Seattle Snowstorm

Arrived in Seattle a couple of days back and the whole state is currently in a state of emergency due to a rare case of heavy snowstorm forecasted to have 6-12 inches of fall. A beautiful sight to look at for someone like me coming from the tropics, but its hard to get to anywhere by walking or by car due to piles of snow and icy roads. Hope everyone out there is safe and cozy.

Back to reality!

Vacation is over. I arrived in Manila an hour or so ago coming from my extended vacation in the US and Canada with my mom. Just this weekend after we came from Victoria, BC in Canada, we spent our remaining days mostly with our relatives in the US West Coast side to whom we are very thankful for their hospitality (and generosity).

 

We had our breakfast first at Mabel's on the Ridge before our activities last Saturday. The restaurant is located in Snoqualmie, WA.

 

hot chocolate

 

home made corned beef hash

 

pancakes

 

 

 

Then we headed to Snoqualmie Falls Park. I went here a couple of years ago with office colleagues/friends who hosted our "tour" of the the town at that time. It was summer time though when we came and the place is much different during winter.

 

the waterfalls, partly frozen due to temperature

 

around the park

 

 

Snoqualmie Falls Lodge

 

footprints in the snow

 

Then we went to North Bend Premium Outlets to do some factory outlet shopping.

 

That night we had a quick dinner in Quiznos amidst our shopping spree in Everett Mall.

 

 

Sunday, we heard mass at St. James Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Seattle.

 

The mass we heard was delivered by the newly installed Archbishop Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain.

 

By the way for this trip we stayed in Renaissance Seattle Hotel. The church is just a couple or so blocks away from our hotel so it is relatively walking distance.

 

I booked for a 2 Double Beds Guest Room but due to my status as Gold Elite in Marriott Rewards, was upgraded to a same room but on the club level (Club Level 2 Double Beds Guest Room). Our rate was at USD118/night inclusive of either parking or breakfast. It was a decent 30sqm worth of space, just enough for our things. Most of the time anyway we are outside the hotel.

 

view from the room

 

 

 

After breakfast, we decided to walk towards Pike Place Market for our breakfast.

 

 

 Pike Place Market

 

We had our breakfast in Lowell's Restaurant and Bar, a place where I had breakfast 3 years back.

 

at the 3rd floor of the restaurant

 

view from the restaurant

 

hot chocolate

 

We shared of Dungeness crab omelette. It was a served big (at least for us Asians) that we couldn't have finished a whole serving despite the fact that we loved it.

 

Rest of the day was spent just going around and staying in our relative's house. We passed by Wayside Chapel in Sultan, Washington, and was amazed by it's size. Seats can only be up to 8 people and it's so small that I can hardly get my camera take the whole place inside.

 

 

Today (or at least Monday US time as there is a delay of 16 hours Seattle time compared to Manila time), was spent mostly for travel. We got up mid-morning, prepared ourselves and headed off to the airport. Our first flight was from Seattle to Narita, Japan. We were served a few items on the way and glad I didn't fell asleep throughout the flight.

 

peanuts and Coke Zero 

 

lunch

 

ice cream snack

 

fruits and pastry snack

 

fruits and sandwich wrap

 

Our next flight then after is from Narita, Japan to Manila, Philippines

 

dinner

 

It has been a fun (and tiring) days outside the country. Seattle is a city though that I never tire of going back again and again despite coming over almost every year since 2007.

A day in Seattle with relatives

Woke up today to this sight from my room window, overviewing the harbor across my hotel. I have been here in the U.S.A. since February 9 primarily for a trip to attend company conferences and trainings which ended yesterday. The view outside is a good start for my extended trip as I will be on leave for a week. 

 

Hastily, I went outside to check out the scene.

 

For a couple of weeks already, I've been jumping hotels in the state as I attended different sessions from different places (and cities too), which started in Courtyard Seattle Bellevue/Downtown (Bellevue), then Red Lion Hotel Fifth Avenue and until today staying here in Seattle Marriott Waterfront.

 

The entrance to the hotel is very inviting to guests staying at this hotel. Very cozy and comfortable amidst the cold weather outside the hotel.

 

lobby area

 

As breakfast wasn't part of the rate (USD149++/night for 2 Double Bed Guest Room), I always have my breakfast at a coffee shop near Pike Place Market (Tully's Coffee), a well known coffee chain based here in Seattle, Washington.

 

Near Pike Place Market, I was surprised to see the same dog at the driver side of the same truck 3 years ago.

 

I have some relatives who relocated in a city just outside Seattle (Everett) less than a year back. My mom arrived here in the city yesterday for a vacation (with me) and both of us were picked up by them earlier today (after we checked out early) so they can tour us around, although admittedly they told us they weren't that familiar with Seattle as Everett, where they live, is roughly around 27 miles away. Our first stop was at Seattle Center, just to roam around the area while waiting our tour later in the morning.

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church

 

The main piece is the Space Needle, a tower built during 1962 World Fair. It is today an iconic landmark of the city.

 

me and my cousin Hannah

 

We bought tickets for an 11:00AM tour of Ride the Ducks (USD25 each). Minutes before the said time, we crossed the street to get to its starting point, which is just across Seattle Center.

 

The 1.5 hours tour riding an amphibious vehicle (advertised as 1 hour on land, 30 minutes over water) was driven by a very eager tour guide and the tour is supposed to be a fun one and not serious as their guides are supposed to be very comedic.

 

The first part is a drive around the city, including the following points of interest:

 

Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park

 

The Old Spaghetti Factory

 

 

Cruise Terminal

 

Our guide was very engaging. He kept changing hats to prove his point (and mood) and requests for participation from his audience.

 

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

 

old buildings

 

Qwest Field

 

old Washington State Ferries ad 

 

around Seattle

 

Smith Tower. built in 1914

 

Pioneer Building in Pioneer Square

 

Seattle Arts Museum

 

Then we went to a dock which will be the jump off point for our water tour. As an amphibious vehicle, our ride easily made it (and waded through) the water.

 

luxury ships 

  

house boats, lots of them here in Seattle!

 

Gas Works Park

 

Aurora Bridge

 

more houseboats!

 

houseboat used when filiming "Sleepless in Seattle" movie

 

Seattle skyline

 

the iconic Space needle as viewed from the cruise

 

Seattle buildings as viewed from the cruise

 

 

still more houseboats!

 

parking area?

 

ships

 

seaplane

 

for sale, care to buy?

 

The tour ended where we started (near Seattle Center). By that time, we were very hungry already and were looking for lunch. On the way, we passed by the currently under construction Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building.

 

We had our (late) lunch at Genki Sushi. The place is Kaiten style or where the sushi plates are placed on conveyor belts.

 

The chef prepares the sushi fresh and places it on the conveyor belt.

 

And these were the items we munched on!!

 

sashimi paste

 

noodle soup

 

After lunch, our last stop was at the University of Washington (or they call it as UDub). The university was established in 1861 and among the best in west coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I like about the campus is its old charm and serenity. It feels so quiet and peaceful and seems to me very conducive for learning (and extra-curricular activities).

 

After this, we were dropped off at a bus station en-route to our next journey. See you again soon tita Grace and Hannah in a few days!