Portland Saturday Market - or part of it

And, this is one of those places that is a must-see if you’re coming to Portland. The array of hand-crafted items to see and purchase is dizzying. Creativity abounds!Also, there are enough food vendors to start a mini-United Nations of food. Starting with burgers, ice cream, coffee and pizzas, the food then heads into Asian, Creole, Greek, Lebanese, Mexican, Polish and Thai choices. There are also ATM machines in the vicinity, so if you have money in your account, you won’t go hungry!

On to the crafts…

The glass work of Richart Glass was especially colorful and appealing, but there was also pottery, twirling metal mobiles, and other original items to catch your eye.

Richart Glass is one of the Saturday Market artisans who creates attractive original artwork

Candles and other crafts

 Children were playing in the water at the street fountain, drummers were playing plastic buckets – quite the viruosos! – and there was a sense of festivity even though it was drizzly. The street musicians can be very talented as well as the scheduled musicians who span genres including blues, jazz, hillbilly, funk, ragtime and more.

The dancing fountains

About the Portland Market

In operation since 1974, Portland Saturday Market is a fun way to spend part or all of a day. Getting there is easy since a light rail stops right in the midst of the area at the Skidmore Fountain Max Station. If you’re trying to find the Portland Saturday Market, it’s near the west side of the Burnside Bridge. (It used to be under the bridge, but it was recently relocated just a little bit south.

 
After you shop, a stroll along the Willamette River on the Westside Riverwalk is a great place to see the scenery and stop for a few minutes to nibble your food or review your purchases.

View from Riverwalk of Willamette River

Hours: Saturday 10-5; Sunday 11-4:30. This year, it has been open from February 28-December 24.

 
The Portland Saturday Market is a great outing for a family!  And, it’s a good feeling to buy something directly from the craftsperson who made the item.

http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/

DAY 11
AVIEMORE

Okay, we’re staying put for the day … sort of …

We’re looking at a train ride, a little clan homecoming, and lots of scenery.

As I mentioned in a previous installment, my reasoning for staying in Aviemore (yes, it’s really on a map) for several days was due to its centralized location in the highlands. It is also the middle of recreation country.

The Cairngorm mountains and Cairngorm National Park host a plethora of sporting activities: fishing, canoeing, mountain biking, rock-climbing, hiking, golf, horse riding … even skiing in the winter (if there is enough snow).

Strathspey Steam Railway

In just over 1.5 hours the historic Strathspey Steam Railway runs from the train station in Aviemore to Broomhill and back. Unfortunately, the train does not run all year and it is necessary to check their calendar for a schedule. During the summer there are 3 departures from Aviemore per day. The cost of tickets varies depending upon your status, but the 3rd class round trip ticket for an adult is £10.50 ($16.80) with children 5-15, half price. There are also deals for families and seniors.

Hey, there’s even a fare for dogs and bicycles … as long as neither sit on a seat, travel in 1st class, or eat the food on the catering car … and my bicycle was looking forward to some of that delicious Haggis!!!

And, for those intrepid enough … it’s not even necessary to ride back on the train. You can hike the Speyside Way trail back to Aviemore.

Strathspey Steam Railway

www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk

Cairngorm Mountain Funicular Train

If you want to ride a shorter, but steeper railway, hop on the Cairngorm mountain funicular railway (incline), the highest in the UK. It takes approximately 8 minutes to reach the top of Britain’s 6th highest mountain.

The train, which looks similar to a light rail car, is wheelchair accessible. From May to October, there are volunteers on hand to talk about the area and which mountain is which from your high level vantage point.

The train runs on a daily schedule every 30 minutes from 10 AM with various ticket prices for both adults (£9.50 ($15.20)), seniors, and families.

And, again for the intrepid: you can buy a Downhill Train Only Ticket … Wait a minute! That supposes that I am going to walk up the hill first, right? Noooo … I don’t think so!

Which leads me to ask … Why can’t I buy an Uphill Train Only Ticket?

http://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/see-do

Trivia Question: Which two U.S. based incline railways claim to be the steepest in the world?

Answer …. Next time

Rothiemurchus Estate

If you are looking for outdoor activities you might head out to the Rothiemurchus Estate. Many of the activities which I mentioned at the beginning, plus many more, are available on this almost 25,000 acre working estate.

http://www.rothiemurchus.net/

If instead you are looking for a theme park, and who isn’t on a once in a lifetime trip to Scotland … there actually is one near Aviemore.

But, Landmark Forest Theme Park is not your typical amusement park. There are no scare-your-socks-off roller coasters, or big extravaganza musical shows.
There are, however, three water slides, and attractions dealing with rope bridges, skydiving and simulated rock climbing. But wait, that’s not all – there are also trails and educational exhibits. Yes, education! You just might learn something on vacation … now that IS scary!!!

http://www.landmark-centre.co.uk/

For more on Aviemore area attractions you can go to: www.visitaviemore.com

CLANNING AROUND …

Newtonmore

I’m not expecting everyone to stop in Newtonmore for the same reason that I am, mainly because they’re probably not related to the Macpherson Clan … the rest of you can find your own Clan museum … and there are many throughout Scotland.

Just 15 miles south of Aviemore on A9 then onto A86 is the small village of Newtonmore. With a Pipe Band, their own Highland Games, and home to Shinty what more can you ask for?

How about, what the heck is Shinty?

It’s a team sport played with sticks and a ball similar to field hockey … but it isn’t!

For an overly detailed explanation try this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinty

There is even a petrol station, Post Office and two mini-marts.
The Clan Macpherson Museum, is located at the south end of the village and is open from April 1st to October 31st from 10am to 5pm (Monday – Saturday), 12 pm to 5pm (Sunday). There is no admission charge but, of course, donations are always welcome. And don’t stop there, Macpherson related souvenirs are available for sale in the Museum Shop. Fancy that!
The museum has been awarded a 4-star rating by The Scottish Tourist Board.

Also in the area:
The Newtonmore Museum (The Highland Folk Museum)

The museum in Newtonmore is a one mile long, eighty acre (32 Hectare) living history site interpreted through re-located and re-created buildings, working demonstrations and live interpreters. Over 200 years of rural Highland life is displayed from the early 1700s to the mid 1900s. 

2009 marks an entire year of events that have been dubbed, Homecoming Scotland (just a coincidence that I’ve finally been able to make the trip)
During this time the Folk Museum is dropping its admission charge to “£0” a price you can’t beat with a stick!

I know! As I have been reminded many times, Yes, you can beat anything with a stick! 

Can we move on?
And yes, donations are gladly accepted …

http://highlandfolk.com/newtonmore.php

And last, but definitely not least is:
Waltzing Waters

Okay, this is probably the most unusual of all the attractions in Scotland. For 40 minutes, every hour on the hour you are dazzled by a combination of water, light and music. (Think, the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, but it’s indoors and you can sit down and relax).
And no tourist attraction is complete without … a gift shop. 

The attraction is open from February to mid December, 7 days a week for at least seven shows. Adults £4.25 ($6.80), Children £2.50 ($4.00), and Concession (Seniors) £3.75 ($6.00).
There’s even an Internet Coupon on line at the following link:

http://www.waltzingwaters.co.uk/newtonmore/newtonmore-home.html

*** Currency Conversion: As of 6/7/2009, the exchange rate 1GBP=$1.5987US

Next week we’ll be heading down to Edinburgh with a few castle stops along the way.

“It’s decadent!”  “I hate gambling!” “Look at all that waste of electricity!”

Finally, in 2008, I went to Vegas.  

Excess and excitement

Precisely the reasons I refused to go are the reasons to experience Las Vegas – at least once.

Entering Vegas from the south, we experienced the excess and elegance that is Vegas.  A wedding party was camped out at the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, immortalizing their vows and blocking traffic.   

In Vegas, size does matter, as a large billboard reminds people. Size and glitz are Las Vegas, so a drive up the strip provides a fun overview.  The giant Coca Cola bottle, half an enormous Harley growing out of a building, the massive Luxor pyramid, a scale version of the Statue of Liberty and landmarks of New York City, the Eiffel Tower, and Treasure Island ships, all make Las Vegas the most eclectic mix of pop culture found anywhere.  

Ritualistically, visitors walk the main three miles of The Strip, wandering in and out of hotels to see the fabulous themes or sample the restaurant offerings.  When tramping the miles gets tiring, the monorail is available to scoot people nearer to their destination with a reasonably priced day pass.  The monorail is accessed behind The Strip and is clean, comfortable and runs regularly. Otherwise, taxis often sit on Las Vegas Boulevard as if they are in a parking lot.  

Although it is rumored that New York New York Hotel has hot dog scents wafting out of the entrances, we didn’t detect that.  We did find the giant lobby, evocative of New York neighborhoods, charming. The food vendors do business under marquees that proclaim “Broadway” and other New York landmarks.  The front desk is reminiscent of Radio City Music Hall with Grand Central Station thrown in. 

Paris Las Vegas’ theme is appealing with domed ceilings painted to look like the sky. All shops are decorated as various French neighborhoods.  Le Village Buffet reflects the various provinces of France, with the different offerings set up in different “shops.”  Although a Saturday evening required a 35-minute wait, the all-you-can-eat buffet at Le Village was worth the wait with king and stone crabs, shrimp, beef bourguignonne, crepes and a multitude of pastries as some of the delicacies available.   One diner, who had tried several buffets, proclaimed Le Village “the best buffet on The Strip.” We were inclined to agree due to atmosphere, service, price and food quality.  (Buffets do not take reservations.)

Traveling up and down, in and out of the many hotels, we developed some favorites.  Many of the hotel themes are fun, but once inside the lobby, the gaming machines dominate and themes become secondary.  A visitor can’t begrudge a hotel trying to make money. However, for a non-gambler there are many other attractions.

Hotel highlights

Caesar’s Palace has fabulous-themed shopping in its Forum Shops with the big names in luxury retailers and includes a whimsical, giant Trojan horse guarding the entry of the FAO Schwarz Toy Store. 

 Gondoliers offer guests rides (fee charged) to ride about the canals of Venice, a romantic recreation at The Venetian Hotel. 

If given the chance to stay anywhere in Las Vegas and money was no object, where would I stay?  Easy answer!  The Bellagio.  With its tastefully performed fountain shows (at half hour intervals in the afternoon, every fifteen minutes after 8 PM), gorgeous, Chihuly glass-flower-ceilinged lobby, Botanical Garden with seasonally changing exhibits, Gallery of Fine Art (entrance fee), and general ambiance, the atmosphere is extremely inviting. It was hard to leave.  The fountains are programmed to music and lights with every show different. Pop, classical and rock music provide a backdrop for the undulations of intricately waving water that can shoot up to 250 feet high. Cirque Du Soleil also performs its show,”O,” at the Bellagio.   There is an aura of lightness that makes the hotel very inviting without being overly fussy.  

Rides and Adventures

Focused more toward families were the MGM Grande and Circus Circus. At the MGM Grand, the lions were napping, so a long walk to their enclosure was disappointing.  

Circus Circus Hotel, the site of the Adventuredome, had a short circus performance with acrobats and a juggling clown, performed at varying intervals daily.  The Adventuredome offered roller coasters, invertors and other rides (fee charged) where people can experience adrenalin rushes from many perspectives.  As a hotel, Circus Circus seems like a throwback to an older Las Vegas time.  It needs rejuvenating.

NYNY has a roller coaster that weaves in and out of the hotel, too.  The Stratosphere, at the north end of the Strip, offers several scary rides with names like “xScream” and “Insanity” for the fearless. 

In downtown Las Vegas, the Fremont Street Experience is touted for its major light and sound show with other entertainment.  We tried, but with only two days to see Las Vegas we never made it to downtown.

What stays in Vegas

   Ultimately, Las Vegas is a vacation destination.  Hotels have numerous restaurants, gaming opportunities, entertainments (magicians, comedians, the ubiquitous Cirque du Soleil shows, rides), and creature comforts.  Everyone can make his or her own choices for spending discretionary dollars.  In recent years, Vegas has had some kid-friendly options, however, most entertainments are for those 21 and older.  It is not a Disney destination.  

   Realistically, for the amenities provided, Las Vegas offers the chance to have a fabulous time – be it luxuriating at spas, eating every imaginable type of cuisine, or seeing a show.   A first time in Vegas makes you wish you could go back. After a few days, you’re betting that you just haven’t experienced everything that you’d like to see. You’d win the bet.  

With the economy being what it is, terrific deals are there to lure potential visitors. Now, I’m planning when – not if – I can return to Vegas.

Related Links

Las Vegas -  http://www.visitlasvegas.com/

Palace Station -  http://www.palacestation.com

Luxor Hotel -  http://www.Luxor.com

New York New York Hotel -  http://www.nynyhotelcasino.com

Paris Las Vegas -  https://www.harrahs.com/casinos/paris-las-vegas/

Treasure Island – http://www.TreasureIsland.com

Las Vegas Monorail -  http://www.lvmonorail.com/

Fremont Street Experience -  http://www.vegasexperience.com/

Caesar’s Palace –  CaesarsPalace.com

Las Vegas Hilton –  http://www.LVHilton.comThe Venetian  

The Bellagio –   http://www.Bellagio.com

MGM Grand -  http://www.mgmgrand.com/

Circus Circus –  http://www.CircusCircus.com

The Stratosphere –  http://www.StratosphereHotel.com

 Cirque du Soleil -  http://www.cirquedusoleil.com