Beautiful Memories with Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is the complex name for three waterfalls that are scattered in the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the United State of New York. Ranging from largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are located on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the American side, which are separated by Goat Island. Along with the American Falls, the smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side. These falls are the most highest and powerful waterfalls in the world. Not only are they beautiful, but are meaningful because of the nature creation itself. “Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean.” Niagara Falls is very wide, too. “More than 6 million cubic feet (168,000 m³) of water falls over the crest line every minute in high flow, and almost 4 million cubic feet (110,000 m³) on average.”

In 2011 August, I went to Niagara Falls with my father and my best friend. It was my father’s first time to visit Niagara Falls as he was visiting the U.S. all the way from China. To me, it was the most enjoyable experience to spend time with family and friend in such a wonderful place. As you can see on the pictures, I could not help stopping taking photos and shooting views around. It’s definitely a nice traveling spot that should be listed on the traveling agenda before visiting in the U.S. or in Canada.

 

 

The fall with the mist made us just attempt to indulge in this marvelous creation and never wanted to be back to the real life ---
 

This is the whole view of the U.S. side of Niagara Falls and wish to see the Canadian side of the Falls next time. As an international student studying abroad in the U.S., traveling to Canada must apply for the visa, and it’s the same to those foreign tourists. When you are on the boarder of “Rainbow Bridge” between the U.S. and Canada, make sure you do not cross to the Canadian side without a valid visa.

So luckily and blessed, we were able to see the full rainbow hanging on the top of the Niagara Falls, which perfectly reflected the beauty of those Falls, as if were living in a natural paradise. How great it was!!

Jing, myself and Dad, three of us were another witnesses of the Niagara Falls; same to those who came from different places of the world. Behind is the “Rainbow Bridge” that connects with the Canada.

The night of the Niagara Falls is fascinating, too. Some people choose to host their weddings here; just to share the most memorable moment with their loved ones in the most memorable place…

 

I just have so much good impression about Niagara Falls! Before taking my father and best friend to the Niagara Falls, I actually already made a trip there with another bunch of friends by driving. My American co-worker teased me , “You do like Niagara Falls a lot, don’t you?” Yeah, I think so. If there is an another opportunity, I would like to visit Niagara Falls again. How about you?

http://www.niagara-usa.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls

 

 

 

"Motor City" - Detroit, Michigan, USA

Detroit, as seen on Google Earth. 

A few weeks back I had a chance to go visit a friend in Detroit, Michigan.We also went to Traverse City which is approximately 4 hours drive away from Detroit. But more about Traverse City in another post.

Detroit is the biggest city of state of Michigan, it is known as the "motor city". Detroit is home on the car manufacturers of USA; Ford, General Motors and Chrysler all have their headquarters in Detroit. Detroit is unique in its own way. I had a chance to go to GM world headquarters known as Renaissance Center. Renaissance Center (GM  world headquarters) is a grand, tall, glassy skyscraper sitting right at International riverfront in downtown. Renaissance Center is interconnected seven towers, which houses GM world car exhibit, GM world, Consulate-General  of Canada, Consulate-General  of Japan, Marriott hotel, HP enterprise services, USPS, Deloitte  and several other corporate offices, GM University, retail stores and restaurants.

Renaissance Center, seen from waterfront. 

Renaissance Center

International river front, as seen from inside Renaissance center.

The amazing thing about this picture is it was taken inside GM headquarters- Renaissance center but you can see Detroit's International riverfront through the glass. The water you see in the picture is Detroit river. The buildings right across the water is Canada. Isn't that fascinating!!!  If you notice carefully, on the pavement is a world map- in black stone.  If  you actually see and walk over the world map, which I did, there are white dots on the map, which are GM's all the offices across the globe.

Pods within the building.

Car's in GM world exhibit. 

GM headquarters is a well-designed architecture with structure's called pods. At places it looks like a maze and it's really easy to get lost. GM world car exhibit showcases their finest and best cars for the public. It is a car fanatic's paradise.

The International riverfront is a picturesque, calm and serene place.

Panorama picture of International River front.

Detroit's downtown is unlike other big American city's downtown I have seen. The first thing that is noticeable is it has fancy skyscrapers like other downtown but what it lacks is the people. It is awfully quiet and all you see is bunch of tourists and few locals. It gives an impression of deserted city which was once full of hustle bustle (which it is).

Detroit has a small downtown with a public transport within the city called Detroit People Mover. The train reminded me of Gotham city from batman movie where the trains rain above the ground level on the tracks all across the city. It's easier to get by in the downtown using the Detroit people mover. Let's have glimpse of Detroit's downtown, through few pictures.

The picture below is of statue called "Spirit of Detroit".

The Monument to Joe Louis, known as "The Fist".
  

Interestingly, Canada is only about half a mile away, and Windsor, Canada is 7.9 miles, or as my friend giving me the tour likes to call it "tunnel away". You can take Detroit - Windsor tunnel and off course if you have necessary documents you could be in another country in few minutes.

Most people live in the suburbs which are half to an hour away from Detroit's downtown. I had a chance to explore some of the suburbs, nightlife, and food of the great city, more about it in another post.

I hope you enjoyed reading. Keep checking for new post every week.