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Published: April 17th 2006
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The Space Needle
The infamouse Space Needle with the Experience Music Project building in front. After a well appreciated sleep, we awoke to low clouds and rain. Looks like the dismal weather had set in for the day! Today we were meeting an old school friend of Liisa’s, Kim, who she was in high school with her eons ago at the hotel and then heading into Seattle for some sightseeing. As Kim was familiar with Seattle, we decided it would be a good idea for her to do the driving.
Our first port of call was the Space Needle after driving around trying to find a place to park. Luckily not many people were out and about quite so early in the morning, so we didn’t have to compete with throngs of tourists. The view of surrounding Seattle as we shot up in the lifts in the Space Needle was amazing, particularly as the Olympic Mountain range were beginning to be unveiled in the distance. Out on the observation deck it was bitterly cold and very blustery, making it difficult to enjoy the spectacular views and by the time we had finished taking the pictures, our hands were rather frozen from being exposed holding the camera.
Next to the Space Needle was the Experience
Music Project, a building made in tribute to Seattle native Jimi Hendrix. It was supposedly meant to look like a melted guitar from the air, but we failed to see that. However, the building was a very intriguing mix of different materials and shapes and very eye catching colours. We decided not to venture in, and instead bought tickets to ride the duck instead.
The duck tour lasted 90 minutes and was very good value for money we thought. First after making the obligatory quacking noises as demanded by the driver, we were off for a driving tour of Seattle taking in the Waterfront Piers, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Seattle Art Museum, Safeco Field, the Fremont District, and Union Lake. On Union Lake we sailed past the floating house used for the film Sleepless in Seattle, although it had been painted a different colour since the film. The wind had whipped up on the lake so we were feeling pretty much like blocks of ice by the end of the tour. Time to thaw out and have lunch.
Following our defrosting and lunch, Pike Place Public Market was our next stop. On our way there we passed
Experience Music Project
A very unusual building, designed to look like a melted guitar in honour of Jimi Hendrix. the original Starbucks coffee shop, but we were too full from lunch to sip a Grande’ Decaf Cafe’ Mocha - hold the whipped cream. The market hall was buzzing with activity from a variety of stalls selling an assortment of items. We of course looked for the famous flying fish catchers and found them laughing, shouting and having a good time, but not throwing much fish. Only one or two sailed past, even a fake stuffed fish which they throw at the spectators who make shrieks of horror until they realise it’s a joke. Came across a stall selling Washington cherries, covered in chocolate and as cherry season is a long way off, Liisa of course had to buy some. We took a short stroll down to a little park before deciding to call it a day and heading back home. Still feeling the effects of lack of sleep and the chill from the Duck ride.
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