Posts Tagged With: Seattle

Our Time in Seattle

Posted on October 23, 2026 by 2btravel

Trip Introduction – Alaska Cruise on Holland America
Lodging Review: Element Seattle Downtown
Our Time in Seattle
Ship Review: Holland America ms Noordam
Our Time in Kodiak, Alaska
Our Time in Anchorage, Alaska
Our Time in Valdez, Alaska
Our Time in Juneau, Alaska
Our Time in Ketchikan, Alaska
Our Time in Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Hullo Ferry Between Nanaimo and Vancouver

I hadn’t done any real planning for things to see in Seattle other than asking AI to give me some suggestions of things to photograph. I knew that we’d be sleeping in since we arrived so late and that proved to be the case.

It was a gloomy morning when we set out and I decided to wear jeans instead of the shorts I’d packed – a decision I came to regret. Later in the day it was sunny and gorgeous and I was hot. Live and learn.  Here are some things we saw while exploring the city.

The Troll Under the Bridge

My roomie on this trip loves to find the off-beat tourist things and she read about the Troll Under the Bridge, so naturally we had to hunt it down.

The Fremont Troll

Not only did we find that, we also found the three Billy Goats Gruff!
Continue reading →

Categories: Award Travel, North America, Trip Report, United States, Washington | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lodging Review: Element Seattle Downtown

Posted on October 22, 2026 by 2btravel

Trip Introduction – Alaska Cruise on Holland America
Lodging Review: Element Seattle Downtown
Our Time in Seattle
Ship Review: Holland America ms Noordam
Our Time in Kodiak, Alaska
Our Time in Anchorage, Alaska
Our Time in Valdez, Alaska
Our Time in Juneau, Alaska
Our Time in Ketchikan, Alaska
Our Time in Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Hullo Ferry Between Nanaimo and Vancouver

Since I was departing Memphis on a Friday evening and we couldn’t board our ship until Sunday, we needed two nights’ lodging in Seattle. We eventually settled on the Element Seattle Downtown which was about a 30-minute walk from Pike Place Market and other attractions along the waterfront. While it would have been nice to be closer, the hotel offered free breakfast and as it turned out there were loads of other folks there ahead of their own cruises, so it was a popular choice. I had a free night certificate thanks to my Chase Marriott credit card. The free night certificate only covered the first 25K points but I was able to add 9K points to it to cover that first night and then 34K points for the second night.

Continue reading →

Categories: Award Travel, Element, Hotel, Lodging Review, Marriott, North America, Trip Report, United States, Washington | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trip Introduction – Alaska Cruise on Holland America

Posted on October 21, 2026 by 2btravel

Trip Introduction – Alaska Cruise on Holland America
Lodging Review: Element Seattle Downtown
Our Time in Seattle
Ship Review: Holland America ms Noordam
Our Time in Kodiak, Alaska
Our Time in Anchorage, Alaska
Our Time in Valdez, Alaska
Our Time in Juneau, Alaska
Our Time in Ketchikan, Alaska
Our Time in Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Hullo Ferry Between Nanaimo and Vancouver

Welcome to my next trip report where I’ll cover my late-summer cruise, which was round-trip from Seattle to Alaska.

A friend from Australia already had this cruise booked, so when my Los Angeles-based friend – who had never been to Alaska – suggested we join her, it sounded like a great idea. My only visit to Alaska was a cruise in 2005 so I was happy to go back.

Continue reading →

Categories: Alaska, Award Travel, British Columbia, Canada, Cruises, Element, Holland America, Hotel, Marriott, North America, Trip Report, United States, Washington | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Travel Tuesday Photo: the Fremont Troll, Seattle, Washington

Posted on September 15, 2026 by 2btravel

The Fremont Troll (aka The Troll Under the Bridge) is a mixed-media colossal statue under the north end of the George Washington Bridge in Seattle, Washington.

And yes, the three Billy Goats Gruff are nearby too!  Stay tuned for my trip report to see them!

Categories: North America, Picture of the Week, United States, Washington | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

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