'My Niagara Experience'!!

Episode 1 from this series

http://vaasu10.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-holiday-almost-there.html

Breath-taking, Stupendous, Dazzling, Astonishing, Stunning. Probably I can use up all the adjectives to describe the abyss. Water, flowing so boastfully that every human being would be jealous of the freedom that it has.

Not sure of what all the places to be visited, we’ve set out for the Maid of the Mist, as suggested by Mani, who has been to Niagara already. It is a boat ride which takes you from the base of the American falls to the Canadian horse-shoe falls. Boat rides are so exciting, at least for me. So, this one, at the most scenic place on the planet, sums up my excitement. Even before the boarding started, Tanooj, in his usual style, makes plan as to which part of the boat we should be, so we can have a better view. But as everybody was aboard, it was same, with everyone. A fair view is what everybody got, which was a nice thing.

My heart pounds much faster than it usually do. I could understand, that it is my anxiety. We started from a point where the water from the falls sprinkled as a breeze, slowly and steadily moved to a point where we got soaked up, like somebody is intentionally gushing all the water upon us. That is the point, where everyone want to let go their hands off the railing and actually want to step backward so they can prevent themselves from getting drenched. Though we were given coats, which were supposed to prevent from doing so, but, hello. We are at Niagara, which doesn’t forgive any one, and  seldom lets you walk away without getting drenched.

Yet, I actually leap forward that minute. Much closer to the railing of the boat. Allowing the water to drench me. Taking a look at the rainbow. Relishing every single second of the, ‘THE HEAVENLY’ place. I asked the falls a favor, “Come. Take away my troubles, my sorrows, give me some peace. Take me to a place where I can be only happier. Relieve me from the worries.” Feeling every little water drop drench me, wanting more and more, and it did. Once the moment is gone, I could feel an all new ME. The best picturesque location I will probably ever see in my lifetime. Cries of Joy and Laughter all around me. Whilst I experience an un-expressible feeling, which I was slowly robbed off. And there lay right in front of me, the clear view of, the American falls on one side, The Canadian Horse-Shoe falls at the other and the ‘Prettiest Rainbow’ in between, which I’ve ever seen so far in the past 23 years.

After the exhilarating 'Maid of the Mist' ride

Wanting to go back to the same ride again, which cost me about 15-20 bucks. Would I spend it again? Yes. How many times? I would not want to keep the count. I relentlessly move forward for the further part of the falls.

Spending good chunk of time at the observation tower, which pretty much covers the entire region, our next place of visit was the ‘Cave of the Winds’. This particular tour has a brief history to it. Which I obviously don’t remember now. But, we were taken 175 feet down, given a new pair of Sandals which are to be worn, following the wooden walk way, which takes us so closer to the falls, where you can actually feel the rush of the water flowing. Talk about the soaking/drenching, nothing does better than this tour. The Bridal Veil falls just seem like a storm. And if you are a crazy sucker for the water falls like I am, hell-to-the-yea you’re at a right place baby. Standing gigantic high, the falls shower you with such a force, that actually stands up to the name. Water flows so gracefully, smoothly that you'll fall in love with it, the very next minute. After the breath-taking Maid of the mist, I had a doubt if I would want to visit Cave of the winds, for a question arose in me that, would it live to the hype? The answer is an obvious YES. Had I missed the Cave of the Winds tour, my trip would’ve been incomplete for sure.

(above and below) View from Observation tower..

Pretty glad, I could make for the two best attractions at the Niagara Falls. For we were running out of time, with almost a 3 hour drive to go, we plan to move on. Interesting to see so many Indian restaurants all around us, we make a stop at one of them after a long debate of where we were supposed to eat that night, none of us actually coming up with a bold answer. Though food was about okay. I, later, thanked the halt. When we were about to take off, we witnessed one of the finest fireworks. Yes, Friday is the only night, which ends with scintillating fireworks. That was a surprise for us. Though we have seen it from the parking lot, it was worth the wait.

With all of us dog tired, Tanooj, was left alone to do nothing, but to drive. Drive all the way to New Jersey which was our immediate halt. Welcome back Mr. Cool-latta which Mani insisted on buying, not to forget a large one, earlier in the day. If you remember, it was sitting right next to Tanooj, in the holder’s place. After I fell asleep after an hour or so, I could some how overhear, tanooj asking Yeshwanth to dump it. Any sensible person, would either take an exit or at least slow down and then dump it either in the bin or just throw out of the window(which is bad).

Going at a speed of, lets call it, 70 MPH, Tanooj, the brainy asks to dump it, and the intelligent boy Yeshwanth without a second thought threw it out of the window. Though I was asleep, I couldn’t help but to notice that something is being sprinkled all over us including the one who dumped it with Me and Mani sitting behind. The minute I got to know that it was Cool-latta, I was so furious, cursed out yeshwanth for being so stupid. And guess what. I wiped it off and went back to sleep. I still laugh at it, all this while I was writing it down.

Oh boy. That brings us to the end of Day 1 of our memorable tour. Exhausted to the core, we finally reach our halt. Happiness in my heart, that I finally made it to my most awaited place on the earth.

Yeshwanth retorted, one fine day, he should take his parents to Niagara, for his mom loves waterfalls. I was silent. Said to myself, Oh boy! Tell me about it. I would want to do the same. Take all my family members. Sonu would love it. Arav is too young to decide on his reaction. J

Tanooj-Mani at 'Cave of the Winds'

Up next. The Grueling experience of New York City and the end of the most memorable tour, after the one I’ve been to North India in third year of my Engineering.

Well, that’s that from ‘My Niagara Experience’. Do share yours, when you go visit it one day, for you should definitely, in your life time.

Life is ‘excitingly- beautiful’.

Yours

Dev!!