We proceeded to Niagara. Vinu had booked in a place called Seneca resort and Casino a very big and nice Hotel very near the Niagara Falls.
The Canadian side can be seen. The buildings on the other side is Canada.
The lovely American Falls. The far side is the Horse Shoe shaped Canadian Falls.
The other Falls only Mist can be seen.
On the Viewing Platform.
We parked the car and proceeded straight towards the Famous Falls. It was walkable distance from the hotel. it was still evening and enough sunlight was there . We had to walk through a big park and went near the falls. It was a huge falls called the American Falls. which can be seen from the American side. Just across the river is Canada from where you can get a very good view of the horse shoe falls or the Canadian falls which is much bigger. Even that Falls can be seen from the American side but only partially.
The Bridge which takes one to Canada. Alas we don't have a Visa.....
Another View from a different Location. The American Falls.
The Color lights are lit against the Canadian Falls. The View would have been fantastic from the other side but we have to be happy with what we saw.
Now I understand why it is said that this place is the first choice of Indian tourists. I see very many Indians and they were by far the largest tourist group in this place. No wonder there were so many Indian Restaurants on our way to the Niagara parks and falls.
We walked across a little bridge , crossing the gushing waters underneath and go to a point for a better and nearer view of the Falls. It was so Huge. I felt one with Nature and tears started to roll down my cheeks on its own accord, I just stood rooted to the place looking at the great phenomenon of Nature. Just a few days ago I had the same feeling watching those Lions and Elephants in the huge plains of Africa and now this sight, humbled the minuscule me.
We returned to the hotel and rested for the night.
Next morning after BF we went back to the Falls to go on the 'Mist of Maid' boat ride. Wow! Out of the world experience. The boat took us very near the big Horse Shoe falls. That is the Canadian Falls. I felt very scared , at the same time very excited. We were given rain coat type plastic covers. The water from the Falls sprayed on us , The Falls is not visible only the mist. It is cloudy and drizzling and so no rainbow. (any way I have seen one in the other small falls it self).
The Maid of Mist entry point.
In front of the Boat.
View from the Boat as we go near the Canadian Falls. Nature at its best.
We could see birds near the falls. but could not see any fish for which the birds are flying so near the water.
We came back and climb on to the viewing place near the American falls. We went very near the huge Falls with water splashing on us. Suddenly the direction of the wind changes and whole lot of water rained on us. I felt as if the Falls is communicating with me by saying Hello in its own sweet way. . I just stand and watch the falls while getting drenched in water and with great reluctance come out of the place and also come out of the magic of the falls.
When we went near the American Falls and the water splashed on us and send a big Hello
We came back to vacate the room, went to the Casino and played in the slot machine . Pa was the lucky one while me and vinu kept losing. So we just watched him play and for playing 5 $ he got 12 $. which was redeemed by us !! ( we would be the only ones who redeemed such small amount!) Again we asked him to play and he played for 10 $ and lost it all. So we just move out with a loss of 3 $. Now it was time to start for our next destination.
We drove towards a place called Fort Drum near Alexandra Bay. We stayed in a place called
Candle wood suits. The drive is very Scenic. It is a very small town.
There is a big Walmart store next to where we stayed. My sonny who was refusing to take me to Walmart (he hates such shopping) had no other go but to take me to the shop.
After break fast (7th September) we drive towards a place called Heart Island in Alexandria Bay where there is a place called Boldt Castle and Yacht House.
This was owned by a Rich New Yorker of Gilded Era (which is from around 1870 to 1900 when there was a rapid economic grown in USA especially in the North and the East.)
Later the property changed hands and recently a Charitable trust was formed to restore this to the original Glory.
The Yacht House from the Road side.
A Boat called THIS!
Free Shuttle to the Castle.
Yatcht house entrance from the River side.
The Restoration Work.
The Restored Hall
The Silver Cutlery on display. Notice the letter B.
The Rotating Table in the restored bedroom. Reminded me of My Father's Rose Wood Rotating Table which I have kept in my home in Coimbatore.
A Restored Bedroom .
A Bedroom not yet Restored in upper Floor.
In one of the upper Balconies.
Close up of the roof and the castle.
The Hall which looks so cinematic. We have seen much better places in Paris, Versailles and London, but this place also has its own charm.
The lovely garden
Can not believe it is chillies they are grown here for its beauty.
The Entrance pillar from the river/lake with the Stags on the top.
The lovely begonias.
The lovely yellow begonias.
A place to relax in the Garden.
There is a small Yatch house and a beautifully restored Castle. A boat takes everybody to the Castle from the Yatch house.
It is a wonderful place and we would not even know that some such thing exists until we reach there.
It is virtually in a nowhere land and very near Canadian Border. They are still restoring the Castle and done a very nice job. Many tourists are there from Canada also who have come in bigger boats.
We start back from here through a huge National park called Adirondack National Park . The speed limit is 45 mph and this is a preserved Forest Land protected by the Govt. which is very vast area of wilderness. It is quite a dense forest and we drive slowly through the wild and reach Albany late in the evening. What a contrast from quiet Forest to Busy town. We stay in Best Western which is quite good and go to a Indian Restaurant for dinner. It is very noisy and the food is not that good.
We start the next day after hotel BF and reach NY Manhattan before lunch.
Very memorable trip.
All the lovely pictures were clicked by my hubby. A big thanks to him. Please click on the picture to see them properly.
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