Canadian side of the Niagara Falls

In 2012 I visited Canada for the very first time. I have been to New York in 1993, that wasn't so far away for Niagara. But this time in Canada I wanted to see these Niagara Falls everyone talks so much about. 

We left with the rented car from Montreal early in the morning; me and my friend with our kids and a friend of my daughter. And like anyone not knowing the route to drive I put the navigator on. Luckily we had passports with us, because the navigator used the fastest route sending us to the US border and we were with no visa to entry. So we just turned around and got the third degree from the custom on our way back to Canada. 

 Our route did not include this huge bridge to pass the river, although the view out of it was magnificent  It made me think of Finland, my native country and all those summer houses we have along the lake side. 

Then finally we arrive at the Niagara Falls. 

I thought it would be just falls and thats all, but it turned out a "small town" with over 80.000 inhabitants. This town belongs to Ontario and it's situated along the River Niagara. 

Niagara Falls belong to two states: To the Canada and to the United States of America. 

This area has registered settlements ever since the 18th century; first by Iroquois then by europeans. 

Niagara has also a historical battle when 1759 French and English fought about the "ownership" of the area of Lake Ontario. French won with the help of Iroquois allies. 

This horse shoe form waterfall is to be seen only from the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. 

The average flow of the quantity of the water is 2400 m3 each second. I can't even imagine how much water that might be. 

I wanted to visit the waterfall a bit closer, that is possible by a small boat on witch I had to wear this raincoat in order to not to get totally wet. Not an easy job, since we went underneath of the waterfall.   

This town offers plenty of accommodation, restaurants, casino to get rid of every penny and if that does not help, the amusement park does the rest. As I am curious, I eat everything that there is to be offered, and Canadian food is very similar to the american food. Match with brittish pub food: Fish & Chips 

I also thought that Southern Canadia such as Northern America would have icy cold winters, with a lots of snow, and it apparently happens too in the area of Lake Ontario. But not in the Niagara Falls, where the climate is mite and very friendly to wineries. We visited few and tasted the famous ice wine. Some wineries organise tours, wine tasting in a cellar and give some appetisers too. 

I was truly surprised of the quantity of vineyards this area has and that climate seems to be so mite to give the possibility to grow wine. Many Italian among other europeans has moved here to start life all over and grow wine. 

An other odd thing that I found was that the Marple trees were cut down by Canadian authority in the area in order to let it turn out as vineyards. I understand that wine produce better than marple syrup.

Have you ever visited Niagara Falls? 

Please leave a comment behind and tell me Your Experience of it. 

Photos shot by author; please ask permission to share them