Visit to Canada to see Marineland and Niagara Falls (pictures as well)

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Had an amazing time today. Am visiting Mystic Orca in Buffalo, NY for this off-work period, and he got some vacation time off as well, and for today, we decided to head into Canada and see an orca and do touristy stuff. ^^ It was grey and dreary when we hit the road this morning, but the sun came out and the weather got really nice for the viewing of the Falls.

Marineland was quite low-key. Possibly due to the weather threatening to rain, very few people were there, and as such, no fighting crowds. They have only one orca left, Kiska, who is retired, so they no longer do orca shows, but the belugas apparently breed like mice there, since they had several tanks filled with belugas. They had a dolphin show, too. Kiska looked kinda depressed, and just circled the tank, occasionally peeking at the people on the other side of the glass. The place had the feel of a business on the verge of closing, though. Since there's no more orca show, I guess people aren't coming like they usually do.

Afterwards, we made a totally unplanned trip to the Falls, since they're close by, and I'm glad we did, because the view was amazing! Totally awesome force of nature to behold. :D

We bought overpriced gift shop stuff, of course. Yay souvenirs. :3

Another thing I noticed, people seem really friendly in Canada. Even the border crossing was pleasant getting across. The lady just looked at our passports and asked how long we'd be there, and we went through. Coming back into the US, on the other hand, was a bit stressful. While we weren't pulled in for inspection or anything, the agent was kind of hostile. With his black gloves and gestapo demeanor, he reminded me of Bester from Babylon 5.

Another thing I noticed about Canada, is that many of the shops on the border actually accepted the American Express card. Hardly any place I go to in the US takes it. Go figure. Pretty neat all the places in the border area take US dollars as well. Very convenient.

Anyhoo, pics!

Crossing the Peace Bridge from Buffalo. Flags are right on the halfway point across.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1686.JPG

Dolphin jumping
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1715.JPG

Kiska
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1734.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1736.JPG

Some tower restaurant next to the Falls that looks like it would be fun to go up in
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1763.JPG

A historic building that I believe belongs to the power authority
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1766.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1767.JPG

Niagara Falls, ON skyline (mostly hotel towers and a casino)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1768.JPG

You can see both the Canadian (left) and American (right) welcome centers in this pic
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1776.JPG

Pics of the falls
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1781.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1783.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1797.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1800.JPG

DOUBLE RAINBOW! :O
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1792.JPG

Buffalo skyline after returning. I think the historic building in the center is City Hall
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15809726/Canada%20trip/DSCF1809.JPG