USA July-Sept 2013

Day 26, 27, 28 & 29
Well had an early start on Tuesday to get in the bus and see the highlights of Toronto City. It was then off to Niagara Falls and to do the Maid of the Mist boat cruise. The falls are truly spectacular but have been spoilt by the commercialization of the surrounding area. There is no natural landscape at all around the falls. It is as if the falls are in the middle of Las Vegas with Casinos and big hotels right near them. The Maid of the Mist boat cruise was good with us getting very close to the edge of falls and the boat getting drenched in water spray from the falls. It was then back to Toronto for a couple of hours free time before we went to tea at the CN Tower, a revolving restaurant over 500 metres high, in the middle of Toronto. The meal was excellent with steaks bigger than I had ever
seen and cooked to perfection. It is obvious all the good meat is sent out of Australia because the steaks over here are cheap and are to die for. Cooked to perfection, tender and with heaps of flavour. All the food here has flavour especially the fruit and vegetables.
It was then off to catch The Canadian, our train for the next three nights as we crossed from Toronto to Jasper. We left Toronto at 10pm and the first night was interesting as we didn't get much sleep. The following two nights were OK as we got used to the movement of the train. The train went from the east to west side of Canada and crossed through some magnificent country ending at Jasper in the Rockies. The meals on the train were also magnificent. Overall a very enjoyable trip. Upon arriving in Jasper this afternoon it was aboard a bus to Maligne Lake which is surrounded by Glaciers and Snow covered mountains. Just magnificent. Tomorrow is free so will catch up on the washing and do some shopping. Sunday off to Banff.