aozora blogspot

my friend is driving again after a 5 year hiatus and needed practice driving on highways (the average speed limit for ontario highways are 110km/hr, a nice change from the 80km/hr in the gvrd hey?). so yesterday we took a rental car and visited niagara falls (a sad, sad commercialized tourist spot) and niagara-on-the-lake.

niagara-on-the-lake is a tourist site as well but not commercialized with american companies the way niagara falls is. (doesn't the name itself sound so nice?) the heritage district is lined with touristy craft stores, bakeries, flower shops and cafes all housed in heritage buildings. luckily during our lunch the skies cleared and we were able to walk around the district in wonderful, warm sun. the highlight, for me, was the greaves jam store. there i purchased some really yummy sounding jams: pure rhubarb and strawberry jam, pure crab apple jelly, blackcurrent jam and plum jelly.

i was also able to score blueberry and apricot/peach mlesna tea at the jam store. i've been searching for this tea for ages since my friend gave me some samples. unlike tisane fruity teas that are tart and tangy, the mlesna fruit teas are black ceylon teas infused with fruit aroma. mmmm so yummy.

we then went on to visit 3 out of the numerous wineries that are located in niagara-on-the-lake. each winery made quite an effort to distinguish itself with architecture and interior design. the jackson-triggs estate went for an industrial, concrete and exposed beams modern look whereas peller estates went for a warm, tuscany look lending itself to the image of warmer climates. i am no expert of wine and i really wish i had a better appreciation for it, but trying all the ice wines was a definite treat. i really have to go back, if not only for the sipping of the ice wines with prices in the $90 range.