Until last night I didn't think I would get a decent meal in the US. So far I've had an over salted Italian sea bass, deep fried prawns, unremarkable lobster, a hideous Mexican fajita but finally Boston saved itself with a brilliant Tapas restaurant on Newbury Street.

But enough of food, what have we done so far. Arrived Saturday evening around 2 hours late and took a $40 cab ride to the hotel (only 5 miles but Boston traffic is pretty bad). The Boston Park Plaza and Towers Hotel is very grand in a 1920's style (yes it is that old). Kath had to call maintainance almost immediately to fix the air-con (you couldn't switch it off) and to get the window open. It seems US health and safety doesn't trust you not to jump at any chance you get! So we can now switch off the air-con and open a window. Just to note that since the first night with sirens going off and sounds of partying people in the street, the window has remained shut and the air-con on..... Also had a fire alarm in the wee small hours of the first night... False alarm of course.

Sunday we walked for miles around Boston, took a tour bus and had a look at Harvard and Cambridge finishing with a pint in Cheers (Bull & Finch).. Technically 2 pints then.

Monday picked up our 2 door hire car which turned out to be a huge white min-van.... Typical. It is huge. Drove to Plymouth and visited the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock (yes it is just a rock).

Stayed at a lovely B&B overnight and then went Whale watching in the morning. Saw many Humpbacks which was great... didn't see any breaching though.

After that we mooched about Plymouth and then headed back to Boston.

Wednesday, Kath went off to first day of her conference and I headed off in to Boston. Made my way down to Faneuil Hall and found the other Cheers bar... so had a couple of pints. Wandered around the Aquarium, very nice and then went and watched a 3D Imax film on Whales and Dolphins. We need more 3D stuff cos its groovy! Wandered back to the hotel to meet Kath and have another beer. Evening was the Tapas restaurant, which is where I started.. so now I'll stop.

Rest of the pics at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/IansPicasa/BostonMAAndMaine2009#