From my first visit to the most recent one the Indian Crowd has steadily increased so much so that every second face that I saw was Indian, we even ran into an Tamil actor and his son who I hear is also an up and coming actor. During our first visit we had to drive through half the town to find an Indian restaurant and now I counted atleast 5 of them within 5 minute driving distance from the Niagara Falls State Park. There was one practically on the doorstep of the State Park. After a full day of walking around admiring the falls and being drenched both by the rain and the falls we were starved so we walked into the closest one. A glance at the Buffet and by the looks of it my taste buds were not tingling but I saw rotis and paranthas flying off the grills so we orderd some with kadhi pakode and some pickle on the side it turned out to be a good choice.
If you want to be really close to the water the American Side has the best views and tours, the one called Wind in the Caves should let you really really close to the falls. For a Panoramic view of the Falls the view from the Canadian side works best.
Cantaloupe Juice
For the hot muggy days some refreshing Cantaloupe Juice. Remove the outer skin, cut in small piece blend and enjoy. Refreshingly Coooool.
True, I've heard of Indians wanting to visit Niagra.
ReplyDeleteThe magnificance of Niagara Falls ........with a cup of cantaloupe juice...marvalous
ReplyDeletewonderfull photographs! good review ISG
ReplyDeleteWe were on the Canadian side in 2004 and I hated the casinos. We got a room with a view but there was this ugly huge casino in the middle - marring the panoramic view of the Horseshoe Falls and the US Falls.
ReplyDeleteWind in the Caves or Cave of the Winds? :-D I don't think I visited this when we went to the US side in the mid-90s. (And yes, it was a pilgrimage that my sis and her family took my Mom and me on. My Mom and I were wearing shoes that got soaked and we were chilled to the bone. This was in early March....brrrrr!)
We did do the Journey Behind the Falls on the Canadian side in 2004 and we were quite literally behind the Horseshoe Falls. It was quite spectacular and we threw pennies into the falls and made wishes while we got drenched through our yellow raincoats. Blue ones are for the Maid of the Mist. :-D There is an observation platform that is right next to the falls, too.
No matter how many times we go, I will be one of those people who loves Niagara Falls. :-D My friend and I fantasize about returning Niagara Falls to nature. Where it exists in its pristine magnificence, undisturbed by human activity. If only...
I too felt the same when I visited Niagara. which actor did you see?
ReplyDeleteour experience was lil bad regarding restaurants and the food. will be going next year when my parents come!!
Cantaloup juice looks great.
Indo, When I took the 'Maid of the Mist' trip that took me near the falls, I felt very small... tiny...like a speck somewhere... when compared to Nature. I'd say, It humbled me very much! :)
ReplyDeleteWe were there in 1996 when we visited Canada and in Buffalo on the way back.Loved it.The tallest tower there was closed,we missed the but we went on a Maid of Mist boat ride,it was fun:))
ReplyDeleteI bet your mom was happy!Cantaloupe is fav,better than Watermelon.Looks yummy.
true :) lots of us desi's do like to visit THE falls, definitely in the top 10, so to speak :) Sure has been a thrilling exp every time! cantaloupe juice is my fav :)
ReplyDeleteits truely breathtaking!!! :) Why would anyone want to miss this and go without paying homage to this! :)
ReplyDeleteYes Indo.. Sometimes i too wonder abt this . I have seen many people who come to US want to go to newyork, washington and Niagara falls. I have been there once and Loved it. cantaloupe juice looks great Indo.
ReplyDeleteJyothsana, I am really interested in this phenemenon :)
ReplyDeleteRaghu, enjoy the view with the drink!
Thanks Roopa
Manisha, you know what DH's aunt mentioned the same thing the Canadian side is so built up with tall buildings really close to the falls, but the American side did not have any near the falls for which I am really thankful.
You are right tt is called "Cave of the Winds" :), I don't remember this particular one from our last visit, but the consensus was this was the best - you get real close to the falls and literally take a bath right underneath the falls. We did not do the Journey behind the Falls this time around.
Sure Manisha, that is a good thought just like Lelawala would have experienced it. No doubt an all time favorite of mine too.
Sharmi, we saw Shivakumar and his second son (DH's aunt recogonized him) I have not seen the movie he acted in though. Sharmi you have to be careful most of the restaurants did not look good.
Kay so true, we are so very insignificant in the grand scheme of things and the power is simply astonishing.
Asha, it is a lot different compared to 1996, I visited for the first time in 1996 too. More crowded more Indian restaurants not necessarily good ones.
Richa, yes defintely. Silky smooth Cantaloupe is my fav too.
Coffee! Exactly how could they not!
Prema have not heard of one visitor from India ready to go back without seeing the Niagara Falls.
Hi ISG, oh, I was waiting for your photos and story about your visit and I am not disappointed! Pictures are lovely indeed. And it's interesting how you describe the affinity for the water... that is sort of like my pull to the Great Lakes that I cannot explain. Niagara Falls is a part of that system, the drop between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, spray from which can be seen from 35,000 ft on a clear day, flying over by jet. Thank you for this beautiful post!! Canteloupe juice looks pretty, too :)
ReplyDeleteLinda you are not counted, you became a honrary Indian long time ago and your affinity for water just comes confirms that fact and it being the same body of water is just double confirmation! I have to visit the Great Lakes area too soon.
ReplyDeleteHi ISG
ReplyDeletethe pictures are really beautifull!!!We are going to visit this in the next month.thanks for the info.will tell u my experience fatre coming from there.
hmm...this is some strange affinity...i keep wondering about it all the time...whenever we re in india on our vacation, this is a sure question we can expect,"so did u make a trip to niagara?" I love th ebeauty of the falls, it's majestic but this obsession is something I dont understand...it's not just with Indians, i see lots South- East asian population too!
ReplyDeleteShn
ISG- looks like we missed your visit by a few weeks. It would have been fun to see you. Niagara Falls was so close to us, we are going to miss that. Maid of the mist is definitely worth it.
ReplyDeleteSwapna, I am sure you will enjoy the trip, would love to know how you enjoyed Niagara Falls.
ReplyDeleteShn. Sure but it is a nice kind of obsession so nothing to worry about.
Mandira we stopped at Tops and at that spot did think of you and your move. Have you settled down in the new place. Do you miss Buffalo? Maid of the Mist was a great to watch the Falls that close, Cave of the Winds was also another favorite, if we had had more time we would done that one alone another time.
I have an intense fear of large masses of water :( Even now as I am typing this after viewing your pics, I am feeling a little nervous but the falls from all I have seen and heard so magnificently majestic.
ReplyDeleteThe cantaloupe juice looks colourful and rather refreshing.
If you notice all our kavyas and other literary pieces, you will find that Indians have greater affinity towards water from time unknown. Similes in these literary works will point in the same direction; rain to happiness, stream to peace.. Its in the blood, I wud say :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right... also have you noticed how you get to see the array of splendid Indian dresses and jewellery on show there. And the Indian restaurant boom with the roadside dhaba was something that really amazed me (and also made me proud in some way:))
ReplyDeleteBut I do love the falls even though it is getting crowded.
Cynthia, how about snorkelling in the Carribean? I wish I could do that every day of the year :) Sorry to hear that water makes you nervous.
ReplyDeleteSuganya than just that we are just behaving true to our nature.
Sandeepa yup I did see notice the array of well dressed Indians but you have to climb and get soaked so wouldn't that be uncomfortable? Well they did not seem to be though. Yes it sure is getting a lot crowded.
I just got back last night from my fifth trip to Niagara. I felt like I was in a park in India. I think 75% of the people there were Indians. Over the last 5 years, I have noticed the rise in the number of Indians visiting and also the number of Indian restaurants. The one we went to sucked though. The food just sucked and it was abt 12 bucks a piece, so not exactly cheap.
ReplyDeleteAnon, great to have you here, would ge good to know who you are.
ReplyDeleteAnyways the looks and taste of the food was not good. We were careful to order hot stuff. The buffet did not look inviting either it actually scared us.