Where's Willy now?: In Niagara Falls, Canada

We arrived at Niagara Falls yesterday morning driven from Buffalo airport by a very chatty taxi driver from Pakistan who took us on an unscheduled brief tour of "downtown" Buffalo (to collect his mobile from his home! He did ask us first...fortunately a flat rate fare). Buffalo appears to be very run down with high unemployment and full of empty office buildings. He painted a pretty grim picture with African Americans, Puerto Ricans and Asians all living in different parts.

The falls are impressive comprising the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. We rode on the Hornblower boat to the base and got absolutely soaked, although some protection was provided by the very fetching pink ponchos. Fran's red leather jacket underneath was not a good choice, as the dye leaked out all over her white and brown cotton jumper which has not survived the first day of the holiday and will be left behind here!!

Apart from some attractive gardens, the tourist centre of Niagara Falls appears to be very tacky!!! The "Fun Strip" was lined with such attractions as The Haunted House, Castle Dracula, "Rainforest Cafe" in the shadow of the Falls Casino and the Guinness Records Museum. Also a wax museum with a sphinx out the front and its side kick, the snake, appearing every now and again (like a cuckoo in a clock) singing "Snake, Rattle and Roll". Oh and did we mention that Elvis was there to greet us in an outdoor eatery after we exited the tourist shop after the cruise. It gave us a good laugh with Adrian shaking his head in disbelief. We then turned the corner and saw that Clive Palmer has been here to, with golf on a less grand scale....only putt putt ......accompanied by the ubiquitous dinosaurs.

Tonight Fran is up to her usual tricks, having researched the best places to eat using Trip Advisor. We will be walking 2 km to dine at the chosen restaurant - AG Inspired Cuisine. Adrian would have been more than happy with Tony's Steak, Seafood and Ribs underneath our hotel. Who knows Elvis might hade made a guest appearance?**

Needless to say the day we left Australia was VERY long. We arrived in LA only 1 hour after we left Peregian Springs! Groundhog Day. At LA airport en route to NYC, Adrian's boarding pass had TSA precheck noted, usually assigned to those over 75 or under 18. This meant he could leave his shoes on and proceed through without the body scan. Fran obviously looked more threatening. The boot was on the other foot ( he he) at NYC airport en route to Buffalo where Adrian was subjected to the full security ordeal.