Blog 142 Wot no Oatmeal? Memories of Iguazu Falls

My welcome at the Radisson Falls View Hotel yesterday was warm and exuberant, with the promise of a very good hotel room. Being me, I was sceptical. I had already feared that the taxi driver who showed up out of nowhere was going to rip me off. He didn’t, but I gave him a decent-ish tip anyway. I liked the guy who handled my luggage both at the station and at the hotel. And my hotel room – fabulous view! Lots of space. I understand the hotel was opened in 2000, and refurbished 11 years later. If I was being “picky,” I would say a fresh make-over was due. However, with a jacuzzi in the bathroom, huge bed, and a comfortable sitting area, I am in the lap of 21st century luxury, and I can’t believe my luck that I am here!

This morning. I awoke early but spent far too much time replying to e-mails and rewriting part of yesterday’s blog, 141. It had been written piecemeal and flowed dreadfully!

At the hotel lobby, I had been issued with vouchers for various eateries, which seemed to be worth using. Traditional Breakfast at (next-door) Turtle Jack’s was a welcome $13.99. Add tax, coffee, and acceptable gratuity, 14 Canadian Bucks morphed to $23.03 with no oatmeal on the menu. Nor was fruit and cereal part of the morning repertoire.

Never mind, there are just nine days of dodgy diet before embarking on Queen Mary 2. Surely, some folk in North America are type 2 diabetic.

There’s no doubt about it, Niagara Falls is a “fun place.” There’s a plethora of tourist options to choose from.

At around midday, I took the funicular to its lower level. I turned left through lovely manicured gardens, eventually crossing the main road and ending up at a “boat terminal” from where I joined several others in red ponchos for a river excursion to both American and Canadian Falls.

*My hotel, The Radisson Falls View, is high up, and it*‘s *too hot to walk up. The funicular does* *a roaring trade!*

*Tesla Memorial Gardens, “Tesla Plaza.”*

*One of the numerous tourist boats heads from the American Falls towards the Canadian Horseshoe Falls for a further* *drenching.*

*53 years later, walking through lovely gardens past the American Falls opposite.*

I donned my red poncho, boarded the boat, and got to see both Niagara Falls from below. Another magnificent unplanned experience with happy memories of South America 2020. The camera on this device is superb but can not quite capture the awesomeness of this rare experience.

*Eventually, I would take a ride on Niagara Falls’* *boat* *trip*.

*Road crossing between Canada and the USA.*

*We got close. These boats run every 15 minutes.*

All too soon, this adventure was over. My adventure continues. 14.34 hrs. It’s time for a bite.

I stayed at a restaurant with splendid views of both Falls. I had it in mind to visit the Skylon, whose circular observation platform is some 770 ft above the Falls. I had been there before as a 22 year old in 1971. The Skylon, I found out later, was opened in October 1965.

*Too little too late? Caesar salad seems to be the healthy option at most popular places. This one was quite* *nice.*

After a light lunch (and then a vegetarian pasty), I walked through lovely manicured parkland, adjacent to the main road, vaguely in the direction of the Skylon. Somehow. I found the correct route and purchased a ticket to go up. I think that my photographs today are rather better than those of 1971.

*Walking towards the Skylon, through the manicured gardens, looking across the road to the American Falls.*

*Horseshoe Falls, as seen from the 1965 buil*t *SKYLON Further* views *follow*.

*I took my time here (at the Skylon). Beginning to feel hungry, I decided to try the buffet dinner. For once*, *i had a choice of some decent healthy food!. I have booked a table for the following* *night*.

Unbelievably, it is almost 19.15. hrs and the pangs of hunger are becoming evident. There was a buffet vacancy at the Tower’s supposedly revolving restaurant. Is the Pope a Catholic? I couldn’t pass on the opportunity of dining at the Skylon. Reassuringly, the buffet had plenty of suitable options, and I may well come back just once more before a morning departure for Syracuse.

I shall soon be walking back towards where I am staying, and hopefully enjoyi