We arrived at the airport to check in and had to go through the US Customs process which included fingerprinting at kiosks once you have cleared the preliminary bag search etc. As we went through the process it accepted by fingerprints as ok but then wouldn't let me go any further so I did it again and the same thing happened, so I tried for one last time and then it cut me off saying I had tried too many times. It was quite frustrating as each time it said ok but then came back to start again. The young lady from Immigration came and took me to another kiosk and hey presto it worked!! It seemed like we weren't the only ones having trouble but thankfully it all worked out in the end.
We went to our allocated gate and then it was changed at the last minute which had everyone in a mad scramble to get to the new one. Already our plane was late which wasn't a good start. Anyway onto Toronto we flew again with no proper lunch but we did have some cheese and biscuits which we bought as a snack and thank goodness we did as by the time we arrived we were already an hour late arriving. I felt sorry for all the people who had connecting flights as I am pretty sure they wouldn't have made them by the time we got off the plane. We went to collect our baggage from the appointed carousel but nothing arrived. Over 2 and 1/2 hours later an announcement was made that it was on a carousel way down the other end. No one was impressed with this as it meant another big scramble to get there and by the time we had got our baggage we were now very very late. Our shuttle had left without us and when Peter went to find out what we could do he was told that it had been cancelled which would have natural when your customer is nearly 4 hours late. So we caught taxis to our accommodation and by this time it was 12.30am. Another wait for the hotel to check us so we finally got to our rooms just after 1am! I went straight to bed without even bothering to try and eat anything hope in tomorrow would be a better day.
We woke to a lovely sunny day with a high expected of 29 degrees which was great as we were going to Niagara Falls for the day. Our bus arrived and we met our guide Judy who commentated our way out of Toronto along the freeway. Toronto is like most big cities nowadays building multi storey apartment blocks in corridors but some of these are very close to the freeway and you can see into them quite well. Not great for the people occupying them though.
Our first stop is at a winery where everyone is encouraged to taste the ice wine. We all decline and have a quick toilet break and get back on the bus. Our next stop is a little town called Niagara on the Lake which is very picturesque. A bit like Berry but more upmarket. we stop here for about half an hour before heading off to Niagara Falls. Judy gives us lots of information along the way and the scenery is quite pleasant.
 |
| Niagara on the Lake |
 |
| Niagara on the Lake |
We arrive at Niagara Falls ready for our buffet lunch which is included. Very nice with a view over the falls on the Canadian side. With lunch over we follow Judy who hands us over to our Niagara Falls Ambassador, this is a guide who shows us where to go to skip the line. Once there we are given a poncho to wear and line up to get onto the boat.
 |
| View from our lunch venue |
it is a fabulous sight as we get nearer to the falls and we manage to get a few photos before the spray from the falls comes right over us. Really a great experience.
We make our way back to the bus where we are driven to the Canadian side of the falls for further photo opportunities. Once this is finished we make our way home.
 |
| Canadian side of the falls |
It was along day as we don't get back until around 8pm but definitely worth it. Off to bed ready for NEW YORK!!
No comments:
Post a Comment