6.00 am we arrive in Toronto and after everyone had got off – we at the front were last – figures,
I asked the driver about the ticket we had to take us into downtown near the Union station. He said get back on the bus and I will take you there. It was near the main depot he had to return the bus to. So next we arrive at the hotel that our Falls tour was picking us up from and asked the desk clerk if we could leave our bags there and use the washroom ( not toilets in Canada – washrooms if you please). Not a problem – so we cleaned up and had a nice breakfast there and we finished in time for our bus tour.
8.00am – after a two hour break we are back on a bus – much smaller one – we ended up at the front again but this time behind the driver.
Nice drive down to the Falls – mostly motorway. Arrive at the parking area and we had 3 hours free time to view the falls – have a boat ride (to get really wet) – we opted out of that.
By the time we had wandered along the viewing area to the viewing above the Canadian Falls , had something to eat – lots of photos – and back to the bus – we did not have much time left. It was Saturday – good job we got there in the morning – because by 1.00pm the crowds were crazy. The queue for the boat ride would have been a thousand.
Having seen the Iguazu Falls in South America – I was not that impressed with these falls and the commercialism was over the top.
Next stop to see the hydro-electric dams down river. The three dams (we only saw two – each has its own storage lake and these are refilled from above the falls each night. So in effect – they reduce the amount of water coming over the falls at night to fill the storage lakes.
Next stop the Reif Estate Winery – time for quick tasting – and of course purchase some.
That specialised in IceWine – something we do not see in New Zealand. To truly call it Icewine – you have to let the grapes freeze on the vine and then process them. This allows to sugar content to develop to the max. The resulting wine is a very sweet dessert wine. Ruth enjoyed it so we purchased some.
Next stop – Niagara on the Lake – this is a little village about 1 hour from the Falls – lovely oldie worldie feel. Again – full of tourists.
Then back to Toronto. Get out luggage from the hotel. I asked for a taxi and the girl was very helpful – suggested we get a GO train to the Long Branch station and then get a taxi from there. Not sure how much we saved but it was a pleasant trip. Our Airbnb hosts were waiting for us.
Lucky for me – cause they lived in a condo up two long flights of stairs. – and that we only to the living area – bedroom was another flight of stairs. Lucky for me was he carried our big heavy case up all these stairs.
I was not long out of bed – did not get any sleep on the overnight bus – so got my much needed sleep.
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