Can you hear the distant thunder?

The Niagara... 

Just what does this word mean? Well, our host at the B&B told us that it is a native Indian word for 'thunder.' How very appropriate! With almost 110,000 cubic meters of water flowing over the Horseshoe Falls each minute over at the Canadian side where we were, the power and magnitude of the Falls is truly a royal rumble befitting its ancient name.

Here's a view of the Niagara River after the American and Canadian falls (in the background is Buffalo, New York), but don't be fooled by the placid countenance of the river. It is anything but!

I thought this was quite a nice shot of the Rainbow Bridge as a landmark.

The Niagara Falls actually straddles the international border between the Canadian state of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. Perhaps, then, it seems divinely fair that there are two major components of the Falls, one for each country. Over on the American side is the American falls. With a width of about 250m, the American Falls receives just an estimated 10% of the water from the Niagara River. 

The American Falls, with the smaller strip of the 'Bridal Veil' visible at the upper right. The spot in the photo is the Maid of the Mist taking visitors for an up-close and personal with the Falls.

As the torrents come crashing down, a large volume of mist is generated that surrounds the entire Falls in a foggy shroud.

On the Canadian side is the nearly 700m wide, curving horseshoe-shaped crest aptly named the Horseshoe Falls. And that's where Doris and I were all day on 25 Aug as we went around happily snapping photos with our trusty Canon Ixus...

Two ladies posing for a picture... :p

Or how about a larger than life moment... Stop! This is a hold up...!!!

OK so the hold up didn't last for too long cuz we were heading out for our very own Maid of the Mist (MOM) ride from the Canadian side. The first MOM boat ride commenced in 1846 as a ferry service between the American and Canadian sides, but by 1854 it became a tourist attraction following the completion of a suspension bridge at the site for commuting. 

So there we were, decked in our signature blue poncho before the trip, which would take us past the American Falls, followed by a quick flirt with the Horseshoe before returning us to shore - all in about 30 minutes.

While most 'conventional' people had the ponchos reaching somewhere below their kneecap levels, Doris' covered her all the way to her ankles... go figure!!!

Boy am I feeling blue today... not!

The calm before the storm... in no time we were hanging on to our ponchos as we got lashed by the relentless shower of water. Thank God we were at the lower deck. Those at the open-top upper deck would no doubt be drenched! 

While we had wrapped up our camera in a ziplock bag to prevent it from getting wet, there were exceptional moments when we decided to risk it and capture some sights for posterity... when would we ever come so close to the Falls again?

After the ride, we decided to pause for a nice hot cuppa against a nice backdrop.

My kopi kaki...

The pause didn't last for too long, though. Before long, we were trekking to the Table Rock Center for the 'Journey Behind the Falls' experience (see Doris at the information plaque overlooking the Horseshoe Falls). 

Tunnels have been built behind some sections of the waterfall to allow visitors the sight of the water cascading down, but for safety reasons, we weren't allowed any closer. But there's also the observation deck where we can catch a sight of the Falls on the right. Bright yellow raincoats are provided to visitors because of the occasional sprays of water brought about by the windy conditions at the platform.

Doris in her oversized poncho in one of the 46m long tunnels behind the Falls.

A breathtaking view of the Falls on the right of the observation platform. Can you imagine what it'll be like in icy winter???

A close-up of the torrents...

Looking up, we saw some beautiful rock strata formations too... on the beauty of nature...

One of two portals built behind the Falls to give people a sense of the power of the Niagara.

And finally... here's a prayer answered - my plea to God to see a rainbow, which shouldn't have been easy at a place like the Falls, but which was surprisingly scant today... nevertheless, He let me have one at the end of the visit just as we were leaving the Table Rock Center.