Niagara Falls - A Travelogue

My visit to Niagara Falls deserves a mention here since it was a life changing experience for me.

For people who are unfamiliar with the rides offered to visitors, for starters ‘Maid of the Mist’ is the world famous boat ride which takes one as close as possible to the Niagara Falls. When I say ‘as close’, I mean ‘AsClose’.  Once in, everyone wore their blue raincoats with “Maid of the Mist’ logos on them and secured locations from where each one thought they could get the best glimpse of Niagara Falls. A brief history of ‘The Niagara’ was imparted to us while we were aboard and chugging.

First came the ‘American Falls’ on the left which was easily by far, the biggest falls I have ever seen. With the wind blowing against our direction, we were all wet in a few minutes.

I reassured myself based on facts from what was earlier announced in the history of the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boat rides, that none of the boats have ever sunk…

Did I not mention that I am freaked out about water and boat rides? Yes I am coz I will drown in 30sec after touch-down ;)... This is by far the 2^nd greatest water adventure I have done in my life, first being white water rafting (!!!)... So as the boat moved toward the falls we could feel the strength of the currents from the falling waters of the Niagara.. as we watched, (I was scared and almost pulled off some skin from my cousin’s hand, whom I was holding tight) we went closer and closer.... we were shaking more and more and M O R E.. It felt like we were in the middle of a storm!

Till now I was closely observing the currents, the boat’s engine turning off, making sure that the camera does nt get wet, balancing myself in the shaky boat etc. etc. when my cousin brother  reminded me to look up..

The next few seconds were the most unforgettable moments of my life... As I looked up, I began to think that I was no longer standing on the floor (also influenced by the shifting floor of the boat, I guess!). What I saw had a strong resemblance with my perceived vision of heaven. It was just misty everywhere and from nowhere you could get glimpses of the Niagara’s waters, in all her strength thundering down…

As it turned out, the day had more in store for me... Like say a walk through the rainbows! Yes… that’s because I went up the flight of stairs called ‘Crow’s nest’ beside ‘American Falls’. After enjoying the breeze and the splashing water carried with it, I started descending the stairs when I saw something yet again that I have never seen before.. Well, I don’t think I ever will, elsewhere... There were umpteen numbers of rainbows down below me, and I got to walk through them!

We spent the day walking all around the place and then going to “Goat Island’ which is the top of the falls.

At the end of the day I felt content in having witnessed one of the world’s natural wonders, in person.