After a lovely morning soaking up the atmosphere and wallowing in the
warm water at the Blue Lagoon just outside the Keflavik airport in Iceland, we
had an easy 5.5 hour flight to Boston. Except for the landing that is.
A major thunder storm was brewing in Boston when we were due to land.
The pilot circled a few times and made two aborted landing attempts but
couldn't land the plane due to the bad weather and changing wind directions. We
could have circled and waited for the weather to improve but our plane was
running low on fuel. Our pilot decided to land in a town called Manchester,
about 100 miles North of Boston or about 20 minutes flying time. We re-fueled
there and finally took off again to land at Boston Logan International Airport.
It was quite a scary experience during which time the plane was struck by
lightning and we found ourselves in a few air pockets. Our pilot handled the
situation really well, but we were happy to be on terra firma again! We were
delayed by about 3.5 hours and landed at about 10 pm instead of the scheduled
6:30 pm. As you can imagine, we were quite tired and not excited about doing
passport control. However, it went much smoother and faster than we expected
and we were through quite quickly.
Justin's aunt Lynne and her husband Ralph were waiting with big smiles
and warm hugs to meet us. A short car ride and we were home where Lynne and
Ralph had prepared a lovely dinner for us. A quick shower later and we were all
in bed ready for a good nights sleep after a long day.
Lynne and Ralph had lots of fun things planned for us during our three
days in Boston. The first morning we headed to Salem, the site of the 1692
witch hysteria. We visited the Salem Dungeon where the 'witches' were kept
between being accused and going on trial. There was a re-enactment of a witch
trial and we got to see the dungeon. There was time for a short walk around the
town before heading to the docks for a boat trip from Salem to Boston; a lovely
way to see the city for the first time.
Bron in the stocks outside the Witch Museum
Our first view of Boston
One of the boats in the Bay
After a picnic lunch we set about exploring! We walked along the Freedom
trail and took in sights including the Quincy Market, the Cheers pub which was
the inspiration for 80's TV show, the Massachusetts State House with it's
Golden Dome, the Boston Commons and the Boston Gardens. Due to another storm
forecast for the evening, we decided to catch the earlier ferry back to Salem
and have dinner on the North Shore instead. We went to a lovely restaurant
right on the water with great views across the water of Boston and planes
landing at Boston Logan airport. Here we tasted real Massachusetts lobster and
clam chowder!
This is a one-man-band!
Massachusetts State House
Yip, it was ice-cream weather!
Downtown Boston
The next day we went to the town of Cambridge and walked around the
campus of Harvard University and drove past MIT. The town of Cambridge is a
typical student town; it has a relaxed vibey atmosphere to it, parking is
scarce and there are a lot of students around! We went to the Coop which is a
huge bookstore where students buy their books and university paraphernalia. We
then headed back into the city of Boston for a Duck Tour!
Walking around the Harvard grounds
Pretty clear what is allowed... isn't it?
Lynne and Bron and a Duck
Sorry, I have nothing on this one. Nothing.
The Duck is pretty good out of water...
And in the water.
An innovative company acquired a few military vehicles that are able to
drive on land as well as act like a boat in water. This company gives tours of
Boston city including a boat ride on the Charles River in their 'ducks'. Since
acquiring the originals, they have also had replica ducks made with more
seating and slightly more comfortable. The tour is about an hour long and
includes all the main sights of the city and a short ride in the Charles River.
We really enjoyed the duck tour, our driver had a great sense of hamour and it
was something different.
Then it was time to head home, but first we stopped in at the 'store'.
The 'Stop and Shop' is a huge supermarket where you can get a huge range of
products in many varieties. But everything comes in one size: BIG!
Lynne and Ralph did a lovely braai dinner in the evening and Ralph's son
Michael and his wife Erin joined us as well. It was really nice to meet some of
Ralph's family and learn more about their family.
The view from Lynne and Ralph's deck
Our third and last day in Boston for a while arrived quite suddenly!
Lynne and Ralph took us up North, through the state of New Hampshire to the
coast of Maine where we visited two small coastal summer holiday towns,
Ogunquit and Kennebunkport. Ogunquit is a lobster and fishing town. We had a
lovely walk along the rocky shore front and through the town before a lunch of
fresh haddock sandwiches and clam chowder. Kennebunkport is where George and
Barbara Bush have their summer holiday home which we were able to view from a
distance.
Ogunquit
A typical beach side house
You now you are in a holiday town when...
...every second shop sells something sweet
The Bush summer house (The flag means the Bush's are home)
Tuesday morning arrived and we arrived at Boston South Station on time
for our 09:30 train to Washington DC, after 90 minutes in traffic! Thanks Ralph
for dropping is off!
We really enjoyed our time in Boston area and are looking forward to
another few days with Lynne and Ralph at the end of 3 weeks of touring the East
Coast.
A big Thanks to Lynne and Ralph for hosting us, looking after us and
spoiling us so much! We loved staying with you and will miss you lots!
Hope you are well and having a good week!
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