I enjoyed our hotel which had self serve breakfast, town cars on call, helpful staff, free wifi and the best shower so far on tour. The rooms were spacious too. We were very pleasantly surprised to be checked in at 8.30am after our disembarkation from Carnival Spirit.
Apart from not sleeping well and overeating, I enjoyed Seattle. The people were friendly, the roads were tree lined and the skyline showed more thought than Sydney although the harbour was much more industrial. There was an anti-missile weapon on a barge in the middle, en route from its northern station to one closer to China.
Armed with a clever, colour-coded map, we headed off in search of the Space Needle and associated monorail, built for the 1962 World's Fair or Expo as they were known by Brisbane '88. We didn't need a map to find the needle which was close to our hotel and after paying $4 each return for our tickets, we headed downtown. The ticket price is probably the same as 1962. It only has one stop, just near Macy's. It moved faster than Sydney's but was just as ugly. I can see why Seattle has not extended it. Sydney Tower is a complete ripoff of the Needle too. It got me thinking both how far ahead of the world the US was in the 50s and 60s and how much we all have caught up today. Actually, I thought about that for my first Yr12 lesson back, at 2am.
Tess guided me to Pike's Market, a place we'd been advised to visit by folk on the boat. Tess loved the jewelry and other stalls and the fish throwers were at work as well. I hope I caught them and one of the clever buskers on video. Tess has captured better quality images all trip on her camera which I will place at MobileMe.
From Pike's we walked towards Pioneers Square in the oldest part of Seattle. Here we signed on to the Underground Tour which began in an old building with an entertaining speech explaining why Seattle had to raise its ground level.
We then went with another guide into the first of three underground passageways while she explained where we were and why things had been built up. OH&S had not yet gone on this tour which still had rusted braces, loose timber supports, crazy paving, low door sills and myriad other hazards which we all managed to avoid. The lights blinked a few times which reminded me how much I would not like to be down there in the dark. Apparently nothing fell off during the 2004 earthquake, or the others before then. Building owners sometimes dump rubble in the empty chambers rather than pay for its removal and restaurants may one day utilize the spaces for more patrons but at present, the Tourists and rats are the main visitors. Probably worth the $16.
Walked up Yesler Street, one of the many steep hills in the city, reminiscent of San Francisco. Turned left into 5th Avenue and while waiting at the lights, a friendly local suggested taking the free lift in the Columbia Building right next to us. They also had a Starbucks and we needed a rest after the climbing so up we zipped to the 40th floor. From there, I took another lift to the 73rd floor Observation Deck, paid full price ($5) to the eager to give discount attendant and then snapped lots of panoramas of the city from well above Needle height. Great pamphlet too.
Declined harbor tour invitation by (weed?) smoking bike tour guide and wandered back to the Macy's building for our monorail back. Only 5.30pm but we were ready for a drink at least so we were whisked up the top of the Needle and to our seats on the revolving restaurant - one circuit every 45 minutes. Great elevated seating but mediocre food for the prices. Lunch is the bargain. It was still a special meal as we watched the passing Seattle skyline.
The weather has been overcast but there were patches of sun peeking through. Would look lovely at night but we are tiring and were in bed by dark - 9.30! Watched an interesting movie about a lesbian family on HBO. No ads:) Julianne Moore and the wonderful actress from The American President.
And now to the present.
This fast catamaran ferry will take just under three hours to make the crossing of Puget Sound to Victoria, BC, CA. We are staying at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, right in the heart of Victoria I hope. The building is listed so fingers crossed. It also houses a miniature world so I can satisfy my toy train needs while Tess shops.
I have paid for a morning tour to the famous Butchard Gardens so we can return to Victoria closer to our checkin time. Check next entry for photos.
- All my own work. RV. Except for the bits by Tess.
Location:Aboard Victoria Clipper IV
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