Observations on Boston:

- It's mostly flat (from the backfilling to add land to the Shawmut Peninsula) though there are some smallish land rises and falls (mainly around the Boston Common) and it's reasonably compact so great for walking. (Kim has clocked up mega Global Corporate Challenge steps the last few days)

- Boston has the oldest....... everything - the oldest public school, the oldest Anglican Church, the oldest public park, the oldest ....... primarily because it was one of the first places to be settled in North America! The Puritans from England fled/were driven out in the mid/late 1660s settling in the area.

- The MTBA (Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority or the 'T') is a public transport system mainly subway trains which is incredibly efficient (think of the London 'Tube') with trains coming every few minutes. Did I mention that Boston has the oldest subway in America?

- City buildings are historical and ornate but very well maintained. The city is clean and very pleasant with planter boxes and flower pots throughout.

- The 'brownstone' buildings of the historical South End/Back Bay area are stunning.

- There's a considerable Hispanic influence within the city with train carriages for instance having instructions in English and Hispanic .

- The omnipresence of Dunkin' Donuts shops through the city centre is an ongoing joke with there being 157 at last count apparently.

- It's one of the most expensive places to live in the USA.

- It has the greatest number of colleges/universities per square mile of any American state with some of them having their own police (we saw 2 in our travels - Stafford University Police and Harvard University Police) - see photos.

- Harvard University buildings are absolutely stunning with the main library 4 storeys above ground and 6 storeys below. Women were only allowed to study on the main Harvard campus in the early 1940s when there was room after male students had gone off to war. Women received equal degree recognition only in 1997. Yes, you read correctly, 1997. And Harvard students are encouraged to pass a swimming test prior to graduation with this being compulsory up until the 19970s (there's a story to this but not enough space here). 98% of students live on campus, that's 98% across all year classes.

- We saw a movie scene being made 'Ted 2' apparently; the latest offering of Mark Wahlberg, who's also a Bostonion. (We also saw one being made in London when we were there). This is not something you see regularly in Australia.

- Boston's Charles River (named after one of England's Kings) was one of the most polluted in the country but following serious cleanup efforts is now the cleanest urban river in the country.

- Boston has a gaol right in the city centre with water views over the Charles River! Huh?

- J.F. Kennedy was born in Boston, attended Harvard and represented the state in the House of Reps and the Senate and of course became the 35th President of the United States.

- The JFK Presidential Museum (there are 13 such museums around the country) is outstanding for chronicling his life and presidency. Absolutely fascinating with rare footage of him and his family, details of his war service and many other aspects presented in a surprisingly objective but informative manner.