I recently had a three week trip to the States and wanted to take my iPhone 4s with me. Getting a local SIM would let me keep in touch with home using Skype as well as have access to the net and location services. I wasn't too bothered about being able to make calls but it would be useful for calling ahead and confirming our accommodation.
After a bit of research I ended up with the choice of AT&T or T-Mobile who both use the rest-of-the-world standard GSM system. I was in New York and would be touring around New England, up into Northern Vermont and across to Maine before working my way back down the coast to New York so I needed a service with decent coverage outside the main metro areas.
After a visit to to Grand Central Station, we went first to the T-Mobile store on Lexington Avenue. Yes they could give me a pre-paid plan for $50 with voice and data but the guy insisted that I had to go to the Apple Store to get the phone activated. I knew this was rubbish as it could be done with any wireless connection so we went down Lexington to the AT&T store where the service was excellent. A guy called Gerard activated my phone with the wireless hotspot from his phone and added some software and an additional profile to enable the phone to connect to the AT&T network (apparently it works slightly differently over there). Within a minute I was connected up and ready to go. I signed up for a $25 voice plan which gave me something like 250 minutes plus 2GB of data for $50. Slightly more expensive than T-Mobile but working in minutes.
I have to say that I never had a single problem with phone reception all the way around New England. The only problem I had was near the Canadian border where I received a message from Rogers Telecom telling me that data was charged at $12 per MB. I took the SIM out until I was out of range!
On returning to Australia, I deleted the AT&T profile, put the Optus SIM back in and was back on the Optus network without a hitch.
So, I would certainly recommend AT&T for coverage (in New England) and service.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Tripadvisor - 10/10
We spent a long time researching the trip and looking for accommodation. We'd thought about travelling and stopping on a whim when we found somewhere we liked, but in the end decided to pre-book everything. This turned out to be a particularly good idea for the last week which is one of the biggest vacation weeks in the States.
We used Tripadvisor for advise on hotels and B&Bs and their recommendations were spot on. We did book one Inn based on a recommendation in a Fodor's Guide which was good but not up to the standard of the Tripadvisor recommendations. Each of the recommendations had plenty of reviews so we were confident that they were accurate. I'd have been a bit more careful if they'd only had a couple of reviews.
While we were travelling, we also used it to check restaurants and again, the reviews were accurate and helpful in choosing somewhere to eat.
So, if you're booking a holiday, I'd recommend checking Tripadvisor first.
We used Tripadvisor for advise on hotels and B&Bs and their recommendations were spot on. We did book one Inn based on a recommendation in a Fodor's Guide which was good but not up to the standard of the Tripadvisor recommendations. Each of the recommendations had plenty of reviews so we were confident that they were accurate. I'd have been a bit more careful if they'd only had a couple of reviews.
While we were travelling, we also used it to check restaurants and again, the reviews were accurate and helpful in choosing somewhere to eat.
So, if you're booking a holiday, I'd recommend checking Tripadvisor first.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Casino Night
One of the services offered by the hotel in Norwich was a shuttle bus to the nearby casino, the Mohegan Sun, on the Mohegan Indian Reservation. The aim was to have a look around and get something to eat.
The casino was huge with upscale shops, restaurant, hotel and a sports/entertainment arena. In addition, in the middle of a circular gaming floor, was another entertainment area. That night, Javier Colon was performing. I'd not heard of him but he had a great voice - not surprising as he won America's version of The Voice last year.
The casino was huge with upscale shops, restaurant, hotel and a sports/entertainment arena. In addition, in the middle of a circular gaming floor, was another entertainment area. That night, Javier Colon was performing. I'd not heard of him but he had a great voice - not surprising as he won America's version of The Voice last year.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Massachusetts to Connecticut via Rhode Island
We made our usual 9.30 start after the usual massive breakfast that the B&Bs offer (it saves buying lunch as they sustain you all day!).
It was mostly freeway over the Cape Cod Canal (I'd never heard of it but it's the major traffic bottleneck to the Cape with only two bridges) through Massachusetts but once we hit Rhode Island we reverted to standard roads.
We'd been advised to stop in Newport RI and to head for the well-signposted visitor centre. As we neared the town centre, we wondered why every open space had a hand-written sign offering all day parking for $15-20.
We found the visitor information centre and parked behind it. It was 86 degrees.
Inside, we found out why parking was at a premium - it was the final day of the 2012 America's Cup. I had no idea it was on.
We decided to have a walk along the harbour before heading down Belleville Avenue to see the summer mansions built by the rich in the late 19th - early 20th centuries.
I don't think I've ever seen so many boats in one place. We had a look around and had a cooling drink before heading back to the car and going to see the mansions.
A lot of them are now open to the public but we just had a look at a few from the street.
Then back to the car, over the Claiborne Pell Suspension Bridge ($4) over the Sound, a drive down to Narangasett to have a look (the beach was packed) and on to Norwich Connecticut. The only surprise was that we didn't see a sign informing us we'd crossed into a new state.
It was mostly freeway over the Cape Cod Canal (I'd never heard of it but it's the major traffic bottleneck to the Cape with only two bridges) through Massachusetts but once we hit Rhode Island we reverted to standard roads.
We'd been advised to stop in Newport RI and to head for the well-signposted visitor centre. As we neared the town centre, we wondered why every open space had a hand-written sign offering all day parking for $15-20.
We found the visitor information centre and parked behind it. It was 86 degrees.
Inside, we found out why parking was at a premium - it was the final day of the 2012 America's Cup. I had no idea it was on.
We decided to have a walk along the harbour before heading down Belleville Avenue to see the summer mansions built by the rich in the late 19th - early 20th centuries.
I don't think I've ever seen so many boats in one place. We had a look around and had a cooling drink before heading back to the car and going to see the mansions.
A lot of them are now open to the public but we just had a look at a few from the street.
Then back to the car, over the Claiborne Pell Suspension Bridge ($4) over the Sound, a drive down to Narangasett to have a look (the beach was packed) and on to Norwich Connecticut. The only surprise was that we didn't see a sign informing us we'd crossed into a new state.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Island Touring
It was another hot day on Cape Cod. The temperature was in the eighties and we spent the day on Martha's Vineyard.
The ferry from Falmouth dropped us in Oak Bluffs where we were immediately besieged with people touting tours, bike, scooter and car hire.
I was a bit uncertain about hiring a scooter and double-checked - yes it was safe, there are no KFCs on the island. It was still pretty expensive so we ended up hiring a Mini Cooper Cabriolet for not a lot more.
The scooters didn't have a lot of power, we got held up several times as cars queued up behind a slow moving scooter.
We got down to the opposite end of the island to see the lighthouse at Gays Head and they were setting up for a wedding there. What a perfect day for it.
After touring round the island, we got the 5.30 ferry back to Falmouth, and back at the B&B had a shower then sat out I the garden with a cold beer as the sun went down. We'd bought a 4-pack of Dubbel from the Allegash Brewery in Portland so had a couple of those.
The ferry from Falmouth dropped us in Oak Bluffs where we were immediately besieged with people touting tours, bike, scooter and car hire.
I was a bit uncertain about hiring a scooter and double-checked - yes it was safe, there are no KFCs on the island. It was still pretty expensive so we ended up hiring a Mini Cooper Cabriolet for not a lot more.
The scooters didn't have a lot of power, we got held up several times as cars queued up behind a slow moving scooter.
We got down to the opposite end of the island to see the lighthouse at Gays Head and they were setting up for a wedding there. What a perfect day for it.
After touring round the island, we got the 5.30 ferry back to Falmouth, and back at the B&B had a shower then sat out I the garden with a cold beer as the sun went down. We'd bought a 4-pack of Dubbel from the Allegash Brewery in Portland so had a couple of those.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Early Evening Beer Blogging
Starting off with an Allegash White Ale (Belgian Style Wheat Beer) at Loam Maguire's Irish Pub in Falmouth 
It's Friday - It Must Be Cape Cod
I'm sitting in the garden of the Inn at Siders B&B, it's cooled down a bit from 80 degrees but still lovely.
We left Boston this morning and stopped at a park which overlooked the Harbor Islands to stretch our legs. We then drove down Highway 3A and stopped for lunch at Plymouth, the site of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. It was a bit of an accident as we turned off the highway due to a big traffic jam but well worth the stop.
One thing I hadn't taken into account is that there are only two roads onto Cape Cod over bridges and it is the start of the busiest weekend of the holiday season.
However, once over the bridge it was plain sailing and we're now at a delightful B&B in Falmouth.
We left Boston this morning and stopped at a park which overlooked the Harbor Islands to stretch our legs. We then drove down Highway 3A and stopped for lunch at Plymouth, the site of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. It was a bit of an accident as we turned off the highway due to a big traffic jam but well worth the stop.
One thing I hadn't taken into account is that there are only two roads onto Cape Cod over bridges and it is the start of the busiest weekend of the holiday season.
However, once over the bridge it was plain sailing and we're now at a delightful B&B in Falmouth.
Day 2 in Boston
After a full day on Wednesday, we ended up with another full-on day on Thursday.
In the morning we set off to see the bit of the Freedom Trail that we ha missed in Charlestown which sits over the river from Boston.
We started at the Bunker Memorial commemorating one of the most important battles of the War of Independence. It's an obelisk with a spiral staircase up the middle. Coming down seemed harder than going up!
Then down to the dock to visit the USS Constitution, the oldest warship in the world still afloat apparently. We had a great guide who took us around the gun deck - he obviously loved his job. Then a quick trip on the ferry back to Boston where we booked an outing out to the Boston Harbor Islands, a state park.
It was great value on a perfect summer day.
In the morning we set off to see the bit of the Freedom Trail that we ha missed in Charlestown which sits over the river from Boston.
We started at the Bunker Memorial commemorating one of the most important battles of the War of Independence. It's an obelisk with a spiral staircase up the middle. Coming down seemed harder than going up!
Then down to the dock to visit the USS Constitution, the oldest warship in the world still afloat apparently. We had a great guide who took us around the gun deck - he obviously loved his job. Then a quick trip on the ferry back to Boston where we booked an outing out to the Boston Harbor Islands, a state park.
It was great value on a perfect summer day.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Beer Blogging -Boston
We're in the Bell In Hand, Boston's oldest tavern. It's 80 degrees, we've been on the go all day.
Here's a 24oz Harpoon IPA which won't be lasting long! Harpoon is a Boston Brewery.
Here's a 24oz Harpoon IPA which won't be lasting long! Harpoon is a Boston Brewery.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Beer Blogging
The Ale drinking continues!
After a long walk back from Fenway Park we needed a beer. This was a delicious Belgian style Stout which we brought from from Allegash in Portland which went down very well.
After a long walk back from Fenway Park we needed a beer. This was a delicious Belgian style Stout which we brought from from Allegash in Portland which went down very well.
Fenway Park
One of the oldest baseball grounds in the country, home of the Green Monster and incidentally, used in my favourite film, Field of Dreams.
Not a particularly exciting game as the Blue Jays pitcher had no idea where the strike zone was and got flogged for six runs in the first inning. But great to be here.
Not a particularly exciting game as the Blue Jays pitcher had no idea where the strike zone was and got flogged for six runs in the first inning. But great to be here.
Walking in Boston
We've walked miles today. First, along the 'Freedom Trail' through Boston linking the key sites leading to independence.
Then a walk to Fenway Park to tick an item of my bucket list (I don't have a list but I've always wanted to visit there) followed by a walk back to the hotel.
My feet are killing me!
Pictures from the Freedom Trail
Then a walk to Fenway Park to tick an item of my bucket list (I don't have a list but I've always wanted to visit there) followed by a walk back to the hotel.
My feet are killing me!
Pictures from the Freedom Trail
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
On to Boston
We were planning to stop in Portsmouth New Hampshire on the way to Boston but just before we got there hit a tremendous thunderstorm. You could hardly see where you were going so we pressed on. Before the rain let up we were in Massachusetts and soon at our hotel in Boston.
After dinner at an Afghan restaurant, a walk along the Charles River.
After dinner at an Afghan restaurant, a walk along the Charles River.
What Do You Do in Portland If It's Raining
Brewery tour!
It was raining when we arrived in Portland so we decided to visit the Allagash Brewery who make Belgian style ales.
We just made the last tour of the day.
It was raining when we arrived in Portland so we decided to visit the Allagash Brewery who make Belgian style ales.
We just made the last tour of the day.
To Portland
First thing, we drove to the top of Mount Battie which overlooks Camden. Americans certainly like to build roads up mountains, this was the fourth that we had driven up. The views from the top were great.
On the way to Portland, we stopped at a small town called Wiscasset. There was a small shack by the road called Red's Eats which had an enormous queue. It's certainly pretty popular and I see it has its own Wikipedia page.
On the way to Portland, we stopped at a small town called Wiscasset. There was a small shack by the road called Red's Eats which had an enormous queue. It's certainly pretty popular and I see it has its own Wikipedia page.
Monday, June 25, 2012
On to Camden ctd
Shortly after leaving Mount Desert Island the sun was out. It was only a short drive to Camden so we decided to stop on the way.
As we drove through the town of Bucksport, we saw a fort over the river which looked worth a visit. We went around a corner and then over a huge new cable span bridge over the Penobscot River. We turned off at the sign for Fort Knox and ended up paying to visit an observatory at the top on the bridge as well as Fort Knox.
Both were spectacular and the view from the top of the bridge was stunning. They had had to build it when the bridge next door was declared unsafe.
As we drove through the town of Bucksport, we saw a fort over the river which looked worth a visit. We went around a corner and then over a huge new cable span bridge over the Penobscot River. We turned off at the sign for Fort Knox and ended up paying to visit an observatory at the top on the bridge as well as Fort Knox.
Both were spectacular and the view from the top of the bridge was stunning. They had had to build it when the bridge next door was declared unsafe.
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