US trip - Niagara Falls and Toronto

From Boston, we signed up for a 3 days 2 nights trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto. As me being the budget conscious one, we got a very good deal, but had to take bus for around 10hrs each way to get to Niagara Falls and back. haha... 10 hours on a mini van some more, not the luxurious coach you're imagining.


10 hrs drive from Boston to Niagara Falls. Enroute, we stopped at Thousand Islands region for the islands tour.


This is an archipelago of islands that straddle the U.S.-Canada border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario.


One of the smallest islands. One of the key definitions for an island to be counted as an island is there must be at least 1 tree growing on the island.








This is an interesting one. These islands are owned by the same man, and below the bridge is the international border between Canada and the United States. The guide told us a joke which the owner of the island said "Whenever we have a family argument like all family do, I pack up my bag, cross the bridge, leave the country for a while and let the others cool down before I return home".


Finally we got to Niagara Falls at around 930pm, when we set off early at 8am.




This is the view of the American Falls.








Getting ready to board the Maid of the Mist.


Going towards the Horseshoe Falls.






Canadian side of Niagara Falls.


View of the Horseshoe Falls from the Skylon Tower.


American Falls and the very small Bride's veil Falls just on the right of the American Falls.


That's Goat Island which splits the course of the Niagara River, resulting in the separation of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls to the west from the American and Bridal Veil Falls to the east.


Rainbow bridge linking state of New York to Ontario in Canada.


Lunch at Skylon Tower restaurant. Its a revolving restaurant which gives very good view of the falls and the town itself.


City of Toronto - 1.5hrs drive from Niagara Falls.


Skyline of Toronto, with CN Tower, once the tallest free-standing structure on land in the world for 31 years.

10 hours each way, but its all worth it. Niagara Falls is really pretty.

Okies will upload Philadelphia and NY pics another day. going to look for some food now and will prepare to board the plane back home! seeya all!

US trip Jul 2009 - Boston

Currently transiting in Dubai now. The time is 925pm Dubai time. Flight is at 245am. so 5 more hrs to go. Plan to upload my US photos, and then watch a few HK series if can. watching Forensics Heroes II now. Can gain alot of knowledge from watching the show. The Dubai airport is so big, and quiet, ie not very quiet. which is good i guess.

As Aunt nic was visiting me 2 weeks before I went to US, i managed to psycho her to join me for the US trip at the last minute. haha.. so at least I had a companion for the trip! and I'm glad she joined me coz we had alot of fun! :)

We flew in to New York City, and from there, the first place we went was Boston, to spend Independence Day with biaojie and zhongji.


At the Massachusetts State House, waiting to start our Freedom Trail walk


One of the celebrations for Independence Day


Bunker Hill Monument


What is a trip to US w/o a visit to Cheesecake Factory?


Godiva cheesecake! Heavenly!


Our dear hosts..


Me and Nic enjoying a cuppa


Shopping at Newbury Street


The John Hancock Tower, designed by I.M. Pei - Tallest building in Boston and New England.



The highlights for Independence Day celebrations is usually the fireworks display. So of course, we joined in the celebrations by parking at a strategic location just outside their apartment along the river to catch the wonder fireworks display.










This is one of the best fireworks display that I've ever seen. Its very long. almost for 30min? and its accompanied live by the Boston Pops Orchestra. According to aunt nic who saw the ndp display this year, this is better than ndp! haha so at least i didn't miss much i hope!









The following day, biaojie and ck took us around Boston to see Harvard, MIT etc..


Sun brunch - still rem we were watching the Wimbledon finals between Federer and Roddick while eating!


Visit to Harvard Uni


Memorial Church


Mr John Harvard - a young British clergyman who bequeathed the College his library of four hundred books and £779 (which was half of his estate), assuring its continued operation


Charles River


Harvard Business School - This is the Baker Library, the world's largest business library








Massachusetts Institute of Technology




Green Building, Center for Earth Sciences - designed by I.M. Pei for MIT






Sunset at the harbour