Day 12: Long Roads Traveled

3:45am start. Dislike.
Richard drove to Calgary airport thankfully.
The flight to Hamilton in Ontario was about 4 hrs so slept some which was good.
Then discussed our alternatives of taxi+bus+taxi from Hamilton town center to Niagra Falls, or just a taxi direct to our accomodation. With a little pursuasion and bargaining from our Indian taxi driver we decided to taxi direct 1.5 hrs for $120.

Jason's parents are members of a time share in Canmore and somehow it gives them discounts to this hotel to, so our accommodation is now the Mariott Hotel Falls view. We got upgraded to the 19th floor and our room overlooks the Niagara Falls and to put it simply, it is absolutely amazing.
The room has a shoe polisher and the biggest showerhead you've ever seen. Seriously this is the stuff for business men and rich people, not backpackers and snowboarders. Although I'm not one to complain ;)

After a quick unload we started walking for a food place for dinner. Found an all you can eat buffet for $16 which had pretty decent food so suited us perfectly. They had an italian duo walking around playing the accordian and violin to each table. When they got to our table I decided to be clever and ask them to play their most difficult song and which 'best showcases your ability'. They then played some classical song which i have no idea and it was incredibly fast and entertaining, well worth the tip we gave them.

Finished our dinner and got some cheap alcoholic beverages on the way home.
Back at the hotel we managed to get free internet thanks to our accents and sussed out where the places to be on a Saturday night in Niagara Falls. Turns out the nightlife at this place is better than we were expecting. Since the drinking age is lower, americans sometimes duck over the border. There are plenty of tourists. In addition to the 80 thousand or something people here. Kinda a similar night life and scene to the Gold Coast funnily enough.
Ironed our good shirts and went first to the casino. We were drinking $6 long island ice tea's (full strength) and making a couple bucks here and there on various tables. The night club scene followed shortly after and we stayed there til lockout.