Niagara falls : Universe’s way to tell you how tiny you are!!
Hello all,
So here we are, already in the new year, and as the first day of the year is almost over, do I dare to look back at the past year? Do I want to revive and review each memory? The answer will be yes and definitely yes. The year 2022 has been like South Indian filter coffee served in steel cups… you are satisfied with its aroma, yet you want to have it steaming hot. One sip of it, and you will enter a world of calm and solace. Do I need any new year’s resolutions? Do I need any changes in 2023? No, I am so happy with my filter coffee that I want to drink that coffee again and again…No Lavazza or Starbucks can give that satisfaction. We are in total gratitude for the Universe. We had never thought at the end of 2021 that we could travel this much in the coming year. From the spontaneous trip to Dayara to the USA…This year is truly a blessing, teaching us new values and new ambitions. What this year has taught us is to feel gratified. You can miss certain things but sit back, relax, inhale and exhale…. breathe…have your coffee sip by sip and cherish it like it will last forever. It’s the way of the Universe to make you understand that the best is yet to come. No need to run after every thing.
And this calm we felt at the bottom of the mighty Niagara Falls. We visited one of the most beautiful places in the world this Diwali. …Though we saw them from the USA side only, we have no regrets. There were plenty of things to do, and more than that, we were so awestruck by what was in front of us we didn’t even bother about what we were missing. We were thrilled, and we were mesmerized. We felt tiny and infinitesimal, yet blessed and divine.
Niagara fall is a group of three giant falls located at the border of Canada and the United States of America. You can visit them from both sides. While the Canadian site has a better view of the falls, the American side has the best close-up activities. The falls are so gigantic that 600,000 gallons of water fall every second.
So let’s dig into the wonderland of Niagara state park!!
01.TERRAPIN POINT
Our journey of the falls started from here. We had our first view of the falls at this point, and you will be spellbound by the beauty of the falls. We visited it in the evening and stayed there till the lights started. You can get the top view of the horseshoe fall from here. It will be crowded but be patient; you will get your turn.
02.Maid of the Mist cruise tour
When you go near the Horseshoe falls in the Maid of the Mist boat tour, you can only imagine the immense power of the falls. The mammoth falls, roaring so loudly that you can not hear your voice, causing mist into your surroundings that you feel like you are in wonderland. It is so misty that you won’t be able to see the falls completely.
It is a twenty-minute boat ride, and it takes you from the front of the American and Bridal Veil falls to the bottom of the Horseshoe falls. Stand in the front on the top; then you will be able to get the best view and the best feel of the water. You will be awestruck by the beauty in front of you. All your ego and all your pride will wash away when you reach the bottom of the falls. The roar of the falls will make you understand the power of the Universe and the power of nature.
How to reach? – You go to the bottom of the Niagara Gorge via elevator and board the boat. You might have to wait for your turn, but it is worth it. Everyone gets the same size poncho. And it will keep you relatively dry from the mist of the falls. And believe us getting wet will be the least of your concern once you are near the falls.
You can get all the details on the website:
https://www.maidofthemist.com
Normally they give blue ponchos, but at that time it was breast cancer awareness week so we got pink one.
03. Crows nest:
Remember to go the Crows nest, a short hike you can do after the Maid of the Mist boat tour. It has a fantastic view! The water gushing loudly from the cliff and pounding on the rocks is a beauty that cannot be described in words.
04. Observation tower
After completing the Maid of the Mist, go to the Observation Tower for amazing views of the Falls. It provides a perfect view point for photography
.
05.Niagara state park and Goat island walk
We took a leisurely walk in Niagara State park and Goat island. Goat island is a little island with beautiful scenery. The icing on the cake was riveting autumn foliage. The entire Park and island were in hues of orange, red, and yellow. It was hypnotizing. Walk along the walkway for the views of American Rapids on the way to the Maid of the Mist tour.
06.Cave of the wind
Next is the Cave of the Winds. You must be wondering that why am I mentioning this at last. Because the experience is so unique and captivating that it left us spellbound, and we didn’t have any words for it. We all were in an adrenaline rush…we felt so alive and so energetic that after coming down it still felt like we were walking in a dream because it can’t be reality. How can reality be so thrilling and so enchanting? It is like you are literally touching the Bridal Veil Fall. The water is pouring down heavily, and you are under it, getting all positivity from its exhilarating power. And then the moment came when my mom made us do the Garba under the falls. Right there on the wooden platform. We wanted to live the best moments of life under the falls on that platform. We wanted to cherish them to the fullest.
How to reach? – Get an elevator ride and walk along wooden boardwalks, stairs, and walkways to Hurricane Deck. The paths and the deck are built every spring, and they dismantle them every autumn. We were so lucky because they were going to dismantle it the very next day of our visit. You will get a free size poncho here also. But remember to get a waterproof case or cover for your phone.
Other attractions:
- Hiking trails. – There are many hiking trails in Niagara Falls State Park. From easy The Great Gorge Scenic Overlook hike to Devil’s Hole Rapids and Whirlpool rapids hikes.
- Three sister island
- Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
- Niagara Aquarium
- Niagara Adventure Theater
Rainbows and Niagara falls:
I love rainbows. They give hope and they make us believe in magic. As E.Y. Young stated, “Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” And we witnessed these incredible beauties at the falls because of the mist in the air around the falls. We also spotted twin rainbows. The colors of the upper rainbow were lighter than those of the lower rainbow. Who needs artificial light-show when mother nature is creating such beautiful lights for us? And we also witnessed a 360-degree rainbow on our boat ride. It was in a full circle.
And last but not the list, don’t forget to have a mouth-watering Indian Buffet at Zaika Indian Cuisine & Bar. Because wherever we go, our dil will always be Hindustani, and we will be searching for Indian food always…
So concluding this post with just one quote:
“Waterfalls are exciting because they have power, they have rainbows, they have songs, and they have boldness and craziness!”
– Mehmet Murat ildan
Thank you…
Nicely penned 👏
Thank you…