Americas hometown and a big lump of rock

Time to explore plymouth. Got stung for our capsite fees just before we left, wasn't too bad at only $20. Then it was on to see the place the pilgrims landed, after cape cod that is!

a. The Mayflower - well a replica

Parked the car, and went wandering, we had no idea what we had come to see, but knew there must be something here!! Saw a couple of old builings, then found ourselves at the waterfront. There on the shore was the Mayflower! Well no, as usual it was only a replica, but it looked cool, well when we managed to get around thw huge vistor centre tents that is! They were ripping people off bigtime to go on board, so we obviously didn't bother, our view from the shore being enough. Did both wish we could go on board though, having never been on an old sailing ship.

b. Plymouth Rock

The place was getting busy by this point, full of tour buses, woo hoo! We followed them to see what was worth looking at, which how we found the amazing and fascinating world famous plymouth rock!! The rock was incased in its own little greek temple. Apparantly its the rock where the pilgrims first set foot in Plymouth. How the hell they could possibly know that is beyond me!! The best bit is that it got broken and they actually went to the trouble of sticking it back together! It was in its own temple too, cause apparantly people wanted a bit of this rock and keep nicking bits (Neil informs me that it was only 1/3 of its original size cos they had chopped bits off and sold them!). The tourists were gathered round taking photos! I had to stop myself from screaming at them "but its just a bloody bit of rock"!! After our amazing rock experience, we saw the plaques commemorating all the buildings that were there once, before they knocked them down and replaced them with minging buildings. Oh yeah and the replicas they had built instead! It was kinda cool, but it would have been better if it had been original!

c. Plymouth sands

Drove out of Plymouth and stopped at the Pilgrim memorial. Had another 'oh my god' moment. It was huge! All alone in a not too well looked after bit of grass, all white and shiny and monstrous! Went to check it out, wished it told us something about it, instead just had to be wowed cos it was big!

Then it was back to Boston. Was a nightmare finding the hostel, drove way past it on a toll road, then couldn't park when we finally found the hostel. Neil decided to sod it and parked in resident only parking, while we ran in and checked in! Took us a while to find the car park but not THAT much problem, compared to getting out of the city. Went round and round and up and up and parked the car, then it was off to find the rest of the freedom trail we never managed to finish when we left boston a few days ago. Wandered through little italy, which was cool, didn't know it was there. Found a few cool buildings and churches. Then found the 6 million Paul Revere monuments. Which incidentally is the bloke who raised the alarm that the british were coming, leading to the boston tea party taking place. They idolised him in Boston, believing he was the start of the revolution, which he probably was. The guy even had his own mall, with statues and fountains....

d. the pilgrims first church

Decided we were hungry, but as per usual there was nothing to eat! Didn't want to wander off the trail, cos some of the places shut early so carried on. Crossed a huge bridge following our freedom trail red lines! Still no food, oh well should make me lose weight right? Arrived at the Naval base, which wierdly was open to the public! There were signs saying no weapons, but nothing more. Wandered in, and saw the oldest commisioned war ship afloat in the world, and saw that you could go on it for free! Spooky as we had only mentioned early that day that we would like to go on an old ship. Problem was you had to go through security and we were carrying pocket knives! Considered not bothering, but that would have been stupid, so we went and left our knives at the visitors centre and queued for our tour! After yet another metal detector and bag scan we were able to board the ship. Was really cool, went down to the gun deck, with all its cannons, and saw the captains quarters and hammock beds for the crew. Had a guided tour by a navy guy too. Was really cool. Apparantly it is an unbeated ship, and beat an english ship...and sank it! It would be useless in battle, but is still fit to sail apparantly, would be funny to see it called up!!!!!!

e. a VERY old american house

Had a quick glance in museum, but we were dying of hunger by this point, so headed back across river and were very naughty and spent our pocket money (thanks Neils dad) on food in an irish bar! Had a beer and burger and neil had an irish mixed grill. Was naughty but god was it nice.

Headed back to the hostel on foot, checking out loads more funky buildings on the way.

I like Boston i do....kinda feels a bit like England....in an american kinda way!

f. another old building in Plymouth

g. the 'oh my god' monument

h. a very old house in Boston

i. the italian district, Boston

j. The infamous Paul Revere