DAY 3 : ADVENTURES OF NIAGARA

Even before we started our trips, I had booked tickets for some of the attractions( a combo) online which saved a huge sum of money..

I had bought the Adventure Pass online which comprises of the following attractions:

• JOURNEY BEHIND THE FALLS
• MAID OF THE MIST
• WHITE WALTER WALK
• BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY
• Plus, ONE DAY FREE PASS FOR PEOPLE MOVER BUS.
  

This coupon also had additional benefits.

• ALL DAY RIDE on PEOPLE MOVER BUS and INCLINE RAILWAY for $5.50 for adults. ( thats a discount coupon u can use for the next day)
• $ 1 off on FRESHLY MADE sweet & tasty treat BEAR CLAW available at the maid of the Mist MarketPlace.
• FREE ADMISSION to WHIRLPOOL AERO CAR
• FREE ADMISSION to SIR ADAM BECK 2 DAM TOUR
• NEW ATTRACTION NIAGARA's FURY also had a discount coupon. But since it was opening only next month (June) we weren't able to use that.

So now we know that this is an excellent package and why we chose it, lets go on with the day's adventures.

Each attraction speaks a lot for itself, so I will make every attraction as a post so that we can have a good idea about it.

we wll be covering a major portion of the Niagara Parkway.

We parked our car in the parkng lot near to Table Rock (Of course it is expensive. We did not know t then!!). We reached the welcome centre in Table Rock.

We exchanged our onlne ticket at the counter and got the coupons. we also used that day's people mover bus.

We started our tour with the first attraction availble inside the Table Rock.

JOURNEY BEHIND THE FALLS

In the early 1990's it was called SCENIC TUNNELS.

It is located beside the Canadian HorseShoe Falls.

Since we had already the tickets, we started into the journey.

When we reached the entrance , we were asked to stand for a photograph. This is a normal custom in any attraction. Before we enter, we are in for a photo and after we are done with the tour, we get a copy of 2 or more (varies for each attraction) for say $20.00 to $ 25.00

Then we were given PONCHOS so we don't get wet.

Once we are ready wearing that, we were led to an elevator that takes us down to the Tunnels.

Elevators descend 150 feet through bedrock to tunnels that lead to the Cataract Portal and the Great Falls Portal which is one third of the way behind the massive sheet of water, then on to the Upper and Lower Observation Decks at the foot of the Falls.

Journey consists of an observation platform and series of tunnels near the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian shore of the Niagara River. The tour is unguided and we have the option of using radios to receive facts and information broadcast into the tunnels.

The two tunnels extend approximately 46 metres behind the waterfall and allow us to view water cascading in front of the open cave entrances. Earlier in the attraction's history visitors were permitted far closer to the portals' edge to view a perspective to the sides and below the falling water. Barricades now exist further back from the ledge at the end of the tunnels to ensure visitor safety.

The observation deck provides a vantage point looking up with the falls to the right, allowing photographers like Ravi, a full view of the famous landmark. The deck is sprayed with water from the cascade so thats the reason we are provided with plastic raincoats prior to their descent.

Before each Point, there are descriptions of the Observation Points. And some Interesting Facts, some of which are here. I asked Ravi to take a shot of these exclusive for my blogs.

FACT OF THE JOURNEY:

At Journey Behind the Falls, you'll experience the awesome spectacle of one-fifth of the world’s fresh water crashing down 13 stories to the basin below. Every second during summer daylight hours, over 2,800 cubic meters of water thunders over the rim at 65 kilometers per hour.

IN WINTER:

This journey is said to be interesting for the Winter. The reason being,the mist of the Falls freezes in spectacular ice formations on every tree and building. Viewing the Falls in winter should not be missed!! So people trying to visit during Winter are more lucky enough! But its just that you should be able to bear the the cold weather! (Believe me, I can't survive!!)

SHORT HISTORY ABOUT THE JOURNEY

Courtesy: Niagaraparks.

For over 400 years people have traveled from around the globe to experience the spectacle of Niagara, one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls. In early times, the only way to get up close to the Falls was to climb down the steep bank and over huge boulders, or down crude “ladders” created from fallen trees.

The first enclosed stairs were built in 1818 and a spiral staircase was constructed in 1832 for visitors to enter what was then called the “Sheet of Falling Water” attraction. The admission fee was $1, and for an additional dollar, certificates were presented to those who had completed the trip behind the Falls.

In 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission was created to maintain the area around the Falls. In 1887, the Commissioners removed the staircase and installed a water hydraulic powered elevator. The lift held 8 to 10 visitors with their guides and took almost a minute to make the up or down trip. The first tunnels were built in 1889.

Visitors were taken through the tunnel by guides carrying lanterns.

In 1902, the hydraulic lift was taken over by the Ontario Power Company when they began construction of the Ontario Power House. This plant is now decommissioned, but still sits at the river’s edge below the Falls. In exchange for using the hydraulic elevator, the Ontario Power Company agreed to sink a shaft through the rock and construct an electric elevator and a new “scenic tunnel”.

In 1925, work began on a new Table Rock House.

In the new building, the elevator to the "Scenic Tunnels" attraction was twinned and dressing rooms were built for visitors to get ready with heavy rubber rain coats and boots.

As the brink of the Falls receded, tunnel extensions were made as required, until 1944 when a new tunnel was cut into the rock about 18 meters behind the original one. These tunnels were lined with concrete and lit by electricity and are the tunnels still used today.

In 1951, an observation plaza was added and in 1990, the raincoats and boots were discontinued, replaced by light biodegradable rain ponchos which may be kept as a souvenir.

In 1994, the name of the Scenic Tunnels was changed to Journey Behind the Falls.

Once we were done with the journey, we headed back to the ground level on the same elevator. There was the photo studion ready with our snaps, and since it came out real good, we went for it!! We disposed our Ponchos and headed out to our next stop.. MAID OF THE MIST.

OverAll Rating for this Attraction: 3/5
© 2008 SarathaRavi