Today we wake up in Port Colborne at the opening of the Welland Canal. The Canal is the way to move past the numerous water hazards to get into Lake Ontario. Our morning starts by heading down the gangway onto a comfortable bus to head to the Neob lavender farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Driving the the countryside with vineyards and agricultural lands.
The “still “used to distill the oils by using steamOur next stop will be a winery to taste the one and only ICE wines of the region.
Traveling through Niagrara-on-the-lake heading to the Bella Terra Winery.
Many Victorian style buildings. 
We arrived at the winery/vineyard and could see the grapes that were left on the vine to be harvested in Dec/Jan when the temperature reaches 10F. Ice wine is produced when the grapes have frozen reaching incredible sugar levels and processed while still frozen. 90% of all Ice wines in the world are produced in this area. 
These grapes will continue to gather sugar until they are frozen
Three types of grapes are grown here for Ice wine: Vidal, Riesling and Cab Franc
The owner’s son was our host for the tasting.
Pure delight! This is an ice wine from Riesling grapes ( and of course we brought a couple of bottles back to the ship with us!)
Next up our drive to the Falls. It included visiting a giant Floral clock, viewing one of the barrels used to go over the falls,and in the distance… Horseshoe Falls
Included in our tour today is a boat ride on the “Hornblower” Our tour guide has assured us it will be the adventure of a lifetime….
As we boarded our boat, the Horseshoe falls and the city of Niagara are in the background.
The first up are the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. These are on the American side of the border between the US and Canada.
These falls are impressive, but nothing compared to what the Canadians have on their side!
Slowly making our way towards Horseshoe falls
Getting closer to the center.. small misty drops of water hitting us
OH! Look at the mist and churning!
Holy Crap this thing is HUGE 
looking at the water is like looking at a boiling pot! And the mist is starting to really hit us.
Okay, i swear we could touch the water as it fell from the top of the falls! My camera is soaked, my head is soaked but luckily the orange garbage bag raincoat has kept some of the water from drenching us through. I cant imagine what idiots would think floating over these falls would be a good idea!
Another look at the mist and the falls. We were VERY close!
As the boat turned back towards the dock we were given a better view of the American Falls and Bridal Veil falls. After the boat ride, there was nothing else that could beat that adventure so we returned to the ship and our room. Look what we have! Our own map of the Longitudinal World Cruise route! There are 84 of us on this ship that are continuing for the entire journey . The rest of the spots will be filled in segments with passengers.
As the day winds down, we line up and start our journey through the Welland Canal. This will take us past the Niagara Falls area and bring us into Lake Ontario.
We ended our evening by having dinner in Manfredi’s with some new friends who are traveling the entire way also. Just so happens their names are Steve and Sue! Today we really did use all of our senses to experience the day!
As we boarded our boat, the Horseshoe falls and the city of Niagara are in the background.
The first up are the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. These are on the American side of the border between the US and Canada.
These falls are impressive, but nothing compared to what the Canadians have on their side!
Slowly making our way towards Horseshoe falls
Getting closer to the center.. small misty drops of water hitting us
OH! Look at the mist and churning!
Holy Crap this thing is HUGE 
looking at the water is like looking at a boiling pot! And the mist is starting to really hit us.
Okay, i swear we could touch the water as it fell from the top of the falls! My camera is soaked, my head is soaked but luckily the orange garbage bag raincoat has kept some of the water from drenching us through. I cant imagine what idiots would think floating over these falls would be a good idea!
Another look at the mist and the falls. We were VERY close!
As the boat turned back towards the dock we were given a better view of the American Falls and Bridal Veil falls. After the boat ride, there was nothing else that could beat that adventure so we returned to the ship and our room. Look what we have! Our own map of the Longitudinal World Cruise route! There are 84 of us on this ship that are continuing for the entire journey . The rest of the spots will be filled in segments with passengers.
As the day winds down, we line up and start our journey through the Welland Canal. This will take us past the Niagara Falls area and bring us into Lake Ontario. 
We ended our evening by having dinner in Manfredi’s with some new friends who are traveling the entire way also. Just so happens their names are Steve and Sue! Today we really did use all of our senses to experience the day!
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