What you’ve got to love about Seattle is that the cruise terminal is right in the city. In fact, the city looms over the port, with all of its magnificent skyscrapers up the hill. If you don’t mind walking, you can be to the famous Pike Place Market in just 15 minutes, albeit much of it uphill. As we’ve both been to Seattle many times over the years for work, we set out to just walk the market and find some interesting lunch.

Seattle, population just over 4 million, is situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, and Lake Washington, and sits 100 miles from the Canadian border. Seattle’s early industries were based on logging and fishing, and then Boeing, though they have moved their headquarters to Virginia. Today, a seat of high-tech industry, the Seattle metropolitan area is home to Microsoft and Amazon, as well as Starbucks, Costco and Weyerhaeuser.

The city has a nice newish promenade along the harbor, connecting the cruise terminal to the aquarium and the ferris wheel, The Seattle Great Wheel. There is also a set of stairs and landings that you climb up to get to the famous Pike Place Market, on the National Register of Historic Places.

Opened in 1907, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers’ markets in the United States. Built on a steep hill, the market is actually three levels, but the original upper street level contains fishmongers, fresh produce stands and craft stalls operating in the covered arcades. There are restaurants serving clam chowder, fish and chips, and lobster rolls. There are pastry and candy shops, distilleries and unique gift boutiques.

We ambled about, as you are always either going uphill or downhill. Soon we found a store that we had to check out – The Purple Store. As purple is Marshall’s favorite color, we had to go inside and see what was offered. We were surprised by how big the store was and what they offered. Mrs. Magee selected a purple tie for Mr. Magee.

Next, we found a lunch spot, Urara, that offered Japanese fare. The little restaurant only had seating for 18 persons, but we found a spot for two and settled in for some sushi, which was delicious. The Seattle Roll was amazing!!

We strolled around a bit more before heading back to the ship. We enjoyed seeing all of the painted murals and the view of the city from different vantage points. Sailaway was under blue skies, as we headed out the Puget Sound to the Pacific.

Tomorrow: Sea Day