Harrisburg/Lancaster

After crossing the border and passing through immigration once again we went to view the falls from the American side to see where the water flowed down before it went over the falls.  It had been raining and it appeared the damp atmosphere trapped the mist from the falls and took it up into the sky.

We then boarded our plane and flew to Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania which played a notable role in American history during the westward migration, the American Civil War and the  Industrial Revolution.

Our first stop was Hershey Chocolate World.  We went into a tasting room to try 5 different types og chocolate.  Apparently in order to appreciate chocolate it should be left in your mouth , not chewed (This should also be good for your waist line as it takes so much longer)   We then went on to design, make, design a  personalized label, wrap and box your own chocolate.  Even the street lights around the town are in the shape of the Hershey Kisses.

After going through a town called Bird in the Hand we arrived for lunch at a town called Intercourse – had to buy the T shirt.

We then had a farmland tour with an Amish local guide to see and learn the way of the Amish. 

We visited an Amish Country Homestead and schoolroom to learn about their culture and heritage.  They are famous for what they hand make and we visited a shop featuring their craft such as quilts, wooden toys, dolls, scooters.

We then watched a screening of Jacob’s Choice which depicts the emotional story of an Old Order Amish family of today facing the challenges of modern life while struggling to preserve 400 years of community, commitment and tradition

We finished the day with an Amish Farm Feast Dining Experience.

Toronto

Day 58

Today we headed to Toronto to visit the CN Tower which stands 553.3 metres tall and is the world’s tallest free-standing structure and the world’s tallest tower.  The tower has a glass floor in the lift and also on the observation deck which was a lot of fun.  Luckily it was a lovely clear day and we had great views of the city. 

From there we visited the parliament buildings and the wall of rememberance – a pictorial tribute for all those that went to the wars.

We then had some time shopping at Niagara on the Lake, a little historic town where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario.  It originally was the home of the first Parliament in Ontario. It was actually known for a number of firsts – the first capital of Ontario, the place where the first anti-slavery legislation was passed, home of the first newspaper in the province, the first library, oldest golf course, law society etc..  It was a military town where generations of Canadians were trained prior to going off to the Boer War and the two World Wars.  Now it is a quaint historic little village much like Montville in Queensland.

Next we went wine tasting at a small family owned winery.  Caroline Cellars is a 4 generation operated winery specializing in the frozen gape wines which has a completely different flavor.  We did a tour of the grape vines then had a tasting demonstrating what to look for in good wines.

We then went to visit Brocks Monument and the Floral Clock.  The monument is a 65 metre column atop Queenstown Heights dedicated to Major General Sir Isaac Brock, one of Canada’s war heroes of the war of 1812.  The floral clock is a unique attraction and photographed almost as often as the falls.  The flowal designs are changed yearly to give it a completely new look.

On the way back we stopped to view the Canadian Hydroelectric plant.

We had dinner at Margaritaville and we were glad to head back to the hotel.  It had been the hottest June Day in Toronto history.

Niagara Falls

Day 57

We had a 5.00am start this morning to join our new Mauiva Tour. We met at 6.00am and headed off for the KMMU Airport to meet our small private plane to fly us to Buffalo.  We then went by coach over the famed Rainbow Bridge from the United States to Canada.  After clearing customs we went to walk on white water which brings you to the very edge of the world’s wildest stretches of water where we could feel the power and beauty of nature, seeing first hand how the great gorge was created.

Next was the Maid of the Mist tour which was initially launched in 1846 as a ferry service between the American and Canadian sides.  However with the opening of the suspension bridge, the ferry service lost business and by 1854 became a tourist attraction which the launch of a more luxurious boat.  After being handed our blue raincoat we set of on what proved to be the first of a soaking for the day as we got up close and personal with the mist of the white water.

After lunch we did the Journey behind the Falls, known until the early 1990’s as the Scenic Tunnels.  It is located in the Table Rock Centre behind the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Once again we were issued with raincoats (yellow this time) and once again we got soaked when we came out of the tunnel right beside the fall – but it was well worth it for the view.

Next we did the Niagara Fury Experience the Creation of Niagara Falls in 3D.  It told how the Ice Age began the creation of the falls in cartoon form.  Once again we were issued our raincoat so we knew we were about to get wet.  We went into a room for 360⁰ 3D experience.  The temperature dropped 20⁰, water bubbled and we were sprayed with snow.  Standing in the mist on a massive platform, the floor trembled and once again we were drench as water hit us as we watched the fury of the falls.

After drying out again, we visited the IMAX “Legends and Daredevils”movie which told the Legend of the Indian Maid of the Mist, then told of people had gone over the falls and survived and the daredevils who used all types of transport to take on the falls.  We then visited the museum which exhibits a number of these contraptions.

We then checked into our hotel and got ready for dinner. The restaurant overlooked where the river initially went over the falls.  It was a fantastic view and a lovely end to a full day.

New York

Day 56

We arrived in New York around lunch time, left our bags at the hotel and headed for Central Park.  We stopped at the Lincoln Centre which is the performing arts centre but it was closed today.  The main building is the David Kosh Theatre (not our Sunrise David Kosh)

Central Park covers 843 acres so we decided to sit back and relax and have our young  knowledgeable pedicab driver guide us along Central Parks scenic paths at a casual pace visiting many well know attractions and famous landmarks such as the Bandshell, Carousel, Cherry Hill,  Bethesda Fountain,  The Lake, The

Boathouse, Strawberry Fields and the memorial to John Lennon.  The building in the background of our photo in the pedicab is called Dakota and is where John Lennon was shot and died on Dec. 8 1980.  

Our hotel is on the next corner from the CNN building and Trump Towers.  There sure are a lot of people out on the streets here, and so many taxis. Tonight we went out and had a good steak dinner and came back to our room as we have an early start on our flight to Niagara Falls in the morning.

Boston 2

Day 55

Today we repacked ready for the next stage of our holiday. Tomorrow we are off to New York. We then did a little shopping and met Suzanne for lunch.  From there we went for a tour of the Samual Adams Brewery.  The brewery was started by Jim Koch in April 1985.  He chose that name because Samuel Adams was a Boston firebrand, a revolutionary thinker who fought for independence. Most importantly, Samuel Adams, was also a brewer who had inherited a brewing tradition from his father.  Even though a relatively young brewery it has won more awards than any other brewery in the United States

The tour is fun and educational and we got to try 3 different beers.  The guide is hilarious and talks you through the tour so you get a better appreciation of what you are drinking. 

Afterwards we took the trolley to Doyles where we got to drink more Samual Adams and have some more clam chowder and when we came out the trolley driver offered to drive us all the way home to Suzanne’s place so that was a bonus.

We finished the day with drinks on the rooftop of Suzanne’s apartments.  We have had a wonderful 3 days with an excellent tour guide - thank you so much Suzanne.  We were able to visit so many places in such a short time and we learnt so much about your beautiful city.

Boston

Day 54

As most of you know I was meeting my cousin Suzanne in Boston.  In 2 days she has shown us around and we have seen so much including out of the way things you wouldn’t see if you stayed here for weeks.  Boston is a great city and you can see so much of it just by walking.

Suzanne lives right in the centre of the city next to the State House and our hotel is only a couple of minutes from there.  We started with the Granary, a famous graveyard for people like John Hancock,  Samual Adams, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklins parents -  so much history.  From there we walked the Freedom Trail, the Boston Common, the Public Gardens, went for a ride in the famous Swan Boats and saw the Make Way for Ducklings statues.   

We stopped to eat at the Cheers Bar and they had really good food.  We had a great clam chowder.  After that we went for a walk down Newbury Street to look at the shops and visited the Mapparium which is a very cool place where you stand inside a globe.   We felt a bit homesick when we looked at Australia.  The acoustics are such that you could whisper at one side and hear it as clear as a bell on the other.

We finished the day with drinks at the Top of the Hub which is 52 floors high and you can see most of Boston.  We then walked home – not bad for day one. 

We started the next day with Suzanne’s favourite 5klm walk beside the river, over the bridge past the sailing boats and  came back over another bridge.  The views were stunning – and she does this regularly.  From there we went for a tour of Fenway Park home of the Red Socks – Babe Ruth played here before being sold to the New York Yankees.  Big mistake – they didn’t win again for about 86 years.

In the afternoon we went on Bostons Famous Duck Tour where we had a narrated drive around the city (much of which Suzanne had already told us) and then drove into the river for a loop around for up close views of the bridges, river banks and ducks.  The driver was very entertaining so it was a great tour. 

Later we headed to the river front for a walk around and also visited the Old North Church where in 1775 Paul Reveres’ signal lanterns warned the country of the march of the British troops to Lexington and Concorde. There is a statue of him erected there and a little walk from there was his original house.

We have fitted so much in such a short time - but having a great time. 

Halifax & Bar Harbour

Day 47

We started today with a drive to the quaint resort village of Peggy’s Cove.  It is famous for its picture perfect community, light house and rugged coastline. It has a memorial to the 229 people who were killed in the Swissair plane crash in 1998.

We then moved on to the Fairview Cemetery  where more than 100 passengers of the tragic HMAS Titanic are buried.  It is set out as the passengers were in their cabins on the ship.  I was not aware that there was an Australian on board but there is quite a large headstone for Arthur McCrae from the University of Sydney aged 32.  There is also a grave of a small child about 18 months who was only identified in April this year (Sidney Goodwin)which would make it around the 100^th anniversary of the sinking.

We then went for a walk through their beautiful public gardens then on to the Citadel which is the original fortress erected in 1749 as part of the principal defense infrastructure for the British Empire.  Much of the thick walls and cannons are still standing. 

After a drive around the historic properties we arrived at the Halifax Seaport for shopping and lunch.

Bar Harbour   Day 48

Bar Harbour used to be the where the wealthy had summer residences. Today we visited the seventh most visited National Park in the United States, Arcadia National Park.

We travelled back in time on a horse drawn carriage for a one hour scenic ride around Day Mountain on the carriage trails.  These trails were built by philanthropist John D Rockerfeller and enabled us to have close up views of the beautiful forests andlandscapes.

We continued on by coach along the famous Park Loop Road to the summit of Cadillac Mountain to see the beautiful sea vistas. This point is the first to see the sun come up in America.

This was the final day of our cruise.  We had a great time. We thought we would get a rest before our next tour but we were on the go all the time but it was well worth it.