Thousand Islands 千岛湖

当听说美东行程包括千島湖，心中不仅想起几年前旅客沉溺中国千島湖的災难; 但一路走览来的印象，对此地安全设施有信心。

其实，那些爱吃蔬菜水果沙拉的朋友对Thousand Islands肯定有印象，因为其中一种受欢迎的Thousand Islands沙拉醬; 发源地就在此。
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Thousand Islands are scattered on the St. Lawrence River in northern New York; more than 1800 islands of varying sizes, from as tiny as an island that has 2 trees (defination for a land to qualify as an island is to have at least 2 trees & above water 365 days) to islands that have residential houses and parks. The water is clear and the wind is breezy. It is such a view when 1 seated on the cruise, breezy wind and fascinating scenery.

Many of the islands, developed with stately homes, are privately-owned. One of the famous homes, Boldt Castle, built on Heart Island by George Boldt as a present for his wife, is definately the landmark of The Thousand Islands. However, the wife never had the opportunity to stay in this huge beautiful castle, she passed away 3 weeks just before the castle being completed. Since then, George Boldt never returned to Heart Island. The castle is now under the state and open for public viewing. I am impressed by the way the whole area is being maintained.

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The tour guide told us 1 interesting story & asked us to take note of 1 tiny house built on a small island not far from the castle, which was meant for the mother-in-law. This tiny house is such a big contrast compared to the stately castle, it doesn't make sense to me how 1 can love the daughter so much, yet ready to put the mother-in-law in a tiny house that is only a few feet away from water.

There is another interesting feature, there is 1 owner of 2 islands, he built a house on the bigger island and a garden on a smaller island. 1 island is in America water & 1 island is in Canada water; the bridge that built across the 2 islands is the shortest international bridge. I wonder whether when the owner walked to his garden from his house, he has to get his passport stamped!

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This is a summer retreat since 19th century for the wealthy, now with many summer houses built around or overlooking St.Lawrence River, it has become one of the popular retreats for Americans.

written at York Avenue, NY 24-05-2010 5.40pm

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