stunning!! We saw the foxes again on the other side of the falls…and this time I did have my camera with a full battery. They look so red against the white snow. We took our time walking along as there’s so much to see and the views are just so breathtaking. Had nearly done enough walking for the day…as our feet were telling us, but then had to go find some food for breakfast and of
course the deli was 15mins away….and then decided we really needed a little beverage to go with our amazing view. And of course….the only bottle shop was another 15mins walk away…and then back again. We got 23,000 steps that day. During our walking we found out that the Indian restaurant we were advised to go to was ‘closed for the season’ but fortunately we found another one…and it was a bit closer. Dinner that night was amazing. Best Indian we’d had for ages. Much more spicier than usual, but so good. Just a little place and very friendly..the 2 staff that were on. Back in the hotel, settled in for the night…and at 9pm…we had fireworks. Our own front row seats. What a fantastic end to an amazing day!!
16
th Ohhh, very chilly today…wind chill factor really creeping in and making it uncomfortable out on the street. So…we decided to catch the local bus out to the outlet shops. Unfortunately I’ve had a blowout in my sneakers, and so now my toes are getting wet as snow is seeping through. While we were waiting for the bus, a little squirrel,
was foraging around right next to us. It didn’t seem bothered by us at all and in fact came up to Phil in the hope of getting some food. Every now and then it would raise it’s front leg and hug it into it’s body as if it was warming up it’s front foot one at a time. So I needed some more shoes. WE found the place quite ok, and also found a pair of waterproof walking boots each. The amount of walking we do, we need good quality stuff. Back to the hotel by the afternoon, and with the view we have and the wind chill outside…we decided to hang in the room, just watching the falls. Relaxing day! Back to the Indian restaurant for dinner as it was so good last night and also nice and close. So glad we arrived when we did as the snow has all started melting, the trees are brown now instead of magical white and the roads are mostly slush. Not half as pretty as when we first arrived.
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