18th Day- Boston

Well today we obtained a hop on hop off Trolley Bus ticket which lasts for 3 days. We rode round the whole circuit and a half - about 2 1/2 hours and then got off and did an Army Duck splash down tour of the harbour before rejoining the trolley and continuing on again. This time we got off onto another loop trolley and visited Harvard and their Museum of Natural History. So now we can say we both have been to Harvard ha ha! We found the exhibits on Africa and Asia and Sth America to be very interesting, esp the animals and birds that are now extinct. We even saw a rather angry looking koala and a Tasmanian Devil. Another botanical exhibit featuring myriad examples of flowers and plants which had been created out of glass by one man and his son over 100 years ago was just amazing in detail. We would have liked to spend more time there. We were back on the trolley by 3.30 but did not get back to our stop area till around 6pm because of heavy traffic. We got dropped off in the North End and found a little Italian restaurant where we had a lovely evening meal. It was called Maurizios. Another 2 eateries were recommended but one was a 20 min wait and the other had at least 30 people waiting in line outside! Obviously they both have a good reputation. We decided we would buy something in the pastry line from Mike's Pastry but when we came back there was a queue out the door there too so gave it a miss. We decided then to walk back as it was still light and made it by 7.45 so it was a long day but very enjoyable. Because it was perfect weather we did the outside things today. If things change we can always hop off at one of the big shopping centres and spend some time there.We had only booked in here for 2 nights but have extended to 5 now as we are getting to know our way around. Yesterday when we arrived I thought we were in the back of beyond but now realise this warehouse district has been preserved and there is lots going on inside that you don't see. Boston is like a lot of cities who now are realising the potential of their dock areas and turning them into all sorts of smart condos etc.Tomorrow we will be back on the trolley again. The drivers are very informative and terribly helpful, going out of their way in many ways to please.