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  • Hywel Johns
  • Hywel Johns

Boston

Trip to Boston and... elsewhere Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 20, 2022
    Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Boston Arrival

    May 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Made it to Boston! Had a slightly eventful journey where I wasn't allowed to drop my car off where I wanted and ended up getting a lift in my own car to my hotel, which when I arrived was actually flooded.

    Pretty sure I failed to convince the security check guy that I wasnt a danger. I couldn't understand what he was saying and he didn't like answers like 'I don't know what I'm doing on the trip yet'. Got swabbed for explosives too, apparently clean!

    Arrived at the hotel very tired but dropped the bags and headed into the centre for my first day.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler
    1

    Boston Museum of Fine Art

    May 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    First stop was the Museum of Fine Art, they have so much stuff I kinda had to rush around the place a bit. Luckily some of it wasn't that good... to me anyways.
    Some cool paintings by Monet and Van Gogh, lots of Egyptian stuff that I loved, and some masks that make mine seem tame. Even an old school precursor to Jaws with random nudity.Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Boston Red Sox

    May 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Got tickets for the Red Sox game today and it was very cool to see the old school stadium. I can see why people like it.
    The Red Sox won which is always a bonus and it won't mean much to most people but it was exciting seeing Trevor Story hit a grand slam over the green monster.
    Game finished late which means I'm going to sleep at my body clock's 5am...    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler
    2

    Freedom Trail

    May 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Today was about walking the Freedom Trail through Boston's historical sites... with some Pokémon Go sprinkled in the middle.

    The weather started misty but cleared for a beautiful day. The sites were OK, it was good to learn about how they fought the pesky British with the audio tour. I was looking forward to climbing the Beacon hill monument though, but it was closed, and I thought some of the other sites were just OK. It was really nice to walk around Boston itself, its a really pretty city.Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler
    2

    Pokémon Community Day

    May 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    It was Geodude Community day today, so needed to do that too. They also had a meet up event in the centre of town which I went along to. Not been to one of them before, ended up with a few stickers, although I was expecting a bit more to be there.

    Made a new Poke friend in Anna who I will hopefully meet up with again at the big event in 2 weeks. Also battled a guy there and won an 'actual' gym badge. He's raising money for a shelter for 'queer and bipoc' Youths to get a start in life, and they have made a Pokémon gym badge which I think is genius... but the main thing is I won a Pokémon badge!    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Kayaking the Charles river

    May 22, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    It was a very hot day today, so I decided to go on the water and enjoy the breeze.
    Rented a kayak for a few hours and it was lots of fun. Saw some Geese although they just honked until I left. There were fish, a turtle, swans on a nest, and even a beaver!Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Harvard

    May 22, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    I had seen a lot of students taking graduation photos during the day, so wasn't sure about visiting, but apparently the actual event isn't until next week. So I went along to walk around the buildings and try to pretend to be a clever person and see if anyone calls me out on it. I think I got away with it.
    The buildings were pretty, I'm sure it would have looked a lot better without the graduation stage being set up. I enjoyed walking around, it was still very hot, but plenty of shade under the trees.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Whale watching

    May 23, 2022, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Today I went Whale watching and it was very cool. It was somewhere called Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary and we saw a mother (Tornado) and her calf Humpback Whale, some Minke whale and possibly a Fin Whale. There were also lots of grey Seals who kept appearing and looking at the boat.

    Didnt get many pictures, more on my camera, but spent most of the time just watching.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    General Boston-ness

    May 23, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Spent the rest of the day visiting a couple more places, relaxing in the park and actually planning what I'm doing for the rest of the holiday.

    Visited Boston Common again and the Public Gardens. Also went to Boston library, which is much fancier than Pontypridd Library, and just generally walked and relaxed around the city before heading back to the hotel.

    Last day in Boston, but planning on being back for Poke fest in a couple of weeks. There was also decidedly more crazy going on today... not sure what that was about.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Witch Hunting

    May 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Visited Salem today and went around learning about the witch trials.
    There's a lot of tourist trap places here which I think I mainly avoided. Also lots of witchy shops that I don't think I'm qualified to use.

    Didnt realise but there were a number of men who died accused of witchcraft, including one man who was "pressed to death" by rocks because he would refuse to plead guilty or not guilty, so the trial couldn't start.

    All very messed up, more proof people are idiots.

    The place itself is very pretty though, and I'm also staying in a 'haunted hotel'.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    House of Metal Creatures

    May 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    One of the good things about travelling around America is getting to see some of the quirky things that exist. Including this garden full of dinosaurs and robots made from salvaged scrap. I loved them!Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Salem Maritime Historic Site

    May 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    As if witches and metal dinosaurs weren't enough, they also had a historic dockyard.

    There actually wasn't much here, lots of nice old houses that were built for wealthy merchants, one reproduction of a ship the British captured and lost, and my first of many expected pictures of lighthouses.Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler
    1

    Portland

    May 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Picked up my car today and headed to Maine!

    I ordered the smallest and cheapest car I could, so I ended up with a Jeep Cherokee. Apparently "the only car we have". It's ludicrous and hilariously big, but getting used to it. I think the roof might even come off...

    Anyways, headed North to Maine first stop being Portland and the International Cryptozoology Museum. It isn't very big and is focused on Bigfoot, but it was OK.
    Then headed to Fort William Park and the Portland Head lighthouse. It was pretty and shows the rugged coast with a lighthouse the area is famous for.
    Strolled along the beach and the promenade in the town, but decided not to stay in the end so carried on driving.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Rockport

    May 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Headed on to the next lighthouse...

    This one was at the end of a really long breakwater that you can walk over. The lighthouse itself wasn't that amazing, very much a house with a light on it. The views on the way there and back were pretty though.Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Acadia National Park

    May 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Today I visited Acadia National Park, the only National Park in New England.
    America has some awesome National Parks and they really look after them. This one I had never heard of, but has massive granite hills with lakes between them and all on an island surrounded by little islands.
    Being America, I drove up the highest peak in the area, Cadillac mountain. Then hiked along the coast and visited one of the lakes.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Hiking Acadia

    May 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Today I spent a few hours hiking, the weather wasn't as good as yesterday but it was fun being up in the cloud even if the view was not that great.

    I climbed Pemetic Mountain first, it was very windy at the top. Then climbed down the other side which involved some scrambling and even a couple of ladders in a ravine. I then went up South Bubble and saw Bubble Rock, which is a rock left behind by a glacier, on the edge of a cliff. It actually looked cooler in the mist.

    I managed to pick myself up a travelling companion for the rest of the trip and have driven all the way to New Hampshire.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler
    11

    Franconia Notch - Flume Gorge

    May 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Drove into New Hampshire and the White Mountain National Forests.
    The place was soooo pretty. Just hills, mountains, trees everywhere and some lakes and rivers dotted about.

    The first place I visited was Flume Gorge, which was more impressive than I thought it was going to be. Partly because there were chipmunks running around everywhere and jumping about playing in the leaves. Also learnt a lot about how the gorge was formed way back when, why they have covered bridges in New England, and general geology-ness.

    There was also a passegway called the wolf den where you have to crawl through into a cave and then out through a gap which was fun! 😁    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Artists Bluff & Cannon Mountain

    May 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    I then headed to Artists Bluff which is a rocky outcrop which has awesome views and I can confirm the views were awesome. I would have stayed a while longer but unfortunately it's quite accessible which meant lots of people and Americans are soooo loud.

    I then took the Cannon Mountain Tramway to the top. Luckily the weather had cleared a bit and the views from the top were stunning again. You could see quite a way East to Maine and the weather coming in from Vermont, but it was so pretty, no cities, just hills and trees.

    I did stay up there a while, until the clouds arrived at least and it started raining.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Stowe and Burlington

    May 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Spent the morning walking around Stowe, the village I'm staying in. It's pretty but also pretty small, probably the village bit of Stowe village. They have a classic pretty white church and they have a classic covered bridge, but this one is apparently haunted!

    I then headed to Burlington, there wasn't really a thing to see there but was hoping to relax next to the lake and walk around town. Unfortunately I timed it for the Vermont marathon, so the place was packed full of people! It cleared by the afternoon and I had a nice walk along the lake, which was freezing cold and good to cool down in.

    Speaking of cooling down, ended the day in Burlington with a Ben and Jerry's from their shop which is made just up the road. It was so good, salted caramel and strawberry mix. Also bought an udderly awesome bowl!

    Ended the day with a swim and relaxing in the jacuzzi at the hotel.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler
    2

    Lexington and Concord

    May 30, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Last minute decision today to drive all the way to Lexington and Concord to see and learn about the start of the American Revolution.

    Although the sites themselves were not that amazing, it was interesting seeing where it happened and learning about what happened. Not something I knew loads about before.

    It was also a very hot day today again, although as I'm about to relax for a couple of days, it's turning cloudy and wet.

    I also visited a whale monument in Vermont... a disappointing gorge, had awesome Thai food and ended on the beach in Plymouth.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Plymouth

    May 31, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Visited Plymouth today... or Plimouth, or Plimoth, or Patuxet. Its had a few names it seems.

    This is where the pilgrims accidentally landed and seen as Americas hometown. Got to see the Mayflower II, a reproduction of the original Mayflower that brought them here. Also the very dissapointing Plymouth rock which is supposed to be the first thing they landed on, even though it wasn't.

    Cool to see again and learn about what happened and the origins of Thanksgiving etc.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Cape Cod

    May 31, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Moved to the relaxing part of the holiday in Cape Cod. How much relaxing gets done is debatable, but that's the plan.

    It's really peaceful here in the Cape Cod National Seashore. I've moved into a really cool triangle.

    I walked through some forest outside the cottage and all the way to the beach. Then lay on the beach watching a few seals playing just off shore. I've also seen a fox walk past the back door.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Relaxing in Cape Cod

    June 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Spent a couple of days trying to relax, I did a bit, but also visited a few places as I couldn't just stay in the triangle. I was hoping the weather would be nice and I would have been happy sitting in the sun, but it was cloudy and some rain.

    Went to Provincetown in the North and visited a couple of beaches, also went to Falmouth and rented a bike for a few hours.

    Its been really nice here, seen lots of different animals, Ospreys chilling including one carrying a fish, an Otter, lots of chipmunks, bunnies, more seals, squirrels and foxes.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Pokémon Go Fest 2022

    June 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Two long days of Pokémon playing this weekend for Pokémon Go Fest 2022!

    I joined a few cosplayers who were taking part in the event. There were so many people out playing and people joined and left the group throughout the day. They loved the attention and it was really impressive. I felt a little underdressed.

    The second day I did a lot of walking and was determined to get a few specific Pokémon.

    Had a really good event, it was lots of fun and really happy with a couple of the Pokémon I caught.

    Spent the rest of the afternoon with Anna who I met at the beginning of the trip, she showed me around a few places I hadn't seen including a Japanese shop where I bought a cool Dragonite.

    Saw someone walking their pig in the park and also saw the sunset from the Dock. Last day tomorrow, flying home in the evening.    Read more

  • Hywel JohnsBostonTraveler

    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

    June 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Today I visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum which was a different take on a museum but was very cool.

    She built a building and curated the place, there aren't any signs saying what the pieces are, you're just supposed to look and enjoy them. It was very cool.
    The building itself had an amazing courtyard too which is exactly how I would design my house, along with putting curiosities from around the world everywhere. I could probably live there.

    Today was the last day of the holiday, its been tiring but very good. I've seen loads and had lots of different experiences. Hopefully it isn't as big of a gap to the next holiday this time!    Read more

    Trip end
    June 7, 2022
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