" One Wonder After Another " - Niagara Falls - " the world's most famous address "

1)NIAGARA FALLS

We stood within a vision's spell
We saw, We heard The Liquid Thunder
The Niagara Falls Was A Splendor
Canadian Horse Shoe Falls A Natural Wonder.

We were like captive bound
Around A Universe of Sound
The Falls Roars As Water Pours
One can't find words to explore
The Spectacle is infinity and beyond - a wonder galore !!

Legend has it that the shape of the Falls became horseshoe shaped from the body of the snake. It is said that it remains to this day, showing that the Gods are still protecting the Indians against evil spirits.

In the previous mail I wrote how it became tantalizing to get the Canadian Visa. But when we saw the fabulous sight with awe and embraced the cool breeze refreshingly flowing from " The Maid of the Mist " the agony of obtaining the Canadian Visa was worth as it had enabled us to see the world's wonder.

We, earlier, discussed and decided to hire a minivan for a week for our travel to Canada and also for local sight seeing trips in Michigan.

We all left for Canada on Monday, the Aug 6th. My son-in-law took the wheels for most of the time ably assisted by my daughter for about 90 minutes of the last stretch. Travel between the USA and Canada is quick and convenient, the border crossing process after crossing the connecting bridge is simple and friendly. We produced the Passports, informed them about our destination and expected length of visit. While returning we had to declare that we didn't transport any agricultural product from Canada. Thus we jumped the International border both ways with ease. The journey to Niagara took about five and a half hrs from Michigan.

We went straight first to our hotel room, located minutes from the brink of the Falls. The hotel features a beautifully landscaped indoor court yard with lush trees and garden. Two adjacent suites with independent king sized beds in each, coffee makers,Iron with table,etc. made the stay comfortable. Besides there was a swimming pool in the court yard where the grand kids rejoiced swimming later in the evening.

As soon as we reached the hotel, we left our luggage in the safe room and took the car up to the falls parking. Then we took the raid in the boat "Maid of the Mist" and went very close to the Falls. We stood at the bow of the boat and swathed in the rain gear, and felt the mist spray on our faces and sensed the vast power as the boat made its way to the base of the horseshoe falls. The full splendor cannot be appreciated from the top. A ride on a boat level is the only way to know the true beauty of the one of the world's natural wonder.

We had food as late as 3pm in one restaurant called "Rain Forest Cafe" which has been designed to look like a dense and real forest inside with life size models of trees, flowers, pools, animals, creatures and what not. The contour, air conditioning and ambient lights enriched the forest view very much. They serve the ice-cream delight order with its top burning with tiny flower-sparklers to give the effect of a volcano which occurs in dense forest at frequent intervals.

After a sound sleep overnight, we left the next day the hotel after break fast for Toronto. The journey by road was comfortable as we enjoyed the road side scenario. Lake Ontario offered a grand sight, the fifth of the great lakes.

We visited CN Tower - which visit proved to be a wonder after another.



CN Tower,1816 feet tall, completed in 1976, and according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the tallest free standing structure on land. The Tower is the signature icon of the city and attracts more than 2 million international visitors annually. CN stands for Canada's National Tower. The main portion of the Tower is a hollow hexagonal pillar which houses the elevators, stairwells. On top of this is the 335 feet metal broad cast antenna carrying TV and Radio signals.The Sky pod, formerly known as Space deck, is located at 1465 feet just below the antenna. Sky pod is the highest public observation deck in the world. On a clear day, we can see the mist rising from the Niagara Falls from the Sky pod.

Petronius Platform Oil Rig in the Gulf of Mexico is taller yet most of the rig is under water.

The other highlights of CN Tower include:-
**- Tallest tower in the world and almost twice as tall as Eiffel Tower
**- has a wind tolerance of 420k.m/hr.
**- Struck by lightning 40 to 50 times in a year where as other places in Toronto are struck only twice on an average.
**- the Tower sways 3.50 feet from the cent re at the antenna against high velocity wind.
**- the Tower has Glass Floor from where we can admire the sight deep down, the whole view of the city. The Glass Floor can withstand 600psi.
**- The Tower is designed to withstand earth quake measuring 8.5 on Richter scale.
**- The elevator in the Tower ascends and descends in 58 seconds to and from look-out level.

For those looking for thrills the CN Tower measures up! Located at the base guests will find our arcade, motion theater ride and The Height of Excellence.

It is the near future and in this motion ride film mankind faces environmental disaster through years of over- harvesting the forests. But scientists have developed a “Super-Tree” that quickly generates desperately needed wood and life-giving oxygen. Super-Trees are grown in a simulated "super world" called "Himalamazon", where a uniquely developed combination of the attributes of the Himalayas and the Amazon has been created. Experience the thrill of this motion theater ride, complete with special effects – feel the wind and water as you join one of these Super-Trees on it's journey from seed to harvest ... it is a spectacular ride as a Super-Tree careens down ravines and through caves to the harvesting plant.

We needed some rest? Why not enjoy "The Height of Excellence" a 20 minute documentary of the building of the engineering marvel that is the CN Tower. We saw this movie as well as the the thrill " Himalamazon" movie described in para just above.

We then took out the van from the parking and went round and round and finally located " Udupi Hotel" in Toronto. Each one ordered their favorite firsts and shared later. We took our return journey from Toronto and reached our temporary place of stay at Niagara Falls around 8p.m. We then went to see the excitement of Niagara Falls view in the night.

Niagara Falls when Lights On:- The magical light show begins when dusk sets in. Year around the American and the Horseshoe falls are enchantingly transformed by twenty one Xenon gas spot lights that produce a rainbow of co lours- red, amber, green and blue. It is a captivating magnificent light show, spot lighting the Falls,over the years, which has the brilliance of 250 million candle power in equivalent terms.

Niagara Falls attracts 15 million international tourists annually.

We called it a day, returned to the hotel and had a sound sleep.

The next day, we vacated the hotel to another interesting and adventurous spot which falls in the midway between Toronto and Niagara Falls.

The place I have referred above is the entry to an environment that is home to over 1000 birds and animals, many of which is classified as endangered or threatened species.

African Lion Safari We saw the Lions drinking water as we journeyed in the Van. There was an exhibition of five elephants performing feats sharp at 5p.m. which we luckily did not miss. African Lion Safari is Canada's original Safari Adventure from 1969 onwards. We drove through the large Game Reserves in our own vehicle and saw the cheetah, giraffe, rhino, baboons, and more.

We returned back to Michigan half past 10 p.m. and had Roti/Nan to eat.

The journey in the van was comfortable and uneventful, thanks to the well planned route and good driving on excellent road conditions

The adventure will continue in the next issue or bulletin.