Sunshine in Seattle

Disclaimer: I’m actually writing this from Melbourne well over a week later, so there’s a good chance I’ve forgotten half of what I did and will be making up the rest.  Just so that you know…

After a great night’s sleep and an awful lot of time wasting, I managed to jump on the bus and get into town by the crack of noon.  Actually even that’s a lie, it was closer to 1.  Very slack, I know.  Had lunch with Nick and then got to be the ring-in random for the surprise birthday afternoon tea at his work.  This was also my introduction to another exciting new culinary experience – fudgesicles.  As the name implies, they were like a popsicle but more fudge-like.  Only 28 thousand calories per serve.  Yum.

The rest of the afternoon was spend wandering round Pike Place market – probably Seattle’s most well known attraction after the Space Needle, and the largest farmer’s market in the US.  Loads of  cool stuff, both food and otherwise, and also the home of the original Starbucks.  Hard to believe that once upon a time there was only one place to get a grande trim extra shot soy frappaccino with vanilla, rather than there being one on every corner like there is now.  That’s progress, right there…

A few beers with Nick after work to celebrate getting another year older, and dinner at the Taco Bus.  Yes, this is a (chain of) old school buses that have been renovated (and I use the term loosely) into Mexican restaurants.  But while the decor may be fairly basic, the food is awesome – and cheap.  Brilliant!

Another lazy morning the next day, another trip on the bus, another lunch with Nick.  Nothing if not predictable, me.  This afternoon’s Seattle experience was a trip on the ferry out to Bainbridge Island.  It takes around 35 minutes and costs bugger all, as opposed to the official harbour cruises that take twice as long but costs approximately a million bucks.  Twas a beautiful day, with awesome views all around as far as Mt Rainier as the ferry made its way out to the island.

Bainbridge Island itself is really rather nice, with a main shopping street that probably appeals to people with more money than me (and more interest in antiques and stuff that collects dust on the mantelpiece…), but it does have a truly spectacular ice cream shop (Mora’s) which served up possibly the best icecream milk shake I’ve ever had in my life.  Seriously kids, it was that good.  Away from the main street there was little waterside track heading past a marina and through a park, all with great views – the whole place just seems very relaxed and enjoyable, especially on a lovely summer’s day.

Back to the mainland and met up with Nick & Elisa after work again … don’t think we did a great deal in the evening, probably just a couple of beers on the back porch.  Hard to believe, I know…