TRAVEL SPECIAL ..........Under the Seattle sun

Under the Seattle sun

There's more to Seattle than the very first Starbucks outlet and the Pike Place Market. Marisha Karwa lets you in on the city's little-known gems

Jefferson Park With sweeping views of downtown Seattle, this massive expanse of green is a perfect getaway for a day full of activity. Take along a picnic basket, roll on the grass, read by the sand pit in the kids' area, ride a bicycle on the bike track or practice stunts on your roller blades at the skate-spot. Tennis courts and a golfing range abutting the park ensure that families come out in hordes. International Fountain at Seattle Center Well of course this is touristy, but pardon us for including the International Fountain—the real draw amidst the attractions of the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, the Pacific Science Centre and the EMP Museum. There's nothing quite as regaling as the sights and sounds unfolding at the decades-old fountain—a metallic dome spews water (from multiple spouts) to the music, which changes every month. As the crescendo rises, so do the water jets! The squeals, cries and laughter of kids running around this sculpture, trying to avoid or get wet, is equally delightful! All this in the shadow of the Space Needle–the most iconic of all-things Seattle. Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room Ditch the snaky queue outside the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market and head instead to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room up Pike street. And don't come in expecting your regular latte with hazelnut, but savour the 'reserves' instead. These are batches of limited-edition coffee beans that Starbucks sources from across the world and brings here. The beans are roasted, ground and concocted into pipping hot cuppas or frothing-cold tumblers that you won't find at any other Starbucks. Island-hopping for Ice cream Imagine a burst of tantalising flavours and a cold, creamy ice cream melting on your tongue on a summer afternoon! Mora Iced Creamery is reason enough to hop onto a ferry and take a 20-minute ride from downtown Seattle to the quaint Bainbridge Island. Part of the Slow Food USA movement, their ice creams are a culmination of an 'artisinal process'—hand-squeezed fruits, slow-melted chocolate and carefully roasted nuts. Among the variety are prized treats: the signature (and luscious) blackberry ice cream, the to-die-for dulce-de-leche, a heavenly pistachio and the best ever grapefruit and mojito sorbets. We guarantee, you'll be riding the ferry often! Yoga in a Cathedral Yes, you read that right. St Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighbourhood has a pay-as-you-like yoga class every Sunday evening. Participants find their own spot on or around the altar and led by an instructor, start with chanting 'Om' before moving into asanas. This class is not intense as participants vary from regulars to out-of-towners and tourists. The experience, though, is utterly meditative!

Marisha Karwa

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