Seattle - Day 1

I am in Seattle for the next week at the AAS conference. I had a bit of a lie in this morning, but not a lot. I didn't sleep well and expect to crash any second now. The conference doesn't start until this evening so I took the day to explore. After consulting the reception desk (and finding all the dodgy parts to avoid - not what I asked but good to know anyway), I decided to get the monorail over to the Seattle Centre. I was very excited about the monorail though the trip itself was a bit disappointing. The views of Seattle were not the best. They seem to be rebuilding ... well all of it.

Monorail.

At the Centre there are a bunch of museums and the Space Needle. If you have ever seen Fraiser, you'll get it.

Space Needle.

 I took the trip to the top. It didn't take long to walk around but they do nice coffee up there. Seattle is currently living up to its reputation of being wet. It has been drizzling all day.

View of Downtown

Around the Needle.

The harbor.

While I was sitting drinking my coffee, Seattle seemed to disappear for a while. The cloud was impressive. It seems whenever I go up a tower to get a view, this happens. At least it wasn't as windy as it was up the Empire State Building.

And Seattle disappears!

After the Needle, I went to the Chihuly glass gardens next door. I highly recommend this to anyone in Seattle. It was amazing!!!!! So far by far the best place in Seattle. It's a glass art museum. The displays are amazing, and really beautiful. The first room was the sea life room.

Turtle

The second room had a Persian ceiling.

Glass ceiling

No idea what the third room was but the rooms got more amazing as you move through.

Then was my favorite room. There were 2 boats with glass. It was inspired by a trip to Japan. It was so colorful and cheerful. I spent ages looking and taking photos.

There is also a conservatory with a glass sculpture of flowers from the ceiling.

With the Space Needle.

 One of the thing the artist, Chihuly, seems to love is making glass chandeliers.

And some very pretty bowls/vases. 

The outdoor gardens would be awesome in the sun but as it was raining, I didn't spend much time there.

Tree.

Glass fir tree 

 I got a voucher for the cafe with my ticket so I went there for lunch. The cafe had cool displays on the walls and ceiling and the food was really nice.

Accordions. 

Slightly creeping dolls.

After the glass gardens, I wondered around (mainly trying to find a pharmacy - got to love the recycled air in planes) and the markets. Seattle is supposed to be an amazing music scene, I will see more of it Friday, but they do have some hardcore buskers.

Busking with a piano.

The markets are pretty cool, though I didn't buy anything. There were lots of fish stalls. I am hoping to eat loads of fresh fish while I am here.

The public market

 Though the markets do have some odd names ...

As opposed to the unsanitary one?

The sea front is ... well, it was pretty miserable. They have a wheel, which might be nice in good weather, but it was way too expensive to think about.

The Great Wheel 

To you too!

The map I have suggested visiting Miner's Landing, though I have no idea why. There were a few restaurants but the inside was creepy.

Entrance

The corridor of death 

Inside a weird shop.

I had enough and made my way back to the hotel thankfully finally via a pharmacy. While I was hunting up tissues, a girl from the makeup section gave me a free book. No idea why but I never turn down free books! :-)

Now I am going to crash for a while before the reception tonight. Oh and maybe write my talk (which I haven't started yet).