ROBERT'S BIRTHDAY

"I've got a bad feeling about these tickets," Robert said this morning, after American Airlines sent us to US Air, where their ticketing self-service check in didn't recognise our reservation.  A patient woman at the counter semi-sorted us, explaining a step in the process was missed when we were transferred to the co-carrier.

But at the Gate, trouble again, something about our E Ticket not being linked.  So we watched in dismay as the bus left the terminal exit, across the tarmac.  But Virgil managed to sort it out, borrowed a fluro vest, commandeered another bus, and got the driver to take us to the plane just in time.

Being transferred to a co-carrier meant an earlier flight from Washington, so an earlier arrival into Buffalo, New York.  So there was a short wait for our transfer to the hotel in Niagara Falls.  I'm not sure how long the trip usually takes, but this time is was ninety minutes.  At one point, we were crawling along the highway, as roadworks converged two lanes into one.  Then it was stop-start across multiple lanes as we inched up to the Canadian border guard. Our driver gave him our passports, but he came out of his booth, around and opened the vehicle door.  How long wouLd we be in Canada?  Did we have family or friends already here?  Would any family be joining us here?  Were we carrying any weapons or other prohibited goods?  He finally agreed to stamp our passports and let us in!!

But we still had a short drive to our hotel, Hilton Niagara Falls.  Short in distance maybe, but it was bumper to bumper traffic so again we just went stop-start.  But a wonderful sight awaited us from our hotel window on the 31st floor.

We walked down to the Falls, which are actually three waterfalls that collectively are called Niagara Falls. Over 2 million litres of water tumble down EVERY SECOND.  For those more adventurous than us, you can ride up this tower for a higher view.

But what we saw suited us just fine.  The sound from up here was loud.  The Horseshoe Falls creates a mist that rises higher than the falls themselves.

 Several times we saw rainbows in the water.

 

Another thing we saw was a proposal!  Right in front of us, a man went down on one knee, with a jewellery box open in front of him.  She had no idea this was to happen (I asked her!) and was wiping tears away.  Lots of people around clapped and offered congratulations.

 Across the road is this statute, of Nikola Tesla, who developed right here at Niagara Falls the first hydroelectric power system.

So today, Robert's birthday, had its share of stressful moments.  But one highlight awaited him at our hotel.  Daughter Jenna had arranged a delivery.  It was a parcel to prepare him for our baseball game in New York, containing a New York Yankees tee shirt, baseball cap and huge inflatable hands!!!  He was just delighted!

Plus, we have dinner booked on the 33rd floor restaurant tonight which overlooks the waterfalls.

To be continued ...