The Niagara Falls Chapter

After a quick call to the travel agent to postpone my New York flight by one day – it was decided that upon returning from the snow we would head down to check Niagara Falls and maybe sample some of the local produce…

The Niagara region is a relatively new wine making region but has found a specialty with Ice Wine. This is made from grapes that they pick when it is between -5oC and -12oC. Luckily for us today is one of those days so we got to see some freshly picked and crushed frozen grapes.

INSERT PHOTO OF FROZEN GRAPES

After a pleasant train ride from Toronto to Niagara, we were met by ‘Dave’ our tour guide. We managed to be the only 3 people crazy enough to book a wine tour on 2nd of January so we had a 15 seater bus all to ourselves!

PICTURES OF TRAIN RIDE

Sam and Amanda had previously explored the area so we were able to go to some of their favourites and learn about some new wineries. They pride themselves on their Ice Wine here! When they found out I was from Australia and enjoyed red wine they were rather embarrassed. NOTHING I tried all day actually found the back of the pallet. Now I know that sounds like wine connoisseur speak and yes I am starting to sound like my father but they don’t understand what a BIG red means – No it IS NOT a Kangaroo – but yes I do have three for a pet thank you for asking…

Dave (the bus driver) was a local so gave a great history of the area – sometimes going right off the beaten track through un ploughed snow roads just to show us the little B&B his parents use to own!

In all we visited 6 wineries

INSERT PHOTOS OF WINERIES

As a special ‘Goodbye To Canada’ I bought a bottle of Sparkling Rose Ice Wine – the only type in the world! Ice wine is sold in tiny bottles so when we got back to Toronto there was enough for about 1 small glass each. It retails for $80 a bottle so I was expecting something pretty amazing as it had one a Best Sparkling Wine award at some wine show in Europe – Think Zibibo Rosa as a desert wine!

INSERT PHOTO OF ME WITH ROSE ICE WINE

After a big day we headed out to the Casino for dinner. Tonight I had the BEST cooked steak I have EVER had – and I have eaten A LOT of Steak! Medium Rare – more towards the Rare side. No sauce. The juiciest cow ever! The oven roasted fries and fresh beans and red pepper (NO YOU CRAZY NORTH AMERICANS – IT IS CALLED CAPSICUM – AND YES YOU CAN EAT IT AND YES IT IS QUITE TASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – just had to get that out of my system) that went with it were also cooked to perfection.

After dinner we headed, on Dave the bus drivers recommendation to R5. R5 is a piano bar / lounge with a cocktail book / menu that does include $10 000 cocktail with a diamond ring in it. And yes, if you were wondering, you do get to keep the glass!

The scene was something to behold, sitting by a fireplace in large comfy lounges, a girl playing everything from Oasis to Billy Joel to Beatles to songs made famous by the cast of Glee, Niagara Falls out the window, snow falling everywhere – oh and of course – a French Martini! Wonderful! We then went for a walk through the casino but it wasn’t that exciting, so we headed out and went home.

INSERT PHOTO OF PIANO BAR

The next morning we were restricted to indoor activities as there was so much snow outside.

INSERT PHOTO OF SNOW IN NIAGARA

I was determined to try and see the falls so I convinced Sam that we should just brave the weather and walk out to the look out. The results are as follows…

INSERT PHOTOS OF SAM AND I AT THE FALLS

After a Starbucks to defrost (P.S. I am typing this in Word and Facebook has a red squiggle underneath it but Starbucks is spelt correctly – go figure!) it was time to pack up and jump on the train to Toronto.

The whole time in Canada was fantastic. 11 days in total and I got to do some amazing things – Ski a 6km trail, sort of see the falls, spend a New Years on the snow with snow falling everywhere, try some of the most amazing food I have ever eaten, and hang out with two very cool, awesome and wonderful friends!

Thank you Canada and Thank You Sam and Amanda.

In Here...
... Life is Beautiful
... The Girls are Beautiful
... Even the Orchestra is Beautiful