Sunday, October 8, 2017

October 3rd – Catching Up in Boston

There are many reasons to go cruising. Obviously, the ships are wonderful, the company stimulating, and the destinations fascinating. But, for me, it can also be a great way to catch up with distant friends and family around the world.

That makes Boston one of my favourite cruise destinations in this part of the world. Not only is this one of America's most historically interesting and visually attractive cities; but, it also gives me the chance to catch up with old friends and cousins that I don't get to see often enough.

During the day, we met up with University friend, Bee, and had a great time combining plentiful chat with delicious food, and some good sightseeing opportunities. Like Boston, these old friendships seem to get better with age – a lot is reassuringly familiar, but we discover new things along the way.

Then, in the evening, we met up with my cousin Chris for a night of fast-talking catching up, quaffing of myriad beers, tasty food, and a couple of nightcaps in that must-visit Boston institution – the Irish pub. After watching some Irish music (at last some fiddly-diddly music after missing out in Galway), we got a frantic Uber back to the ship before all aboard. Interestingly enough, our driver was from Limbe in Cameroon – a port that we'd visited a couple of years ago. Boston has welcomed plenty of immigrants from Ireland and Italy in particular, but it seems to be spreading its net a little further these days.

Another wonderful day.