HT Couple goes to USA: Boston, MA

HT wife is always nervous when going to the US.  Holding a valid visum in her old passport, and the immigration being strict, there can be a reason that HT wife can be sent home without knowing the reason.

And finally, HT wife got in.  Wuhoo!  Time for the American trip!

4 years ago, HT wife was at the same state.  But nothing compares to this trip as HT hubbie tagged along!

as soon as we landed, we immediately went to Newbury street to do some shopping (kijken kijken maar niet kopen - window shopping).  We love this street as it has this European feel.  And yes, pubs are scattered everywhere.

 Boston is still in its autumn colors.  Lovely!

HT couple were both tired from the trip and decided to grab their first meal before hitting the bed.  What could have been a better meal in Boston other than a lobster roll?  It was tasty and full of chunky meat.  Though it's a bit on the greasy side and huge.  It's pretty good deal for 13 usd.

and while we were in a pub, baskebatll game is being shown on TV.  Finally, a game that I can understand!  Filipinos grew up as if basketball is the only sport on earth.  (I confess, i don't understand soccer...therefore, if you ever saw me cheering or giving a pissed off reaction...yes I was just pretending)

 

We stayed at the Omni Parker House which is smacked in the middle of Boston center and even with HT hubbie's length, he has to jump up to the bed as it's so high.  Take note: most of the hotels we stayed in the US are like this.  Don't be surprised if you woke up with an intimate closeness to the ceiling. (The Embassy Suites @ Boston Logan Airport is also a good hotel to stay when in Boston, the metro is just a few minutes walk and pretty close by to the center)

 

I remember a friend of mine who lives in the US told me that when it comes to coffee, Americans go to Dunkin Donuts.  To start our day, American style, guess where we got our coffee fix and oily donuts (boston creme - chocolate topping with custard filling)?  Btw, my coffee was too sweet and HT hubbie's coffee had too much milk.  Better order black then add sugar to your liking.

 

 

We stayed near to Boston Common and walked around the park. It was a lovely day.

 

they're everywhere!

 

We did our own freedom trail expedition.

 

 

this building, Old State House, is now an entry to a metro station

 

 

Faneuil Hall

 

 

 

Quincy Market has numerous food stalls that made HT couple drool.  HT couple got themselves hot clam chowders.  Thick, creamy and yummy!  The best we had was at Legal Seafood.

This we dedicate to our Irish friend. :D ( you know who you are)

The Marriott's custom house.  I read in rough guide that the viewing deck of this house gives you the best picturesque of Boston.  We sneaked in and acted like we owned the place, as it's only open for their guests and yes!

The view was worth doing something illegal.

 

We love Boston's charm and serenity. 

 

And of course: their seafood!

 

The other love of my life: crab cake. We had this in several places, but Legal Seafood has the best!

 

Nothing could be better than this baked stuffed lobster (with shrimp and scallops stuffing) - heavenly!

 

 

To end up our Boston getaway, We stopped by at Cheers @ Beacon Hill (inspired by the TV show Cheers, or was it the other way around?) for blueberry beer, Samuel Adams Octoberfest (HT Hubbie's favorite) and cocktails.

 

A real guy carries his teddy no matter where he goes :)

Bye Boston. We'll be back... 'til next time!

 

Sweden, Stockholm: HT couple invaded the city!

HT couple has invaded Stockholm, one of the best cities to live in.  We were so curious how could such an expensive city be the best...now we know why...plus check out some of our budget tips when in Stockholm.

1.) The city offers a good share of old and modern feel.

Ridarholmskyrkran - where the monarchs of 16th century were buried.  It's quite nice and relaxing to look at while strolling the old town - Gamla Stan.

Kulturhuset - The house of culture @ the center of Stockholm was eye-catching whether it's day or night. 

BUDGET TIP: You can spend a whole day going around the city by metro, bus or tram (get a 1-day transportation card as 2 rides per day already makes the cost of the day card - breakeven)

2.) Nordic animals and countryside ambiance is just a tram away.

You can see them in Skansen - open air museum

Me with a country horse - look how sturdy their legs are!

yes, this is a house.  Bed, kitchen and conventional heater...they're all inside.

 

they're doing the dishes!  (teamwork)

 

 

3.) The city has loooots of museum.

the Nordic Museum - not your typical museum.  - interesting and fun at the same time.

 

 

BUDGET TIP: Stockholm has numerous museums.  If you're staying there only for a day or two, a maximum of 2 museums is enough.  Check out which interests you the most.  The entrance fees are quite standard about 100 swedish KR ~ 11 euros.  If you're there to explore only museums and palaces, then better get a stockholm tourist card.  

4.) So many kids having fun



5.) Of course, the food experience!

At Ostermalm Saluhall

 The stall Lisa Elmqvist offers a good variety of seafood - we got their sampler plate which consists of bleak roe, trout roe, shrimps - smoked and steamed, cured salmon, smoked salmon, marinated pickled herring, shrimp salad and the winner of them all - the crayfish salad (hiding behind the dill).  The platter was served with 4 types of special sauces which are being sold individually by the stall.  It was a lovely lunch (not cheap ~50 euros  but i guess it's cheap for the locals - considering the queue). 

 

BUDGET TIP: As this is a must have for HT couple and the Saluhall is only open until 4 pm, we invested on our lunch and went cheap for dinner.

 

HT hubbie looking excited before digging in.

 

ah...i salivated as soon as i saw these crabcakes (@Lisa Elmqvist - stall)

 

what i'm missing in Holland (which i've seen in most of the european countries) a good selection of meat



 

Being a foodie doesn't mean you have to spend a lot to eat good food...HT wife wanted to try wild/game in Stockholm that wouldn't make a hole in her pocket...ta dah...Pizza with gorgonzola and a mixture of wild (elk, reindeer, etc).  - And yes, the pizza was super huge and lekker(delicious) - far better from what we have tried in NL! (@Buona Sera Pizzeria - near our hotel Rex Petit) ~~ 10 euros

 

When in any country in Scandinavia, make sure to eat hotdogs.  It's yummy, fills you up, and cheap!

 

HT couple was on a budget in Stockholm.  We got this famous princess cake in the supermarket - sponge cake layered with cream and custard...the green coating taste like marzipan and was very very sweet.

 

Foodcourts exist in Stockholm - pretty unusual on this side of the world.  No frills, food is so-so but budget friendly.

 

 

Sweden has one of the high numbers of coffee drinkers in the world. 

BUDGET TIP: Some cafes (such as Cafe Art in Gamla Stan) offers a drink-all-you-can coffee for ~5 euros.  Get some bread pudding with vanilla sauce (typical in Sweden) to compliment your caffeine fix.

 

for my last few kroners, i got this before saying goodbye to Stockholm.

an open-faced meatball sandwich - I was a bit hesitant ordering meatballs as i think it's overpriced considering i can eat a lot of them @Ikea for a few euros...but finally, i gave in.

 

6.) Shops in Stockholm are open on Sundays

 

free apples in the shopping district - for shoppers who blew their wallets and have nothing for lunch (or for dinner - i saw a lady who opened her bag and was not shy stuffing it with apples as full as she can)

 

And what makes it really the best??? 

Irish pubs are all over Stockholm :).

BUDGET TIP: Since 17th century, alcohol has been controlled in Sweden thus, you have to pay a price if you can't avoid it.  Dining out, I noticed that locals were just drinking tap water and those with beers are the tourists (LOL).  You can order beer with low-alcohol-content which is less expensive or if you can try to hold your eagerness of alcohol intake, wait 'till your out of Sweden...or out of Scandinavia.

Paris, France: at almost 40 degrees Celsius (and it never stopped HT wife from eating!)

In the midst of the hottest day in Paris, half of the Parisians made sure that they enjoy the day with a great view of their famous landmark.

 

HT hubbie said, when the weather is warm, humans eat less.  Hmm...not for HT wife...

 

A great way to start the day...(though the coffee is not the parisian way)

 

duck confit (with 1 kilo potato)..it's too much...how could Parisians be so thin?

 

my steak with bone marrow

 

to those who know me, guess what?  i didn't eat the marrow...(too fatty for my taste)

 

créme brulee - thin, smooth, creamy, melts in your mouth...perfect!

 

Crépe special..

 

BURGER!  It was huge...my bessy and I were just walking back to the train station and saw this burger at the window of a restaurant near Notré Dame.  We got tempted...and zoof...look what we got ourselves into.

 

mine was a bit raw...I didn't think of returning it so I can eat it the French way...guess what?  My tummy asked me a favor not to be too experimental.

 

With all the binging, my best friend and I made sure that we take off those calories by walking for 5 hours (straight!) 

 

And it was worth the effort...Notré Dame's other side.

 

looking up to Sacre Coeur

 

Louvre from afar

 

Cruisin' Seine river was the best way to relax, after a long day of walking under the heat.

 

And what can HT wife say...after this weekend getaway?

 

YEAH!!!!