Whales – Travels with my Wife

Catamaran 10.6.25

When we walked along the Marina earlier in the week we noted various ways of going whale watching and the larger boats are catamarans (there are also rib boats but they are far too small for Jackie) and we booked an afternoon trip for today on one of the cats as the sea looks pretty flat and the weather looks good for the Tuesday.

Last time we went whale watching off of Boston poor Jackie was bedevilled with sea sickness until the return journey and so far this week the sea has looked calm and there are no obvious strong winds and so it proved as we headed out along the south coast of the island in an eastwards direction. This means we pass Lagoa where we are staying for the rest of the week – but we are far enough out to be unable to identify details apart from a very tall white building – some sort of vertical store.

After today’s trip I reach the conclusion that there is an ongoing problem with whale watching – it depends where they are and in terms of visibility. In terms of time we spend about an hour to reach an area where the crew hope we will see something – but nothing much emerges except a fin or two. Visible but not long enough to get a decent photo. So we move to another location and there are underwater shapes – where are informed there are a number of dolphins just under the surface – perhaps it is just too warm to come up today – who knows.

Distant fin 10.6.25

So there is an imbalance of time spent travelling and watching on one hand and even when there if they do not want to come out to play you do not see very much!

It is then an hour back to port – and in my personal view the risk / reward ratio did not work today – but at least Jackie was not ill as it remained smooth in both directions. We stayed in the cabin as that moves around less and consequently is less likely to cause upset.

After a drink on our return we walk around looking at the various restaurants but we had already decided we are having an Indian today as a change from the local cuisine which otherwise becomes a little boring as it is similar in most places. It was recommended by some Americans in the hotel bar earlier in the week but it as a welcome change.

Tuesday 11 October 2016

A busy day as we set off initially on a coach and then walking to see the City. The first walk is around some of the more prosperous parts of the City to show us how the wealthy and influential citizens live – very nicely too I rather think. This area is adjacent to Boston Common which between 1634 and 1830 was the home cows (only 70 after 1646 due to overgrazing) which provided milk for the city; effectively the development from the dock areas had reached this by 1634. Bearing in mind the first settlers came in 1630 development was rapid as more came. Boston is one of the longest established settlements in USA and therefore has many other firsts to its name – and of course Harvard University.

We then move onto a location near the quays and wander into the older part of town, North Boston, and indeed past the birthplace of Rose Kennedy. She may have ended her days as a Countess of the Holy See but she certainly came from much humbler origins. This area in general has seen much redevelopment and reconstruction but the churches and some other older properties remain.

On this part of the walk we also see the Paul Revere statue and the church from where he commenced his famous ride. The ride itself is best known through the Longfellow poem.

Photos from the morning excursions are here.

We have time (just) to pick up some snacks at Quincy Market and then we head to catch a boat to take us whale watching. The good weather continues but the outward ride is on some pretty choppy water and sadly Jackie is finding it all a little uncomfortable to say the least. When we reach our first stopping point the whales seem a little reluctant to come and see us, but they appear eventually and I get some photos (some better than others to be sure!).

The whale photos are here.

The return trip is considerably smoother and by the time we disembark Jackie is feeling back to normal.

This evening we head across the road to Flemings, a steak restaurant chain, where we have the most expensive meal of this holiday – and I would say it is worth it. Trainee waitress but she does not get much wrong, she is watched very closely by another member of staff. Pretty good steaks to end our holiday and the best restaurants were right on our doorstep here.

Tag: Whales

Azores 10.6.25

Boston