After an easy bus ride back to Toronto airport we checked in and found it interesting to go through US Customs in Toronto. We arrived in Boston not long after midday with Bill really enjoying a window seat to take in the countryside and The Great Lakes below - they are big! We could see the mist plume of Niagara Falls in the distance. After landing in Boston, we had an easy subway ride on the 'T' to Back Bay station (even changed lines from Blue to Orange) and a walk over the cobbled and bricked footpaths to our B & B. The Encore B & B is well located and comfortable (thanks once again Trip Advisor) but with a steep set of European like stairs. We had a nice dinner on the 'patio' of a nice local restaurant (plenty to choose from) before going for a walk on a delightfully mild evening. And once again we ran into an ex-pat Aussie - this time a young man originally from Sydney who was clearly homesick and wanted to chat.
Boston day 2
It was warm; very warm in fact and it was noticeable that people were not wearing hats. No-one, just us! In Australia we're just so attuned to being 'sun smart' but the message mustn't be big here. But then the northern hemisphere doesn't have a huge hole in the ozone layer!
We played tourists today....... oh, that's right, we are! We purchased a 'Boston card' some months ago and this enables free and/or discounted entry onto major tourist attractions. So we set off to see some of our included attractions and one featured was a tour of Fenway Park, home of the famous Boston Red Sox. Almost nine decades in the World Series wilderness from 1918 they finally won again in 2004, 2007 and then again in 2013. Excellent tour. We also took a 'duck' tour, yes, you read correctly..... This is a tour of the city's sights and then a cruise on the Charles river in replicated WW2 amphibious troop carrying vehicles (DUKWs). We thought it a bit corny prior but they are hugely popular and it was actually very good fun!
We also purchased a multi use tram/train ticket (we find these great when we're travelling) and even if you don't use them all, the convenience makes up for it. And we used it today! Lots! I think we had a week's value just in one day!
But, we've also been reminded about:
- Tipping in North America and how painful it is. Who wants to be working out 15% added to a meal bill of $64.34?
- The dangers of pedestrian-ing (?) er, being a pedestrian, in countries where cars drive on the other side of the road. Note to self Kim, just look every way .... multiple times!
- Lemonade in North America (and Europe for that matter) means lemon-ade, often with lemony floating bits! If you want what we know as lemonade then it's Sprite or 7-Up.