Memories of Mine at age 69 - Niagara Falls - Thousand Islands After having spent some quality time at Franklin, having full filled the long cherished wish of visiting Harvard and other other Ivy League
Colleges, it was time to spread wings and so early one morning at 5 am arrived at Forge Station for a train to Boston, a one hour
journey, followed by a 15 min walk to China Town from where a nine hours bus driving through the longest American Highway will take us to the Niagara .
The commuter rail is efficiently managed by a Private Company.
There are around 10 -12 stops and as I travelled early morning only two coaches were kept open, managed by an elderly person, who issued tickets to us, most of the passengers are monthly pass holders.
I greatly admired the diligence of the single staff on the train. At
each stop he used to step down a few steps to open and close the
carriage door every 5 - 7 minutes. During rush hour which starts at 7 am all carriages are open, managed by additional staff.
On arriving at Boston I could not help but request the gentleman to join me in a photo op. As I was walking out of the platform a
gentleman approached me and asked me the reason of my taking
the picture. I was momentarily taken back as he happened to be a higher officer of Boston Station.
I told him about my admiration of the genial guy, and he
appreciated and said yes one should recognise good staff and services. Hope my friend gets a bonus :))
Reached China Town and onward to Niagara Falls as Boston was
waking up and once on the highway the guide kept us abreast of the rich history of the places we were passing by. As I enjoyed the
natural beauty around and the thoughts of the majestic falls and
serene Thousand Islands the words of Lord Byron came to mind ' There is a pleasure in the pathless woods There is a rapture on the lovely shore To mingle with Universe and feel
What I can never express yet cannot conceal.'
Friends in truth I will never ever be able to fully express the two day experience, but I will try. The pictures will to an extent help me in conveying the joy and pleasure of Mine at age 69 đ&#x;˜€ Niagara was a one in a life time experience. A road journey of 9 hrs
driving on USA's longest highway just to experience 30 min of Maid of the Mist experience was worth undertaking. We were plain lucky as their was plenty of sunshine and the roaring Falls and the
enveloping Mist was visible. Just plain sitting besides the fall and to see the water gushing down was a sight to behold.
I would recommend watching the movie of Niagara Falls at the Park
Complex, which will give you an idea of what you are to witness and experience.
Niagara Falls is a combination of three water falls - Horseshoe Falls the biggest and most majestic, the American Fall and the Bridal Veil Fall.
We were plain lucky to enjoy every moment, the boat ride enveloping us in mist, and the towering Falls thundering as we came closer and I felt being embraced and enveloped. Felt like a small child looking around in awe and excitement.
Niagara Falls have been around for 12000 years.
After the enthralling boat ride it was sheer magic to watch the sun set and sit in silence and awe near the Falls and hear the rumbling
and sheer power and beauty of the Niagara Falls cascading down
from a height of 100 feet, and seeing at a distant in fading light and enveloped mist the Horseshoe Fall dropping from 188 feet.
After having dinner at the Park Complex we set out to see the light
show of the Falls and after an hour's drive checked into a hotel for nights rest.
Next day after Breakfast headed towards the scenic Thousand
Islands, and reached around 10 am. An hour long cruise around the beautiful islands with quaint castles and houses on islands as small as supporting two trees year round to big ones measuring 100 square kilometres.
There are in all 1864 islands on St Lawrence river which originates from Lake Ontario.
70% is under Canada and rest is US territory with interesting past. Some have been bought cheap many years ago as low as $ 40 and some are selling now in millions.
The famous is Boldt Castle has an interesting history. It is a testament of one man's love for his wife
Thousand island salad derives its name from this beautiful place.
Copy paste the
Google photo link for video/photos https://
photos.app.goo.g l/
8NqyM6Cunn55nn eM2
Now it was time to visit Boston which has played a central role in American History. The walk on theFreedom Trail starting at Old
North Church where the Founding Fathers used to assemble, is a 2.5 kms long path in downtown Boston, which ends at Bunker Hill
monument. The Trail takes you back to the heady days of American War of Independence. It all started here.
Boston was founded by Puritan Colonist in 1630.
The famous Boston Tea Party which decided to rise up against the British and dumped 342 tea chests in the Harbour met here.
Boston is regarded as a Mecca of medicine, home to some of the
most prestigious hospitals and medical schools in the world. Boston Children Hospital is world famous. We were able to see the famous landmarks.
As we took the famous Duck tour in the replica of World War 2
DUKW amphibious vehicles, we were regaled by a very witty Guide on the history and sights of Boston. Highly recommended.
The Guide on the Freedom Trail dresses up in the old age Puritan Costume.
If you are interested to be on the Duck Tour with me, copy paste
the video link on your browser and enjoy. Whale watching is another interesting Tourist activity in Boston.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/p8XZIuAhmoP5cxQo1
For a tryst with the Atlantic we drove to the beautiful beach town of Hull, it has one of the finest beach in New England. Being Sunday it was overflowing mostly with residents of the town, who enjoy free
parking. A concept I greatly liked, as the residents are the ones who should get priority. It was a wonderful experience driving along the Beach road with ocean on one side and beautiful homes on the other.
We also took a small walking trail which overlooked the ocean, and treated myself to a famous food dish of crunchy bread bowl filled with white sauce.
Sharing a link to be copy pasted on your browser to ride with me along the beach road lined with beautiful homes.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1kWU49Ew7yIqsihY2
On 25 th Aug: 2017 checked in at Westin - Manhattan New York. ( Google the tariff rate at Westin hotel) Those who know me personally will be taken aback reading this. The truth is 'was
checked in ' - which means some one else, in my case my Brother in law Murtazabhai was footing the Bill of our stay.
Taking an early morning bus to New York arrived at Manhattan in the afternoon, and as I entered the Westin foyer, I started humming the
famous Sting song ' I am an English Man in New York' As I walked the streets of Manhattan taking liberty with the Sting song hummed to myself enjoying the experience. ' I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
And you can hear it in my ascent as I talk I am a Bohri man in New York' !!
Copy paste the video link below and walk with me on Manhattan https://photos.app.goo.gl/vxLsn5d3GztVmOI63
Dr Idris Amin our relative has a small apartment in Manhattan a few
blocks away from Westin. The building is on the bank of the Hudson overlooking the UN Building - a majestic sight.
The video link will give the readers an idea of the surrounding. https://photos.app.goo.gl/lZx5r1HAaFGfBO6m1
After visiting our relative we headed straight to the ROCK
( Rockefeller Centre) Here one can go up to the observation deck and view the New York skyline. Being more of a grounded guy,
walked around the sprawling complex and hopped on the Big bus for the evening tour of Downtown Manhattan.
New York has a 400 year old history and the guide regaled us with interesting history of some of the iconic landmarks.
Grand Central Terminal is the largest train station in the world by number of Platforms.
Flatiron Building having a distinctive triangular structure is regarded as the World's first skyscraper.
Likewise Brooklyn Bridge is the first steel wire suspense bridge.
Manhattan covers an area of approx 59 sq Kms and has a diverse architectural marvels and interesting neighbourhood like China
Town and Little Italy. So Ho has unique cast iron buildings. Macy's for many years held the record of the largest departmental store,
and although it has lost its preeminence long back, a big hoarding on its building proclaims it is the biggest.
The night was spent as most of the tourists do at Times Square gawking at the huge signboards and enjoying and marvelling at Street artist performances.
Next morning after breakfast at Grand Central Station hopped on to the Big Bus from Times Square for another bus ride.
Riverside Church- the tallest church in America has an interesting history.
Neighbourhoods play an important part in American way of life. It
matters a lot in family upbringing. Sharing an interesting story in this regard. A well healed gentleman used to visit Sunday sermons in NY.
When once asked by the priest why he did not bring his family along and came alone, he said he very much liked his sermons but not the crowd that attended. Thus he went up building a magnificent
Church in his neighbourhood and requested the priest to come over and preach. That gentle man was John D Rockefeller.
The New York Municipality Building houses marriage registration
office on the fourth floor and divorce registration on the second floor. Just a two floor climb down to end a relationship !!
After lunch we headed towards Franklin after enjoying twenty four hour packed and exiting New York trip.
Ending the post and leaving you with some pictures and video links. Hope you enjoyed reading.
Video links to be copy pasted. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ NHkAvNNnpzDcredk2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ Fk4ByYaCz6XVCLB93