I hit the pavement running before 6:30 am... checked out the nearest subway stop, grabbed two day pass "Charlies" and some Starbucks for the adults. The streets were quiet other than some of the older Chinatown residents out for a morning stroll. With this accomplished and out of my system, all hands were readied and we hopped on the Green Line into the belly of Boston.

New England Aquarium - Online the recommendation for weekends was to get to the Aquarium early, before the biggest crowds hit. We took this warning to heart and, with advance tickets, we very quickly entered the attraction ahead of the line-up (cool... I hate lines). The aquarium is one impressive venue.

We waltzed in to a spectacular jellyfish exhibit and found out there is a lot more to learn about these creatures. Then we supervised a busy penguin feeding, as employees with wet suits fed the little monsters out front. They make funny noises!!! We held back from heading for the huge tank in the middle, with the spiral staircase, and headed for exhibits which were placed on the outside square. The variety and displays were, as far as we were concerned, excellent. On the first floor we also dropped in for an early "seal" training session outside, and everyone took the opportunity to pet stingrays and sharks in the pool outside. Too cool.

Around every corner we found another great display, with everything from jellyfish, to coral reefs, to New England species. The exhibits carefully explained habitats and life cycles. When we finally got to the central tank, we were thrilled to see a diver feeding the fish of all manner of species, from shark to eels. It was an awesome piece of learning. The trip here was worthwhile in so many ways.

As part of the visit we had also purchased a family set of 3-D tickets to a documentary film on the Grand Canyon. Just like a visit to Colorado, with all kinds of the "political" twist in regards to the environment and a water conservation perspective. All in all, a fun ride down the river. Nerdy looking at each other with the funky glasses though!!!

Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market - Next we made our way into town and what I would consider the tourist mecca for New England, the Faneuil Hall & Quincy "Maaaaket" area(r). It was getting busy but I think we really got the "gist" of this part of the city. We first took in some buskers/street performers outside the market in the plaza area. Lots of juggling, dancers and lastly drumming on plastic five gallon buckets. Peter and I browsed the shops, with clothing, souvenirs and other items on sale, while Jane and Monica were intent on visiting with a glass maker who was fashioning custom pendants.

We also stopped to have some vittles in the market, the kids having some New England Dogs and Chips while Jane and I enjoyed a steak sandwich. We ate on the top floor of the market, with it's open space / dome ceiling and view down into the food vendor area. Real ambience and we felt like we were authentic New Englanders enjoying the meal. We trotted off in search of the subway, next stop Science!

Museum of Science - As part of my search for attractions on this trip I tried as much as possible to identify opportunities for Peter and Monica to learn and take part in the trip (All this fits nicely with our occupation as teachers too). Well, the Museum of Science (MOS) didn't disappoint. In fact, it was some of the oddest things that garnered the most attention.

For example, in the MOS our kids were fascinated with a display that was designed to imitate the gravitational spin of the earth. They stared at the metal ball bearings tracking around a specially designed funnel for 20 minutes. Monica and Peter spent a great deal of time in the exhibits on all floors, especially enjoying the "soccer games" student teams were having against each other with remote control vehicles on the lower level. And, of course, the Kinetic Art in the first floor lobby area (the one with the billiard balls, fans, swings, etc.) took us half an hour. Excellent venue, and although a little old and dusty in places, very much worth the visit.

Boston Duck Tours - Too cool... cruisin' around Boston in a tank only to have it drive overboard and into the Charles River and sail into the sunset. Here's how it went.

We got in the queue, and after a short wait we boarded our amphibious landing craft, Kenmore Karla... driven, no less, by a Nova Scotian from Dartmouth. We set off for downtown, where our driver "Timber" toured us through the convoluted streets of Boston, pronouncing all the firsts and renouncing all those that discredit. Great tour with the historical and cultural landmarks identified and the inside scoops on the rich and famous. After touring through the downtown area, taking in the many monuments and landmarks Boston has to offer, we entered the river and toured the Charles. Peter volunteered and got a chance to drive/sail the beast as well. He really enjoyed it. When I asked Monica what she remembered about Boston on the trip home, the first thing she said was "the ducks". Our bit of Boston flavour for the afternoon!!!

Chinatown - Boston - We caught the subway back in town and got out in the middle of Boston's Chinatown district. We strolled through, checking out the shops as they began to close for the evening. Picked up a few odds and ends (I actually got ID'd for my wine purchase). Don't know if that is law or what? Anyway, we all loved the colors, sounds and language. I've read reviews which warned to take caution here in the wee hours of the morning. However, no such difficulties for us this hour of the night. Actually, while taking a picture of the main gate I was privy to an interesting conversation... a 20 something obviously of Asian descent remarked that he found the area odd, and felt very out of place there. I would have loved to have entered the discussion but let it go at that. I wish I had spoke up. This is the third time I've visited a "Chinatown", and as Jane and I chatted our way back to the hotel we agreed that this one was again of a different character than those in London and NY City.

We arrived back to find our room attendant had placed Monica's "teddy" in a ready made bed (mimicking the sheets on our beds)... she was ecstatic with that little surprise. Our last night in Boston was spent with wine, crackers and cheese, some "Madagascar" on the TV, and a great rest.