Sunday, May 22, 2011

Niagara Falls!! In my Experience...

   Seeing Niagara Falls is a dream to many,but that dream came true to me and I am very pleased to say that I am among the many who have traveled to see this amazing spectacle which nature has given to us....One of our friend organised a trip to Niagara .we started our journey around 4 pm.On the way we stopped at one of the rest areas.Quiet Amazing!!After that break, we resumed our travel.It took us another couple of hours from there to reach the Niagara. By the time,we reached there it was close to 12.30 am.After reaching the destination we checked -in the hotel Howard Johnson.
        Next day Morning we had our breakfast from the hotel we stayed .Then we headed towards the falls.I always had a childhood dream to visit Niagara Falls in my life.I learned it in my 6th Standard about this place beauty.
        Niagara Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Over one million gallons (4 million liters) of water per second pour over a 180 feet (60 m) high cliff that is nearly 0.6 miles (1 km) wide. Niagara Falls is located about 15 miles north of Buffalo, New York, 150 miles south of Toronto, Canada and about 350 miles northwest of New York City.
Niagara Falls Visitor Center
       No trip to Niagara Falls State Park would be complete without first visiting the park’s Visitor Center to pick up a Niagara Falls souvenir. In addition to maps and information, the Visitor Center houses the Adventure Theater, a gift shop and a variety of Niagara Falls restaurants, including specialty coffees, ice cream, a patio grill and a deli snack bar.Then we stepped outside to view the 1.5 acres of lush floral gardens that depict the Great Lakes region above the falls, including grassy areas in the shapes of Lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron and Erie, as well as a walkway that follows the course of the Niagara River.The Niagara USA Discovery Pass was our admission ticket to the following Niagara Falls State Park attractions:
Niagara: Legends of Adventure Theater,Aquarium of Niagara ,Cave of the Winds Trip,Discovery Center Maid of the Mist.When you purchase the Niagara USA Discovery Pass, you will have the ultimate Niagara Falls Experience - all while saving money..
Made of the mist
Made of the Mist Boat tour
It was a very big boat which could accomodate at least 200 people on board and and the ride was supposed to be for a 15-20 minutes and we would be on the Niagara river, going towards the horse shoe , into it and back. It is the Niagara river which seperates the US state Buffalo and Canada, There was a huge bridge which connected these two across the Niagara. The boat takes you past the American Falls, Bridal Falls & then closer to the Horseshoe Falls.The last point is the highlight of the ride for me.Some 6 Millon Gallons of water falling down each second.You can imagine the mist & noise it would create.Simply a moment to remember.There must be very few experiences like riding on Maid of the Mist & being in the middle of the Horseshoe falls.Obviously you get completely wet but then they give complimentary raincoats to protect you.. 
American Falls
Rainbow Bridge At Niagara Falls that Separates US And Canada
Horse Shoe Falls
                   Afterr alighting from the ride, we went up the Observation Deck & surrounding areas to enjoy the Falls & its beauty.From every angle, it appears more & more beautiful!!
All the area around the falls, has been declared as National Park with nice little paths for pedestrians, cars & cyclist.So after that exhilirating experience, we cooled down in those lanes.One of those trails takes you towards the Horseshoe Falls.Again here, onecan walk upto feets away from where the water falls down.One of the things that I observed while walking there, is majority of the visitors there were Indians.
Observation Tower
Cave of the winds
        An elevator takes you to the rocks at the base of the American falls where you can walk within 25 feet of the cascading water and feel the tremendous power of the wind and spray.Waterproof outer clothing is provided.Also walkways along the rim of the gorge and on Goat Island offer many scenic overlooks to view the falls from the top rim..The best experience at the Falls!! 
Adventure Theatre 
          Legends of Adventure immerses you in the history of Niagara on a new 45-foot screen with Dolby Digital surround sound technology.Located on the lower level of the Visitor Center.Adventure Theater is proud to present the 40-minute show that has been viewed by more than 14 million people worldwide. We can learn about the explorers and settlers that put Niagara on the map and the daredevils who have tried to tame her waters at this fun Niagara Falls attraction. 
View the Falls at Night
As it is getting darker,the crowd is growing and we came to know that Each night, various-colored lights shine on the falls. Blue, yellow, purple, green, and pink light up the falls, creating a flowing rainbow of water for all to see and at 10.00 p.m fireworks ..After that fabulous event we went back to our hotels as we tired very much of the day journey..
Next day morning again we headed to Niagara falls.It was amazing to see the falls again and again...
Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley
It explore Niagara Falls State Park in the comfort of the Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley. We Enjoyed an overview of the park in half an hour as a knowledgeable guide shared the history of the park with us along the three-mile route.The Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley is a favorite because they allow you to see the park while you relax and enjoy the ride.
Discovery Center
     Showcasing the natural and local history of Niagara Falls and the surrounding area, the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center is a hands-on learning experience for all ages. In this amazing Niagara Falls tour, you can enjoy interactive displays, take a virtual elevator trip into the gorge, experience 12,000 years of the Niagara River in the 180° multi-screen theater, or climb a 26-foot rock wall that resembles the walls of the gorge, complete with fossils and geological formations.
Aquariun of Niagara 


     Though it sits just outside the Niagara Falls State Park, the Aquarium of Niagara is still an essential stop during your trip to the falls.More than 1,500 aquatic animals are on display at the Niagara Falls aquarium, representing ecosystems ranging from the Great Lakes to coral reefs. Every 90 minutes you can watch sea lions perform and penguin and shark feeds happen regularly. Other crowd favorites include the piranha, seal and eel exhibits.



    Outside of the aquarium was a sight to behold – the Whaling Wall by famed environmental marine life artist Wyland, which will take you into the magical dreamland the animals inside the Niagara Falls aquarium experience every day.
       




Return journey was 7 hours back home.So we decided to wind up.By now we have everything worth seeing in Niagara National Park.Return journey was also enjoyable.We reached home at midnight safely & with lot of memories of our first outing abroad ;-) 

Sunday, May 8, 2011

This is for you ..Mom!

Mom..you are so special
And i love you so...
There is nothing as pure as your love
You are the one who cares for me
You are the one that makes troubles be gone
You make me feel like a VIP
You are the one who knows me best.


Mom..You are my friend ,my heart and my soul
You hear my heart and you hear my screams
You are the greatest friend i know
Your arms are always open when i needed a hug
You protect me from all the evils of the world
You give a secure shelter in your lap
Nothing can destroy your love or take that away.


Your little girl is growing up..
But your baby girl will always remain deep inside me
I saw the tears you tried to hide when i walked away
We are together though we're apart
Thank you for believing in me
Thank you for being the one person i could trust
Mom..I am so proud to Claim..I love you..


With love..
your daughter..

Friday, May 6, 2011

The beginning...തുടക്കം

Hi my dear friends...
    This is a special place for me to reflect my thoughts. Thoughts are best expressed in our mother tongue and mine happens to be malayalam. NO surprise if you find "manglish" script at many places :) 


Thanks,
Saranya

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Akshaya Tritiya

          Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day after new moon in the Hindu month of Vaishakha. The word Akshaya means ‘that which never diminishes’ and the day is ideal for beginning new ventures as it is believed that all investments on this day appreciates. In 2011, the date of Akshaya Trithiya is May 6.
         As per Hindus, This day is ruled by god Vishnu. It is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth Avathar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta yuga began and the river Ganges, the most holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.According to the Puranas, On this day, Veda Vyasa began the composition of the Mahabharata.
       The day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is believed that if you do a charity on this day you will be blessed and will receive blessings many fold. Nowadays jewellers have turned the purity into a marketing gimmick. The day is particularly considered auspicious for starting new ventures. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, it is normal to see many of the new ventures, like starting a business, ground breaking for construction on the Akshaya Tritiya.