Travel

The Wonder called Niagara!!

 

Niagara Falls

Breathtaking, majestic, beautiful…no adjectives are enough to describe the Niagara falls!

Last weekend, we visited the Niagara Falls for the first time. It was a much-awaited trip and I wish I had visited it sooner! I have had my fair share of traveling since I was a kid, but nothing and I will repeat, nothing beats the experience of the magical falls!

When I first saw them, I was totally mesmerized by the beauty of Mother Nature. It stands true to the words that it is one of the most beautiful wonders of the world.

Niagara Falls

 

We started with the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boat ride where you are taken almost 20 stories down from an elevator to the boarding site of the boat tour.

Raincoats are handed to everyone because it takes you really close to the falls and the water comes splashing on everyone.

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Observation Deck
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Rainbow Bridge

Honestly, more than clicking photos, I just wanted to savor every moment!! As the boat neared the falls, we started realizing its intensity. You could feel the joy everyone was experiencing.

Can I just say I have never ever seen a more beautiful rainbow before?

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Looking at the mist from the falling water turning into a huge cloud-like formation was indeed surreal!

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Next, we went to the ‘Cave of the Winds’. It’s a walkway which takes you really close to the falls where you can feel the rush of the waves and the wind.

The guy operating the elevator (taking us down to the Niagara River Gorge) told us that the walkway is torn down and re-built every year. This is because the ice forming during winter would pretty much destroy it; so starting from March to April, the crew builds it again for the next season. There was a 1-hour wait for it but it was totally worth it!!

You get to see hundreds of seagulls on your way and I stopped to click a few pictures.

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The walkway is pretty slippery and there is a point called the ‘Hurricane Deck’ where you are just a few feet away from the falls. Be ready to get soaked in cold water from head to toe! It is the most awe-inspiring experience one could ever have. You realize the force and the massiveness of the falls and cannot stop but be wonderstruck by the beauty of it all. To be honest, I got a bit overwhelmed looking at it.

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As the sun sets, the falls start looking prettier with the beautiful lights around it. Since it’s a popular tourist destination, there were hundreds of people there and I can only imagine what it would be like during long weekends. We viewed the Niagara from the American side and I hope to see it from the Canadian side some day.

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To sum up my experience, this quote says it all –

“All trembling, I reached the Falls of Niagara, and oh, what a scene! My blood shudders still, although I am not a coward, at the grandeur of the Creator’s power; and I gazed motionless on this new display of the irresistible force of one of His elements.”

John James Audubon

PS: We stayed in a wonderful Airbnb while we visited the wonderful Niagara Falls. If you use my referral link you will get $35 off your first Airbnb stay!

 

Fun Facts: The Niagara Falls located on the border of Ontario, Canada and New York, USA are made up of 3 waterfalls – the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The 3 waterfalls combine to produce the highest flow rate of any waterfall on earth.

XOXO

Smiling Notes

 

72 Comments

  • Reply

    threehandsoneheart

    June 22, 2015

    Your photos are amazing!

  • Reply

    themissshweta

    June 22, 2015

    Whoa! The pics are amazing!! Keep sharing these amazing trips, nature always pleases! 🙂

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      June 22, 2015

      Thanks a lot for your sweet words Shweta!! Glad you liked it 🙂

  • Reply

    Freda @ Aromatic essence

    June 22, 2015

    You’ve captured it beautifully Shamira! We went there earlier this month, absolutely loved it we were lucky to witness the fireworks ?

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      June 23, 2015

      We weren’t able to see the fireworks.. hopefully some other time. It must have been fun right watching the fireworks over the falls!!

      • Reply

        Freda @ Aromatic essence

        June 23, 2015

        Oh yeah ! It was simply amazing , I didn’t even know they have it only on Fridays and Sunday’s !, we happened to be there on Friday ?it starts sharp at 10 pm for 5 minutes .I hope to see the Falls from the Canadian side, coz I saw my friends pics and they were much prettier as everyone says from that side. But witnessing the mighty Falls is more than good I say 🙂

        • Reply

          Smiling Notes

          June 23, 2015

          Yes I had read that it’s on Sunday..wasn’t aware about Fridays too. Thanks for the tip! But we had planned to visit on Saturday and leave on Sunday morning. Yes, they say the Canadian side is much prettier…hopefully someday 😉

  • Reply

    The Full-Time Tourist

    June 22, 2015

    So beautiful! I was at Niagara-on-the-Lake the other weekend (blog post here: http://thefulltimetourist.com/2015/06/19/outdoor-summer-music-concerts-festivals/) and I just wanted to hop, skip and jump over to the falls! The amount of water and force of something so naturally stunning is absolutely mesmerizing!

  • Reply

    Itsmine

    June 23, 2015

    Hey,I have nominated you for starlight award check it,
    https://negativethinkerr.wordpress.com/2015/06/23/starlight-blogger-award/

  • Reply

    Lina

    June 23, 2015

    Looks beautiful! Awesome post and great pics!!

  • Reply

    Linda

    June 23, 2015

    Beautiful photos!! I visited Niagara as a child but I’ve never taken my children..maybe it’s time to go back 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      June 23, 2015

      Thanks a lot Linda! Yes you should definitely visit again with your kids…nature can never stop amazing us 🙂

  • Reply

    Spring Tomorrow

    June 24, 2015

    These photos brought back so much fond memories! Been 10 years since I visited Niagara 🙂

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      June 24, 2015

      Aww..so glad the pics brought back fond memories! 🙂

  • Reply

    An Artsy Appetite

    June 25, 2015

    Niagara is on my must-go-to list of places. Heard wonderful stories about it. One day!

  • Reply

    Sarang

    June 25, 2015

    Nice and lovely post and amazing pics! 🙂

  • Reply

    Linda Fernandes

    June 25, 2015

    Wooooow fabulous click

  • Reply

    Sadie's Nest

    July 16, 2015

    Taking my family there this fall, thanks for the encouraged excitement!

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      July 16, 2015

      Yayy for your family trip!! I’m sure all of you will have a lot of fun there!! 😀

  • Reply

    Erika Kind

    July 17, 2015

    My beloved falls. In 1998/99 we lived about 40 minutes away from the falls. Seeing the falls reminds me on the most beautiful time in my life. I love them. So happy I came across your blog and this post. Ohhh, getting homesick… beautiful.

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      July 17, 2015

      Wow!! It must have been so cool to live just minutes away from the falls!! So happy this post reminded you of those beautiful days ??

      • Reply

        Erika Kind

        July 17, 2015

        Oh it did. And yes, it was. Although in the end we sent our visitors to go there without us…. lol

  • Reply

    debyonce

    July 27, 2015

    You are really lucky in having the opportunity to capture moments so majestic and mesmerising. I wish to go someday If by the pictures the view is absolutely something from the other world I cant imagine your reaction of being so close to a unique landscape like that.

    Btw I nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Award if you could come to my blog and see the rules I will truly appreciate it. I’m looking forward for your answers.

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      July 27, 2015

      Thank you so much for your kind words ? Niagara is truly beautiful and It’s a must visit! Thank you so much for the Nomination. Will definitely check it out ??

  • Reply

    Snapshotsincursive

    August 28, 2015

    Shamira……as promised!
    Journey to Niagara Falls! ⚓️
    “The Creative Blogger Award!” ⚓️

    ⚓️ Ever wish you could fit into someone’s suitcase and travel to see a majestic waterfall? ⚓️ Well, no reservations are needed to travel among the blogosphere. If you enjoy meeting others and traveling from your armchair, please accept this nomination. You may follow the link to http://snapshotsincursive.com/2015/08/28

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      August 28, 2015

      Gail..you are such a sweetheart…such beautiful words for me!! Ah..I’m truly blessed!! Lovely post!!

  • Reply

    skinnyandsingle

    September 11, 2015

    Hi, it’s me!!! YES you MUST visit from the Canadian side, as not only is it bigger and better, there are Canadians here 😀

    Who doesn’t love a nice Canadian eh?
    Here from Danny’s as you know!!!!

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      September 11, 2015

      Oh thank you so much for visiting my blog 🙂 yes hopefully someday I will visit from the Canadian side..would love to meet some Canadians 😉

  • Reply

    dray0308

    September 12, 2015

    Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
    Meet Smiling Notes!!

  • Reply

    Ellen Hawley

    September 12, 2015

    It’s amazing. I remember standing on the Canadian side and looking into the river right where the water was about to go over the falls. It was terrifying–and stunningly beautiful.

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      September 12, 2015

      It indeed feels surreal isn’t it? I have yet to see from the Canadian side and tons of people have told me it’s way beautiful from that side. Thank you so much for visiting ?

  • Reply

    MLou

    September 12, 2015

    Thank you for sharing the beautiful photo of the falls…….I would love to someday see them, but your photos sure come in a close second to being there.

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      September 12, 2015

      That is indeed a huge compliment..I’m glad you liked the photos. Thank you so much for your sweet words and for visiting my blog ?

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  • Reply

    whimsical90

    October 30, 2015

    wow! i want to see it for myself some day.

  • Reply

    Debbie L

    November 3, 2015

    Fabulous photos! We’ve been twice, first time as newlyweds. Second time, decades later. Your pics took me right back!

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      November 3, 2015

      Glad you enjoyed the photos!! It truly is a mesmerizing place ?

  • Reply

    amommasview

    November 15, 2015

    Your post makes me want to go visit even more…

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  • Reply

    steffiisramblings

    February 17, 2016

    The falls look amazing! What a crazy view that would be. Great post and superb photos!

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      February 17, 2016

      Yup makes you realize the true force of nature! Thanks a lot for stopping by and for your sweet comment.

  • Reply

    Priya

    March 2, 2016

    you make me want to go there right now..very well written post..thanks for the tips..

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      March 2, 2016

      I’m so happy you liked it Priya! Niagara is one of my favorite places! Thanks a lot for your sweet words 🙂

  • Reply

    trablogger

    May 15, 2016

    So far I have come across very few blog posts on Niagara waterfalls. This one is really amazing. Yes, I agree that any adjective will not be enough. Anyway great post.

    • Reply

      Smiling Notes

      May 15, 2016

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Niagara Falls remains one of my fav destinations ??

      • Reply

        trablogger

        May 15, 2016

        Im sure, if I visit someday, it will become one of my favourite places too. 🙂

  • Reply

    Alok Singhal

    July 12, 2016

    This is a terrific attraction (a must visit)…reminds me of my trip there long back.

    Thanks for this visual treat ☺️

    • Reply

      smilingnotes

      July 12, 2016

      Yes a must visit for sure, Alok!! Thanks a lot for always being so kind.

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