BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

'Bahston' is a city packed with history and education. Close to half of the population is made up of college and university students. Harvard University is the richest, oldest, and highest rated in the country. The shore excursion we chose was a walk through Beacon Hill, the most upscale neighbourhood, in Boston. It boasts narrow streets, brick sidewalks and Federal-style row houses. It also holds many mansions - many complete with ballrooms. John Kerry, the Secretary of State, owns one of them.
We saw Boston Common, walked through the botanical garden, to the Back Bay Area. Back Bay also has many beautiful mansions - most now converted into million-dollar condos. We went for a ginger beer at the bar that inspired the set of Cheers (a tourist trap) for a much needed break. The temperature under cloudless skies reached 32 degrees.
We returned to the ship where I learned that my credit card had been refused. Turns out Crystal had entered the incorrect expiration code. We had a bite to eat and took the shuttle bus into the city centre. We finally found the Freedom Trail (a jovial security guard helped us) and walked a bit of it passing Paul Revere's house; the Old North Church, the oldest in Boston; and Copps Hill Burial Ground - some of the stones date back to the early 1700s; before ending at the waterfront. (The trail is marked by red bricks set into the sidewalk or we would never have found our way. There is no rhyme nor reason to the street layouts). We then wended our way back to the shuttle stop, boarded the bus just before a torrential rain storm. The temperature dropped from 86 degrees to 75 degrees in about 10 minutes. Luckily it was over by the time we got to the terminal.
After a wonderful nap, I decided to update our day. As I write this, I'm sitting on our balcony in my PJs as we slowly sail out of Boston harbour, the sun is setting, and the temperature is balmy.
We plan our usual evening, Perry, dining, maybe dancing, and bed.
Tomorrow we explore the 'Cottages" at Newport.