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Goat Island @ Niagara Falls USA

Posted by Unknown at 9:41 PM Saturday, July 14, 2012 Labels: Niagara Falls, USA 0 comments

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

Goat Island is an small uninhabited island located between the Horseshoe Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. It is the gateway to Luna Island and the Three Sisters Island and is linked to the mainland through a pedestrian bridge. Its platform at Terrapin Point offers some of the most spectacular views of the Horseshoe Falls from the U.S side of the Falls.

Goat Island is also the entryway to the Cave of the Winds Tour.

View of the raging rapids from the pedestrian bridge to Goat Island.

You can view Luna Island and its viewing platform from Goat Island.

On board the Niagara Scenic Trolleys from the Cave of the Winds tour to Terrapin Point. We saw a beautiful rainbow outside and took a few snapshots of it from the trolley.

Terrapin Point at Goat Island and its spectacular views.

See how close you can get to the Horseshoe Falls. You get to stand just next to the raging waters in the safety of the pedestrian walkway.

We didn’t use the zoom function to take this picture. We are already standing that close!

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Hotel Review – Comfort Inn The Pointe

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Luna Island @ Niagara Falls USA

Posted by Unknown at 8:20 PM Labels: Niagara Falls, USA 0 comments

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

Luna Island is a small island nestled in between the Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls. It provides the closest and the most dramatic setting from which visitors can safely view the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.

About 285 000 litres of water flows over the American and Bridal Veil Falls per second. Can you imagine that?! The water plummets at 32 feet per second (9.8 metres per second) over the falls, hitting the base of the falls with 280 tons (280 000 kg) of force at the American and Bridal Veil falls.

Bridal Veil Falls

The Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest of the 3 waterfalls that makes up Niagara Falls. It used to be named Luna Falls. Because Niagara Falls is a popular destination for honeymooners, it was renamed because of its resemblence to a bride’s veil. It measures 17 metres wide with a height of 54 metres.

The rapids just before the Bridal Veil Falls.

Rainbows are a daily occurrence at Niagara Falls.

American Falls

The American Falls with the Observation Tower at the background, as viewed from the observation deck at Luna Island.

Talus at the bottom of the American Falls. From above, it looks like snow on rocks, but it is actually foaming water from the impact of the fall.

Check out the awesome video taken at Luna Island showing:

Rapids leading to the Bridal Veil Fall;
The Bridal Veil Falls;
The red wooden Boardwalk of the Cave of the Winds;
The American Falls and its rapids

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Check out the Hotel we stayed

Hotel Review – Comfort Inn The Pointe

Niagara Falls Cave of the Winds

Posted by Unknown at 8:14 AM Labels: Niagara Falls, USA 0 comments

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

The Cave of the Winds is one of the attractions at the USA side of the Niagara Falls. You will need a ticket to enter, but this is covered under the Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass. It is a series of wooden walkways that leads you as close as possible to the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.

The original Cave of the Winds tour actually refers to a natural cavern behind the Bridal Veil Falls. However, it was deemed to be unstable and the visitors are no longer allowed to venture in since 1955.

Dressing area where visitors can put on their ponchos and anti-slip slippers before the Cave of the Winds tour. There are no lockers here, so make sure your valuables are protected in a water-proof bag and wear that bag inside the poncho! We were told that the lockers were taken away after 9/11.

We went to the Cave of the Winds the moment it opens at 9am, and were the first – no queues for the elevator and no one else at the board walk. Basically, we had the whole boardwalk to ourselves!

The elevator brings us 175 feet (53 metres) deep into the Niagara Gorge where we were first greeted by a long, damp and dim tunnel.

Out in the open at the end of the tunnel into fresh air and beathtaking scenery.

American Falls on the left, Bridal Veil Falls on the right.

Standing just next to the massive rock structures (talus) at the bottom of the American Falls. It never fails to amaze me that engineering has allowed us the pleasure of viewing something so powerfull and dramatic on the safety of a viewing platform just a step away from where the action is

Rainbow just beyond the talus of the American Falls.

If you think that the Maid of the Mist has brought you close enough to the falls, check this out.

Stream from the waterfall leading to its basin.

We took a video of the waterfall. Check it out!

Hurricane Deck - the highest point of the boardwalk and the highlight of the attraction. You get to stand at the bottom of the Bridal Veil Falls and experience the storm-like conditions there, where water pelts down with force on you. Exhilarating! Warning: You will get completely drenched.

Experiencing the power of Niagara at the Hurricane Deck.

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Check out the Hotel we stayed

Hotel Review – Comfort Inn The Pointe

Crow's Nest @ Niagara Falls USA

Posted by Unknown at 8:10 AM Labels: Niagara Falls, USA 0 comments

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

Many visitors will undoubtedly feel that the Niagara Falls is better viewed from the Canadian side. However, for the Maid of the Mist cruise, it may be more advantageous to take it from the USA side for the following reasons:

You get free access to the Observation Tour
There are lesser passengers queuing for the cruise
After the cruise, you get to disembark at the base of the gorge and climb a series of stairs to the Crow’s Nest, a place where you get closer to the precipice of the American Falls and the green waters falling from Prospect Point above it.

The base of the gorge where passengers of the Maid of the Mist alights and makes their way up a flight of stairs to the Crow’s Nest.

Tip: Do not dispose of the poncho after you alight from the Maid of the Mist! You will still get wet at the Crow’s Nest!

Look at how close you can get to the falling waters at the Crow’s Nest. Note where the flight of stairs at the bottom of the picture leads its visitors to.

Heading towards Crow’s Nest after disembarkation from the Maid of the Mist.

The climb up to Crow’s Nest.

The bellowing waters forming a misty spray. Be awed by the thunderous roar of the waters around you!

Have a look at the Niagara Falls in action as seen from Crow’s Nest!

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Check out the Hotel we stayed

Hotel Review – Comfort Inn The Pointe

Underwater Paradise @ Redang

Posted by Unknown at 7:03 AM Tuesday, July 10, 2012 Labels: Malaysia, Redang, Short Getaways, Snorkelling 0 comments

Redang . 2010 . Jun 26 - 29

Our stay at the Berjaya Redang Resort comes with a free half day snorkelling trip to a place called Turtle Bay. We thought that a ‘Bay’ would come with shallow waters, but we were so wrong! The water was deep (and not so suitable for a beginner at snorkelling) and choppy, so hang on tight to each other if you are a poor swimmer.

Tip: Come prepared and armed with your underwater cameras and sun-block before going to Redang. Things could be expensive there and you end up paying more for the same thing.

Beautiful and massive coral structures taken with our disposable underwater camera...

This feels like swimming in an aquarium with no boundaries.

We were so impressed by the beautiful scenery underwater that we went back to the hotel and booked another half day snorkelling package from a private operator. It felt like a private tour as there was only another visitor with us on the boat. The package included snorkelling at five sites with a lunch break at long beach (lunch not included) and the last site at the Marine Park

Tip: Book a snorkelling package with their local boat operators. These locals do know where the best sites are and offer you free commentary on the type of corals and marine life you get to see at each site. Our guide pointed out to us the green corals and brain corals, and the shadow of a sea turtle at the seabed as seen from the water surface.

Bring some bread with you to attract the fishes!

Snorkelling at the Marine Park. Although this is an area protected by the government, we could see the damage already done to the corals here. It is overpopulated with tourists who swim into you and the corals are less massive than the ones we saw at other sites, much of them already showing the signs of coral bleaching. If you have an experienced local boat-man with you, they will be able to advise you on better sites to snorkel at. This Marine Park is not worth a visit.

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City Sights @ Langkawi

Posted by Unknown at 6:17 AM Friday, July 6, 2012 Labels: Langkawi, Malaysia, Shopping, Short Getaways 0 comments

Langkawi . 2009 . Sep 27 - 30

Langkawi does not offer much in terms of shopping if you are looking for fashion item (not like KL). Its shopping malls takes on a fairly sleepy feel with only a few shoppers browsing at their shops. However, if you are into arts and craft and handiworks to bring back as a souvenir, you might just be able to find something to your liking.

If you are a smoker or a drinker, the island's duty free status would delight you! Buying liquor or tobacco on Langkawi is super cheap.

We visited the Langkawi Fair (Persiaran Putra, Kuah, Tel: +604 969 8100, open daily 10:00 – 22:00) which has more than 100 shops teeming with cut-price goods.

Eagle Square (Dataran Lang)

The status as the most prominent icon at Langkawi island surely belongs to the statue of the great Eagle at Engle Square, also known as Dataran Lang to the locals. This imposing 12-metres high monument can be seen from a distance and is strategically placed to welcome visitors as they arrive from boats or ferries to Langkawi island. The square is surrounded by scenic water bodies, covered terraces and bridges and engages the visitor to walk around and admire the beautiful scenery of the sea.

If you are at Kuah Jetty, do stop by eagle square to admire the majesty of the brown eagle looking out at sea!

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Fly me to Langkawi

Posted by Unknown at 5:44 AM Tuesday, July 3, 2012 Labels: Airlines, Langkawi, Malaysia, Short Getaways 0 comments

Langkawi . 2009 . Sep 27 - 30

Langkawi consists of a group of 99 islands off the North Western coast of Penisular Malaysia. The main island is known as Pulau Langkawi.

The word ‘Langkawi’ actually means brown eagle in Malay. Langkawi island was named as a World Geopark by UNESCO in June 2007.

We took advantage of an AirAsia airfare sale where tickets were just SGD $22 per pax (exclusive of taxes) to fly from Singapore to Langkawi.

AirAsia aircraft parked at Changi Airport Terminal 2

AirAsia is a budget carrier, and therefore, you will have to pay for your food and drinks on board. It was not too expensive, a serving of Nasi Lemak costs only MYR $9 and it was yummy and commendable. What we were served with did not deviate too much from the picture in the menu.

The oriental chicken noodles didn't taste too bad either....

First sight of Langkawi island as we descend.

Langkawi Airport runway as seen from the aircraft

Sunny Langkawi beckons!

Overall, the flight experience onboard AirAsia was good. The approximately 1-hr ride was comfortable and leg space was sufficient.

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google-maps-discoverbooktravel

Goat Island @ Niagara Falls USA

Read these too!

Check out the Hotel we stayed

Luna Island @ Niagara Falls USA

Bridal Veil Falls

American Falls

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Check out the Hotel we stayed

Niagara Falls Cave of the Winds

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Check out the Hotel we stayed

Crow's Nest @ Niagara Falls USA

Read these too!

Check out the Hotel we stayed

Underwater Paradise @ Redang

Read these too!

City Sights @ Langkawi

Eagle Square (Dataran Lang)

Read these too!

Fly me to Langkawi

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