Day 6 Toronto to Niagara

Fabulous deep and long sleep.

The hotel wake-up call was the winner. Neither my phone/ the room alarm clock worked. I realised the problem with the alarm clock- the switch at the side. That’s what happens when you are so tired. So off to breakfast- buffet style where only the fruit was GF/ LF free. Advertised at $13.95 but was in reality $17.95 plus taxes= $22. Tea was warm not hot, potatoes stone cold, baked beans just warm. As were the scrambled eggs. Luckily I had my rice cakes and their jam/ marmalade was good. When I return I’ll be asking for menu breakfast not the buffet. Checked out of the hotel and caught the taxi- cheaper in the morning because there was no traffic. ($9.50 > $13.25)

Waited for a short time at station, which is under refurbishment and once again the train was on time. Two long carriages. One for those going to America and one for Canada.  DON’T get in the wrong one or you get hauled off to the right one. Amtrack service to New York from Canada? and the not so good news is no WiFi until you get to America. A lovely journey, but this time several very slow sections. We travelled through mostly light industrial and then onto residential and occasionally rural areas growing fruit, vines and crops, crossing over many small and large rivers hugging the side of Lake Ontario. I moved once because of the sun blinding me only to have the same thing happen when we turned the corner at Dundas.

We arrived in Niagara Falls on time at 10:15 and I caught a taxi to the hotel. Wonderful news waiting for me there- I could access a room immediately AND it was upgraded to a suite with lounge and spa bath! After dumping my travelling bags in the room I went down stairs to check out tours.  I could have got a package deal which would have lasted 5 hours and ticked most of the things to see. Unfortunately it started in five minutes and by the time you added the 19+% tax and the Australian dollar exchange, it was going to be an expensive tour. I would have paid, but half of the items I didn’t want to see. I wanted the waterfalls and trees/ leaves. And there was no mention of lunch in the tour and after the last few days I was hungry. So I only bought a boat ticket which you could use any time of the day.

I grabbed my waterproofs from upstairs. I wasn’t convinced by the concierge saying you only got a “little wet”. I trusted the words of warning from my friends. As I walked down to the river, I was constantly side tracked by displays of amazing leaf colours.

The Falls from the bank were most impressive. I eventually walked to the boat, stopped to put on my waterproof pants and jacket, zipped everything into a waterproof place and went on board. All the passengers on the Canadian side get red ponchos. Those on the American side get blue? A great ride and fabulous photos until we got close to Horseshoe Falls, then the water was pouring over us. Most of the top deck people bolted down stairs. It was difficult to film with so much water, but it was fun. Rowan (bear) was less than impressed- no rain wear for him. I heard him muttering that next time he was going to check the itinerary before he agreed to go anywhere and insist of suitable coverings.

After the boat I had a cuppa (their taxes are ridiculous here) and decided just to walk along the path to the next bridge (Rainbow Bridge), which was not that far ahead. After happily shooting away, I thought I would walk a bit more because the trees lining the river were spectacular shades of autumn, until I reached that point of no return – too far to go back and the next bridge was closer. But I found that no one is allowed to walk over that bridge and even cars have to have a special permit. Onwards to the bus/ taxi depot- opposite the train station! Shared a taxi back, dumped my stuff and headed to the lobby for a cup of tea and anything GF. It was 2.00 by now. After a chance conversation with the cook, he made me a GF pizza complete with toppings I could eat. So I sat there and downloaded photos and ate pizza. Upstairs to wash my hair was the plan and then I thought… I have a spa in this room. Think I might use it. Wonderful. But it was 4:30 when I went in the bathroom and when I got out before 5 the sun had set! My plans to capture the sun didn’t happen.

Downstairs to enquire about the “free WiFi “ which would not connect to my computer. My second query about the matter. However when I paid $8.95 for the 24 hour day…bingo- what a surprise. It worked!!!!!So then after almost two days, it was time to sit and get things done.

8pm new time and no alarms tomorrow! My plan is to walk around the right hand side and then across the Rainbow Bridge, pick up my luggage and catch the train back to Toronto. I don’t have to go until 5:45 pm. Not sure why it was that late? Just checked – only one train back and it leaves at that time. Buses leaving almost every hour? Strange. So that means eating a substantial lunch, because by the time I get back to the hotel in Toronto it will be soup again.