Niagara Falls

This week was vacation time for me and the hubby. We didn't get to really enjoyed this summer because I just started a new job. Although the hubby got some vacation time, he used the time to do errands because I was working away. So finally, we both got the time off to spend good quality time with our Darling Daughter.

I wanted to jet off on a beach on an all-inclusive vaycay but our budget was not on the same page. So, we got a hotel booked at the Hilton in Niagara Falls instead! 

The room itself was a treat. We never stay at actual hotels when we travel, except for our honeymoon. Somehow we always find a friend or a relative to stay with. 

The view was great... obviously our room face the casino. 

The city view of Niagara Falls can be seen from our room too...

But we had a great view of the falls itself!

We didn't waste any time and headed to explore right away...

First stop... Starbucks... LOL. Well, caffeine was greatly needed.

After our coffees were purchased, we walked towards the Maid of the Mist.

It was a warm and sunny day but it was also very VERY windy.

DD rode the Maid of the Mist boat last year but she stayed sheltered in her stroller with the rain cover on. This time around, she wanted to get out of the stroller to see the falls up close.

I got a few good pics of the US side of the falls. But as we got closer to the Canadian side, the wind was getting stronger and we kept getting soaked with all the mist. DD loved it at first and she was even yelling out, "Splash! Splash!". Soon after, we were right at the bottom of the horseshoe Canadian falls and I couldn't even see.

Next thing I knew, my hubby took DD with him in the more sheltered part of the boat.

My poor baby got shaken by the crazy wind!

Even though the elements were got too scary for my DD, as soon as we got out of the boat, she yelled, "Gate Venture!!!" which translates to 'Great Adventure!'.

As a treat for being so brave, I got her some ice cream.

We sat on a bench underneath this huge ferris wheel while sharing a big oreo vanilla soft serve on a waffle cone. Of course, DD said she wanted to ride it, but I didn't want to traumatize her any further.

Next stop was the Ripley's Believe it or not museum. 

And DD saw some Dinos along the way...

And this is her doing a T-rex Roar!

In the Ripley's Museum, DD did not really let us look closely at exhibits. We were too busy chasing after her as she goes to one thing to another that sparked her interest.

But I think the big piano keyboard really made her day.

Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel room to 

A. get DD to possibly nap (which she never did because she was to excited that she has her "New Bed")

and

B. get ready for our fancy dinner out!

We dined at Romano's Macaroni Grill which is located right inside at Hilton Fallsview. 

DD got a little antsy most of the time and kept moving around her seat. At least she didn't run around the whole place and broke dishes!

By this time my camera went on a fritz. Every pic I tried taking was a big white blob and it told me that it's over exposed even in a very low light condition without a flash. So hence, the rest of the vaycay pics from then on was taken with my Blackberry.

We shared some yummy calamari as an appetizer. 

And for the main course, I had Lobster Ravioli, hubby got the Veal Parmigiana and DD got Fettucini Alfredo that she picked out herself. The kid's menu had pics of each menu item. She was actually tossed between spaghetti and meatballs and the alfredo. She wanted both but eventually made up her mind and chose the Fettucini.

After dinner, we strolled around Fallsview Casino. 

Everything that has to do with water or things that spin really excites my DD. So this fountain was a delight for her.

Of course, it was getting really late so we had to call it a night... No more clubbing or casinos for Mommy and Daddy! Lol.

She's all ready for bed and it was past 9 o'clock and this little girl was still jumping on the bed like a little monkey.

Well soon after two Dr. Seuss books, she passed out no problem. 

I was still mourning after my camera. See how there are lines on the last two pics? Those are two of the three last best shots I got from the whole vacation.

This was the third one. All the pics I tried taking after came out as white blobs. Man, I can't afford to buy a new camera right now!

So that was the end of our first day in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. 

Our next adventure... Marineland! Stay tuned for that post...

Meanwhile, I just had my first blog anniversary last Sept. 09, 2010! I'm giving away Joyce Meyer's book "Look Great, Feel Great". See the details on the last post and don't forget to comment to enter! I would LOVE to hear from you guys!