We were staying outside of Boston so today we had to commute in using trains and subways but we were fairly confident we could make this work. We had breakfast at the hotel which took a little while, so we missed the train we wanted but it was ok, we could still make the next one.
One of our original plans was to go whale watching but the sea was too rough, so we knocked that on the head and lined up a series of attractions instead.
After a mile long dash to the station we were thwarted by the fact that there wasn't a ticket booth, so we attempted to get the free train but there was a ticket guy who was happy sell us a ticket.
The train was huge, not in length but it was extra wide and two stories tall. A short 20 min journey later and we were in Boston navigating the subway.
Our first stop was Harvard where we'd lined up a tour of the campus. Our guide was a very proud sophomore student who showed us around. She knew everything there was about the place and easily batted back all of the questions the group was firing at her. Having worked at a university for twenty odd years Mark had to think of a good question so he spent half of the tour thinking of the best question possible. Then when the tour was over, he struck ruthlessly with his masterpiece, worded simply and timed perfectly "where are the good bars at?".
After being escorted off campus we went to the coast to check out the USsss Constitution.
We visited the museum and learned all about how old ironsides took down the entire British Navy, we have some problems with some of the facts and of the three boats it did sink, one was going for repairs and the other two were half its size, so we think it was a bit of a bully boat really. Our other 597 boats were busy beating up the French at the time.
Anyway after learning some history we had a look at the boat and it's been restored to pretty good nick so kudos for that.
Anyone who has used the tube will be familiar with the eccentric types that are somehow drawn to it, like moths to a flame. In this regard the Boston underground is a true rival as we had the pleasure of seeing whether the preacher lady ( bible in one hand, baby in the other ) could defeat the irate man who was busy shouting at his phone.. It was still ongoing when we got to our station and was able to rejoin the saner world.
We had a few hours to kill so we headed to the aquarium the has recently had an $18 million refit. The entrance prices reflected this and we feel we've single handedly put them back into profit.
It is an impressive fish tank though with lots of species, including penguins, giant turtles, sharks and sealions to name a few. Not all in the same tank though, that would end badly.
It was time for food, so we walked across downtown to Cheers bar. It's actually two bars, the one downstairs via the famous entrance and the upstairs one which was the actual set.
The downstairs was just closing for a private party so they wouldn't let us in, so we snuck around the back and went in via the staff entrance just in time for last orders.
We then went upstairs for some food which were probably the best burgers of the trip so far. Plus the onion rings were amazing.
Fully stuffed we walked to the bar area that is 'full of bars' and struggled to find one. Mind you it was still early and we settled on a quality and busy bar to have some drinks.
Our last train home was about midnight so we started back to the station around 11:30. Along the way people chatted to us, it really is a friendly place.
We made the Subway in time only to find that it only went one way, the wrong way, so we dashed to the next station and hastily boarded that Subway, it was going to be close.
With two stations to go the driver stopped and told us he was terminating the train because of reasons. So we nervously waited for the next Subway train and jumped on when it finally came.
We made it to the train station, checked the board and we'd missed the last train by 4 minutes. Oops.
One expensive cab later and we were safely home.
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