Maid of the Mist Boat Trip @ Niagara Falls

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Niagara Falls (USA) . 2011 . Sep 27 - 30

The Maid of the Mist is actually a tour of the Niagara Falls by boat and is North America’s oldest tourist attraction.  One of the best way to really experience the power and breathtaking beauty of the Niagara Falls is to take the Maid of the Mist cruise, which brings you right to the crashing waters beneath the Falls.

Every passenger is given a blue poncho to protect them from the spraying waters, however, despite this, few will disembark in a dry state.

Boarding point for the Maid of the Mist from the US side.


We had the luxury of taking the Maid of the Mist cruise from both the US and the Canadian side.
Truth be told, if you want a good view of the Falls, try to do the cruise from the US side, as it is less popular and consequently there are fewer people on board.  

Boarding from the US side, we managed to snag a place right at the front of the deck which gives us an unobstructed view of the Falls and allows us to be at the closest point when the boat approaches the Horseshoe Falls.

The fantastic adventure begins!  The Maid of the Mist cruise will first bring you closer to the base of the American Falls where you have a close-up look at tons of water smashing into the unbelievably massive rock structures at the base.


Tip: From the US boarding point, position yourself at the left of the boat for a good photo opportunity 

The Bridal Veil Falls, separated from the American Falls by Luna Island and the Cave of the Winds Boardwalk.


The cruise then brings you right to the basin of the Horseshoe Falls.


Stand at the tip of the deck and immerse yourself in the power and majesty of the Horseshoe Falls.  Feel the intense spray of water in your face, the thunderous roar of falling water, the choppy and foamy waters beneath and the screen of white waters all around you.  It’s a sensational that is so indescribable, photos and videos does not do it justice.
Tip: At this point, the spray of water is so intense, cameras and other electronic devices may get wet.  It is best to keep them or invest in a water-proof pouch for protection.

Check out this awesome video below that we took on board!


Part of the Horseshoe Falls and the choppy waters beneath, caused by the sheer force of water smashing into the basin below.  The cruise stops at the middle of the crescent shaped Horseshoe Falls for a minute or two for its passengers to take in the scene, before making a U-turn back to the boarding point, passing the Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls in the process.

 Seagulls scavenging for food in the waters.


Trips on the Maid of the Mist last approximately 30 mins and are scheduled through April to 24 October.   Passengers can board either from the US side or Canadian side.  There is no difference in the cruise route for both sides.  Schedules and boat timings may change every year due to weather conditions. 

Check out the Maid of the Mist website for more details:  http://maidofthemist.com/en/

For passengers who boarded from the US side, they can proceed to Crow’s Nest for a closer view of the American Falls upon disembarkation.

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Check out the Hotel we stayed



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Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa Buffet Dinner

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Langkawi . 2009 . Sep 27 - 30

Our 3 nights' stay at the Westin Langkawi Resorts & Spa comes with a complimentary dinner for one night.  The restaurant has different themes every night, and the one we went for was the seafood theme.

What touched us was not just the amazing spread of food, it was the excellent service of the service staff which left a deep impression on us.  After staying at the resort for 3 nights, some of the service staff had began to remember us and engaged us in friendly conversation.

Again, let the photos do the talking....


The most appealing part of dinner was dessert.  Look at the mouth-watering and innovative way that dessert was being presented.  The bite-size servings allows you to sample almost everything without consuming too much calories.



Looking at the photos make us want to go back again... ;)

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Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa Buffet Breakfast

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Langkawi . 2009 . Sep 27 - 30

The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa has one of the best buffet breakfast in town. Look at the amazing spread of food. Guests are treated to a fantastic choice of yogurts, juices, fruits, cheeses, cornflakes, breads and pastries, and hot savoury items. With good lighting and thoughtfulness in the placement of items, everything looks so appetizing to us.

Buffet Breakfast


Let the photos do the talking...



It sure looks delicious and sumptious.. right? :) So if you are staying at Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa in Langkawi next time, do take up their buffet breakfast offer! Do check out our review of their buffet dinner too!

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Hotel Review: Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa

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Langkawi . 2009 . Sep 27 - 30

Nestled in a secluded area, but yet only a few minutes from town, the The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa is the perfect place to unwind in the privacy of your own luxurious room.  Surrounded by the idyllic natural setting of the beach and with their own private beach front, be prepared to distress and rejuvenate yourself with the cool seabreeze and beautiful beachfront.



Address: Jalan Pantai Dato Syed Omar, Langkawi, 07000 Malaysia
Tel: 800 120 5131 (Singapore Toll Free) +65-6226-3304 (From abroad)
Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=283


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We were given a special rate of MYR $550 nett for a 3-night stay at the Deluxe Patio Room.

The room rate comes with the following perks:
  • complimentary breakfast daily
  • Buffet dinner for one night
  • A welcome drink
  • Free use of the gym and workout areas
  • A complimentary mocktail.

Surroundings


The welcoming reception at the The Westin Langkawi Resort & SpaThe resort is 20-30 min away from the airport by taxi.


We were encouraged to apply to become a Starwood Preferred Guest member during our stay. As a SPG member, you will get to enjoy Members-only offers so you can save on luxurious getaways and quickly earn bonus Starpoints for your stays. Do check out the great benefits on the SPG website


Our Free Mocktails

Rooms surrounded by lush greenery and a relaxing ambience.



The Infinity Pool


Infinity Pool and the sea beyond it.  Soak yourself at the edge of the pool and admire the sunset with a glass of wine.

If you prefer keep yourself dry, you can also sit on the deck chairs by the pool to view the sights.


Deluxe Patio Room


The rooms were clean, spacious and well-maintained.


If you are interested in the wonderful selection of buffet food offered by the hotel, check out our posts here for breakfast and here for dinner!

Overall Experience


Staying at the The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa left us with a deep impression.  While doing our research, we came across comments that many of the guests were returning customers.  It is not hard to understand why after our experience.

The service staff from the waiters to the housekeepers to the barman and the manager were friendly and helpful. They are committed to ensure that each and every guest are comfortable during their stay. We were always greeted with a sincere smile and were made to feel at home.

The standard of their food is excellent and set against the backdrop of the gorgeous beachfront, it is truly an unforgettable experience of its own.  Facilities at the gym was amazing, other than the standard gym equipment, we had access to the table tennis and squash courts, and there is always a staff on duty to issue out the rackets.

This would definitely be our choice hotel should we return to Langkawi again.




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Langkawi Cable Car & Skybridge

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Langkawi . 2009 . Sep 27 - 30

Not feeling confident enough to drive, we asked the reception desk at the Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa to arrange for a taxi for us that will take us out for a day trip to anywhere within Langkawi Island.

We made our first stop the Langkawi Cable Car, which will take visitors all the way up to Mount Mat Cincang, Langkawi’s second highest peak.  The cable car station is located in The Oriental Village in Langkawi Island.  Visitors will have to pass through the village and souvenir shops, before reaching the cable car station where they can buy tickets to take them up the mountain.


Lane system for queuing to get on the cable car.

  The cable car system which looks very similar to the one at Sentosa, Singapore.

Open-air ventilation of the cable car.  As the cable car ascends to greater heights, we could feel cool air filtering into the cabin.


Scenic view of the outlying islands from the cable car.  See the incline of the wire that the cable car is hanging from?  At its steepest, the incline could be as steep as 42 degrees. At this height, the cable-car could start to swing when there are strong winds, giving the impression of a bird cage suspended at high altitude.


The Langkawi Sky Bridge was completed in October 2004 and is one of the world’s highest single supported bridges.  It is suspended in between Mount Mat Chinchang and its beautiful half moon structure gives its visitors different viewing perspectives from the bridge.  From the bridge, you can catch a magnificent view of the Amdaman Sea and the outlying islands.




Thrilling walk along the Langkawi Skybridge.

Beware when you walk on the bridge.  The wind could be quite strong, and you could feel the bridge swinging slightly, so hold on tight to the railings.  Not for the faint-hearted.


Panoromic views from different parts of the skybridge.




After the exhilarating experience at the skybridge, our cab driver (aka tour guide of the day) brought us to the park near the cable car station where the Telega Tujuh waterfalls is.   Yes! This is the same waterfall that we saw from the observation decks of the skybridge! The left trail leads you to the waterfall while climbing further up will bring you to the seven pools or wells that are found at the top of the waterfall.


It’s a steep climb up the stairs to get to this waterfall, but you will be rewarded with a peaceful sanctuary with the beauty of cascading waters and cool water to soak your tired feet.

Our last stop to view the horse-riding facility near the Telega Tujuh waterfalls.

It was a long and tiring day visiting the cable car, the sky bridge, the Telega Tujuh waterfalls and a brief stop at the horse riding facility near the waterfalls. But it was all worth it! :)

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