CANADA
Day 2
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south and east by the U.S. state of New York. The Canada–United States border spans the centre of the lake.
The Canadian cities of Hamilton, Kingston, Mississauga, and Toronto are located on the lake’s northern shorelines, while the American city of Rochester is located on the south shore. In the Huron language, the name Ontarí’io means “great lake”. Its primary inlet is the Niagara River from Lake Erie. The last in the Great Lakes chain, Lake Ontario serves as the outlet to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River, comprising the western end of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The Long Sault control dam, primarily along with the Moses-Saunders Power Dam regulates the water level of the lake.[9]
Day 3
A later start today saw us after breakfast leaving the hotel around 11. We headed back into the main city areas taking in The new and old Town Hall and the Toronto sign. We visited the Queens Park area with its historic buildings and enjoyed a leisurely stroll around Toronto about 20000 steps in 28° heat. A few pitstops enroute. We finally ended up at the Artful dodger for our last meal before moving on tomorrow to Niagra falls. Toronto had been great,
Day 4
A very early start saw us leave the hotel at 7am and head to the Amtrak station to catch the 8.20 maple leaf train. Passports checked Covid passes shown . We boarded the train for our 3 hour scenic ride to Niagra. At the American border everyone had to leave the train with all there belongings and queue for what seemed an age whilst being sniffed by various dogs for drugs food etc. Finally through the border We headed for our hotel The Wyndham Garden Hotel Niagra falls. A brief drop off as our rooms were not ready.
We headed for the falls first port of call being the Maid of the mist boat trip up to the falls an experience not to be missed. Queues can be very large at peak times. our group were so lucky as the service only resumed on the 15th April after shutting over the winter months. So we were among the first passengers this year!
Afterwards we then had a spot of lunch and checked into our hotel. After a brief rest we explored Goat Island and got up and close to the falls United States side , afterwards we crossed over the rainbow bridge and watched the falls illuminated at night (Shane stayed well away from the edge!) .
The Power of the Falls
The potential power of Niagara Falls attracted industrialists who worked to harness its force using water wheels to drive their mills and factories. The world’s first large-scale hydroelectric generating station opened in Niagara Falls in 1895. The plant used the direct current (DC) system, however, which could only transmit electricity 100 yards.
In 1896, the famous electrical engineer Nikola Tesla proved that he could transmit electric from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, New York, using his new alternating current (AC) induction motor. That marked the first long distance commercial use of the AC system that is still used around the world today. Electricity was first sold as a commodity at the now-ruined Schoellkopf Power Station.
Hydroelectricity is one of Niagara Falls’ most important products. Together, power plants on both the American and Canadian sides of the Falls have the capacity to produce up to 2.4 million kilowatts of electricity. Under an international treaty, the flow of water over Niagara Falls is reduced during the night to allow more of the water to flow into the intakes used for power generation. This plan ensures that the Falls’ natural beauty remains unaffected during prime viewing hours.
To cap off our day Peter Rowson found the new Bar 1 Players bar a dive bar 2 blocks from our hotel 8 usd a pint. With a warning on tripadvisor to not go after 9pm or your likely to get Shot!. This didnt deter our group lol. After stocking up at the 7 11 next door we headed back to our hotel as we had a long day ahead tomorrow.
AMERICA
Day 5
A bit of a lay in then at 11am we headed to the Niagra falls Amtrak Station where we picked up the 12.20 train to new york. A rather long but restful journey took us to Penn Central Station New York arriving at around 10pm. A bargain at 55 usd each. After a small taxi ride to our hotel on long island city most bedded down for the night. Although me and Pete discovered our new bar 1 a Irish bar called the Shannon Pot. A very hospitable pub and eatery with a lovely menu (A must visit) when in the area. This was situated 2 blocks away from our hotel called LIC Hotel situated on 44-04 21st street Queens. A very reasonable clean hotel with free breakfasts and virtually opposite the Court way subway station which has a direct route into manhatten which is about 15 minutes away . So a great base to explore New York.
Day 6/7/8
Meanwhile we took the metro to Ground Zero which had changed massively since my last visit. I must say the 2 towers footprints have been changed to a living water feature which tastefully dedicates itself to the victims of 9/11.
On Tuesday 11 September 2001 suicide attackers seized US passenger jets and crashed them into two New York skyscrapers, killing thousands of people.
The attack remains one of the most traumatic events of the century, not only for Americans but also for the world.
What were the targets?
Four planes flying over the eastern US were seized simultaneously by small teams of hijackers.
They were then used as giant, guided missiles to crash into landmark buildings in New York and Washington.
Two planes struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York.
The first hit the North Tower at 08:46 Eastern Time (12:46 GMT). The second crashed into the South Tower at 09:03.
The buildings were set on fire, trapping people on the upper floors, and wreathing the city in smoke. In less than two hours, both 110-storey towers collapsed in massive clouds of dust.
At 09:37 the third plane destroyed the western face of the Pentagon – the giant headquarters of the US military just outside the nation’s capital, Washington DC.
The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania at 10:03 after passengers fought back. It is thought the hijackers had meant to attack the Capitol Building in Washington DC.
A must visit while in the city a deeply thought provoking experience remembering the victims of 9/11.
STATON ISLAND
A brief walk from the memorial is the Staton island ferry terminal a trip on the ferry is totally free. The trip takes around 25 minutes and you get to see the manhatten skyline, Ellis island and the Statue of liberty. Unfortunately we encountered fog which diminished our views. However after finding out from our weather app that it would clear later we decided to stay on Staton island have a wander around the new shopping mall . Pick up a pint in a dive bar at 4 usd ! Free popcorn too. 2 hours later we headed back the fog had lifted and our views were simply stunning in the April sun (26°) !
The Staten Island Ferry, one of the last operating ferry systems in New York, transported people between Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs long before bridges were introduced. The northern shores of Staten Island were littered with piers, competing ferry companies vied for a place in the busy waters. Today, the Staten Island Ferry provides almost 22 million people with ferry service annually: taking almost 70,000 passengers daily between St George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in Manhattan. The ferry is the only non-vehicular mode of transport between Staten Island and Manhattan.
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the maintenance of the ten-vessel fleet along with numerous facilities including the St George and Whitehall terminals in Staten Island and Manhattan respectively, the City Island and Hart Island facilities, and the Battery Maritime Building including all floating dock equipment. The Staten Island Ferry is run for one simple reason, to provide transportation for those who need it. However, the Staten Island Ferry offers so much more, including a scenic view of the New York Harbor and a no-hassle way to view the city, for free!
Day 9
We sadly re packed our cases and left our LTI Hotel to go to the cruise port terminal pier 90. Where we boarded our ship the Norwegian Dawn for our cruise back to Southampton. Departing at 5pm in glorious sunshine we sailed past the Statue of liberty and out onto the Atlantic ocean. Our North American adventure had ended.
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