Flying in a storm over the Grand Canyon

We have both flown over the Grand Canyon in a commercial airline flight, but to travel over this magnificent spectacle at 13000ft was nothing but awesome. Travelling from Las Vegas over the Hoover Dam to the South Rim of the Canyon was an incredible experience. We then boarded a six seater helicopter to take us down into the valley itself, to take in the glorious colours of the valley, following the Colorado River meandering like a giant snake in the floor of the valley.

The colours of the cliff walls, danced as the sun gave way to a thunderstorm and then reappeared, while we watched from the edge of the escarpment.

We had quite a frightening trip home, as we watched the storm get closer. The plane dipped and dived, and we held our stomachs as the pilot skillfully delivered us to the airport

Storm coming

Rough ride home

Storm over Grand Canyon

Sunset over Vegas

Flying over Hoover Dam

Niagara on the Lake

Our friends told us not to miss Niagara on the Lake, when we went to Niagara Falls. This little village was worth the thirty minute bus ride, which followed the river to Queenston and the sight of the Botanic Gardens on the other side was beautiful.

The buildings of the central district of Niagara on the Lake have been preserved or restored in the period of the late 1800's, when they were built. It is often described as the prettiest town in Ontario and it certainly lived up to its reputation.

The shops and buildings are now a tourist attraction with their quaint styles and beautiful paintwork, decorated with flower boxes and hanging baskets.

We had lunch in a quaint cafe and the service and food were excellent.

It was our last day in Niagara and we had limited time in this little village. We would have like to explore more. The Fort George National Historical Park, Battlefield House Museum on the edge of town and wineries 

 Cute Treats in the chocolate shop window

Butterfly Conservatory - Niagara Parks

Downstream of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks have established a Butterfly Conservatory in the  Botanical Garden.

A tropical paradise of exotic greenery and flowing water, create a rainforest environment in a climate controlled conservatory.

As we walked around, snapping away, butterflies were landing on tourists heads, arms and shoulders. Even though some children and adults tried to coax them to attach to fingers or hands, quite a few didn't need any persuasion. We had them land on us.

It is an awe inspiring experience

Blue Morpho

Niagara Falls

We can hear the roar from a distance. The first thing we see is the mist rising like a cloud, we can't see the drop-off because of all the tourists and as you get closer, the width of the Niagara River is enormous, the colour, that gorgeous emerald green of a glacial flow. The sun is shining and the colour of the water of the Niagara River is spectacular. We are so close to the edge of the Horseshoe Falls that we feel like we can lean over the railing and touch it. It is only a couple of metres away and the footpath has been built at the same level as the water's drop-off. The cliff edge of the falls, curves around in front of us to create the perfect horseshoe.
The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are further down the river. If you hadn't seen Horseshoe Falls first, you would think these natural wonders would be awesome, but, we have been spoilt by the sheer strength, power and grandeur of the larger falls.

Niagara Falls

One of the seven wonders of the world, certainly didn't disappoint.

Horseshoe Falls Niagara River

American Falls Niagara River

Niagara Falls Horseshoe Falls

We took a tour under the falls. We were 200 metres below the escarpment and the tour took us to two tunnels, which opened up with the falls pounding down to the bed below.  If you wanted you could get as close as two metres to the water falling at the opening of each tunnel. The lookout was on the downstream edge of the  falls at the same level.  From this perspective we could see the fury of the water as it crashed past you to the bed of the rocks below.

Horseshoe Falls Niagara

We stayed in Niagara Falls a couple of days and each day, we would wander down just to check if this magnificence was still there, the sheer power and strength and volume was awsome

St Laurence Markets - Ivan the Watchmaker, Toronto

On a Sunday, The St Laurence Markets, cater for bric a brac, antiques, art deco glass and anything in between. We came upon the markets after our day in town and most stall holders were packing up for the day. One of the vendors had some beautiful old watches on display, and I took a couple of photos and we started to talk to him. His name was Ivan the Watchmaker. He showed us a watch made by Louis 15's watchmaker from around 1720. Ivan was very interesting, he pointed out the workings of the old watches.

Toronto - tall ship cruising Lake Ontario

When in a new city that we know nothing about, we will often find the local "RED" or "Hop on Hop off bus" to give us a general feel and find out what is happening in the city.  The stop was outside our hotel, so we boarded mid-morning and we were able to get seats on the top deck in the fresh air. We travelled past some extremely old suburbs, the buildings had long since needed renovation and some loving care.
The city seemed to be in a bit of a mess, with building and roadworks going on everywhere, especially in the business and tourist districts. But we soon learned that because the winters are so cold, down to minus 20 C and the ground freezes, that it is impossible to dig holes, or work outside, all the construction work is done in the summer months.
Toronto is on the edge of Lake Ontario, part of the great lakes system that separates Canada from the USA. A spectacular way to see the city and have a fantastic afternoon is to cruise the harbour in a tall ship yacht. We spent an hour and a half cruising in and out of the waterways, experiencing the birdlife and enjoying the peaceful scenery as we drifted past.

Our hotel is the King Edward, which has a magnificent foyer and public areas, including ballrooms and reception rooms for functions and weddings, but our room was quite tired.

Toronto Old Town Hall