Niagara Falls

Everything we wrote yesterday, increase that by a million and you will understand what we saw today! We went over to the Canadian side of the Falls, the walk being quite amusing as the only marker of the border between USA and Canada was a plaque so we were able to stand by the plaque with one foot in America and the other foot in Canada. That was quite bizarre but provided a few moments of hilarity! We got over to the Canadian side and saw the Falls from there fairly early this morning. Now I was amazed by the American side last night but the Canadian side is even more spectacular. Nothing we have ever seen can compare to it. The water is so powerful it is unbelievable. A 7 year old boy fell over the side in a boating accident years ago and managed to survive although we will never understand how. There are lots of stories of daring stunts and falls that have happened over the years - the history is pretty fantasic!

Crossing the border into Canada

Today was the time to be proper tourists! We started with a journey behind the Falls which involves going into tunnels which are behind the water fall and coming out on platforms where the water is coming down over the top of you and falling in front of you. That was cool and completely surreal. We were also able to go onto a platform and look side on to the water fall which again was pretty amazing. After that we went on the Maid of the Mist which is a boat that takes you right into the middle of the Horseshoe Falls and into the 'mist' that is created as the force of the water fall hits the water at the bottom. Of course the mist is actually the back spray of the water so we got exceptionally wet! We had our blue Maid of the Mist poncho's on so though so all was good! The spray was actually really refreshing anyway as the weather has been so hot today! That boat trip has to be a highlight of our trip so far!

Ed & Ali at Niagara Falls (Canadian Side)

Oh, we have to mention also the gigantic ice cream we had while watching the water fall. It was about four times the size of an English ice cream. The photo is evidence! (We will upload photo's as soon as we get enough time on the net).

We also went on a walk down to the rapids of the waterfall where the water is travelling at speeds of up to 40mph. People have attempted to swim across the rapids at this point - most have failed but some have miraculously survived. Further down stream we saw the whirlpool where the water eventually ends up. We're not entirely sure how the water here appears to be so calm when it is travelling so fast just a short way back - the mind boggles! These sights all added up to an incredible day! The day finished with us meeting up with some friends from camp and going for dinner and a few drinks before crossing the border and heading back to the hostel ready for another day travelling tomorrow - Toronto here we come!

Niagara Falls (Canadian Side)