BOSTON, MONTREAL, TORONTO

After heading from the Big Apple I arrived at a hostel just on the outskirts of Boston. Mum and Bill Mezzetti gave me some tips about what to check out including meeting up with Bill's nephew Ronnie McNeil. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Ronnie for a night on the town. It was a nice change to go out with locals rather to the usual tourist spots. Hopefully one day Ronnie will be in Melbourne and I can return the favour.

Below are some of the main sites I went to while in Boston.

Fenway Park - Oldest baseball park in America celebrating its 100th year

I also managed to check out the grounds at Harvard University. They were a little more impressive than the RMIT campus in Melbourne. I did manage to find the Engineering department but don't think I am fooling anyone.

One of the beautiful old buildings at Harvard University.

Maybe?

It was great to get a better appreciation of the American revolution while visiting Boston. Between Boston and visiting Thomas Jeffersons (Third President) house in Virginia I have gained a little bit of context to the American Revolution. Below are some of the places I visited in the more historical parts of Boston.

The boston tea party, which was one of the catalysts to the American revolution.

Bunker hill monument where the first battle of the American revolution took place in 1775.

USS Constitution - worlds oldest commissioned warship.

I also managed to make it to the Museum of Fine Arts, which was great. I must admit some of the more historical European artwork was lost on me but there was a good contemporary section.

Not entirely sure what this was about but looked cool. Sky divers with no parachutes.

Memorial day was on my last day in Boston (28th May). I was expecting some parades similar to ANZAC day but instead there were more local gatherings. In the main park, Boston Common, there were 33,000 american flags placed in the park to symbolise the number of Massachusetts soldiers who have died from the civil war to present.

Some people had written some notes to honour family members

After Boston it was time to head towards Canada but not before some whaling watching in Gloucester, Massachusetts. We headed out for about 4 hours and were quite lucky seeing a number of humpback whales breaching out of the water.

Humpback breaching. Pity about the guy in front though.

Humback going for a dive

Two humpbacks at the surface feeding with seagulls trying to steal some lunch.

On the way to Canada I drove through the White Mountain National Forest with some great walks near the freeway and even a couple of golf courses.

Nice overgrown forest just off the interstate.

This was the 4th hole. Slice into the trees to the left :(

First stop in Canada was the french speaking city of Montreal. I spent about 4 nights there staying in a local hostel. It was interesting to learn about the history of the french exploration in the 16th century. I went to a museum about the history of Montreal and another fine arts Museum, which again had a similar impact to the Boston MFA. I enjoyed the contemporary pieces but walked through the ancient artefacts and old European artwork.

This is a view from Mt. Royal Park overlooking the city.

During the early years of Montreal the city nearly flooded. The mayor at the time carried a crucifix to the top of Mt. Royal Park to prevent the floods from occurring. He reached the top and story goes that Montreal was saved from large flooding. They have now erected a large cross at the top of Mt Royal Park, which is lit up at night in recognition of the mayors achievement. Until a few years a go the city skyscrapers weren't allowed to build any higher than the cross, which explains the low skyline of Montreal.

Crucifix at the top of Mt. Royal

I also went to a sound and light show in one of the giant cathedrals in town called Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. It was a pretty impressive sound and light show. We sat at the back of the cathedral with curtains hiding the main cathedral. During the show the curtains had movies projected on them and as the story went on the curtains dropped to show the cathedral behind.

Out the front of Notre-Dame Basilica Cathedral.

Inside the light and sound show.

After Montreal I decided to go to Ottawa (capital of Canada) as there was a recommended museum of Canadian History. Ottawa is very similar to Canberra as both were picked geographically between two major cities (Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne, Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto).

The Canadian Museum of Civilisation.
It has no corners as indigenous people believe there are evil spirits that live in corners.

Front of Canadian Federal Parliament

Canadian Federal Parliament overlooking the river.

National Gallery of Canada

The hostel in Ottawa was in an old gaol, which apparently was haunted. They left one of the levels untouched from the days when it was a gaol and run haunted tours.

Haunted gaol walking tour at hostel where I was staying at.

One of the old single cells in the prison 8 ft x 3 ft

After a couple of days in Ottawa it was onto Toronto. Dad gave me the contact of Zoe whose dad is old friends with my dad. I ended up staying in there apartment with great views over the city shown below. It was great to live with some 'locals' and experience after work drinks and how people live in Toronto. I also visited a great micro brewery, Steam Whistler, and went to the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame. Hopefully will see Zoe and Gareth at the 'G' one day.

Dusk looking from Zoe and Gareth's apartment

Night time looking at the Toronto skyline

CN table

After Toronto it was time to start making tracks towards the summer camp in Wisconsin where I will be  for the next 9 weeks. On the way to Wisconsin I made a brief stop at the impressive Niagara Falls to take a few photos.

Sight seeing boats that goes right under the falls.

Niagara Falls!

I am happy to report the car made it safely to the summer camp in Wisconsin. Camp officially starts this week for staff and first group of campers arrive one week from today. I'll put up a bit more of a post when I know a bit more about the camp and what I am doing. Today we were out on the water beginning our water training course.

Life is good and it will be nice to have some structure for a few weeks at camp as the last 7 months has been pretty unstructured. It's starting to feel like my trip is going to be over soon with only a few months left.

I hope all are doing well and I'll put up some photos waterskiing shortly.