The night ended early again. Yes, yes, the time change. At 9:00 a.m. we checked out and set off on the two-minute walk to the Quickcoach bus stop from Vancouver to Seattle.
The bus driver loaded our luggage, and we found seats on the somewhat dated bus. The website stated that Wi-Fi was available on all buses. This was indeed the case, but unfortunately, neither iOS nor Android devices could connect. Only shortly before the end of our journey did another passenger point this out to the driver, and he restarted the system. Then the internet connection finally worked, albeit reluctantly.
Quickcoach – Trouble entering the USA
We left on time and picked up a few more people in Vancouver and at the airport. After an hour and a half drive, we arrived at the border. Everyone had to get out, collect their luggage, and queue for security. We thought Rose from first class would cause us trouble again, but the officer was lenient. However, other obstacles were in store for us. To the disappointment of the driver and our fellow passengers, our entry took a bit longer than we had anticipated. First, they said we didn't have ESTA, and then we had to fill out the I-95 form, which took a lot of time! If they just handed them out before or at least during the queue, everything would be much faster. Oh well. We ended up paying $12 for the paperwork... next time we'll fly again or rent a car; nobody makes such a fuss then!
Despite a slight delay and the loss of three people (a family with a young boy) at the border, which the Quickcoach bus driver took very lightly, we arrived in downtown Seattle on time at 1:50 p.m. I waited with the suitcases while Christian picked up our rental car from Budget. We had reserved a Class B car and ended up with a rather old and beat-up black Kia Forte with 27,000 miles on the odometer.
Seattle Space Needle
Since we were almost there, we first drove to the Space Needle and the old Expo grounds. You should park in the side streets for only $1.50 per hour, not in the official parking lot. The grounds and pavilions are truly amazing. The International Fountain behind the Space Needle is particularly beautiful, featuring various water displays set to music.
Seattle-Westpoint Lighthouse
After that, we drove to Westpoint Lighthouse, which is located in Discovery Park. Unfortunately, you can only park there with a parking permit, and these are only available to families with children and senior citizens at the entrance in the Visitor Center. Since we had neither, we would have had to walk there. We only realized this when we were already in the parking lot at the lighthouse. There wasn't enough time to drive back and walk, so Christian stayed with the car and I went to the lighthouse to take some photos. It was such a beautiful, warm day. Simply wonderful!
Seattle – Kerry Park
After that, we went to Kerry Park. Kerry Park in Seattle offers one of the best panoramic views of the city. From this small park, you have a breathtaking view of the Seattle skyline, the iconic Space Needle, the bay, and, on a clear day, even the majestic Mount Rainier in the background. The view is particularly spectacular at sunset or in the evening when the city is illuminated. The park is a popular destination for tourists and photographers and is perfect for a short stop during sightseeing. Fantastic and simply amazing!
Our hotel for the next three nights was the Red Lion Inn in Kent. It's a bit outside of Seattle, but it was the only one that was reasonably priced! The hotel was very good and clean. We had a large bed and received vouchers for two alcoholic drinks. What more could you want?
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