OCTOBER 7, 2011. At the Lan Su Garden there is a lovely teahouse operated by Tao of Tea.
http://www.lansugarden.org/visiting/teahouse
Upstairs at the Teahouse.
Our yummy snack at the Teahouse. I had an oolong tea called Wu yi (left) and GJ had Eight Treasures which was chrysanthemum, green tea, jujube, Chinese wolf berry, london fruit, raison, tremella (a mushroom), and rock sugar. We shared some almond cookies and lichee fruit.
OCTOBER 7, 2011. We were so delighted to find this beautiful place right in the city (it takes up a city block in Chinatown). Here are some pictures of the garden:
Just beautiful! The paper lanterns were just being put out all over the garden for a private function.
Beautiful vantage points.
Pomegranates growing!
Beautiful fishes.
Beautiful bridges.
Beautiful water features.
Beautiful water plants.
OCTOBER 7, 2011. The wonder of this city continues to delight. Today we headed straight to the Museum of Contemporary Craft. There were three very interesting exhibits running, (see the link below) plus an extra show of pacific northwest bike builders brought together to design new and innovative bikes for commuting. On the same block there are at least half a dozen art galleries of various disciplines including a couple dedicated to photography. At the corner we ate lunch at Chez Joly, delightful. The afternoon was spent at the Lan Su Classical Chinese Garden. I’ll dedicate at least one post to that! Back to the hotel in time to catch the last few minutes of the Wine and Cheese and it was off to the Living Room Theatre where they serve you dinner while you watch a film!
http://museumofcontemporarycraft.org/
http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/
http://pdx.livingroomtheaters.com/
Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis Street, Portland
Chez Joly French Bistro, corner of Broadway and Davis, Portland.
The Lan Su Classical Chinese Garden in Portland's Chinatown.
GJ will be one of the artists featured at View Art in Victoria BC for their winter show:
OCTOBER 6, 2011. Here is some of the art we saw today:
http://www.velvetjuanita.blogspot.com/
http://www.portlandartmuseum.org/index.cfm
http://www.savoystudios.com/index.html
http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/6aa/6aa320.htm
This incredible piece: Artifact Panel, 2000 by William Morris, commissioned in commemoration of the project for the Millennium, was one of my favourite pieces at the Museum.
Closeup of some of the glass artifacts.
GJ likes to take pictures of me when I don't know he is. In the foreground in a beautiful sculpture of Ganesha.
A beautiful horse sculpture by Deborah Butterfield. At first glance it appears to be made from driftwood, but is actually bronze.
This gorgeous thing was hanging in the window of an empty storefront. created by Savoy Studios, Portland.
OCTOBER 6, 2011. What an amazing day! We ate breakfast at the hotel today, as it’s included, then headed out toward the Portland Art Museum. It was also the Portland monthly art event called First Thursday this evening. Had a fabulous dinner at a place in The Pearl called Piazza Italia which was super delicious, a small piece of Italy. And to top it all off, witnessed a slice of democracy as 5000+ took to the street for Occupy Portland. Below are a few photos and links to enjoy:
http://www.piazzaportland.com/
http://topics.oregonlive.com/tag/occupy%20portland/index.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/occupy_portland_march_leads_to.html
We had just come out of the Museum when we saw the Occupy Portland Protest going by. You can just see the crowd in the background. Estimated at approximately 5000 people.
Portland has a lot of public art and some very lovely architecture, old and new.
The beautiful Portland Art Museum. Spent almost all day there.
Found this sign that I liked. Portland is a very alternate-transportation-friendly city.
The famous block of food trucks. It all looked so yummy!
TC in an unusual mood.
OCTOBER 5, 2011. The dream of the ’90s IS alive in Portland! First few hours here and I am SO in love with this city. We’ve seen dozens of cool beautiful girls with glasses; gorgeous loft conversion condos; so many beautify restaurants, lounges and coffee shops; a delivery service which was a three-wheel bike with a huge cart in the back for cargo; a tea restaurant which has live jazz in the evening (we’re off to it shortly); and a movie theatre where you can order food which they bring to you in the movie, plus the enormous Powell’s Books; all just within a few block of our hotel! We’re staying in a lovely little place called The Mark Spencer which is on the edge of the Pearl District. I’m really excited to explore more of Portland over the next three days.
OCTOBER 5, 2011. On our way again this morning. So much left undone in Seattle; we’ll have to be back soon! Had lots of authentic food experiences and met some cool folk. A bit of a glitch this morning: our train to Portland was cancelled as yesterday there was a mud slide on the tracks. However, Amtrak put all the passengers on a bus and we arrived in Portland ahead of schedule. I was pleased on this Seattle trip to see all the incredible work being done to the beautiful King Street Station (see link and photos). Also a big thanks to The Moore Hotel for a wonderful stay.
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/kingstreet.htm
Such a lovely station.
Extensive renovations are underway on the beautiful King Street Station which opened in 1906.
OCTOBER 4, 2011. Today we walked. And walked. Had a lovely breakfast at Lola. GJ’s meal was incredible: tomato goat chefs scramble with the most incredible garlic smashed potatoes (like a roasted whole potato that’s been hit with a hammer). Then we walked through town, popped into a couple shops and ended up at the Frye Art Museum. They had a wonderful exhibit running: Gabriel van Max: Betailed Cousins and Phantasms. Spent a few hours there and then found an amazing Ethiopian place at 110 12th Avenue called Saba. Had a delicious early dinner of the large vegetarian platter which we were barely able to finish. Walked home through rush hour which was fun to watch. Nice to see so many people using the transit system. Rested our tummies for a bit then went back out two blocks for Molly Moon Ice Cream! Food-filled day! (with great art!)
http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=lola
http://www.mollymoonicecream.com/
The beautiful Frye Art Museum, Seattle WA.
So good Ethiopian food.
Oh no! Three scoops! Theo chocolate, salted caramel and blackberry.
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