Shopping Excursion

Day One We took the ferry, "The Cat," from Toronto to Rochester. Boarding time was 11:30, but when you reserve with a car, they ask you to be there an hour before departure with your passport. Getting there early is a good idea as we had to wait for the lift bridge to close and finding where the line up for the ferry is confusing in the big wide open space beside the dock. Take water, as it's not available until you get on board the ferry. Seniors are offered a discount, which helps your wallet a bit, but it was still $101 US. The ferry was smooth and uneventful. For the best view, it's wise to sit at a little table by the window in the main lounge on the first level (the floor above the parking). There is a counter bistro with fish and chips, sandwiches (approx $6.50), and a bar which apparently has specials each day. The crossing took about 2 1/2 hours with a very organized disembarkment. The dock at Rochester seems to have a beach and restaurants close by if you choose to wait for two hours to take the ferry back to Toronto. We, actually, chose to go shopping.

We checked hotels for the night and ended up reserving at Hampton Inn, North Rochester. (We always feel safe and comfortable at Hampton Inns.) This quiet Hampton was on a hard to find street off the highway, but worth the trouble, seeing our other choices.

The large plaza in Greece was a short drive west from the Hampton. The main department stores are Pennys, and Kaufmans. I bought and bought new fashions and sale items while my husband read a book -- a complete book. About seven we ate at Uno Chicago Grill near the hotel. It was okay, but would have been better if the music hadn't been so loud.

Day Two After a good night's sleep at the Hampton, we had our complimentary breakfast, including two hot choices, much better than our breakfast at home. It was interesting to watch the business men hustling with their cell phones, computers and suits. Incidentally we saw mostly men and only a few women and one family. Then, back to the Greece plaza for another day of shopping. With bags of good buys neatly piled in the trunk, we went to Davinci Italian Restaurant, which was excellent and close to the hotel.

Day Three The next day, we drove into Rochester, which is a very depressed, dirty place. Kodak has an interesting structure of an office building with a tower on top and the Falls was a bit interesting, but is not Niagara. It didnlt take us long to see what we wanted to see in Rochester.

Our leisurely drive back along the shore of Lake Ontario was pretty and restful. Before croswsing the border we stopped at Fort Niagara, which is in a beautiful setting on Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River in New York State. Then we crossed the Rainbow Bridge to Canada. Our few days away were enjoyable and I like my purchases.