Saturday, August 31, 2013

Alaska's Inside Passage


Time for Travel

I am a true believer in there is a season for everything.
This has been a season of travel for me.
Most recently a trip with my dear cousin, traveling on a cruise ship through 
Alaska's Inside Passage, and then another week playing on the mainland.

Our trip started with us meeting in Seattle.  We spent the afternoon there and then spent two days in Vancouver before boarding the Coral Princess to discover new territories.

Day One...

Seattle's beautiful sunny weather (at least when we were there) greeted us with lunch on the pier under a giant ferris wheel, then a walk through Pike St Market but the highest point of the day was visiting the Chihuly Exhibit under the Space Needle.  A most impressive display of glass and light.
Enough to take one's breath away.







Day Two...
Vancouver, BC

A lovely time discovering the famous Gastown, a open air bus tour around the city and the stunning Stanley Park.   Funniest part was our guide.. nicknamed... 'Larry the Cable Car Guy'!

The Chinese Garden in non-other than China Town was delightful.  A wonderful volunteer guide who called himself Gary (I think because no one would be able to quickly repeat his real Chinese name) was so informative.  Unlike any other Chinese Garden I've visited, Gary explained the meaning behind Yin and Yang.  He pointed out examples all over the garden, in landscapes and in the decorating art of fen shui.

 Say "Hi" to Gary :)

 Plenty of shopping to do in Vancouver... especially window shopping!

The steam clock plays a wonderful little ditty every half hour


This one needs to be painted!

Although my paints were with me the whole time, I never had time to paint...
so, stay tuned for upcoming paintings!