Niagara Falls with Tony and Iris

... and Iris' mother.

Iris' mum was visiting from Korea. She arrived over a month ago I believe. Since they don't have a car I drove them to Niagara Falls this past Sunday.

They decided to start at Canada One outlet mall on Lundy's Lane. They had gone once before when Iris' parents visited last year. Tony couldn't remember exactly where it was so I stopped to ask strangers on the street for directions. I suppose I'm not like typical guys that way (I'll ask directions). I'm too impatient to drive around aimlessly.

The main attraction for Iris and her mother (and, perhaps, most women who shop at the mall) was the Coach outlet store. In fact it's the only store with crowd control stanchions (ropes). They're the only store where people actually have to wait in line to get in. Well, at the women's location anyway. They also have a men's store (no line there).

Tony and I ate our Vietnamese sandwiches while we waited. Then we headed to a few shoe stores because my running shoes were a bit worn. The deals weren't as good as in the U.S. though, so I didn't buy anything.

Afterwards we headed over to the Falls. I dropped Tony, Iris and her mum by the Falls and went to look for free parking. Tony offered to pay for parking, but I didn't want him to waste the money.

It took me a bit of time, but I accidently came upon the free lot we used a few years ago. It's on Portage Road a bit south of Fallsview Casino Resort. It's about 5-10 minutes walk away from the back entrance where the casino buses drop passengers off.

After I parked I walked down to the Falls to snap a few quick pictures. I actually didn't have much time before I was supposed to meet them at the designated spot near the police station on Niagara Parkway/River Road.

I met Tony there at 5:30. Iris and her mom were still out sightseeing. Instead of having them walk back to the car I arranged to meet them at the Fallsview Casino Resort parking circle at the main entrance. It was really hot and humid out. I didn't think it would be good to make Iris' mum walk any more than necessary.

Iris wanted to eat at Burger King because she had some coupons. Instead of eating in Niagara Falls I thought we should head back along the QEW and stop somewhere along the way when we encountered traffic. The drive was relatively smooth though. So we pulled over in Hamilton and ate at the BK on Centennial Parkway near the Kings Buffet where I drop off the wet towels.

After dinner we hopped back on the highway and I drove them back to their place.

Room with a View

This is the view from our 29th floor window at Fallsview Casino and Hotel. Actually, it's probably more like 26th floor or so because the hotel, like many other buildings, superstitiously avoided the 4th, 13th and 14th floors (4 means death in some Asian cultures). But, hey... when you're this high up, who's counting?

One of my friends managed to collect enough points on their casino card that they offered two nights' stay free at the hotel. And out of the goodness of their hearts, the kind people at the front desk graciously upgraded us to an $800-a-night room. My utmost thanks is directed their way.

Our room was sweet. It had two, beautiful, queen-sized beds, a huge bathroom with separate shower and whirlpool tub, a small dining area and a separate living/sitting room with a second, flatscreen TV. And the views looking out the windows were absolutely outstanding. We overlooked the Falls and Niagara Falls, USA to the east. And you could see the Sky Screamer (ride) at Marineland (game farm and amusement park) to the south.

In my 43 years on earth, it was my first time to Niagara Falls in the winter. So, of course, I had to take advantage of it by going out at night to take pictures of everything all lit up. While my friends were warm gambling inside at the casino, I was outside freezing my ass off. It was pretty with the snow and ice covering much of the landscape though. Definitely worth staying out for.

I even missed watching a bit of the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Junior gold medal game between Canada and Russia (which we unfortunately lost, 5-3) to go out. Torn between my loyalties to being a true, red-blooded Canadian and taking photos. But, who knows the next time I'll be here in the winter, right? I can't say it's the time of year I'd first think of coming at.