American Falls, seen from the bridge into Canada.
Niagara Falls
Back to 2005 Northeast Highpoint Expedition
On 20 Jun, after driving to Buffalo, NY, I made the short trip to Niagara Falls, and walked across the bridge into Ontario, Canada. The town on the Canadian side didn't thrill me all that much, it was extremely touristy, reminding me much of Gatlinburg. Haunted houses, souvenir shops, etc. It wasn't even really Canadian touristy stuff, instead mostly USA brands like Ripley's Believe It or Not, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Hershey's, etc. Still, it was a province that I had never been to. Besides, Canada is a genuinely free country.
American Falls, seen from the bridge into Canada.
Niagara Falls, Ontario, is very much the tourist-trap.
The next day, I spent some more time on the USA side, getting a better look at the falls. I took the 'Cave of the Winds tour', which didn't have any cave, winds or much tour guiding, but you do get to walk right up to the base of Bridal Veil falls. The park service issues a plastic poncho, but it isn't quite adequate to keep you dry against Niagara Falls! After all that, it was time to start the long drive back to Austin, TX.
American Falls.
Looking down American Falls. The mist makes plenty of rainbows.
Looking down on the 'Cave of the Winds' tour. Hint: The yellow
ponchos don't keep you dry!
Horseshoe Falls, the one you can ride over in a barrel.
Canada is a free country!!
Since Canada is a genuinely free country (as opposed to just having 'leaders' who love to talk about 'freedom'), there aren't any absurd restrictions on which nations can import products to consumers. EVEN if the government disagrees with the policies of the exporting nation, the citizens can still make their own choice!!!
For example, cigars from Cuba are widely available. These are considered by connoisseurs as among the best in the world. I am not a fan of cigars, so I passed on these. (I think that US citizens can face very large fines for even trying such things inside Canada, even if they don't try to import them!) But, on principle, I am happy to see them for sale to anybody who wants them.
Forbidden for USA citizens!
Canada even has certain types of chocolate which are forbidden in the USA.
'Kinder Eggs' are chocolate covered candy eggs, containing a plastic shell with
a toy inside. These are unavailable in the USA, and I have heard that
Customs expressly forbids their import. This is too ridiculous for me, so
I felt honor-bound to bring a few back. My two eggs had a spaceship to
assemble, plus a toy 'mouse'.
Article about Kinder Egg smuggling
Also forbidden inside the USA.