Water quickly freezes as it rushes towards the bridge linking the United States and Canadian borders. - PHOTOS BY BARBARA ELLINGTON
NIAGARA FALLS deserves its place among the eight wonders of the world, and it's not surprising as the first-time visitor who sees it, experiences has a "wow" moment. Niagara Falls also known as 'the world's most famous address", is Canada's most visited attraction. Located in the Niagara Region of that country, it receives close to 15 million tourists per year.
Even in 14 degrees below zero weather, one wonders at the force and source of all the water and how it manages to thunder down into a magnificent waterfall every day of every year. The sight literally takes the breath away as one tries to figure out the origin of nature's giant sized and seemingly magical mist that shrouds the mouth of the gorge. The mist catches the rays of the sun and is often embellished by a rainbow.
Water rushes angrily from the Niagara River miles away aided on its way by whirlpool rapids. And being winter, chunks of ice form part of the millions of gallons of water gushing down the falls. Some sections show water frozen in mid air, forming icy 'stalactites' down the rocky face of the horse-shoe shaped waterfall. Above on the hills overlooking the falls, trees and shrubs are frozen from trunk to leaf stem and the park that comes alive with picnicking families in the summer, now lies buried under several feet of snow.
Handrails are frozen and even after walkways have been cleared, the ground remains slippery.
But there are a host of activities to keep tourists and visitors occupied, no matter the season of the year. Several hotels surround and overlook Niagara Falls; there are casinos and over 25 shops and restaurants. Nightlife too is buzzing and many wines, including the region's famous Icewine can be sampled at clubs and bars.
- B.E.
