Actually, I slept rather well in my oversized accommodation at the (probably) 5 star Fairmont Olympic on University Street/4th and 5thAve. Seattle is like San Francisco in that it has steep hills and trolley buses, which are also widely used in Vancouver.
I understand Buxton is basking in sunny weather right now, with temperatures set to hit 30°C. May be I’m being wound up, but Google confirms something along those lines. We cannot compete here in sophisticated Seattle. The Google lady tells me that today in Seattle it will be no more than 14 miserable degrees Celsius with showers.
It didn’t take long to get fed up with forking out almost $40 for breakfast, perhaps spending $100 / day just to feed myself. Even my friends in North America would tell me I’m doing it all wrong on this trip! So today, I sought out a breakfast eatery patronised by the locals. A tub of gluten free oatmeal, a banana and decaff latte came in at $12.57 at Fonte just opposite the Art Museum. Now, to explore the Waterfront and see what cruise ships has arrived for the day. I walked from my hotel to the biggest Ferris Wheel on America’s West Coast. and got a decent overview of the city. This is situated by the Waterfront and almost opposite University Street, which now, later in the day, shouldn’t be hard to find. It’s a steep old climb back to the hotel if I walk back along the Waterfront.
Not too far away was a boat trip which left at 12.00 noon. Gimmicky it might have been, but the recorded commentary was very well put together, and the boat, much to my surprise, got up close to three of the four cruise ships visiting. Oceana’s Regatta, CelebritySOLSTICE, and Royal Caribbean’s massive Ovation of the Seas are in port at Seattle today.
After the one hour boat trip, I started to walk along Alaskan Way, I suppose a bit like the Golden Mile in Blackpool, but not nearly as long (I don’t think). The Space Needle was where I was headed and I walked to the end of Alaskan Way where a flight of stairs and a fairly steep hill would, after walking around 45 minutes see me very close to the Space Needle. I promised myself lunch in the revolving restaurant, except that, that ship had sailed years ago, and the first ever revolving restaurant was longer in existence. I made do with a 6″ Subway baguette for lunch, before going up the tower at around 3pm. If I suddenly become sick, it will more than likely the disregard for social distancing. I had a bit of a dilemma. Do I stear clear of crowds and do nothing, or, do and see as much a possible; I don’t have plans to come back. I chose the latter.
I should have expected the place to be packed out with tourists and families. People were everywhere, many oblivious to being 520 ft above sea level. But, like the Kennedy Space Center, the catering facilities are rubbish. At least, there was a Subway eatery where I could take refreshments.
I walked back to the hotel despite being told that it was about three miles away. I don’t think that is true because I was at University Street much sooner than I thought I would be.
I like this hotel. It has been extensively refurbished to, perhaps, beyond its former glory, although I don’t see present day Presidents of the United States staying or visiting as they did in the past. Despite the high-end price tag, I decided to enjoy dinner at the Hotel’s historic George Restaurant. It’s unlikely I shall be here again.
The Fairmont Olympic was opened as The Olympic in December 1924 to great acclaim. However, the Depression (1929) and WW2 had its effects. Ironically, it was during the recent pandemic lockdowns that The Fairmont Olympic was tastefully and expensively renovated. The room I am occupying appears brand new. If interested, there is an excellent account of the history of this hotel available via Google.
I just had to dine in the George tonight and may opt for the continental breakfast tomorrow, before boarding The Empire Builder for Chicago in the afternoon. As in Vancouver and Seattle, I shall be on the train for two nights.
The weather today was cold and wet with frequent showers. More of the same is forecast for tomorrow with temperatures possibly reaching 16°C. Wow! If it wasn’t so horrible outside, I might be tempted to walk some more. There is plenty more to see tomorrow before my train leaves for Chicago.
All in all, I have enjoyed my first (and only) full day in Seattle. I would like to see the place again, but I am aware that time is not infinite. I don’t feel as if I am several thousand miles from home. Thanks to modern technology, I can remain in touch with people as if I was at home. I have a rough idea what is going on at St. John’s, thanks to the e-mails and updates which come through on my “device.” But, for the next two days, I won’t be contactable; there is no WiFi on The Empire Builder, my home for the next two nights/ three days. I may get another blog out before I set off for The Windy City tomorrow.
Many thanks for reading, David, 22.21hrs The Olympic.
David's Cruise 