13 May 2009 - Thousand Island

It was a bright and sunny day. Time to go for a cruise along St Lawrence River and makan angin seeing all those beautiful houses/mansions/castle on islands. We had saved USD 13.50 per person for not taking the Niagara cruise. This time, cannot save USD 17 per person for the Thousand Island cruise. The logic is very logical. Without taking the Niagara Falls cruise, still can see the Niagara Falls. Without taking the Thousand Island cruise, cannot see the charm of a thousand of islands.

So glad that we're the early birds in which we had free parking.

Popeye The Sailor Man

Papa Peh posing in front Uncle Sam Boat Tour

Waiting to get onboard the 12:30 cruise.

We took the 2-Nation cruise, in which we crossed over to Canada. Of course, we didn't go pijak the land of Canada. The tour guide even made fun of us. When we were crossing the US-Canada border line, he asked us to look for a white line in the water. Everyone onboard kuai-kuai squinted our eyes to look for the white line down the crystal clear water. Mana ada white line? You can only see the white dotted line on a map lah! Kena tipu by the tour guide.

This is a place for the richests of the richests. You have to buy an island before you can build a house/cottage/mansion/castle on the island. The tour guide didn't answer my question of how much an island costs. But he did point to a house, yes, a house, that costs USD 25 million. The house alone costs USD 25 million. What do you think about the sale price of an island?

Thousand Island bridge connecting US and Canada

Now, this is the main attraction of Thousand Island, the Boldt Castle. Kononnya, a rich guy built this castle for his beloved wife. Unfortunately, his wife died before the castle was fully completed. (Is it the same case with Taj Mahal?) He was very sad and thus he forbidded everyone, including his own children to go there. The castle was lapsed into abandonment for many (70) years before the NY state government bought and renovated the castle for tourism purposes.

Of course, where does the NY state government get money to renovate and maintain the castle? From tourists loh. Admission fee is USD 7.50 per person.

Judging by the angle of this photo, sure you know whether I paid the USD 7.50 or not. Hah...hah...

Enjoy the video clip of the cruise!