Thousand Islands

In Toronto, we joined a 3D2N tour to visit Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa and the Thousand Islands from 4 September to 6 September.

The first stop was Rock Port to join a cruise to see some of the islands in the Thousand Islands. Thousand Islands constitute an archipelago of over 1,800 islands that straddle in between the borders of New York State of America and Ontario State of Canada in Saint Lawrence River. The islands extends over 80 Km. The largest is about 100 Sq Km while the smallest is just sufficient to build a house. To be qualified as an island, the outcrop must have a minimum area of one Sq. Ft above water whole year round and support two living trees.

In the 19th century, it was fashionable among the elites to own islands and build mansions as retreat homes. According to the tour guide, one may just need to spend CAN$40K to buy a small island in the old days. Now, it may cost anything between CAN$500K to CAN$1m to own one.

The most iconic island among all is the Hub Island in New York State, a tinny island just big enough for one house. This red-roofed building has now become a "face" of Thousand Islands drawing countless of visitors to see some of the islets in the Thousand Islands.

 

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A short distance from Hub Island is the Heart Island where the Boldt Castle occupies. In a way, 1000 Islands are popularized and even "romanticized" by the story of this Castle. The original owner, George Boldt acquired the island and decided to build a castle as a gift to his wife. Construction work started in 1900 but abruptly stopped in 1904 when his wife suddenly passed away. Boldt was devastated and stopped all work and never went back to complete his project. This was left abandoned for 73 years until 1977 when it was taken over by the Thousands Islands Bridge Authority for just US$1. The castle has since been renovated and is now a tourist attraction.

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