Portland Oregon
I have been hearing reports about Portland for several years ; it seems to have some of the spirit of San Francisco in the old days, easy going, enlightened and with attractive surroundings. It is also home to the largest bookshop in the world (Powell's) so I went armed with a shopping list for books.
I found the place fascinating and hope to return. It is one of the most interesting American cities I have visited for years and seemed full of surprises. I enjoyed the Chinese Garden in the Old Town district. Oddly enough, it has a great similarity to the Chinese Garden in Vancouver .. it is a run down area of the city with lots of transients wandering around ; a sad sight.
This garden is an excellent example of blending plants and trees with creative hard landscaping (the stone walks have patterns)
I found the place fascinating and hope to return. It is one of the most interesting American cities I have visited for years and seemed full of surprises. I enjoyed the Chinese Garden in the Old Town district. Oddly enough, it has a great similarity to the Chinese Garden in Vancouver .. it is a run down area of the city with lots of transients wandering around ; a sad sight.
This garden is an excellent example of blending plants and trees with creative hard landscaping (the stone walks have patterns)
Chinese Garden
This garden is an excellent example of blending plants and trees with creative hard landscaping (the stone walks have patterns)
The window to the right should have a slide show. if not, click here to contact to it |
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Portland Art Museum
This was a real find. it has a noteworthy collection of American art including landscapes by Childe Hassan, my favourite American Impressionist.
But the real stunner is this painting by Van Dyck, Cardinal Domenico Riveralo. Painted early in Van Dyck's life (1623/24), this is a dazzling study of character. The look on the cardinal's face (inscrutable ? cunning? wry?) demands another view of it .. and another. I especially like the jaunty angle of his hat and the curly wisps of hair.
But the real stunner is this painting by Van Dyck, Cardinal Domenico Riveralo. Painted early in Van Dyck's life (1623/24), this is a dazzling study of character. The look on the cardinal's face (inscrutable ? cunning? wry?) demands another view of it .. and another. I especially like the jaunty angle of his hat and the curly wisps of hair.
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Gardens are in Washington Park, a vast area of hills above the city, accessible by a tram/bus connection. This is a first class garden, spacious and well designed. I think the sense of space is enhanced by the fact that the gardens are surrounded by large trees in the greater forest surrounding it.
This is a popular site and perhaps Friday was not the best day to go, but I was limited in time (and by rain on other days).
This is a popular site and perhaps Friday was not the best day to go, but I was limited in time (and by rain on other days).
Japanese Garden Portland
The window to the right should have a slide show. if not, click here to contact to it
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Fun and games
Established in the 1920s Hung Far Low restaurant left Old Town for the suburbs over 5 years ago. The new owners had the sign removed because there was a risk of it falling because the supports had rusted. The outcry for this Portland landmark was such that $77,000 was spent (part city funded, part donations) to restore and re-erect the sign. Now that's what I call idiosyncratic. More details if you are really keen.
Portland has many bars and restaurants and some of the best Happy Hours I've encountered. Two favourites are classic American grills with good bars, Jake's Grill and Cassidy's Restaurant and Bar. To paraphrase Michelin, worth the trip!
The fine print
Portland Chinese Garden website http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/
Portland Art Museum website http://portlandartmuseum.org/
Portland Japanese Garden http://japanesegarden.com/
Van Dyck's Cardinal Riveralo
Portland Art Museum website http://portlandartmuseum.org/
Portland Japanese Garden http://japanesegarden.com/
Van Dyck's Cardinal Riveralo
