WEDDING ANNIVERSARY '08

On 27th June, dawned the completion of another fascinating life together.

Our Wedding Anniversary.

I know I've been married to the same man for 3 years in a row now. That is marvelous. It is very inexpensive.

Our morning started with getting up early and having finished shower, prepared prasads for prayer.

We completed our morning prayers in an auspicious manner with MYSORE PAK(from India) , MILK, SUNDAL as NEIVEDHYAM.

Ravi prefered to take sundal for lunch. After he left, I decided to wrap up the surprise I had bought for him. DIGITAL PHOTO WALLET & LITTLE REMINDER KEY CHAIN.

I know these gifs means nothing when compared to his affection. But I felt he deserves an appreciation for his wonderful role as HUSBAND.

At 11 am, there was a knock on the door. I opened to see a FEDEX guy outside with a huge box.

SURPRISE from NJ!!!

KarthiBharathi from New Jersey had ordered for Roses to reach us on this day. 

I recieved this wonderful pot of yellow roses..all cute and cuddly.

Ravi had promised he'll leave office by 4 pm to take me to the temple.

Finally he came home by 5 pm and guess what??

He surprised with me with a bouquet of RED ROSES!!!

What a ROSE day was it today!! I handed him my surprise and he was equally shocked!

Off we left to LIVERMORE to recieve blessing from the SHIVA VISHNU Temple.

We had a very good Darshan even during its closing time. The Venakatachalapathy was being put to nap and the finishing darshan was really soul soothing.

With a couple of shots taken outside the temple,we left that place by 8.15 pm.

The cute Scion of ours,stopped in our favourite restaurant, SWATHI'S where we had a contending dinner.

The Day winded with us watching VASOOL RAJA MBBS @ home.

On this wonderful note, I'd like to share some tips that leads us to a long lasting realationships.

HAVING A HAPPY MARRIAGE IS HARD WORK...BELIEVE ME!!

Show your sweetie that they’re worthy of being loved. In other words, they should never feel like they’re the second choice in your life.  They’re your best friend, so treat them that way.  Also, never stop believing in them.

Have a forgiving heart and don’t carry a grudge or harbor resentment for a long period of time. They may have done something to hurt your feelings, but once you’ve accepted their apology, let it go.

BOTH of you should take care of your children. It’s not one person’s job. It’s a partnership. Your children should feel loved by bothparents – and know that they can come to either of you for help or guidance without fear or shame.

Keep challenging each other. Help each other face your fears and insecurities, and support your growth as individuals. If you’re always willing to try new things - and new experiences - you’ll never get bored with each other.

Appreciate the time you spend APART from each other. Once you recognize that both of you need a little space from time to time, homecomings will become that much sweeter.

Finally, never quit on each other. In a study of people married more than 20 years, scientists surveyed a variety of obstacles and negative circumstances the couples faced. Those who stayed together – and stayed happy – managed to reach deep down inside, and find the strength to hang in there until things changed for the better. It was quite a mood boost when they discovered that they still had the love of their life beside them to celebrate with.

So LIVE a long happy life together like now, like always!!!

PAAV BHAAJI

Yesterday, I wanted to make a different dinner.

Not too heavy , not too light

Ravi had been asking PAV BHAAJI right from last weekend since we bought the buns.

I wanted to prepare it on Monday itself..

Sad, I didnt have enough ingrediants to make it..

So asked Ravi to buy the required veggies on his way home!!

He too bought the veggies.

With Cauliflower,mixed veggies,capsicum,onions ,tomatoes all ready in hand,

REQUIRED

• cauliflower
• Mixed Veggies
• capsicum
• tomato
• potato
• cumin seeds
• PAV BHAJI masala powder.

Plunged into preparing the PAV BHAAJI

Delicious Ambiguity! Ravi loved dinner and he was like "FANTASTIC!! I prefer not to have any more bhaajis outside!

Whatever u say...

HOME FOOD IS HOME FOOD!!"

I agree with him a million times!!

© 2008 SarathaRavi.

30th MAY : TORONTO ZOO & CN TOWER

Today we decided to head to TORONTO to finish the remaining visit to attractions.

• ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE
• TORONTO ZOO
• CN TOWER

These were the attractions pending.

When we reached Toronto, we started to ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE.

At the entrance for parking the guard informed us that there was a power failure and it is not expected when it might return. So we changed our plan and skipped the visit to ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE.

So our next visit was to the TORONTO ZOO

The Toronto Zoo is a zoo located in the north eastern part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1974 as the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo and is owned by the City of Toronto; the word 'Metropolitan' was dropped from its name when the cities of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto were merged to form the present-day City of Toronto. The zoo is located near the Rouge River. It is one of the day use areas of Rouge Park, one of Canada's largest urban natural environment parks,and is open every day except Christmas day.

Encompassing 287 hectares (710 acres), the Toronto Zoo is the third largest in the world.It is divided into six zoogeographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain. Animals are displayed indoors in tropical pavilions and outdoors in naturalistic environments, with viewing at many levels. It also has a Kids Zoo, Waterside Theatre and a Splash Island. The zoo is home to over 5,000 animals representing over 460 distinct species.

The zoo is accessible from Highway 401 (2 km away), or by TTC routes 85A or 85B (from Don Mills) or route 86A (from Kennedy station).

I couldnt spend much time in this vast area covered animal kingdom. I don't know if its the weather or me tiring, i began feeling ill and had to cut short the tour. Just to feel contented that we put so much for the city pass ticket and parking, I wanted Ravi to continue exploring the zoo while I go and rest in the car.

Very Obvious, Ravi said NO.

So we took the ZOO MOBILE and went one big round and covered the area whatever the zoomobile covered.

With a bit of disappointment, and feeling bad for spoiling his day, we left the zoo and headed for a good lunch.

The lunch did not make me any better but I didnt want to waste another tour ticket.

So making it our last and final stop in TORONTO, we headed to the CN TOWER.

We went to the CN TOWER, showed our city pass and went up to the Observation Deck. I took a look the Glass Floor which was kinda a scary but exciting as well.

Canada's Wonder of the World

• Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon.
• At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is Canada’s National Tower, the World's Tallest Building, an important telecommunications hub, and the centre of tourism in Toronto.
• Each year, approximately 2 million people visit the CN Tower to take in the breath-taking view and enjoy all the attractions it has to offer.
• The CN Tower was built in 1976 by Canadian National (CN) who wanted to demonstrate the strength of Canadian industry by building a tower taller than any other in the world. In 1995, the CN Tower became a public company and ownership of the Tower was transferred to Canada Lands (CLC) Company, a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development.
• Although the CN Tower inspires a sense of pride and inspiration for Canadians and a sense of awe for tourists, its origins are firmly rooted in practicality. The construction boom in Toronto in the 1960's transformed the skyline characterized by relatively low buildings into one dotted with skyscrapers. These new buildings caused serious communication problems. With its microwave receptors at 338 m (1,109 ft.) and 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) antenna, the CN Tower swiftly solved the communication problems with room to spare. As a result people living in the Toronto area now enjoy some of the clearest reception in North America.
• The CN Tower is situated on Front Street which is located in the heart of the Entertainment District. The CN Tower is easily accessible from Union Station as well as many major streets and highways. For a broader sense of the CN Tower's location, it is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

The View

While visiting the CN Tower, we not only enjoy the amazing view, but the many great attractions available.

With 4 lookout levels the view of Toronto just gets better the higher you go.

Located at a height of 342 m (1,122 ft) you will find the Glass Floor and Outdoor Observation Deck.

At 346 m (1,136 ft.) is Horizons Café and the Indoor Observation Deck. Horizons Café offers casual dining for those looking to enjoy a light meal at the top of the world.

360, award winning fine dining restaurant is located at 351 m (1,150 ft.) and offers us a complete 360 degree view of the city.

The floor in the 360 Restaurant rotates once every 72 minutes allowing us a complete and unobstructed view of the city below. Along with the view 360 also offers an internationally recognized wine cellar of nearly 500 choice labels. We enjoyed the artwork located throughout 360, all is provided by the Art Gallery of Ontario and is available for purchase at the gallery.

Think you're high enough now??? Think again.

Sky Pod, the World's Highest Public Observation Deck is located at a dizzying 447 m (1,465 ft.).

we have to pay a special fee of $ 9.00 to go up to this point.

The view of the entire TORONTO was just fasinating.

Looking down at the train tracks and running trains really resembled like toy "choo choo trains"!!

The Fun

CN Tower measures up for thrills! Located at the base we found our arcade, motion theatre ride and The Height of Excellence.

We chose the motion ride and it was excellent.

It is the near future and in this motion ridefilm mankind faces environmental disaster through years of over- harvesting the forests. But scientists have developed a “Super-Tree” that quickly generates desperately needed wood and life-giving oxygen. Super-Trees are grown in a simulated "super world" called "Himalamazon", where a uniquely developed combination of the attributes of the Himalayas and the Amazon has been created. We experienced the thrill of this motion theatre ride, complete with special effects – the wind and water as we joined one of these Super-Trees on it's journey from seed to harvest ... it is a spectacular ride as a Super-Tree careens down ravines and through caves to the harvesting plant.

* Height restrictions apply – must be 107 centimetres (42 inches)

So though the first part of the day was dull and moody, by the end of the day, it turned out to be so exciting and marvellous. Like any other day of our trip , this day ended memorable!!!

Having finishing this tour, and it was almost dusk, we started back to WELLAND, as it'll take about an hour to get back to the hotel.

So the adventures in TORONTO came to an end in our trip.....

©2008 SarathaRavi

SKYLON TOWER

By the end of the day, we decided to make it a memorable one by going to the SKYLON TOWER.

Before that we went to the FALLS 3D/4D MOVIE at the bottom of the tower.

Expecting a lot from it, we bought the tickets but to our surprise none other than us and another elderly couple were seated there.

The movie was not as exciting as it was in the IMAX.

I believe there is a tough competition between these 2 theatres wherein tha IMAX will be leading...

The trip rating for this FALLS MOVIE as far as i am concerned recieves a -1/5 !!

Then we headed to the SKYLON TOWER.

The Tower tickets were already purchased along with our IMAX Tickets and we had the tickets booked online right before we started. Online booking saved us a lot of money in that.

But the only criteria is that we should redeem the IMAX ticket first and then we get to use the SKYLON TICKET.

So having watched the movie the previous day, we headed to the tower today.

As usual we were asked to stand for a photograph before we start our tour. Once taken we headed up the elevator to the Observation Deck.

WE WILL RATE THIS TOUR THE BEST for the NIAGARA VIEW!!!

ABOUT THE TOWER

• It is the tallest structure that overlooks both the American Falls, New York and the larger Horseshoe Falls, Ontario from the Canadian side of the Niagara River.
• Construction of the Skylon began in May 1964 and was officially opened October 6, 1965 by New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Ontario Premier John Robarts.
• The Skylon Tower is Niagara's most famous landmark due to its view of both the American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
• Costing $7 million at the time of its construction, the Skylon Tower was owned by a private partnership called Niagara International Centre, which was financed by the The Hershey Company shareholdings of Charles Richard Reese, former co-owner of the H. B. Reese Candy Company of Hershey, PA, manufacturer of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and exclusive manufacturer of Kit Kat candy bars in the United States. Canadian Pacific Hotels was hired to operate the tower restaurants and lounges.
• On October 1st, 1975 CP purchased the tower from Mr. Reese and his partners for $11 million cash.
• The tower's summit features a verdigris-green copper roof similar to CP's other properties, including the Château Frontenac in Quebec City and the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. CP owned and operated the tower until 1986, when it was sold for $18 million cash to two local Niagara hotel owners, John Gruyich of Michael's Inn and George Yerich of the Holiday Inn.
• In 1988 George Yerich bought out John Gruyich's ownership share of the Skylon for $13 million cash, however Milicent Gruyich continues to own the land underneath the Skylon. Mr. Yerich's Skylon land lease will expire in 2064, at which time the Skylon Tower will revert back to total ownership by the heirs of Milicent Gruyich.
• Standing at 160 metres (520 feet) from street level and 236 metres (775 feet) from the bottom of the falls, the tower required approval from both Canadian and United States air transport authorities due to its proximity to the international boundary. It was the second tower to be built using the slipform method, in which concrete is continually poured into a form moving slowly up the tower. It was built by Pigott Construction of Hamilton, Ontario.

• The tower features three outside mounted "Yellow Bug" elevators. At the time of their construction they were the first such elevators in Canada. They were designed, engineered and maintained by a division of the Otis Elevator Company from Hamilton, Ontario and can carry passengers to the top of the tower in 52 seconds. Unlike conventional elevators that are guided by side rails, the Skylon elevators operate with a guide rail on the backside only. Special equipment is employed to prevent the cables from becoming tangled in the wind or impeded by snow and ice in the winter. A curtain wall on the outside of the tower behind each elevator protects the counterweight and traveling cables from the elements.

  The tower has two restaurants at its top, the lower Revolving Dining Room and the upper Summit Suite Buffet.

• The Revolving Dining Room seats 276 people and revolves once every hour by resting on a circular rail that is propelled by a 3 horsepower motor.

• An observation deck sits at the tower's summit.

• The base of the tower features a number of gift shops, fast food restaurants and a large amusement arcade.

• While much redevelopment has taken place in the surrounding city, the Skylon Tower complex still retains much of its look and feel from the 1970s and 80s. However the property has recently been expanded to include a 3D/4D Theatre, two Starbucks franchises, other quick service franchises and a bridge connecting the complex with the newly completed Fallsview Casino.

• The Skylon Tower is seen in Superman II. It is also used as a police lookout in the 1979 film Search and Destroy starring Perry King and George Kennedy.

Click here for Virtual Tour of Skylon Tower

Online Videos by Veoh.com

When we came down after the exciting visit, our photographs were ready for pick up. We planned to take it only if had come out well. Having a look at it we were like OK because the backdrops were different than the one we took before. So we went for it. Paying as little , we got a CD almost FREE with the photo comprising of extraordinary snaps of the FALLS.

Picking them both up, we went to our favourite Indian Restaurant GURU and had a wonderful dinner as usual and headed back to COMFORT INN for a good nights sleep.

©2008 SarathaRavi

BROCK'S MONUMENT

Our next stop after the Floral clock was the Brock's Monument. We couldn't get closer as renovation was going on..

So we just wandered around the Park and admired the wonderful Tulips planted there and the View of the River from there.

What is this Brock's Monument I am talking about??

It is a 56 metre( 185 ft) column atop Queenston Heights, in Queenston, Ontario, dedicated to Major General Issac Brock , one of Canada's Heroes in the War of 1812.

The current monument was constructed between 1853 and 1856 and is the second such structure to occupy the battlefield. Parks Canada maintains the monument, the most imposing feature of Queenston Heights National Historic Site.

FEATURES OF THE MONUMENT

• The main entrance is flanked by two large mulberry trees believed to have been planted during the 1850s.
• It is said that inside the monument's base are a number of brass plaques: Brock and MacDonnell's epitaphs, a list of donors and builders, and a tribute to the British, Canadian, and First Nations soldiers who died at the Battle of Queenston Heights. The two bodies are interred in crypts within the limestone walls. More recent educational displays outline Brock's life, the battle, and the monument's history--including a portion of Brock's limestone torso that collapsed in 1929.
• A 235-step spiral staircase up the column leads us to a small indoor platform underneath Brock's statue. Porthole windows provide views of the surrounding Niagara region and Lake Ontario.
• The monument, illuminated at night, marks the end of an interpretive historical walking trail that leads down and then up Queenston Heights, recounting key events in the battle

But we were unable to experience all this due to RENOVATION.

HISTORY

Brock died by gunshot wound to the chest on the morning of October 13, 1812, leading a charge of British regulars and Canadian militia up the Heights to regain positions earlier captured by American infantry forces under Captain John Wool. MacDonnell was mortally wounded while attempting a subsequent abortive charge. The combined British, Canadian, and First Nations forces eventually won a resounding victory under the command of Major-General Roger Hale Sheaffe.

Brock and his aide were initially buried at Fort George in nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, then called Newark. A campaign began among prominent Upper Canadians to honour Brock, whose dramatic death provided a rallying point during and after the war, as a symbol of Canadian independence from the United States. This led to construction of the first Brock's Monument, which was irrevocably damaged by an explosive charge on April 17, 1840. The attack was orchestrated by Benjamin Lett, an anti-British agitator and participant in the 1837 Rebellion. Brock and MacDonnell's remains were removed after the monument's disassemblage and reinterred in a Queenston family cemetery.

A campaign to rebuild the monument began almost immediately. In 1852, Toronto architect William Thomas had his design selected for a monument even grander then the first. The contractor for the stone carving was Charles T. Thomas of Wales. Construction began in 1853 using nearby limestone and was completed three years later. The remains of Brock and MacDonnell were led back up Queenston Heights and reinterred for the fourth time. The monument was dedicated by Prince Edward (later King Edward VII), in 1860.

A 1929 lightning strike severely damaged Brock's statue, sending large portions crashing to the ground below.

In August 2003 the Friends of Fort George and Parks Canada held a ceremony to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the monument's groundbreaking. Engineering inspections carried out in 2003 and 2004 revealed the need for significant restorative work to the structure's interior and exterior limestone. Parks Canada closed the monument to the public in 2005 pending repairs. An extensive restoration on the monument will begin June of 2008 and, may, be complete by October of the same year.

©2008 SarathaRavi

SIR ADAM BECK 2 DAM TOUR & FLORAL CLOCK

Our next visit was to the Sir Adam Beck 2 Dam Tour. It was also and additional free admission along with our ADVENTURE TOUR PASS. We went there about 2.50 pm. The tour is scheduled for everry hour till 5 pm. So we were ready for 3 pm Tour. The touring Guides (2 of them) were very much efficient. One guide was there for such a long time that when we were screened a video about the dam, he interepreted every single word from the video in the exact same way and tone!!! he said he has seen that video over 2000 times by now!! The other guide , David was just joining in as a guide so he is in his learning phase. But for 2 days of joining I should say he too was an expert!!!



ABOUT THE DAM:

Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations are two hydro electric power stations in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The stations divert water from the Niagara River above the falls which flows back into the lower portion of the river, and together produce up to 1,600 MW.
Adam Beck I contains 10 generators and first produced power in 1922. It was originally called the Queenston Chippawa power station and was renamed after Adam Beck in 1950 on the twenty fifth anniversary of his death. The water is diverted through a canal from the Welland River.
Adam Beck II contains 16 generators and first produced power in 1954. The water is diverted from the Niagara River above the falls through underground pipes. A reservoir was created that permits the holding of water, diverted during the night, for use during the day. Adam Beck II is currently undergoing major modification in the form of the Niagara Tunnel Project in order to improve its generation output. This new tunnel is expected to be in operation by late 2009.

The Chippawa-Queenston Power Canal diverts water from the Welland River to the stations. A larger water reservoir stores water behind the station.

SPECIFICS :

PLANT GROUP: Niagara Plant Group

DRAINAGE BASIN: Lake Erie

RIVER: Niagara

IN SERVICE DATE: 1954 Asset Transferred to Ontario Power Generation: April 1, 1999

NUMBER OF UNITS: 16

CONTROL: Attended


The tour was over by 4pm and just in half a mile or so there was this park having the FLORAL CLOCK.

Tourist stop by this place just to see what the clock looks like this season of the year. The Room beneth the clock shows its working, and also has pictures of all the clocks of all the years right from the 70's and how they were designed. Sadly i didn't find one for 1980!! :((


Online Videos by Veoh.com

The planted face is maintained by Niagara Parks horticulture staff, while the mechanism is kept in working order by Ontario Hydro, the organization that originally built the clock. The intricate designs on the face of the timepiece are created with up to 16,000 carpet bedding plants. The floral design is changed twice each year - it features viola in the Spring and four cultivars of Alternanthera along with green and grey forms of Santolina Sage during the Summer and Fall. California Golden Privet and Blue Festuca Grass may be used for contrast.
The grounds surrounding the clock feature bedding displays and a Tower at the back of the clock houses Westminster chimes that greet each quarter hour. If the door into the Tower is open, you can take a glimpse at the clock mechanism and enjoy photographs that show the history of every face design all the way back to 1950.
An attractive feature is a 10-foot wide water garden that curves 85 feet around the base of the timepiece - it is a popular place to make a wish!


Location: 14004 Niagara Parkway, Queenston, Ontario, Canada, behind the Sir Adam Beck Power Plant and near the Lewiston-Queenston International Bridge.

Background on the Floral Clock


The Floral Clock at Queenston was built by Ontario Hydro in 1950. The idea to build the attraction came from Dr. Richard Lankaster Hearn, Hydro’s General Manager and Chief Engineer at the time. While preparing for a business trip to England, Mr. Hearn was encouraged by Hugh Duncan - a Scotsman who was maintenance electrician foreman at the Queenston Generating Station - to visit the floral clock in the Princes’ Street Gardens in Edinburgh. Dr. Hearn did as Duncan suggested and he was very impressed by the beauty of the clock and by its practical value as an attraction.



After his trip to Scotland, Dr. Hearn commissioned Hydro’s Niagara Regional staff to design and construct a floral clock in keeping with the surroundings at the Queenston station. A “Hydro News” article describing plans for the construction of the attraction, credits Pat Ryan and Walter Ewart as the clock’s designers. Hugh Duncan supervised construction of the attraction and was in charge of the mechanical and electrical installation work. (Dr. Hearn later served as Chairman at Ontario Hydro.)



The Edinburgh clock, built in 1903, is roughly 10 feet in diameter. In comparison, the Floral Clock is 40 feet wide, with a planted area 38 feet wide, making it one of the largest such clocks in the world. Each year, the face of the clock is filled with 15,000 to 20,000 carpet plants and colourful annuals, planted in unique, intricate designs. Since 1977 The Niagara Parks Commission Horticulture Department (now Parks Department) have been responsible for designing and planting the face of the Clock and a site maintenance worker regularly checks the official time to ensure the Clock’s accuracy.



The hands of the clock are stainless steel tubing: the hour hand is 14.5 ft, the minute hand 17.5 ft and the second hand 21 ft long. Their combined weight is 1,250 pounds. An ivy-clad, louvered stone tower stands 24 feet tall and contains speakers that every quarter hour broadcast Westminster chimes. Under the clock, accessed by a door at the rear of the tower, the concrete foundation includes three small rooms – one for the clock mechanism and its driving motor, one contains switches to supply the electrical power, and one stores the tools required for maintaining the floral face. The clock mechanism runs in a bath of oil. The mechanical workings are driven by a 5 HP DC motor supplied from a DC drive. A tachometer is mounted on the motor shaft and provides feedback to the drive to control its accuracy.


The Westminster chimes are controlled by a programmable logic controller. The sounds are simulated and are broadcast through 2-25 watt co-axial speakers mounted in the bell tower.
Adjacent to the Niagara Parks Centennial Lilac Garden, parking, washrooms and a small gift shop are provided for the convenience of the thousands of visitors who stop here each year. This floral showpiece has become one of the most photographed attractions in Niagara Parks.

The timepiece is located beside the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station No. 1 and its mechanics are still maintained by staff of Ontario Power Generation (the successor to Ontario Hydro).

©2008 SarathaRavi

Whirlpool Aero Car

High above the racing Niagara River, we'll be transported through the air in an antique cable car.

Far below, the torrent of water abruptly changes direction and creates one of the world’s most mesmerizing natural phenomenon – the Niagara Whirlpool. Sometimes frightening yet always unforgettable!

Admission: Prices are shown in Canadian dollars and do not include taxes. $11.00 Adults (13+ years), $6.50 Children (6 to 12 years) Children 5 and under are FREE! Dates of Operation:Open Seasonally, Daily from March 21 to November 23. Operation is weather dependent.

Location 3850 Niagara River Parkway Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Located north 4.5 km.(3 miles) north of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

We received a discount coupon for admission to Whirlpool Aero Car as we had the ADVENTURE PASS

The Aero Car is suspended on six interlocking steel cables each 25 mm (1 inch) in diameter. It is powered by an electric 50 horsepower (37 kW) motor and travels at approximately 7 km/h (5 mph). In the event of a power failure a diesel generator safely pulls the car back to dock. It also has a rescue car which holds four passengers and one operator which has never been used except for training purposes.

The Aero Car is suspended between two Canadian points, although between the two points it crosses the Canadian and American borders four times on a full trip. At either end of the crossing it is 250 feet (86 m) and in the centre 150 feet (42 m) above the river. At 1800 feet (550 m) across, the Aerocar has one of the longest spans in the world without a supporting tower. The rapids entering the whirlpool below the aerocar are visible moving at an estimated 35 to 37 km/h and the flow of the water coming through the river is about 2,800 m³/s (623,000 imp gal/s) in the summer months and 300,000 imperial gallons per second (1,400 m³/s) in the winter months. From the Aerocar you get a breathtaking view of Whirlpool State Park in Niagara Falls, New York, as well as the Robert Moses Generating Station inLewiston, New York. From side or center of the car you are bound to view the violent motion of the 60 acre (0.25 km²) whirlpool below. It coils and uncoils revealing the power of the Niagara River. You also notice numerous fisherman and hikers below getting down via a series of nature trails on the Canadian and American sides. Typically the fisherman catch smallmouth bass, trout and salmon but a wide variety of fish are there to be caught

Features

• The aerial cable car travels safely between two different points of the Canadian shore of the Niagara River over the spectacular Whirlpool.
• A round trip is about one kilometer (3,600 feet) and takes about 10 minutes to navigate.
• The capacity of the car is 35 standing passengers.
• A breathtaking view of the Niagara River's Whirlpool Rapids.
• Built in 1913 by the Niagara Aero Car Company using Leonardo Torres-Quevedo's patent.
• Opened on August 8, 1916.
• Upgrades in design and function occurred in 1961, 1967 and 1984.

History

The Aero car was designed by a Spanish engineer, Leonardo Torres Quevedo and has been in operation since 1916. The cable car is suspended from six sturdy cables and offers a wonderful view of the Niagara Whirlpool which is formed at the end of the rapids where the gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise and the river escapes through the narrowest channel in the gorge.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

©2008 SarathaRavi

JOURNEY BEHIND THE FALLS& MAID OF MIST

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Butterfly Conservatory

The Butterfly Conservatory is a year round tropical paradise! It's located on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens.

It is easy to loose track of time in the world's largest glass enclosed butterfly conservatory. Before you know it you will find yourself transported to an exotic green and heavily misted rainforest.

Insider Tip: Wear colorful clothing and you might be lucky enough to have a butterfly land on you. A Black Dress worked out just fine for Ravi!!

A butterfly just didnt want to go away from him and i was like we were going to take it all the way home!!

This award winning 1,022 square meter structure (11,000 sq ft) is filled with 2000 free flying butterflies. There are about 45 species feeding from blooms and fruit feeding stations all around you.

We followed a 180 meter (600 ft) pathway through lush gardens surrounding a man made waterfall. The cut curbs allow for total accessibility.

Emergence area gives a first hand look into the life cycle of the butterfly. You can actually see butterflies unfurling from their chrysalides and taking flight, if you are lucky. Well We were Lucky enough for that!!

The Butterfly Conservatory is really something worth seeing, thought it can be quite busy. Actually people say its crowded in mornings, but I personally feel it makes no difference when you intend to visit. Any time u go will have a handful of people around. The Conservatory is open till 5 pm so people intend to drop by before then.

There is a gift shop, cafe, and fully accessible washrooms.

During the summer months, you can enjoy the outside Butterfly Garden amid the 80 acres (40 hectares) of the Royal Botanical Gardens. We can make a note of what plants attract our native butterflies. But Since Summer had still days to come, all the butterflies were inside and gardeners were planting for these butterflies to come out in Summer.

Educational Facts: 70 % of butterflies are obtained from special breeding farms in tropical, semi tropical Costa Rica, the Phillipines and Florida. The remaining breeding happening in NPC's own greenhouses.

The lifespan of butterflies is short, so new additions are made weekly to enhance the viewing size population.

Eurasian quails, turtles, goldfish, toads, and beetles . . . -clear dead butterflies -control parasitic pests -keep the insect population balanced.

The exhibit hall lets you observe live caterpillers, enjoy interactive displays and brush up on all kinds of info on the life of butterflies.

School visits can be arranged focusing on butterflies and their ecological imprtance. Butterfiles offer clues to a healthy environment. They are a source of pollination.

The flora (labeled for easy identification) provide a food source for caterpillers who in turn become food for preditors up the food chain.

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Address - 2405 Niagara River Parkway, 9 km (5.6 miles) north of the Falls in the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens (South of the Floral Clock.)

Schedule - Open daily, except Dec 25 from 9am to 5pm. In the summer they are open from 9am to 9pm

Opening Time - 9:00 a.m.
Closing Times -
January 1 to March 7: 5 p.m.
March 8 to 16: 6 p.m.
March 17 to April 27: Monday to Friday 5 p.m., Weekends and holidays 6 p.m.
April 28 to June 10: 8 p.m.
June 11 to September 2: 9 p.m.
September 3: 8 p.m.
September 4 to October 7: 6 p.m.
October 8 to December 31: 5 p.m.
Closed December 25

Please note that longer waiting periods may occur during the summer months.

Cost - Adults $11.00 Kids 6 -12 $6.50; 5 and under Free; Last ticket sold 30 minutes prior to closing. Included in Adventure Pass (if you plan to buy one)

Facilities - Wheelchair accessible, washrooms, gift shop, cafe, snack bar,

Butterfly Conservatory reservations taken at
Telephone - 905 358-0025

VISIT TO Royal Ontorio Museum

Online Videos by Veoh.com

casa loma part 2

Online Videos by Veoh.com

WHITE WATER WALK

Our next destination in our day 3 tour to NIAGARA was the White Water Walk.

It was included in our ADVENTURE PASS and so we hopped on a People Mover

and arrived there...

A Short History of White Water Walk

Courtesy: NiagaraParks.

Experiencing the raging Whirlpool Rapids has been a popular tourist attraction since 1876, when a steam powered incline railway was built on wooden rails to take visitors down the gorge to the water’s edge. By 1888, new owners improved the railway, replacing the wooden rails with iron and installing two cars that operated by water power.

The cars had water ballast tanks behind the seats and when the passengers were seated, the tanks of the car at the top were filled with water from a nearby spring. The brake was released and the loaded car went down the incline, drawing the second car up to the top. The brake was reset, the passengers got off, the discharge pipe was opened and the lower car’s ballast tanks emptied. Then the cycle was repeated.

The attraction had several owners over its years, with each company making its own improvements, including construction of a long boardwalk along the edge of the rushing water.

In 1932, the Whirlpool Rapids Incline and the buildings on the upper bank became the property of The Niagara Parks Commission. On May 5, 1934, the Whirlpool Rapids Incline and attraction buildings were destroyed by fire. In 1935, Niagara Parks leased the lands to a private company, Niagara Concessions, with the right to operate the Great Gorge attraction for a term of 30 years, when it would become the property of the Commission.

The new owner constructed a 70 m (230 ft) elevator shaft and a 73 m (240 ft) tunnel to accommodate a high speed elevator to provide easier access to the lower gorge. A building faced with cut stone was built at the top of the gorge to serve as a station and souvenir store.

High water and ice often caused problems for the owners. The original paths and walkways were often damaged and washed away. Ontario Hydro and the Power Authority of the State of New York power plants went into full operation in 1957 and 1961 and the water level in the gorge was lowered by the time both plants had diverted their allotted water for power generation. New boardwalks were built above the water level. The old path can still be seen in some places, higher up along the bank, showing clearly that the present boardwalk would be underwater if the river levels were as high as in the 1940s.

When Niagara Parks' agreement expired with Niagara Concesssions in 1964, it was extended three years to compensate for the loss of business during the years of World War II. On December 1, 1967, Niagara Parks officially took over ownership and control of the Great Gorge Trip and a new agreement was signed with Niagara Concessions, giving them the right to operate the Great Gorge Trip and the Scenic Boardwalk. The souvenir sales store, to be called the Whirlpool Store, was operated by Niagara Parks, who now owned all of the assets in connection with the attraction.

In 1969, Ralph Grant, a former manager of this attraction, took over the remaining seven years of the Niagara Concessions lease and by a further agreement with the Commissioners operated the souvenir store as well. Mr. Grant brought with him a collection of barrels and other contrivances used by stunters such as George Stathakis and William Red Hill which where placed in an area called the Daredevil Gallery. The items in the collection where later moved and are now displayed at other museums.

In 1989, Niagara Parks assumed operation of the Great Gorge Trip and renamed it the Great Gorge Adventure - a Whitewater Boardwalk, which was shortened to simply White Water Walk in 2003.

BIRTHDAY GIFT

On 9th of June, came this wonderful day for me...

Actually it was wonderful only for a certain reason.

This day being my Birthday, yeah just that and nothing else was new for the day!!

Since it was a weekday and I didn't insist on RAVI to take a off, he left for work!!

Obviously, he made me stay awake the previous night and sharp @ 12 am.. he wished me.

The rest of the day was normal with friends wishing in mails, and Karthi Bharathi calling me from NJ.

But as soon as Ravi left @ 9 am for work, @ 9.30 a parcel arrived from FedEx.

I guessed it might be from my hubby. And I was right!!!

I waited till 9 pm for him to return home so that i can unpack the surprise!!

It was really a SURPRISE!!

Guess what??

An IPOD TOUCH!!!

capacity : 8 Gb.

Size and weight

• Height: 4.3 inches (110 mm)
• Width: 2.4 inches (61.8 mm)
• Depth: 0.31 inch (8 mm)
• Weight: 4.2 ounces (120 grams)

In the box

• iPod touch
• Earphones
• USB 2.0 cable
• Dock adapter
• Polishing cloth
• Stand
• Quick Start guide

Capacity

• 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB flash drive
• Holds up to 1,750, 3,500, or 7,000 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format
• Holds up to 10,000, 20,000, or 25,000 iPod-viewable photos
• Holds up to 10 hours, 20 hours, or 40 hours of video

Display

• 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
• 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch

Audio

• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
• Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV

Video

• H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

Wireless

• Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
• Maps location based service

Headphones

• Earphones
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
• Impedance: 32 ohms

Mac system requirements

• Mac computer with USB 2.0 port
• Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later
• iTunes 7.6 or later⁷

Windows system requirements

• PC with USB 2.0 port
• Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
• iTunes 7.6 or later⁷

Languages

• English, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Russian, and Polish
• International keyboard support for English, UK English, French, French Canadian, German, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Polish, and Portuguese
• Dictionary support for English, UK English, French, French Canadian, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Dutch

Environmental requirements

• Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
• Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
• Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
• Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

Input and output

• Dock connector
• 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack

Power and battery

• Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
• Playback time
  • Music playback time: Up to 22 hours when fully charged
  • Video playback time: Up to 5 hours when fully charged
  
• Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter (sold separately)
  • Fast-charge time: about 1.5 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity)
  • Full-charge time: about 3 hours

Click here to watch a guided tour

The best thing about it... he ordered it as a gift !! And I got an ENGRAVED IPOD!!

At the back of the IPod( As you see in the picture), I got an enscription

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARATHA"

I am really blessed for having him as my life partner, not because he presented an Ipod,

But through that "Ipod Touch", I could read his heart " I POsitively Did TOUCH " you!!

and will be there for ya....

© 2008 SarathaRavi

DAY 2: CASA LOMA Part 1

Online Videos by Veoh.com

FIRST DAY in NIAGARA

Online Videos by Veoh.com

MAID OF THE MIST

The Maid of the Mist is a boat tour of Niagara Falls. (The actual boats used are each named Maid of the Mist, followed by a different Roman numeral in each case.)

After a 10 minute wait for our Peoples Mover Bus, We boarded it only to get off in the MAID OF THE MIST stop.

One of the most exciting adventures of all, there was quite an ample of crowd for that all year through.

Since we didn't have to wait for the queue to end up , with our tickets already in hand we boarded the tour.

As usual before we boarded We were asked to wear the PONCHOS to avoid ourselves getting drenched by the mist.

The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near the Rainbow Bridge, and took us past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls.

This tour is available starting from either the Canadian or U.S. side of the river, returning to the starting point in each case.

Water rushes all around as you "soak" in the excitement and explore the roar of the Falls!!

However these diesel-engined boats are not available all year through.

They operate late April/early May (weather dependent) to October 24 each year.

This boat departs every 15 minutes from the dock.

At the end of the tour, we get off, dispose our ponchos and enter the Maid of the Mist Plaza which comprises of some gift shops, serves as a food outlet,a Welcome Centre, and ticket to daily entertaintments.

Every dollar we spend for the Park, goes to the Presevation of the Park.It has operated without tax dollars since 1885.

HISTORY

The first Maid of the Mist was launched in 1846 as a ferry service between the Canadian and American sides, pre-dating by two years the construction of the first suspension bridge at the site. However, with the opening of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge further downriver in 1848, the ferry service lost business, and by 1854, became a tourist attraction instead with the launch of a more luxurious boat.

Financial difficulties and the impending American Civil War forced the boat to be sold to a Montreal firm in 1860, and formal service was not restored until 1893, when two new boats were constructed and launched under a new partnership, Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company. These boats sailed the lower river until April 22, 1955, when they burned in a pre-season accident. Later that year, they would be replaced by the type and style of boat still seen today.

The Maid of the Mist is well known for its role in the July 9, 1960 rescue of Roger Woodward, a seven-year old boy who became the first person to survive a plunge over the Horseshoe Falls with nothing but a life jacket. The boat involved in the rescue (known as Maid II) was retired from service in 1983 and relocated to the Amazon River, where it served as a missionary ship for years after.

Access to the river-level attraction on the United States side was provided by the Maid of the Mist Incline Railway, a funicular railway, between 1894 and 1991 to travel between street level and the boat dock. As this service proved increasingly inadequate in transporting the growing passenger base of the 1990s, four high-speed elevators replaced the railway by the start of the 1991 tourist season. On the Canadian side, the dock is reached walking down a ramp to river level.

Courtesy: Wikipedia.

FACTS ABOUT NIAGARA

• The average depth of the water below Niagara Falls is 170 ft(52 meters) long,which is as deep as the Niagara Gorge banks are high.

• Less tha 10% of the water flows over the American Falls,with balance flowing over the Horseshoe Falls. It is the massive volume of the water over the Horeshoe Falls which gies the green colour to the falls.

• Canadian Falls: 170 ft(52 m. Brink measures 2,500 feet (750 meters)

• Orginally 202,000 cubic feet per second flowed over Niagara falls however now the water is more controlled in its flow and has been diverted for Power Generation.

• As seen in my earlier post, the brinks have eroded due to the enormous force. It has eroded as much as6 feet per year which brings it to their present location. However it has been controlled a lot more these years.

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

DAY 2 : ROYAL ONTORIO MUSEUM

Grabbing a bottle of water, we headed to Little India in Toronto , to a Indian Restaurant called SIDDARTHA. It was recommended in our City Pass. Since it was close we opted to go there.We had a wonderful buffet there with 5 dishes + Naan , plain rice, varities of sweet, chutneys, raitas, veggies, fruits and salad.

HAving finished a wonderful meal, we were in an oscillation of where to go next. Ravi wanted to finish CN Towers today,but since the climate was not favouring us, we decided to go with ROYAL ONTORIO MUSEUM . There was no specific in front parking for ROM, so we had to park it far off in a public parking lot and walk all the way to ROM. It was a little bit comming to extinct in terms of my energy.

We showed our CITY PASS Tickets at the counter.

Ravi was asked to leave his camera bag behind in the cloak room. (The Kangaroo has to go in without his pouch.!!! )

We were given this clip on to be pinned to our shirts.

So we are valid visitors.© 2008 SarathaRavi

The Museum was enormous and huge and 1 and half hour isnt enough to complete the tour.

ABOUT THE ROM

ROM ( As its commonly Known as ) is known for its natural history and world culture.

The Building speaks for itself. It is the largest museum in CANADA,containing more than six million items and over 40 galleries.

It is situated North of Queen's Park.

Some parts of the building are currently under renovation.

There were around 3 expansions since it opened on March 14th, 1914.

The First Level of the building comprises of

Library Archives

Shanghai 1860-1949

Museum Store

Samual Hall where there were preps going on for "MUNK DEBATES"

Hilary and Galen Weston Wing.

Knowing more about all these levels comprised of an audio tour too.. Just like CASA LOMA we get prerecorded information about each level

the only difference being u'd need to rent it whereas in CASALOMA we get it inclusive of the tour.

The Level 2 had exhibits of Dinosaurs. But more than that what was interesting is, there was a shooting going on for some French Channel , maybe about the Museum or something. The Host had to say the lines over and over again till there was a good shot. Poor Lady!!

Level 3 comprised of the Asian,African,European Zones.Their themes and Collections.

There was Out from Under: Disability,History,and Things to Remember. We didn't get much time to visit all this as it was nearing close time.

The other levels comprised of Contemprary cultures and Food Court.

We skipped the exhibits that we normally find in any and every museum. We visited the ASIAN Exhibits, DARWIN's EVOLUTION (which was complimentary with our CITY PASS.)

Our Ticket to the Museum .

We tried getting something from ROM, but since it was almost close time, we didn't get much time to look around. Plus, there seemed nothing that interesting to me to take home. So just ended up with a Fridge Magnet.

We came out of the museum at its closing time, 5.30 pm and we started our drive back to the hotel. We drove cross the CN towers to get its closer glimpse and we were offered free view of the ROGERS CENTRE TOO which was near the CN Towers. ("OK thats for another day")

We headed back to the hotel and on the way we got ourselves some juice, water, banana..etc. On our way back, we have to cross the WELLAND CANAL like yesterday. There was a signal and our vehicles were stopped. Why?? The Bridge tore apart and a big Ship had to cross the bridge across the Canal. The operation of the road breaking up and joining itself again was just marvellous!!

Headed back to the hotel, freshened up, had our Delicious Delights. With our second day comming to an end, I finished my part a bit early too!! (Noting down my blog!!)

So what am I waiting for?? Tuck into Bed Early!!

Click Here for Official site of ROM

Overall Rating: 3/5 ( could have been 4 if we had enough time!)

© 2008 SarathaRavi

DAY 2 TORONTO : CASA LOMA

After a tiring night yesterday...(u know y, sat up to finish the blogs), we got up @ 7 am.

With a quick shower and ample lot of time for dressing up, we finally left for our complimentary breakfast around 8.30 am. We had planned to visit the TORONTO landmarks today as the weather forcast was told theres gonna be shower. And knowing for sure Niagara Falls will be busy to with the memorial day, we thought it was a wise decision visiting TORONTO. Of course Toronto's weather too had rain showers today. so we decided to visit the indoor themes in Toronto. When we started our 1 and half hour journey, it was mystical.Half the way the rain started to pour down heavily. Ravi found a hard time to drive for quite sometime. Then when we crossed the showers, it was pleasant. We reached CASA LOMA , our planned destination spot for the day. The parking lot has a charge of $2.00 and after each half hour the amount increase considerably. We took the CITY PASS which consists of 6 destination spots of TORONTO covered. It is wise to out money in CITY PASS then buying them individually which costs a lot more!!

We went inside the castle, the Guides were in the front telling us what we have to do in the castle. He told us to watch the movie which is played every half hour about how the castle came to exsistance and who built it and more about the person. Once the movie was over , we were given an audio device (MP3 PORTABLE) which acts like a guided tour across each room. Which ever room u enter, there is a number for the room. Entering the number in the device , we get a narration about the room.

Like this we visited every room in the CASTLE (that were accessible) uptil the tower. Then we concluded our visit by visting the Garden behind the Castle.I was too thirsty and hungry by the end of the tour at around 1 pm.

MORE ABOUT CASA LOMA

Casa Loma is a Spanish name for the House on a Hill. It is the home of financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt and a major tourist attraction in Toronto.

LAYOUT

Casa Loma has five acres of gardens. An underground tunnel connects Casa Loma to The Stables (Garage, Potting Shed, Stalls, Carriage Room and Tack Rooms).

MAIN FLOOR

• Great Hall
• Library
• Dining Room

• The Conservatory
• Serving Room
• Peacock Alley
• Sir Henry's Study
• Smoking Room
• Billiard Room
• Oak Room

Second floor

• Sir Henry's Suite
• Sir Henry's Bathroom

• Lady Pellatt's Suite
• Lady Pellatt's Bathroom
• Girl Guides Exhibit
• Guest Suite
• Windsor Room

• Round Room

Third floor

• The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum
• Stairs to Towers
• The Kiwanis Room
• The Garden Room
• Servant's Room
• The Austin Room

Basement

• Gift Shop (Bowling lanes and shooting range - never completed)
• Castle Café (Gymnasium - never completed)
• Swimming Pool (Never completed)
• Wine Cellar
• Tunnel to Stables

Location

Casa Loma is on Austin Terrace, at the north end of Spadina Road on an escarpment (Davenport Hill) above Davenport Road.

History

Sir Henry commissioned Canadian architect E.J. Lennox to design Casa Loma with construction beginning in 1911, starting with the massive stables a few hundred feet north of the main building. The stables were used as a construction site for the castle, with some of the machinery still remaining in the rooms under the stables. The house cost approximately $3.5 million and took a team of 300 workers three years to build from start to finish. Upon completion in 1914, at 98 rooms, it was the largest private residence in North America. Notable amenities included an elevator, an oven large enough to cook a steer, two vertical passages for pipe organs, central vacuum, two secret passages in Sir Henry's ground-floor office and three bowling alleys (never completed).

Many of the rooms were left unfinished, and today serve as the Regimental Museum for The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Pellatt joined the Regiment as a Riflemanand rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Commanding Officer. He was knighted for his dedication to the Regiment. Later, Pellatt served as the Honorary Colonel and was promoted to Major-General upon retirement.

During the Depression, Toronto increased Casa Loma's annual property taxes from $400 to $1,200, and Pellatt—already experiencing financial difficulties—was forced to auction off $1.5-million in art and furnishings for $250,000 during bankruptcy hearings. Sir Henry was able to enjoy life in the castle for ten years, leaving in 1923.

Vacant while proposals were considered for its future use, architect William Sparling put forward a proposal to convert the house to a luxury hotel in 1925. A long term lease was granted to Sparling to open a hotel within Casa Loma. He began completing the Great Hall and the Billiard Room, areas that Sir Henry had never finished. Sparling planned to add two large wings to the main building, one to the east and to the west, each wing containing 96 full suites and 56 rooms. At an estimated cost of $1 million for each wing, they were never built. The hotel failed in 1929.

During the late 1920s Casa Loma was also a popular nightspot. The Orange Blossoms, later known as Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, played there for eight months in 1927–1928. Shortly thereafter, they went on tour of North America and became a major Swing Era dance band.

The city seized Casa Loma in 1933 for $27,303 in back taxes.

Contrary to popular belief, Casa Loma has never been an official residence of either the city or the Province of Ontario. In 1937 it was opened to the public for the first time as a tourist attraction operated by the Kiwanis Club of Toronto. Coincidentally, this is the same year that Chorley Park, the Government House of Ontario was closed by the provincial government.

During World War II, Casa Loma was used to conceal research on sonar, and for construction of sonar devices for U-boat detection. The chateau is still operated by the Kiwanis Club. Today it is one of Toronto's most popular tourist attractions.

OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE OF THE CASALOMA

Online Videos by Veoh.com

OverAll Rating: 4/5

© 2008 SarathaRavi

Journey to the Niagara...

Day 1 25Th May: The Day we landed.

Note: Readers, if u see the story not quite related to the current date, thats because I would prepared for this blog by the end of that day. So kindly adjust your imagination if there are any blunders.

Thanks.

We started from San Jose at about 4 am. Our flight , the United airlines 536 was bound to Chicago @ 6.20 am.

The flight was on time. The journey of 3.30 mins approx to Chicago just flew like anything as both of us had a nice nap.

We reached Chicago at about 12.30 pm (CST). Since Ravi was a Golden member of Kris flyer ( I still stand in silver), we went to the Red Carpet lounge and had our grumbling stomachs filled with some cookies, banana ,chips and coffee.

At 1.30 our flight united airlines 1142 was called for boarding and after heavy air congestion, our flight took off around 2 pm IST. Duration of flight was 1 hr 20 mins.. but it didn't seem like so. We were on the ground @ about 4.25 EST.

We had to wait for about 20 mins for our baggage. Then once we had it, we went to the Rental Car area where we had already hired a car in ALAMO RENTAL CAR. They offered us a compact car (DODGE CALIBER). We had taken our own GPS with us. But not sure whether i updated the right information , I even took a hard copy of the route to the hotel we were supposed to check in.

But thank god our GPS responded!!!

I should mention here about the beauty of Buffalo.( Not the Buffalo we think that roams around but the fantastic place here in NY state!!)

It was all green around. Why i mentioned it here is because the moment we entered CANADA after the IMMIGRATION & TOLL GATE, it was even greener.

The officer in the gate asked us the same questions that were present in the application form of the Canadian Visa. Then we had to pay fee of $3.00 US for the toll. The road to the Comfort INN in WELLAND was so beautiful and amazing that i couldn't just sit there. I took out my Video and started to capture CANADA into my DISC.

We checked in the hotel, freshened up and since we hadn't had anything good for lunch or breakfast, we looked for a good hotel.

Most of the Indian Tandoori were situated in Niagara Falls region. Since I was damn hungry I didn't want to take up a food tasting session right away.

Instead wanted something that i know so that i am satisfied with a good meal. since these restaurants were in Niagara Falls region, we decided to have our meal and have a glimpse of the Niagara.

We had a somewhat OK meal but it looked good since we were both hungry!!!

WE had tandoori and Veg Thali. After that, we started to drive along the Falls view Blvd. It took us to the Parking lot of the Falls View.

Wonderful View I should say. IT WAS REALLY A DREAM COME TRUE!!!

We parked our car in the lot and headed to the Table Rock which lead us to the Falls south and north view.

Since it was almost dark , Our first glimpse of the Niagara was ILLUMINATED NIAGARA..THE COLOURFUL WATERFALL.

Ravi couldn't stop clicking his Camera nor could I resist myself and continued with the recording of the Niagara. I could have stayed up there all night to take The DREAM FALL to my home as much as I can.

The Waterfalls transformed to different colours at different intervals of time. It displayed it fierce look with a red colour... its elegance with violet, blue , yellow colours.. the cloud of water in centre produced a wonderful rainbow even in the dark!!

I had researched before our start of the trip itself that fireworks are to happen every Friday and Sunday and on important events @ 10 pm EST. Today being a Sunday, WONDERFUL COLOURFUL SUNDAY... sharp @ 10 the colours of the falls were now on the sky in various forms of fireworks!! Spectacular!!

It went for around half hr. I am for sure that there will be a spectacular one the next day as it will be memorial day.. but since it will be crowded for sure, and since we are planning to head to Toronto instead, we were more than happy to grasp this wonderful show of mother nature .. in a peaceful quite less crowded environment.

With no mind to leave and our hearts left behind in the falls, we head back to the hotel. We are so tired by now and I would just go off to sleep right after I sign off this blog..but I wanted to note each and every expression and thoughts that ran in my mind. I didn't want the Feel of the Falls to go down.

So with that much happening for the first day itself, lemme sign off so that i can start the next day's adventure for yet another magical day of my dream trip..

Catch ya later with more of JOURNEY TO NIAGARA...

OverAll Rating: 200/100 !!

© 2008 SarathaRavi

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