The boys wanted gobstoppers. They are kind of like jawbreakers. They are posing here inside the grounds of Harvard University.
Sitting for a rest in Harvard University grounds.
Harvard University.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Harvard
We rode the subway, or the "T" as it's called in Boston, to Harvard Square. Here are Tobey and the boys listening to a busker.
The boys wanted gobstoppers. They are kind of like jawbreakers. They are posing here inside the grounds of Harvard University.
Sitting for a rest in Harvard University grounds.
Harvard University.
The boys wanted gobstoppers. They are kind of like jawbreakers. They are posing here inside the grounds of Harvard University.
Sitting for a rest in Harvard University grounds.
Harvard University.
Boston Public Garden and Boston Commons
Tobey at the Frog Pond in Boston Commons where the kids got absolutely soaked.
We went for a ride on one of these swan boats in Boston Public Garden.
Matt on the Swan Boat.
Joshua in Boston Public Garden.
Tobey and Joshua at the Make Way for Ducklings statue. Every New England child will know the book Make Way for Ducklings, and this is a statue in Boston Public Garden dedicated to the book.
We went for a ride on one of these swan boats in Boston Public Garden.
Matt on the Swan Boat.
Joshua in Boston Public Garden.
Tobey and Joshua at the Make Way for Ducklings statue. Every New England child will know the book Make Way for Ducklings, and this is a statue in Boston Public Garden dedicated to the book.
An Interview with Matt and Josh about Boston
What was the best thing about the hotel we stayed at in Boston?
Josh: Tobey stayed at our hotel.
Matthew: The statue of the pine cone woman.
Who are some people we met in Boston?
Josh: Phillip.
Matthew: Tobey, Carla, and Phillip.
What was your favourite thing about Boston?
Joshua: Riding on the subway.
Matthew: The subway.
What was the thing you liked least about Boston?
Joshua: Looking at clothes
Matthew: Nothing
Josh: Tobey stayed at our hotel.
Matthew: The statue of the pine cone woman.
Who are some people we met in Boston?
Josh: Phillip.
Matthew: Tobey, Carla, and Phillip.
What was your favourite thing about Boston?
Joshua: Riding on the subway.
Matthew: The subway.
What was the thing you liked least about Boston?
Joshua: Looking at clothes
Matthew: Nothing
Boston
We're ready to leave New Hampshire and still haven't written about Boston. The hot and humid weather on the East Coast really hit us as soon as we landed in Boston.
My friend Tobey, Matthew's godmother, met us at Logan Airport. It was so wonderful seeing her again after 17 years! And it was the first time the boys had met her, so that was special too.
That first night we went out to eat at Legal Seafoods... really nice seafood. I had the fisherman's platter... nothing like those deep fried clams. Just beautiful. We also had Maryland crabcakes to start and fried oysters. They were delicious.
Next day Michael went off to do laundry and Tobey and I took the kids to the Boston Public Garden where the boys saw squirrels for the first time. I grew up with them, but forgot how we don't have them in New Zealand. The boys were intrigued with them.
We went for a ride on the swan boats in the Garden, and then walked over to Boston Commons where there is a huge wading pool. The boys got soaked. Absolutely drenched. They had a fantastic time, but had to trudge back to the hotel in wet shorts and teeshirts. It was very hot and only two blocks away, so it wasn't too bad. However, the doormen at our swanky hotel were a little bemused to see these dripping boys arrive back. "They found the Frog Pond" I said. I don't think they had ever had guests arrive back dripping wet from the Frog Pond.
Our hotel was Jurys Boston Hotel, in Back Bay, and was very nice. I don't know if they'll ever recover from Joshua racing through the hotel lobby with his superman cape on, though.
When Michael did the laundry he met a guy, Phillip, in the laundromat who was a local. On the Saturday night we went out with him. He took us to a famous ribs restaurant in Somerville, near Tufts University, called Red Bones. Real southern ribs and hash and beans. Then he took us on a tour around Boston in his car. That was fun.
One late afternoon we took the subway (called the "T" in Boston) to Harvard Square and wandered around Harvard University. It was beautiful in the late sun, and the kids had a wonderful time.
On Sunday, I met up with another friend of mine, Carla. Carla, Tobey and I had travelled around Europe together when we were at university. It was like old times... as if 20 years had never passed. We spent several hours in Tobey's room (she was staying in the same hotel) reminiscing and talking. It was wonderful.
On the Monday, we picked up a rental car and drove Tobey home to Medway, Massachussetts, which is about 45 minutes south west of Boston by car. It was lovely to catch up with Tobey's mother again. We spent a couple of hours there in Medway, and I took some pictures.
Tobey and her mother gave me the most amazing gift which I will talk about in another entry. I was so incredibly stunned by the gift that I'm still a little shocked!
After we left Medway, we headed North towards Concord, New Hampshire to visit with my friend Juliana, who is Joshua's godmother.
My friend Tobey, Matthew's godmother, met us at Logan Airport. It was so wonderful seeing her again after 17 years! And it was the first time the boys had met her, so that was special too.
That first night we went out to eat at Legal Seafoods... really nice seafood. I had the fisherman's platter... nothing like those deep fried clams. Just beautiful. We also had Maryland crabcakes to start and fried oysters. They were delicious.
Next day Michael went off to do laundry and Tobey and I took the kids to the Boston Public Garden where the boys saw squirrels for the first time. I grew up with them, but forgot how we don't have them in New Zealand. The boys were intrigued with them.
We went for a ride on the swan boats in the Garden, and then walked over to Boston Commons where there is a huge wading pool. The boys got soaked. Absolutely drenched. They had a fantastic time, but had to trudge back to the hotel in wet shorts and teeshirts. It was very hot and only two blocks away, so it wasn't too bad. However, the doormen at our swanky hotel were a little bemused to see these dripping boys arrive back. "They found the Frog Pond" I said. I don't think they had ever had guests arrive back dripping wet from the Frog Pond.
Our hotel was Jurys Boston Hotel, in Back Bay, and was very nice. I don't know if they'll ever recover from Joshua racing through the hotel lobby with his superman cape on, though.
When Michael did the laundry he met a guy, Phillip, in the laundromat who was a local. On the Saturday night we went out with him. He took us to a famous ribs restaurant in Somerville, near Tufts University, called Red Bones. Real southern ribs and hash and beans. Then he took us on a tour around Boston in his car. That was fun.
One late afternoon we took the subway (called the "T" in Boston) to Harvard Square and wandered around Harvard University. It was beautiful in the late sun, and the kids had a wonderful time.
On Sunday, I met up with another friend of mine, Carla. Carla, Tobey and I had travelled around Europe together when we were at university. It was like old times... as if 20 years had never passed. We spent several hours in Tobey's room (she was staying in the same hotel) reminiscing and talking. It was wonderful.
On the Monday, we picked up a rental car and drove Tobey home to Medway, Massachussetts, which is about 45 minutes south west of Boston by car. It was lovely to catch up with Tobey's mother again. We spent a couple of hours there in Medway, and I took some pictures.
Tobey and her mother gave me the most amazing gift which I will talk about in another entry. I was so incredibly stunned by the gift that I'm still a little shocked!
After we left Medway, we headed North towards Concord, New Hampshire to visit with my friend Juliana, who is Joshua's godmother.
Swimming
Have just been swimming for the second time today with Matt and Josh. The hotel in Concord, New Hampshire, has a pool. Over the course of an hour this morning, I saw Josh go from being able to do a few strokes while always been within his depth, to jumping into the water over his head and swimming the length of the pool - which, admittedly, isn't very long. He just has this attitude of wanting to keep going at something until he can get it. Not for most things, mind you, but for those he sets his mind on. He just kept swimming, and trying, and stopping and starting again until he could swim the pool.
Tonight, after over an hour in the pool, he was very tired, in at the deep end, swallowing water and going under, but he wouldn't take my hand to help him to the side until he made it himself. I finally got him to let me help him out, then he promptly jumped back in for a final plunge and wouldn't let me help him out.
Sometimes this stubbornness drives me crazy, but I suspect it's mostly a good trait.
Tonight, after over an hour in the pool, he was very tired, in at the deep end, swallowing water and going under, but he wouldn't take my hand to help him to the side until he made it himself. I finally got him to let me help him out, then he promptly jumped back in for a final plunge and wouldn't let me help him out.
Sometimes this stubbornness drives me crazy, but I suspect it's mostly a good trait.
Monday, July 9, 2007
An Interview about San Francisco
Do you remember some people you met in San Francisco?
Joshua: Marina and Matthew. We met them at the fireworks. Marina couldn't finish her rock collection and I completed my rock collection. .
Matthew: Steven... someone we met on a bus. He told us about San Francisco. Leslie and Ben from Google. They were Kool.
What was the most fun thing you did in San Francisco?
Joshua: Looking at toys at the mall. We were actually going to buy something but mum and dad didn't let us.
Matthew: Haight Ashbury.
What was the most interesting thing you saw in San Francisco?
Joshua: the Golden Gate Bridge, because it's famous. It was sparkly and it was red.
Matthew: Alcatraz Island.
What was the coolest thing you bought in San Francisco?
Joshua: Snow globe of the Golden Gate Bridge and sunglasses.
Matthew: Soda.
Anything else you'd like to say about SF?
Joshua: I liked it in San Francisco. Because it had the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Because they had good view when we went across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Matthew: I rate San Francisco 99% out of a 100%.
Joshua: Marina and Matthew. We met them at the fireworks. Marina couldn't finish her rock collection and I completed my rock collection. .
Matthew: Steven... someone we met on a bus. He told us about San Francisco. Leslie and Ben from Google. They were Kool.
What was the most fun thing you did in San Francisco?
Joshua: Looking at toys at the mall. We were actually going to buy something but mum and dad didn't let us.
Matthew: Haight Ashbury.
What was the most interesting thing you saw in San Francisco?
Joshua: the Golden Gate Bridge, because it's famous. It was sparkly and it was red.
Matthew: Alcatraz Island.
What was the coolest thing you bought in San Francisco?
Joshua: Snow globe of the Golden Gate Bridge and sunglasses.
Matthew: Soda.
Anything else you'd like to say about SF?
Joshua: I liked it in San Francisco. Because it had the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Because they had good view when we went across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Matthew: I rate San Francisco 99% out of a 100%.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Fog
This one is for Paul, just to show that we did see some fog on the Golden Gate Bridge... only once, at dusk. Mostly we had beautiful clear days.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Eating in America
Americans eat big. This was the French toast that I ordered at Kate's Kitchen in Haight Street in San Francisco.
And this is a "short stack" of blueberry pancakes at another cafe near our hotel.
When you order a drink, it comes in a huge glass, and refills are often free. Joshua and Matthew like Sprite, but we think that perhaps they've been drinking a bit too much of it because the servings are so large.
More pictures taken at Kate's Kitchen, a wonderful little cafe, that served great food.
And this is a "short stack" of blueberry pancakes at another cafe near our hotel.
When you order a drink, it comes in a huge glass, and refills are often free. Joshua and Matthew like Sprite, but we think that perhaps they've been drinking a bit too much of it because the servings are so large.
More pictures taken at Kate's Kitchen, a wonderful little cafe, that served great food.
Friday, July 6, 2007
San Francisco CatchUp
On Tuesday we ventured on to the public transport system... caught the bus from our motel in Lombard Street to Mission Street. It was fun and different to be on one of the long buses that bend in the middle.
We walked from Mission Street and found Valencia Street where we were meeting Denise for lunch at Luna Park. It was a lovely cafe... lots of character. The whole Mission Street area was very different from the rest of San Francisco that we had seen... very ethnically diverse - lots of Spanish speaking people as well as other ethnicities.
More on the Mission District here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_District,_San_Francisco,_California
Denise was so lovely and we enjoyed meeting her very much. She showed us her new iPhone, which we coveted!
After lunch we made our way by bus down to Fisherman's Wharf. Matthew and Joshua played on the little beach. Fisherman's Wharf was very touristy, lots of shops to distract us.
We hopped on a street car, which was heading in the opposite direction than we wanted! It was a nice diversion, though, because it took us to the Port of San Francisco Ferry Terminal. From there we had beautiful views of the Bay Bridge, and a lovely view up Market Street.
We walked up and caught a bus back to our motel.
Wednesday saw us up early and out in the car to Haight Street. Michael had heard about a cafe called Kate's Kitchen on Haight Street which served great breakfasts. We had an amazingly big breakfast there - Orange Spice French Toast for me... it was huge, six big slices of French toast with maple syrup. Joshua and Matthew shared a full stack of pancakes - two huge pancakes each! And Michael got the Big Breakfast... as if you needed anything "bigger" than the usual portions. His breakfast consisted of a short stack of pancakes (2 huge pancakes) and egg, sausage and bacon. He was struggling to finish it.
After breakfast we drove further up Haight Street until we hit Ashbury - the famous Haight Ashbury. Did the usual touristy thing by taking our pictures there, and looked in many of the shops in the area. Although it was 4th of July most of the shops were open.
After Haight Ashbury we drove up to Twin Peaks and had a spectacular view out over the city.
Then back to the motel... rested for a bit before venturing out on the bus again... this time to Chinatown. San Francisco has the best Chinatown of any city. The kids loved it, but it was quite warm, and by the time we hit the shopping district they were getting tired.
We went to the huge Westfield Mall... four levels and a city block. We ate at the Food Emporium, and then looked in a couple shops before finding our bus back.
Buses in San Francisco are really good... you buy a ticket and can use it for four or five hours after you buy it.
More soon.
We walked from Mission Street and found Valencia Street where we were meeting Denise for lunch at Luna Park. It was a lovely cafe... lots of character. The whole Mission Street area was very different from the rest of San Francisco that we had seen... very ethnically diverse - lots of Spanish speaking people as well as other ethnicities.
More on the Mission District here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_District,_San_Francisco,_California
Denise was so lovely and we enjoyed meeting her very much. She showed us her new iPhone, which we coveted!
After lunch we made our way by bus down to Fisherman's Wharf. Matthew and Joshua played on the little beach. Fisherman's Wharf was very touristy, lots of shops to distract us.
We hopped on a street car, which was heading in the opposite direction than we wanted! It was a nice diversion, though, because it took us to the Port of San Francisco Ferry Terminal. From there we had beautiful views of the Bay Bridge, and a lovely view up Market Street.
We walked up and caught a bus back to our motel.
Wednesday saw us up early and out in the car to Haight Street. Michael had heard about a cafe called Kate's Kitchen on Haight Street which served great breakfasts. We had an amazingly big breakfast there - Orange Spice French Toast for me... it was huge, six big slices of French toast with maple syrup. Joshua and Matthew shared a full stack of pancakes - two huge pancakes each! And Michael got the Big Breakfast... as if you needed anything "bigger" than the usual portions. His breakfast consisted of a short stack of pancakes (2 huge pancakes) and egg, sausage and bacon. He was struggling to finish it.
After breakfast we drove further up Haight Street until we hit Ashbury - the famous Haight Ashbury. Did the usual touristy thing by taking our pictures there, and looked in many of the shops in the area. Although it was 4th of July most of the shops were open.
After Haight Ashbury we drove up to Twin Peaks and had a spectacular view out over the city.
Then back to the motel... rested for a bit before venturing out on the bus again... this time to Chinatown. San Francisco has the best Chinatown of any city. The kids loved it, but it was quite warm, and by the time we hit the shopping district they were getting tired.
We went to the huge Westfield Mall... four levels and a city block. We ate at the Food Emporium, and then looked in a couple shops before finding our bus back.
Buses in San Francisco are really good... you buy a ticket and can use it for four or five hours after you buy it.
More soon.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Driving
San Francisco's freeways aren't as huge as LA's, but daunting enough all the same. This was on the drive back from Mountain View.
Michael got used to driving on the right quite quickly. He's been negotiating the SF traffic extremely well. Better him than me!
Our car got vandalised, we think maybe in Mountain View... a key scratch along the door. Fortunately it's a rental car and we have insurance.
Flickr account
We're putting up lots of pics of the trip on Michael's flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maupuia/
Of course, people at my work won't be able to see these, 'cos flickr is blocked, so I'll put up a few pics on this blog.
Of course, people at my work won't be able to see these, 'cos flickr is blocked, so I'll put up a few pics on this blog.
Googling
On Monday we ventured off down 101 South to Mountain View to visit Google. All the way, Joshua kept saying "I'm not feeling well". Sure enough, we pulled into the (massive) Google headquarters and parked the car. Everyone jumped out and Joshua promptly threw up all over the parking lot by our car. Poor fella was not well. The security guard - a young guy on a mountain bike - was very nice about it, and called somebody to clean it up.
After that things improved, and we checked in at the visitor lobby for Building 43 (that will give you an idea how large the whole place is). We had to type our names etc into a screen and it printed out a little visitor's tag for us. They also had a free juice bar, and computer terminals in the waiting room.
Our lovely host, Leslie, met us and took us to lunch in one of the three cafes... the No Name Cafe. She said it was the "least daunting" of the three eating establishments at Google. It served super healthy food... salads, vegan food, fruit. All amazingly delicious and fresh. And all free to Google staff and their guests.
The boys loved Stan the dinosaur in the front courtyard. And there was a volleyball court, and pink flamingoes. They have a replica spaceship inside... with a big sign which says "Staff: Please do not Launch".
Google rocked.
After that things improved, and we checked in at the visitor lobby for Building 43 (that will give you an idea how large the whole place is). We had to type our names etc into a screen and it printed out a little visitor's tag for us. They also had a free juice bar, and computer terminals in the waiting room.
Our lovely host, Leslie, met us and took us to lunch in one of the three cafes... the No Name Cafe. She said it was the "least daunting" of the three eating establishments at Google. It served super healthy food... salads, vegan food, fruit. All amazingly delicious and fresh. And all free to Google staff and their guests.
The boys loved Stan the dinosaur in the front courtyard. And there was a volleyball court, and pink flamingoes. They have a replica spaceship inside... with a big sign which says "Staff: Please do not Launch".
Google rocked.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
First Day!
We arrived safely in San Francisco at midday on Sunday. Endless queues getting through immigration and customs and even picking up the rental car. Matthew and Joshua were so good through the whole process. "Get used to international travel!" we teased.
On the drive into the city from the airport, it was amazing how much the landscape looked like New Zealand - the hillsides, etc. You almost felt you could be driving into a much bigger Wellington, or into Auckland.
Ate at Barney's Burgers after checking into our motel. Good ol' American food - really good and lots of it. Matthew had a rootbeer float, and I had oldfashioned lemonade. I'd forgotten what real lemonade was like.
Last evening we drove around the three bridges - fantastic! The Golden Gate bridge is as spectacular as you see in pictures of it. We did a circle - over the Golden Gate bridge, past Sausalito, over the Richmond Bridge (also impressive) and down past Berkeley and over the SF-Oakland Bridge (equally massive).
We love San Francisco so far. Pictures soon.
On the drive into the city from the airport, it was amazing how much the landscape looked like New Zealand - the hillsides, etc. You almost felt you could be driving into a much bigger Wellington, or into Auckland.
Ate at Barney's Burgers after checking into our motel. Good ol' American food - really good and lots of it. Matthew had a rootbeer float, and I had oldfashioned lemonade. I'd forgotten what real lemonade was like.
Last evening we drove around the three bridges - fantastic! The Golden Gate bridge is as spectacular as you see in pictures of it. We did a circle - over the Golden Gate bridge, past Sausalito, over the Richmond Bridge (also impressive) and down past Berkeley and over the SF-Oakland Bridge (equally massive).
We love San Francisco so far. Pictures soon.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Planning for our trip
We are three weeks away from leaving for our big adventure in the States. There is still so much to be done. Gifts to be bought for people there. A list of packing to be done. Confirming accommodation.
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