Colors of Seattle Space Needle

Quote of the Post: "You can't escape yourself without enjoying the slim, three legged lady dancer, when in Seattle". - Quote about 'Seattle Space Needle' - Sachin Kumar Gupta

Whenever I heard the word "Seattle", the dancing lady Space Needle, the lovely symbol of Seattle comes in the memory. This beautiful lollipop-shaped icon represents motivation, love, pride, and people's innovation. I have visited Seattle three times so far, every-time this slim, three legged dancer amused me. I roamed around the places and adored the beauty of Space Needle from different part of Seattle from time to time. I have more than 500 photos of Space Needle from different angels in different seasons. Hence, the post is named as "Colors of Seattle Space Needle".

During my latest visit, Space Needle celebrated its 50 years [April 1962 - 2012], that makes this post even more special. Originally it was built as a tourist attraction for city's 1962 World's Fair. The needle repainted to Galaxy gold at the top on its 50th birthday. I just enjoyed the natural views and bright emerald city lights from the top of the needle. 

When you are in, and up, enjoy the 360 degree observation deck. From this point, You can photoshooot the Downtown Seattle skyline with running vehicle over the streets. You can also get the glimpse of Mount Rainier, Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay and surrounding islands. SkyCity, 360 degree revolving restaurant makes the landmark more special. This is the perfect place for dating, marriage proposal, reception, wedding of your lifetime memory. 

On my last visit, I toured, Tillicum village, Blake Island. This landmark was simply looking amazing during evening. The fountain place near Key Arena, is just another routine place to visit, from where you can adore the iconic beauty of Space Needle.

Before this, in 2009, i.e. at my very first visit to Seattle,  I was lucky to attend the Midnight fireworks celebration on the New Year's eve. This was an unforgettable experience when the fireworks were in sync with the music and rain. Lock cruise tour during the dusk along-with the Seattle skyline's panoramic view, was another opportunity for admiring this masterpiece. You be at 1st avenue, 2nd avenue or any other avenue or street in Seattle, Your eyes will kiss this icon. 

Some facts about Space Needle:

• 605 feet tall (Equivalent to 60 storey building)
• Original Cost: $4.5 million
• Visited 1.2 million people a year
• On hot days, the Needle expands about 1 inch
• Approx 45 seconds to reach at the observation deck via elevators.
• SkyCity restaurant rotates 360 degree in approx 47 minutes. 
• Observation deck admission fee varies person to person. All ticket prices include a free SpaceShot photograph with variety of Space Needle backgrounds. You can send this to your family and friends from the observation deck kiosk, also upload it to Facebook account.

So far, The Space Needle has been appeared in many films, TV shows, art, entertainment and other works of fiction. No need to say, If you are visiting Seattle, You can't escape visiting iconic Space Needle. 

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A sunny day in San Juan Island

"Escape the mainland and enjoy the jaw-dropping paradise for activities like: whale watching, kayaking, hiking, biking at the picture perfect San Juan Island." - Quote about San Juan Island by Sachin Kumar Gupta.

Do you know, San Juan island pop up again and again in "top 10" lists and "Places to visit before you die" lists.

We reached to Friday Harbor (San Juan Island) from Anacortes, by Washington state ferry. Distinguished as one of the best places in America. San Juan Islands are primarily famous for sea kayaking and orca whale-watching among visitors. But half the fun is the tracing the island beautiful cuves by the car or some part by the bicycle. It is quite easy to cover all the main points of the island in a day. We covered (*marked*) island's circumference going through the main points. It would be easy to cover the points in below order or reverse.

*Friday Harbor*: We just roam around few roads on this tiny island, and finalized the selected places to cover for the day, as we have to catchup the return ferry to Anacortes. We followed the Roche Harbor road.

San Juan Vineyards: Beautiful grapes grown can be enjoyed here. There is also wonderful wine, tasting room, and gift shop. Just a fe mile away, enjoy the Lakedale Resort famous for camping, fishing, lodging, and swimming.

*Roche Harbor*: This is a beautiful place, having facilities like spa, restaurants, tennis courts. You can also enjoy the trails (The Quarries) in this area. While being at the top, panoramic view of the marina and Victorian garden can be adored. Nearby Westcott Bay sculpture park is just a walk away. Just near this point, helicopter ride also avail across the San Juan Island.

*English Camp*: This is another adorable place operated by the national park services. This is a nice place to relax and enjoy walks, and lovely scenery. You can hike up the Mt. Young hill for amazing views of the San Juan.

*Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm*: The rare and charming Alpaca animal of Camelid family can be seen here. Alpaca are prized for their luxurious and costly fiber which is harvested by shearing once a year.

*Pelindaba Lavender Farm*: After that we followed West Valley, and Boyce Road respectively. After some distance you can find Lavender farm fragrant walks through the lavender fields on the roadside with the eye-catching views. At the place, It seems that their owner can enjoy a cup of coffee in a sunny day.

San Juan County Park: The place has easy access to other islands, and sea, views to Canada, and a lucky chance to see marine mammals.

*Lime Kiln Point State Park*: This is a must visit place in San Juan Island, with stunning sea views, picnic spot, trail system. A tiny lighthouse adds beauty to this place, that just stand still near the seashores. The place offers the high chances to see the marine mammals at this place, if you have some patience to wait for that moment.

False Bay: The place offers nice views, fun walks at low tide, great birding.

American Camp: It is also operated by National park services. There are miles of beach, nice picnic spots, and extensive trail system.

*Forth of July and South Beach*: If you are going to the tail part of the San Juan, Cattle Point, you can enjoy spectacular views of forth of July beach at one side, and South Beach at the other. Both the beaches offer picnic spots, easy walks, and great ocean views. We enjoyed stone floating and long distance stone throwing in the sea.

*Cattle Point Lighthouse*: This is another must to see point in San Juan Island. Just before reaching this place, The view of roads going to sea-way and lighthouse touching the sky is really amazing. We just had a snap of ours lying on the roads.

Don't be surprise if deer jump here and there on the road at random places, as we found two :) At the end we return back to Friday harbor, and return to Anacortes followed by Seattle. The one day journey ends with a costly affair of Pizza while returning.  

Discover and explore San Juan with the Sidewalks, Trails, Shorelines, Docks and many more ...

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Anacortes - San Juan (Friday Harbor) Ferry

Here I go, Once again in Seattle! In the month of April, on a weekend I join the group of entertaining friends Kapil, Anil, Munish, and Anvay. Alarm clock rang in the early morning, and I snoozed it as usual, after that I got ready and had some american breakfast before the friends pick me up from hotel.

 
We have to catch up the ferry from Anacortes to San Juan Island. Usually 60 minutes prior to arrival is recommended for vehicle sailing. As we were driving from Seattle, we have to accomplish a herculian task to get the last vehicle ship that departs from Anacortes at 9:30 a.m. We were just in time, and got entry before 10 mins and our car was the second last to park in the ship. [Luckily allowed and have space]

Note: The benefit of taking ferry from Anacortes is that you can carry your own vehicle to roam around at the island, It is not just the passenger ferry. Though you can walk on with or without a bicycle, or bike, or drive your car on. The approximate price for car and driver is about $50 (round trip), passengers extra [At the time we go]. Schedule and timings change each season. For latest schedule and info Click here. To drive to the Anacortes harbor terminal from Seattle just took 90 mins to 2 hrs depending on traffic:

Take I-5 North through Everett and Mount Vernon    [64 Miles]
Take exit 230 (Burlington/Anacortes)
At the first light, turn left toward Anacortes onto Highway 20W
Follow Highway 20W to Anacortes    [12 Miles]
Once you reach Anacortes merge into the traffic circle and take a right onto Commercial Avenue to reach the central business district.
Take a left at 12th St, where signage points you to the ferry, and follow signs to the ferry terminal (about 2 miles).

Location:

2100 Ferry Terminal Road Suite A
Anacortes, WA 98221

91 Front Street S.
Friday Harbor, San Juan, WA 98250

NOTICE: ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO SECURITY SCREENING

As of now, Below ferries operates from Anacortes, and while selecting the destination you have to follow destination specific lane and line, and wait as directed.
Lopez Island Ferry
Shaw Island Ferry
Orcas Island Ferry
San Juan Island Ferry
Sidney B.C. Ferry

Anacortes rests on the waters of the Pacific Ocean on beautiful Fidalgo Island.
The Washington state ferry started on time, and we were just taking snaps from all levels of the ship, and from all sides. Within 15 mins of ferry ride, the sun started following us, and make our day as a whole. The snap below reminds me of the movie Titanic. Throughout 90 minutes, We enjoyed the jaw-dropping, scenic cruise to San Juan Friday Harbor. San Juan Islands are 172 islands in the archipelago. In our route we adored some of these islands curves. Some are quite hilly with some flat areas and valleys, often quite fertile in between. The coastlines were the mix of rocky, pebble and sandy beaches, shallow and deep harbors, placid and reef-studded bays. Once ferry reached at the Friday Harbor, we ride on our car and leave the ferry, and just scale the main points of the San Juan island throughout the day.

While ending up my post, I would rather say:    Enjoy and have a nice ferry !!!

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8 musketeers at Panchgani

If Mahabaleshwar is known as 'The Grand Canyon of India', then No doubt Panchgani is 'The Switzerland of India'. Panchgani refers to 'Five hills of Sahyadri' which are 'Larger extension of table land'. Another explanation to it - five villages around the Pachgani named as, Dandeghar, Khingar, Godwali, Amral and Taighat. The magnificent views of the backwaters of Dhom Dam can be adored along the whole nothern ridge of the mountains. Other than that picturesque scenary of Krishna valley with cultivated green fields, numerous hamlets over the mountain make this more special. Panchgani is also well known for its number of schools, and sanitariums. 

Panchgani can be visited throughout the year, however it rains heavily during the monsoons. The best time to visit is from September to March. Our curvaceous route for the day from Pune was: Magarpatta - Katraj (Snake Park, Pune) - Pune Banglore Highway (NH4) - Wai - Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar - Tapola [Reverse in return while boating at Venna lake] 

This time, In our group we had Tarachand, Komal, Sonal, Rajesh, Mausmi, Gyan, Meenal and not to mention me. We enjoyed the sunrise in the early morning with breakfast. Everyone had got some or the other yummy stuff with them.

Tourist Points at Panchgani:

Harrison Folly: We had our first break of the day at this point. It was a very large table land, where your shadow will follow you in different directions. We enjoyed good view point with Panchgani on one side and Wai on the other. This point wouldn't disappoint you. Sometimes Paragliding activity also organised from here by private enthusiasts.

Sydney Point: One funny incident happen as we took wrong turn, and reached a 'Flies point - Makkhi point' 'The garbage point', :P where none of us was able to breathe. All of a sudden many flies were inside the Tavera as someone kept the window open for a few seconds. At this point, entry fee is charged for entering Panchgani [Per person and for the vehicle] Once at the top of the Sydney point, one can see blue shiny water of the Dhom dam. It is situated on a hilltop facing the Krishna valley. We had some quick clicks at this point. 

Parsi Point: We passed through the scenic point situated on the way to Mahabaleshwar, and overviewed the Krishna valley and glittering water of the Dhom Dam. This point is good to visit during monsoon, but still, good to relax and have snacks. 

Table Top Point: Panchgani is topped by a volcanic plateau, 'The Table Land' which is the second highest in Asia after the Tibetan plateau. This is the most famous and most visited point in Panchgani. We spent 2-3 hours admiring the beauty of this place. For entertainment one can go for horse riding, Merry-go-round, mini train etc and for food lovers there are quite a few food/chaat stalls. With a couple of games counters, the place took us back to our childhood days of being at Fun-Fairs.

Pandav Feet at Panchgani Table Land.

We opted for horse-cart as sun was at top of us. It charged 300 for 4 sitters that included below points:

• Pandav Feet: As per belief, Five heros of the great epic 'The Mahabharat', had cooked here, and left their feet marks. 
• One Tree Point: Famous shooting point for Indian Movie Songs - precisely the love songs.
• Shutting Point: This is the point where you have most panoramic views. 
• Ganesh Visargen Point: There is small water place at the table top point. This point in major utilised for horse bath. 
• Pandav Cave (Drop Point): Also known as 'Devil's Kitchen', has a mythology associated with it. It is believed that the Pandavas of the Mahabharat epic had stayed here for a while. 

Pandav Cave at Panchgani Table Point

The place had been an important part of many Indian movies - 'Gadar', 'Swadesh', 'Taare Zameen Par', Agent Vinod' to name a few. We also paid a long distant visit to Palankhet, Sydney point, Gliding Point, Five Table land during our horse-cart ride. (If you have ample time, just roam on your own, rather than opting for horse-cart or horse-riding)

Tapola, The mini Kashmir: 

The road trip to Tapola was amazing with couple of yards covered by umbrellas of Banyan Trees. The blue water bodies on both sides - Koyna and Solshi rivers made it even more pleasant. The hot Sun didn't let us spend too much of time here and we moved ahead to the next stop...We'll definitely come back sometime again in monsoon.

On our return trip, We covered Lodwick and Elephant head point at Mahabaleshwar. One hour walk in dense forest was awesome. (For info on Mahabaleshwar during monsoon, please visit "Trip to Mahabaleshwar)

An eve at Venna Lake: This was the most entertaining part of the day. All of us were ready to row the boat on our own. We decided not to rent a driver and started rowing ourselves. The naive drivers (i.e. we) were floating it to the un-intensional directions. :P  While two were enjoying the driving lessons, others were busy in admiring the beautiful sunset. We struggled for parking the boat back on the shore and took a sigh of relief when were off the boat. We yelled "Bach gayee!!!" 

Sunset at Venna Lake

Mapro Garden: The Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar belt is known for its Strawberry Gardens. Situated on the curvaceous roads between Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, it is easily accessible by buses originating both from Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar. A heaven for tourists hungry for strawberry delicacies as well as factory fresh items like jams, syrups, mock-tails, squashes and confectionery items by Mapro Foods Pvt Ltd. At the tasting counter, you can actually taste the squash of your choice before purchasing it for free. We picked up 'Kesar' flavoured squash, some chocolates and Kachchi kerry. 

Oops, how did I forget to mention about the astrologers roaming around. I was always caught up by them as target and got a new name "CHAPTER".  

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