Welcome to Massachusetts! I am coming again to its capital and largest city, Boston which is the economic and cultural hub of the New England region. Boston, incoorperated as a town in 1630 and established into a city in 1822, is one of The American oldest city with economic and social history . It has a population of slightly more than 600.000 but attract 12 million of visitors across the country and around the world. Boston has many world reputable institutions of higher education like Harvard and MIT. It is the home of Ally McBeal and well known for its Tea Party and sports like Red Sox Base ball team.
Boston's duck tour was an interesting experience to most of the tourists . By making use of world-war II amphibious landing vehicle, we tour this old city with a guide by land and by sea.
Colorful "Duck" lined up right at the center of busy commercial street waiting for the curious visitors to hop on.
People sharing the same interest were patiently waiting at the stand to be called on the numbers and board. The 3 Japanese and us are the only Asian in the list.
Aboard and seated,, humorous duck conductor would start giving passengers lots of little known facts and interesting insights above the city.
Each "duck" has a legendary con-"ducktor" narrating the tour cruise by all places from Prudential Tower to golden domed State House to Bunker Hill, from TD Banknorth Garden to Boston Common and Copley Square, from The Big Dig Government Center to fashionable Newbury Street and Quincy Market.
Boston - the birth place of freedom and a city of many firsts totally unfold before our eyes.
"The Duck" passing by the golden domed State House and a private company building where a piece of Berlin break-down wall was displayed right at the entrance door. It was a memorial gift for founder of the company and he shares it with the public by displaying it in this way.
"Duck" splashed right into the Charles River for breathtaking views of Boston and Cambridge skylines.
Charles River starts its flow from Echo Lake and run for almost a length of 80 miles, drainage cover 22 cities and towns of the state before arriving Boston Harbor.
The river was the first industrial canal dug for power mill in North region of USA and today it is used for flood control purposes.
Sailboats moored on river side at Charles town.
The amazing land view from our "duck"
Commercial buildings nested in the park turn into a spectacle at far.
Charles River is widely lined up with parks of marvelous nature scenery.
Boston Harbor
The sculpture at the stone pillar of Longfellow Bridge.
The arch shaped metal structure of Longfellow Bridge.
Longfellow Bridge crossing over Charles River.
The world famous Harvard University and MIT are located along the bank of Charles River.
Charles Town is the most densely populated river basin with four internationally well-known universities situated along the bank and its nearby surroundings.
This is where the special "duck" sailed into land and ended the cruising at Charles River.
We were on land again, admiring its harbor and buildings of ancient architecture.
View of some old structure from the little shabby window of the amphibious vehicle
Huge Tower of Marriot Copley Place, overlooking the Back Bay is another outstanding landmark at the heart of Boston City besides Prudential Tower. This is the point where we board the amphibious vehicle and end the duck tour of Boston.
A duck tour ticket selling counter at Prudential Tower Mall is in service under transparent roofing. The cost of ticket per adult is US$32.00.
The transparent ceiling directly transmitting the warm sunlight into the mall at Prudential Tower and a graceful Cheese Cake Factory nearby offering tempting deserts which many would never miss !
Boston Public Library was found by a native named Kahlil Girran. The inscription on the stone plaque at the center of the square was his memorandum phrase "It was in my heart to help a little because I was helped much"
The garden at Boston Public Library and fresh stocks of vegetables like bundle of Brussels sprout were displayed in wooden plank or boxes for sales.
We bought the fresh home baked bread as our simple lunch at The farmer's market in front of Boston Public Library.
A young farmer was promoting the Tomatillto to me. Its kind of fruit similarly as sour apple taste but its sweet after it turns yellow. Its protected by a layer of paper like leaves and usually used in sauces.
Quincy Market is the largest and most visited tourist attraction in Boston. It was actually an extension of a wholesale center named Faneuil Hall established at 1742. The present building was designed by Alexander Paris in 1800's and built on a landfill on the spot which was once a part of harbor. Quincy Market is the most visited attraction in Boston.
In two storey high with 25 acres of land, the market is accommodated with more than 100 stalls and carts, 17 restaurants and pubs, providing farmers' produce, diaries, daily products, clothing, food, artisan and many others.
It was a lovely experience to go one by one and browse the ground floor stalls at the long hallway of the building .
The Shops signboard at the hall way or at the wall under the dome are very attractive. Most of them are innovative and also environmental friendly.
The dome is the roof of the building and just right under it, there are various restaurants servicing you with authentic local meals in a cozy environment.
The roof of the food court is formed by this enormous dome .
In order to provide more space for shoppers and to accommodate the traffic, 6 new streets are added to the area.
The brass status of Larry Bird, basket ball hero of Boston who won six championship in his lifetime. Shoe of Larry Bird is named after him............
For more than two centuries, Quincy Market has been one of the social centers of Boston and part of its residents life.
Free highway and over bridges at Boston
Leaving all these high rise behind Boston City, we were heading for our next destination.
