Day 2: Fun under the Falls!

What a wonderful fun-filled day! We started the morning off with a yummy breakfast in our hotel with the usual offerings: eggs, potatoes, bacon, cereal, bagels, and the fan favorite — mini waffles. Plus Canadian maple syrup, of course.

We then boarded the bus to Niagara Falls and were on our way! 

There was an audible gasp as the bus turned the corner and the Falls came into view. On the boat tour, the singers and chaperones alike enjoyed being right in the water underneath the falls. Joshua and Nora B stayed dry, watching the falls from inside the boat, while many others were on the top deck and got soaked to varying degrees, despite the ponchos. But not to worry, we quickly dried off in the 70 degree sunny weather here in Niagra.

After the boat tour, we ate lunch in the area in chaperone groups, with time for tasty treats and shopping afterward. Maggie’s group went to the Rainforest cafe and experienced a thunderstorm during their meal. Tate and Mick’s groups went on the Ferris wheel and got a terrific view of the falls from the top. June faced her fear of heights to get a view of the falls from the top of the Ferris wheel! Caroline spearheaded the haunted house hunt, and quickly discovered that it was too out of budget, even with the exchange rate. 

Will’s group found fake phones with treats inside in the candy shop (see pictures.) They also got treated to Dairy Queen!

Jess’s group got some time in nature while meditating in a shady garden. 

Kiki’s group went on a nice walk and found sushi and boba for an impromptu picnic. They also discovered that ants here in Canada are much bigger than in the US, and they did NOT like that. 

On the 2.5 hour bus ride to London, we had some quiet time where we were serenaded to sleep by Kiki singing “Lullaby of Birdland.” 

We soon arrived in London and met our host choir, Junior Amabile Singers, who were at the Golden Gate Festival in 2023. Singers disembarked the bus and were quickly met and welcomed by their host families. We will surely hear more tales of their first evening when we see the kids at rehearsal tomorrow morning, but here are a few things we know so far. Mia is staying with the singer she hosted during the last Golden Gate Festival! We already got word that Mignon, Elodie, and June are fast friends with their homestay Camryn, immediately jumped in the pool, and are now watching a movie.

We can’t wait to get to know our hosts even better tomorrow!