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Niagara Falls
Toronto has given me some fantastic weather, and the day that I jumped on the tour bus to Niagara Falls proved to be one of the best of the week. The blue skies, warm sun and cool breeze providing a backdrop to one of natures greatest attractions.
Waking early and scoffing down some pancakes I got amped for the trip. In the middle of a coffee I met Mark, the tour guide from Salty Bear Tours who rounded up 14 of us and piled us into a van.
It’s around a two hour drive around the lake to the Niagara region, during which Mark regaled us with stories of Canada, took questions and in general entertained us to our first stop : a winery.
As I had quite a big night just before the tour I wasn’t entirely keen on a wine tasting, but I did get the opportunity to try “Ice Wine” something we don’t get in Australia. It was extremely sweet, so not something I would normally enjoy, but a small taste was fine.
Moving on we headed into Niagara on the Lake for lunch and to stretch our legs. This town was pretty cool, nicely presented and utterly touristy. I grabbed some chicken tenders from the supermarket and sat in the park enjoying the sunshine.
At this point we were itching to see the falls, but Mark had a couple more spots to show us. First a lookout onto Niagara River, and then to the Whirlpool which was very impressive and BEGGED to be swum in.
Finally we hit Niagara Falls. I have to say I was amazed. While the falls themselves aren’t really that high only falling around 50 or so metres they throw around 168,000 cubic meters of water over their edge each every minute. The falls are actually made up of two separate major falls, the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls but the majority of the water goes over the Horseshoe Falls. Probably the most striking thing for me though was the sound. It wasn’t nearly as loud as I thought, even when practically underneath the falls on the “Maid of the Mist”.
“Maid of the Mist” is a tour which travels up the river, past the American Falls and then right up under the Horseshoe Falls. Battling with our ponchos was fun enough but looking up and seeing yourself surrounded by the falls was too much for words. I managed to grab a couple of shots without my camera busting due to water damage. Best 14 bucks I have ever spent.
I could have spent all day at the falls, but the tour was coming to a close. With huge smiles on our faces we headed back to the hostel. I had a great time that day, made new friends and got some great photos. I also marked off another of my “tourist” jobs for my adventure. “Niagara Falls” has a massive tick in my book.
Oh, see if you can spot the “No Smoking” sign under the waterfall. Classic comedy.
Greyfriars Bobby
Took a walking tour of Edinburgh today, during which our wonderful tour guide regaled us with the story of “Greyfriars Bobby” and being the kind of guy that I am I will pass that story onto you.
Long ago, around the 1850′s, the night watch man of Edinburgh, John Gray would wander the graveyards keeping at bay any potential body snatchers. By his side, through rain hail or shine was his dog Bobby. A tiny scotty dog. The two were inseparable. For two years John and Bobby would wander around, until an unfortunate bout of tuberculosis killed John Gray.
John was laid to rest at Greyfriars cemetery with the all the usual ceremony that was common for the time. After the funeral Bobby stayed by the grave, patiently waiting his masters return. Bobby waited, day after day, always at the same spot. Just waiting. He became a bit of a legend in Edinburgh with the towns folk. One day bureaucracy came knocking at Greyfriars, as it tends to do, and it was pointed out that as was law a dog without an owner must be destroyed. The community was mortified.
He couldn’t be put down, he is waiting and watching over his master. He was loved by everyone. But rules were rules and the law wasn’t budging. Something had to be done. Finally someone had the idea that the only way to save Bobby was to make him a citizen. Of course Bobby being a dog and all couldn’t take a citizenship test, so what did they do? With great celebration and ceremony Bobby was given the keys to the city. As an honorary citizen Bobby was no longer in danger of being destroyed and stayed by his masters side until he died nearly 14 years later.
Bobby was buried on the grounds of Greyfriars, close to his master, with a headstone commemorating him. A Pub near by is named after him, and a statue of Bobby stands out the front.
While the Wikipedia article paints a much less romantic picture of how Bobby was saved from an untimely death, I find the story I heard much nicer. Interestingly, as our guide told this story I was reminded of Hachiko, of Shibuya with almost exactly the same story. Does every country have their devoted dog story?
For photos of my walking tour of Edinburgh, hit the jump!