Day 23 Sun 8 June Vancouver to Seattle

Off to Seattle
Another restless night, this time waiting for the alarm to go off at 5am. We had to be at the station no later than 6 am to clear US customs before the train departed at 6.40am. We arranged to leave our suitcases at the hotel and just packed 3 days worth of clothes into our backpacks. There was a cab rank at the hotel so no waiting and it was only a 5 minute drive so we were there in plenty of time.

We had business class tickets and the train itself was very comfortable with clean washrooms, dining car, power points to recharge ipads. Luggage could be checked at no cost. Once again another country demonstrates just how poor the NSW  train service is.

The trip along the coast wasn't as scenic as I expected. The day was overcast so that didn't help. Just out of Vancouver and just before Seattle were the best sections. The tide was out in one section and we saw dozens of  eagles sitting on the edge watching the water.

We arrived at King St Station in Seattle to find the information booth closed as it was Sunday. We left our luggage at the station and wIth some vague directions on how to get downtown from one of the men in ticket office we headed off towards the bus stop. It was really the dead end of town with some 'derros' around and we weren't comfortable asking anyone for directions so we decided to go back to the station and catch a taxi. Then we spyed a suburban train station with some maps on the wall. Greg worked out where we had to go and how to work the ticket machine and we were off.

We found Pike Place Markets, an amazing warren of shops of all kinds. On the way we picked up some maps and visitor guides so we sorted through them over lunch at the markets.

 

Then back to pick up our backpacks before we caught the bus to our accommodation. Our first problem was trying to work out which side of the road we needed to be on. We knew we had to go north but which way was north? A kind man with a phone app sorted us out.

The bus driver was also very helpful. Turned out he' d been to Australia about 3 years ago and had a great time. We are staying in a basement apartment under a house in the suburb of Queen Anne, a lovely leafy area. I booked it on the internet through Airbnb which is a website for people who want to rent out rooms, apts, granny flats, houses etc to travellers. It's an alternative to staying in a big impersonal hotel in a tourist area. This apt is great. We have a bedroom, bathroom and large lounge dining area, plus access to the yard. There is a great cafe strip nearby.

We ate at the Hilltop Ale House. Bob, the waitress put a bottle of tomato sauce (ketchup actually) on the table and asked if I wanted chips or pasta salad with my meal. I opted for chips and thought of you. Tricked again - they were potato crisps that arrived at the table. But they were the best crisps I have ever had - Tim's Cascade Chips, the waitress told me.