Martin um die Welt: Boston: whale watching, Peter's visit and party cruise

The morning after coming back to Boston from the Green Mountains we were surprised when we found that our rental car was towed. That stupid rule that parking is forbidden in front of hydrants^^ While I went to work, Franzi, Anne and Dirk got the car back. Luckily towing in the US is not as expensive as in Germany. 90 something dollars and we got the car back and brought it back to the rental company. While I continued working, Franzi showed Anne and Dirk around Boston. I joined them at the evening for dinner at Penguin Pizza :)
The next day (12.08.) we went on a whale watching trip together. It started from Aquarium in Boston. A 1.5 hour ride to Stellwagen Bank where especially humpback whale feed during the summer months. We saw a finn whale in the distance on our way to Stellwagen Bank. We underestimated that roughness of the sea once the boat left Boston bay and the surrounding small islands. When we arrived at Stellwagen Bank, our stomachs were almost upside down :P Shortly after our arrival, we encountered a group of three humpback whales and saw them several times diving for food and coming back for air afterwards. Later we saw two more groups of two humpback whales each. We were super lucky when one whale of the last group jumped out of the water - preaching. Really impressive! Too fast for a photo though^^ On the way back Franzi and I prefered to sit inside until we reached the calm waters of Boston bay again...

out to the sea to see whales!

Boston skyline view from the harbour is always nice :)

a humpback whale while diving for food

tired after becoming a little seasick :P

enjoying the sun and calming the stomach back in Boston harbour

Anne and Dirk left the next morning (13.08.) towards New York. At the evening Franzi and I cycled to Carson Beach and Castle Island (Fort of Independence) before we attanded the monthly German Academic International Network (GAIN) meeting. This time the meeting was at Legal Harborside, a bar in the hip Seaport district overlooking Logan Airport.
The next day (14.08.) Franzi and I went to a public pool near Charles River and then played with Boston Frisbee. Later that night Peter flew in from Washington to visit us in Boston. After some good breakfast on Saturday (15.08.) we took the Commuter Rail to Manchester and visited the Singing Beach that many recommended to us. We started a little late and a rainstorm was slowly approaching. Franzi and I took a swim in the cold Atlantik and then we played some frisbee with Peter. Later Christian and a friend of his joined after they were on a whale watching tour nearby. That was really lucky as they drove us home to Boston when the rainstorm hit the beach^^ After some sightseeing at the MIT we went home for dinner. At night we then went to HongKong Karaoke bar near Quincy Market together with Patrick and two of his friends. When it got a little boring we switched to Howl At The Moon which I had good experiences from when Stefan visited. After two beers on the live band floor we switched to the electronic club downstairs. The only playce I saw in Boston yet that comes close to what you call a nightclub in Germany
On Sunday (16.08.) we started a little late (again) for our trip to Providence. So we had to wait for the train... in the meanwhile we encountered a Hispanic (mainly Dominican Republic) festival nearr Copley Square. That was much fun. We then entered the Commuter Rail with our bikes. An hour later we arrived in Providence, Rhode Island. We went to a bike shop to get a bike for Peter. In Providence, too, we encountered a Hispanic festival (mainly Columbian this time). Then we cycled an hour down the Bay Bicycle Path. Quite a nice route that I would like to drive all the way down to New Port one day :) After we gave back the Peter's bike, we visited Brown University and then went for dinner in Providence Downtown. While the city is cute, it was like a ghost town. Obviously a sunday during summer season (no students) is not a lively time in Providence. A search later we had dinner at Providence Coal Fired Pizza and were surprised with great food :)
On Monday (17.08.) we went for kayaking on the Charles River in Newton with Boatingboston. Quite a relaxing sport after some day of work :D The next days Peter went sightseeing through Boston while I was working and Franzi enjoyed the great summer weather. On Thursday (20.08.) evening we went on a party cruise. We hopped on the Provincetown ferry that was used as party boat that night. For 15 USD they drove us around Boston harbour while playing music. Ourt expectation weren't high. So it was surprising how great the party was. One of the liveliest parties I have seen in Boston yet. And it is quite amazing to party on a boat and see the skyline while dancing or have a plane flying shortly over your head while it lands on Logan Airport. Definitely a great experience!
On Friday (21.08.) evening we went to Middlesexloung in Cambridge. Uncommon for Boston, it got crowded past midnight. So we spent two hours of chatting and drinking beers before we danced a bit.
Saturday (22.08.) was the sad day. After Franzi packed we went to Castle Island together with Peter and simply enjoyed the sun. Later I brought Franzi to Logan airport and she flew back home to Frankfurt :(