Niagara - Diners and Waterfalls

New York to Niagara Falls.

Four hours sleep - surprisingly okay!

Down to the lobby to find the tour group which consists of Jeannie - tour leader and driver, great, perfect for the job, likes travel and very accommodating. Shae - American baker from Brooklyn, wanted to see some of her own country. Kristina - German tennis fanatic who just spent time in New York at the Open. Daniel and Elana - Young couple from Leeds, she's been working at a summer camp - for senior citizens - how cool is that? In their 80s and off to summer camp. Apparently there's lots of flirting. Daniel has come to see her - don't know much about him except he likes to eat and the Hard Rock Cafe.

After filling out 'promise not to sue if I stub my toe' forms we're off. First stop - Delaware Water Gap on the Appalachian Traill. A brief stretch-the-legs and look-how-pretty  stop. New Jersey is a very pretty state - lots of green.

Drive on for another long stretch and we end up in Syracuse at Stella's Diner for lunch. I had Eat at a Diner on my list of things to do here so was very happy to do that on day one.

They had grits and turkey links and all that, vinyl booths to sit in, Betty Boo decorations everywhere. It was so popular you had to put your name down, party number and wait. There were a number of well-dressed African Americans who had obviously been to church and were stopping for breakfast. 

Ordered an omelette and coffee with cream, no home fries, thanks. The waitress actually came and said, "more coffee, hon"? Too perfect for words.

Back on the 'bus', it's a small van, really, holds 14, and onwards. Choice of an eight-hour bus ride the day after arriving from a long flight has proved to be a good one. Got some sleep on the way.

Arrive at Byblos Hotel (not an easy name to remember when the Customs man at the Niagara American/Canadian border is demanding to know where you're staying!) at 5ish.

Leave at 6:00 for...

Amazingly and spectacular.

Crossed over to the Canadian side where the view was even more impressive.

Strolled about until dark when the lights came on - that was amazing...

The lights sort of started on the left, like a spotlight, then lit up from left to right until it was all alight. Soooo impressive. So much so that the group of women next to us were inspired to start with, "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie..." They had to do their own "Oi, oi, oi" as there were no takers in the crowd. Don't really know why they felt the need to do it anyway - it's not like they turned the lights on or anything.

Back over to America (stopping for the Customs grilling on where I was going and why. On the way over the Canadian Customs guy opened with "where are you from?" "Australia." "Where are you going?" "Over there." "Why?" "To have a look." "How long will you be there?" "An hour or so." Hilarious.

We went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. Jeannie thew out the options and Daniel said the Hard Rock Cafe, Elana reminded him he had been there yesterday to which he replied "Yeah but not this one." Had a very delicious veggie burger with portobello mushrooms and roasted peppers and capsicum. Back to hotel.

Saw squirrels and a raccoon. - pretty happy about that.

Day one complete!