Time 6/16-6/24/2011

Niagara Falls x2 nights

1. From Lexington to Niagara fall, around 10 hour driving. Left at 6 am and arrived at NY Niagara Falls at 5pm, and reached NF in Canada through Rainbow bridge after a brief stay on USA Falls. The whole trip was smooth. The new GPS doesn’t work in Canada. We are so glad to find that the old TomTom still worked there, which help us a lot later in the trip  to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec
2. Couldn’t find the hotel—4points on the Fallview Ave, and decided parking in a Parking garage when we saw the P sign which turned out to be a big Casino. We were told that kids were not allowed to be in the Casino. Found our hotel after walking through the bridge connecting the hotel and Casino.  This hotel turned out to be Emily’s favorite hotel. It has swimming pool, Sunna pool, gym. Girls insisted to walk out and swim 10pm on the very first day.  Had dinner in an local restaurant with singer singing on site. Girls were dancing with the music and had much fun. Actually too much fun, we walked a long way to hotel just crossing the restaurant. Haha
3. Had brunch in IHOP. And walked to the Casino shopping center. We were surprised to see and hear the Falls through the trees at the back of the Casino. Keeping wondering in the street without much plan in our head. Just followed our heart and the sound of the falls. Talking, playing and taking picture. We joined the many visitors, saw the full picture of both Falls on the lake shore. Took the Maid of Mist which was amazing. Then we went up to the top of the skylon taking some pictures of the Falls. We also watched the 4D movies about the Ledgend of Niagara Falls. WE had early dinner in a Chinese Buffet restaurant ( GoldenLotus) in the Casino. This is a great one with good view of the Falls through the window. $20 person. The tax is high, round 20% and tip 15-20%. Gas is more than 5$ per Gallon. The CA $ = 1.05 US $.
4. Our second hotel was Sheraton right on the Canadian end of the rainbow bridge. The parking was $20. WE can see the both Fall on the 7 th floor outdoor swimming pool. We did exercise again without swimming in the indoor pool. We walked on the Cliffton street which is filled with dun activityies for kinds like rainforest, The world record museum, wax museum, the upside down house, mini golf. Dianausor. We walked around the lake shore agin and saw the illumination and firework at 10pm. The whole shore was very crowed with visitors.

Toronto 3 nights

5. On third day, we visited the Buddha temple and the whitewater where the water Niagara falls turn and merge into ? Lake Ontario. With help of TomTom, we came to Toronto holiday inn ( $100 per night, parking $20), they served breakfast, but no pool nor gym. Eaton center was only 2-3 blocks away. Had dinner at Chinatown.
6. 4th day, took the ferry and went to the Center island. Spent hour on beach ( too cold to swim in the lake), rode the qudracycles around the island. Kids were  great cheerleader. “ go. Go, Daddy, chuchu…) We had a great day. Again went to China town for dinner. The Food was cheap and great. But environment wasn’t good. Like a county city in China.
7. Fifth day was Monday. Sorry to find that most museums were closed, including the Art Gallery and the performing art museum. WE just explored the city following the route of the city guide bus. Spent one hour in the distillery town. Then went to the Casa Loma, a castle with an interesting story. Had dinner in the Eaton Center.

Montreal x 2 nights: