Frank and Paul (david had to go work) fed us breakfast and then took us on a guided tour of the area. It's interesting that this area saw significant action during the American's attempted take over of canada in 1812, which the British help to defend. There are a number of forts and monuments locally depicting these actions. The first of these we saw was the very Nelson-esque statue of Sir Isaac Brock who was widely acclaimed for repelling the Americans.
We were dropped right by the Falls and given excellent advice on which tickets to buy. For C$31.95 you get a pass which entitles you to admission to the Journey Behind the Falls, The Maid of the Mist, the White Water Walk and the Butterfly Conservatory. It also gives you discounts on a number of other attractions including the Ancient Spanish Aero Car over the Whirlpool. You were also allowed to use the People Movers which travel frequently between each section.
The Journey behind the Falls takes you down and through a series of tunnels and you portals right behind where the water falls. It also takes you to an Observation Point tight at the foot of the Falls. Here you see at close quarters the 84 million litres per minute cascading over the 54 metre Fall. The power and intensity is incessant. You can't better Mother Nature.
The Maid of the Mist boat trip twas established in 1864 and is the image that most people have of tourists at the Falls. It takes you round the bottom of the American Falls and right into the heart of the mist that is formed at the bottom of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. I thought I'd feel vulnerable, but actually I got a strange almost serene feeling. Luckily they supply waterproof ponchos in a tasteful shade of blue. At least you all look equally stupid.
Next we took advantage of the free fries that our ticket gave us and then headed for the White Water Walk, which takes you down beside the River further downstream and right at the bottom of the gorge.
Further down is the Ancient Spanish Aero Car which unfortunately was not running due to the high winds. It's an old fashioned open aired cable car that spanned the gorge right over a massive whirlpool. I can imagine that the view up the river would have been excellent.
You also have the chance to ride the rapids in a speed boat for about C$50, but i'm gonna save my white water experiences for NZ.
If you've only seen the Falls from the American side then I don't think that you've seen the real Falls. There are parts that are commercialized but I don't think that detracts from the actual experience. Just be sensible about when you come. It's always gonna be busy, but especially at weekends in the Summer.
I don't think you could ever tire of seeing the Niagara Falls and if you've never seen it you should try and make the effort. Come and stay at Frank and David's they only charge C$145. I might be able to negoiate a family discount, but no promises.
