Seattle

We arrived in Seattle after a three-hour drive from Portland. Immediately, we noticed that the parking signs were much more complicated than anywhere we'd been on the West Coast. My husband stood staring at his first street-parking sign for two good long minutes.

We drove straight to Pike Place Market. My husband did not recall that this was where the first Starbucks shop was located, but when he walked past the bustling outlet, he decided to 'do as tourists do', i.e. whip out his camera to take photos. Only after some time did it dawn that we were here at THE Pike Place Starbucks. Who could resist a purchase of the Pike Place Special Reserve (only available at two outlets in the world) for my in-laws who love coffee.

Window-shopping at the market - lots of fresh vegetables and seafood. We tried the Pike Place Chowder's chowder, which was pricey but yummy.

We also tried Piroshky Piroshky's salmon pate piroshky, which was tasty but not necessarily worth the price. My mother-in-law actually makes some amazing piroshky stuffed with curry chicken and pork. (We didn't know it was piroshky-inspired when we had it.)

We decided that we would not go up to the viewing deck of the famous Seattle Space Needle because we would not be able to see the Space Needle from there. (this vaguely reminded my husband of a Chinese saying that one does not go up a mountain if one wants to see the mountain ...). But of course, we made a trip to the base of the Space Needle, and it was quite a fun experience.

The outside of the Chihuly Garden and Glass at the base of the Needle.

Self-explanatory.

Instead of the Needle, we decided that the Smith Tower would serve as a better viewing deck. It was much cheaper, very quiet, and yes, the Space Needle could be seen from there too!

Behold, the Space Needle, in the left photo.

We almost missed Mt Rainier in the distance, which was covered by thick clouds, until the bartender (the viewing deck was the walkway outside a tea room which had a bar) pointed out the magnificent view.

The hand-operated, brass-covered, good-ol'-fashioned Otis lifts which connected the ground floor to the 35th floor where the bar and viewing deck was. 

Smith Tower.

My husband loves coffee, so a trip the the nearby Starbucks Reserve, not your regular Starbucks (thanks to Chiu Yen's tip) was a must. 

A Starbucks like no other: it was like a cafe and a coffee roasting factory all in one, yet very cosy.

My husband wasn't quite keen over the coffee-tasting, which is what people generally go to the Reserve for, so he decided to get his staple: a small cappuccino. It set him back $6.20 but he says it is the best cuppa he's ever had. 

Yelp suggested Biscuit B*tch for a late lunch, a shop selling Southern biscuits with various toppings. It was interesting, although not extraordinary -- a bit too rich for our liking (also a little bit crude ...)

We had very yummy Korean food from Kimchi Bistro for dinner. We really enjoyed Seattle despite the predictable rainy weather.