USA 2015

Charles River

Better late than never. This post recapitulates the links to the various posts that I have written on my trip to Boston, Nahant and New York City last year, in 2015. It was a trip that was beyond my imagination. I had not thought of visiting Boston until early 2015. I am thankful for the opportunity to visit a part of USA to learn about song-writing and to learn about a different culture.

Ambivalence and resolution: The journey to the United States, 20 Jun - 5 Jul 2015
Travelling tips: From Singapore to Boston
21 Jun 2015: Arriving in Boston on Summer Solstice
22 Jun 2015: Breakfast at Hostelling International Boston
22 Jun 2015 and etc: Thinking Cup
22 Jun 2015: Faneuil Hall and beyond
22 Jun 2015: Old North Church
22 Jun 2015: The Daily Catch
22 Jun 2015: Along the Freedom Trail
22 Jun 2015: Dinner at Giacomo's
22 Jun 2015: Mike's Pastry, possibly Boston's most popular pastry shop
22 Jun 2015: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
23 Jun 2015: German food at Jacob Wirth
24 Jun 2015: Breakfast from Mac Donalds
24 Jun 2015: The search for Algiers Coffee House
24 Jun 2015: Official Harvard Tour
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a guided tour of it
24 Jun 2015: Hatch Shell and the Charles River
24 Jun 2015: One of the Super Duck Tours
24 Jun 2015: Dinner at the Union Oyster House
24 Jun 2015: My final night in Boston for the month of June 2015
25 Jun 2015: A visit to Boston Public Library and beyond
25 Jun 2015: Boston Pizza Kitchen
25 Jun 2015: The journey to Lynn and Oceanview Bed and Breakfast
25 Jun 2015: A visit to Rockport
25 Jun 2015: Fresh seafood dinner from Roy Moore Lobster Company
25 Jun 2015: A quick stopover at Salem
26 Jun 2015: A morning in Lynn
26 - 28 Jun 2015: A weekend learning songwriting
26 - 28 Jun 2016: Beautiful Nahant
Lincoln's Landing at Swampscott
29 Jun 2015: Express bus to Boston and James Hook and Co
Leaving Boston for New York
29 Jun 2015: Reached New York City
Getting around New York City with a MetroCard
29 Jun 2015: HI New York City
30 Jun 2015: Jerry's Grand Tour
1 Jul 2015: Metropolitan Museum of Art
1 Jul 2015: Gimme Coffee
2 Jul 2015: abraco
2 Jul 2015: Washington Square Park and more
2 Jul 2015: A Visit to United Nations Headquarters
2 Jul 2015: Carnegie Hall and a missed chance
2 Jul 2015: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
2 Jul 2015: Dinner at Fluffy's Cafe
2 Jul 2015: A stroll about Columbia University
3 Jul 2015: Plowshares Coffee Bloomingdale
3 Jul 2015: Absolute Bagels and Lox
3 Jul 2015: A short visit to The Cathedral Church of St John the Divine
3 Jul 2015: Top of the Rock Observation Deck and Rockefeller Centre
3 Jul 2015: Shake Shack in Madison Square Park
3 Jul 2015: Bye New York City

At Boston. Giacomo's

Ferry ride to Staten Island.

Lincoln's Landing at Swampscott

Breakfast is the meal of the day that I consider important enough that I will make sure I will take. I could miss lunch and dinner but not breakfast. When I was visiting Nahant over one of the weekends in June 2016, I learnt about a place in the neighbourhood that served delicious breakfast. The omelettes from Lincoln's Landing are noteworthy to consider.

Here's sharing a few photos of my visits to Lincoln's Landing at Swampscott for anyone who is interested to look for a place for breakfast in the area. I like the cosy and homely interior decor at Lincoln's Landing. I felt I was enjoying breakfast in the comfort of my own neighbourhood even though I was actually miles away from home. 

I would say that based on the limited period of a few days when I was staying near Swampscott area, I easily vote Lincoln's Landing as the best place for breakfast for anyone staying near the Swampscott area! I had breakfast from Lincoln's Landing only once during my short stay in the neighbourhood yet my positive impression of the food there remains in my memory. 

Omelette with Veggie and Mozarella.
The tasty potatoes complimented the omelette.

The food from Lincoln's Landing is delicious.Even though I had breakfast earlier the day, I was happy to have my second serving of breakfast for the day at Lincoln's Landing. Lincoln's Landing opens at 7 a.m. each day. 

This is a place we could also consider to get take-away lunches from. On one of the mornings, I got a turkey sandwich from Lincoln's Landing for myself for lunch!

Lincoln's Landing

156 Humphrey Street

Swamscott

MA 01907

Tel: +1 781 593 5565

https://www.facebook.com/LincolnsLanding

26 - 28 June 2015: Beautiful Nahant

Nahant, Massachusetts, is a beautiful place. Words may not do enough justice to the place. Neither would photographs. Whatever it is, please find my humble attempt to share snapshots of glimpses of my experiences at Nahant.

**
How to travel to Nahant from Boston:
- Take the train via the Purple Line to Lynn station. Call a taxi (e.g. Toms Taxi) to travel from Lynn station to the desired location.

26 - 28 Jun 2015: A weekend learning songwriting

26 - 28 Jun 2015: A meaningful weekend learning songwriting took place in Nahant. Nahant is beautiful and tranquil.

This is one of the meaningful learning experiences which I find no amount of words could aptly describe the experience and do it justice.  Just go for it and experience it for yourself!

If I were to share my testimonial, I would simply sum up by sharing that I wish I had attended the seminar much earlier. If I had done so, I would have an easier and more fun way to appreciate music theory and songwriting. Having said so, I am very grateful that I have attended the seminar. Many thanks to the seminar instructor, Duncan, and the course organizer.

Here's a link to the seminar's website for anyone who is keen to find out more:
http://www.understandingofmusic.com/seminars/the-understanding-of-songwriting-seminar/

26 June 2015: A morning in Lynn

26 June 2015, Fri:

Summer in Lynn meant that the skies are bright for a longer duration. When I woke up at 5 a.m., the skies were pretty bright already. The lovely host at the Oceanview Bed and Breakfast had thoughtfully laid out the breakfast table. When she learnt that I would be happy to have an early breakfast, breakfast was served.

The beauty of the beaches of Lynn on a summer morning makes staying near the beaches of Lynn a rejuvenating simple pleasure to look forward to every morning when I was there. Maybe the residents would have found the familiar seagulls too familiar. Yet to a visitor in me, I was learning to be aware of the songs and the voices of the seagulls. What were the seagulls communicating?

Oceanview Bed and Breakfast is located nearer the edge of Swampscott. The environment in some ways can shape our perspective. Away from the skyscrapers and the busy urban life, I was more attuned to the scent of the ocean-water and the sounds of the waves when I was in Lynn.

A Monument erected by the town of Swampscott
"in memory of the brave and heroic soldiers who died in defence of their country".

I was walking briskly along the beaches on the day of my first morning in Lynn. When I was back at the Oceanview Bed and Breakfast, I had the pleasure to know new friends. I felt thankful for the many opportunities to connect with new friends.

I had a taxi to catch to travel to the island of Nahant that morning. I had initially thought that I could take a public bus from Lynn to Nahant. However, I had realized that the best way to travel to Nahant was either on foot or by taxi.

I was informed that Toms Taxi is one of the best taxi providers in Lynn. The contact number is Tel: 781-598-6100.

The travelling time from Oceanview Bed and Breakfast to Nahant was probably about 10 minutes during non-peak hour. I had added a 20-minutes buffer time to allow for heavy traffic. Then I had aimed to reach slightly ahead of time. When I reached my destination in Nahant, I was way ahead of time!

Life seemed to have led me to visit Lynn and Nahant for a respite and a rejuvenating weekend. I am thankful to Life.

25 June 2015: A quick stopover at Salem

25 June 2015:

I had first heard about Salem from one of my friends who gave me tips when she learnt that I was visiting Massachusetts. Salem was, according to this friend of mine, famous for its witch trials.

On my way from Rockport to Swampscott, I decided I could have a stopover at Salem. Salem is a coastal city and it was the seagulls that drew me, not the stories of witches and witch crafts. Salem looked beautiful under the sunset skies. I would be happy to visit it again.

While I was in Salem, I came across a place that offered a ghost night tour. While I was keen to consider it, I did not eventually had the opportunity to attend the ghost night tour during my visit in June 2015. If you would like to check it out, please look for the Witch History Museum.

I was thankful for my decision to visit Rockport instead of Salem. I prefer Rockport a lot better. I guess I could go without witches and witch crafts? I was intrigued by a store in Salem that used a double bass as a decor for its display window. Would you be intrigued by it as well?

I had an awkward experience in Salem. I was looking for the Ladies and it was challenging to find a public toilet. I suppose I had visited Salem too late in the day? Nevertheless, I appreciated a quick and interesting stopover at Salem. No witch had I met!

25 June 2015: Fresh seafood dinner from Roy Moore Lobster Company

25 June 2015 (Thu):

During my visit to Rockport in June 2015, I had the pleasure to visit Roy Moore Lobster Company to get take-away dinner. I had wanted to make sure I would be ready for the 5.10 p.m. inbound train that will head to Swampscott. However, the relaxing dine-in area at Roy Moore Lobster Company where I was sitting at while waiting for my take-away dinner to be ready reminded me that there was a lot of Rockport that I needed more time to see.

The dine-in area.

One of the gentlemen at Roy Moore Lobster Company also reminded me to slow down to savour the beauty in life. So when my orders of a lobster roll and a cup of Clam Clowder was ready, I decided to spend a bit more time at Rockport to enjoy my dinner and scenic Rockport.

The service at Roy Moore Lobster Company was friendly and I felt the folks there treated everyone who visited the restaurant like a part of their community. When I asked for their address, I was given a fridge magnet that looked like a name card. When I expressed curiosity about the lobsters, one of the gentlemen from Roy Moore Lobster Company gladly shared with me a quick introduction to the life-cycle of a lobster. He gladly took one of the lobsters to allow me to take a photograph as a keepsake.

Thoughtful service and delicious fresh seafood count! I will recommend visitors to Rockport to enjoy a meal from Roy Moore Lobster Company.

Roy Moore Lobster Company
39 Bearskin Neck
Rockport
MA 01966
USA

25 June 2015: A visit to Rockport

Bearskin Neck

25 Jun 2015 (Thu):

One of my friends recommended me to visit Rockport when she learnt that I will be travelling to Lynn. Both Lynn and Rockport are serviced by the Commuter Rail so it will be fairly easy to travel to Rockport.

Rockport is a picturesque place. It was once a shipping center for locally cut granite. In the 1920s, Rockport was discovered by artists and it remains an art colony today. This place offers magnificent views of the Atlantic from the breakwater at the end of the Bearskin Neck, a narrow peninsula that juts out beyond the harbour.

Getting to Rockport from Swampscott:
To get there from the Oceanview Bed and Breakfast, I learnt that it was easier to walk to Swampscott Commuter Rail station. The Commuter Rail was affectionately referred to by the locals as the 'purple line'. The walk to Swapscott station from Oceanview Bed and Breakfast took about 10 to 15 minutes.

I had initially wanted to take a bus to the Swampscott station. On the way to check out the bus-stop, I came across a lovely resident who had planted roses. She took very good care of her roses. Her intention was so that the people who were waiting at the bus-stop can enjoy the roses. Small actions like this can touch the hearts of many.

At the Swampscott station, I met a lady who very graciously and kindly shared with me how to buy tickets on the 'purple line'. I could get monthly ticket or I can pay cash from the ticket-master on board the train. I am thankful for kind people like this lady who have helped me to navigate my way about and shared a glimpse of their world with me.

At the Rockport Commuter Station.

At Rockport
When I was at Rockport, I could not see anything much from the railway station. I learnt that one of the best ways to get to know a new place well is to ask and be engaged in conversations with the locals. With the suggestions from the locals, I found my way to what seemed to be the marketplace of Rockport.

Main Street, up ahead.

Interesting works of art. 77 Main Street.

There are many independent art stores in Rockport and it is a lovely place to visit. The air there is very fresh. My experience is that Rockport has a friendly community. Although I had intended to leave Rockport by 5.10 p.m., I had stayed behind for a longer while to savour the beauty of this lovely place. Special thanks to the gentleman at Roy Moore Lobster Company who had reminded me to slow down and savour the beauty in life. More about the Roy Moore Lobster Company in a separate post.

Roy Moore Lobster Co.

There is a nice place for ice-cream at Rockport, which I vaguely recall was at 42 Main Street. The ice-cream from Gifford's famous ice cream was not too sweet and had a texture that was satisfying to savour. I read that Gifford's famous ice cream has won accolades such as the World's Best Chocolate four times over at least.

What I appreciated about Rockport was that the shops and the houses were mostly decorated with beautiful flowers. These flowers brought delight to a traveller in me. In addition, the scenic views and the seemingly simplicity of life at Rockport drew me to love this place. Special thanks to one of my friends, Emz, for the recommendations to visit Rockport. This is a place that is worthwhile to visit for anyone who is interested in checking out some of the interesting independent art stores in Massachusetts while enjoying a refreshing view of the North Atlantic Ocean.

25 June 2015: The journey to Lynn and Oceanview Bed and Breakfast

Oceanview Bed and Breakfast.

25 June 2015, Thu:

Oceanview Bed and Breakfast was my destination to head for when I get to Lynn, a city in Essex County, Massachusetts.

I have a couple of people to thank for providing me with leads to find my way from HI Boston to Oceanview Bed and Breakfast. Thanks to them, I found out that when travelling in Massachusetts area, one of the best ways to figure out how to get around Massachusetts was to refer to the website of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to obtain the relevant information: http://www.mbta.com

To get to my destination in Lynn, the following are the directions I had taken:
1) Take the subway to one of the stops along the Blue Line.
2) Take the Blue Line towards Wonderland. Alight at Wonderland.
3) Take bus service 442 towards Marblehead via Central Square and Humphrey. The journey would take about 21 minutes.
4) Alight at Stop ID: 15795, at Ocean Street at New Ocean Street.
5) Walk about 1 minute to reach 11 Ocean Street, Oceanview Bed and Breakfast.

It took slightly more than an hour to reach Oceanview Bed and Breakfast from HI Boston.

The view from Wonderland subway station.

Along the way, I was treated to the lovely scenery at Wonderland and beyond. I hope the scenery were positive nudges to remind me that I was on the right track. Being prepared with the directions to get to the destination has helped feel assured that I would eventually reach the destination safely.

When I was at Ocean Street, I was greeted by a lovely view of the beach. Oceanview Bed and Breakfast greeted me too with its lovely Victorian style decor. It was one of the places for accommodation that was recommended to me when I asked for information on where I could stay when I wish to visit the neighbouring town of Nahant.

My stay at Oceanview Bed and Breakfast was pleasant. I felt I was at home when I was actually away from home. What has made Oceanview Bed and Breakfast stood out were the hospitality of the hosts and the lovely view of the ocean.

To make a reservation, it would help to give a call to enquire. I love the idea that it is within walking distance from the shoreline. Each day I was treated with fresh air and the view of the ocean. This would be a place I will be happy to stay when I visit the area again.

Near Oceanview Bed and Breakfast.

Continental breakfast at Bed and Breakfast.

Oceanview Bed and Breakfast.

Oceanview Bed and Breakfast
11 Ocean Street
Lynn
Massachusetts 01902
Tel: (781) 581 3760
http://www.oceanviewbandb.com