3/21/08 Day 1, Part 2 - SEA-TAC (SEA) Seattle/Tacoma International Airport

It was on Friday, 21 March 2008 that I revisited a popular annual stop-off in Seattle, Washington that at times I could have called home … this was the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport often called “SEA-TAC”. As I am now writing various travel blogs on my worldly travels, I take you on an introduction of this digital North American hub of transportation and technology that many business travellers enjoy as a pitstop and Gateway location. On this day, I quite enjoyed my trip from Denver on United Airlines though I was welcomed with a several hour lay-over I for some reason wasn’t expecting, but had I paid more close attention to my itinerary would have realized, planning accordingly, could have taken a few hour jolt into Seattle, Washington to have coffee with some friends. But 11 am until 3 pm wasn’t too bad a space to spend in this high-tech and comfortable airport. Plenty of shops, restaurants and services to entertain me, the time flew by.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC)
www.portseattle.org/seatac/ * Sea-Tac (Tacoma/Seattle, Washington) * the intersections of State Route 518, State Route 99 and State Route 509 in the heart of Washington State.
Conveniently located 1.5 miles from Interstate 5 - Sea-TAC (SEA) is abbreviated by a acronym-like name based off of Sea(ttle) and Tac(oma) as the two main hubs it represents. A urban transportation city or suburb called “Seatac” is home to the international airport and gateway to the Pacific world. Its the main hub for Alaska and Northwest Airlines and serves as a international gateway for North America, Europe, and East Asia. In 2007 Sea-Tac served nearly 31.3 million passengers, making it the 17th busiest airport in the United States. According to Wikipedia, The top five carriers at Sea-Tac in number of passengers carried in 2007 were Alaska Airlines (35.0%), Horizon Air (13.1%), Southwest Airlines (8.7%), United Airlines (8.6%), and Northwest Airlines (6.7%). In 1944 the Airport was constructed by the Port of Seattle to serve the citizens of Washington State since Boeing Field was taken over by the military during World War II. The first scheduled flights took place in 1947. It became an International airport shortly after with its first direct service to Tokyo. Today it’s a hub of activity serving Seattle’s very busy economic and business sector - especially after Seattle took over as a digital hub with Microsoft and Adobe setting up shop in the area. My visits to Sea-Tac have been numerous through the course of my life, and each and every visit has been a pleasant and efficient experience. Wifi, services, restaurants, and shops. Since 911, however, the security and check-through with the authority can get piled up and is not as efficient as alot of other airports. Getting to the car rentals for the most part are very efficient, and while public transportation can be tricky at SEA-TAC, it is efficient (but very costly) especially if trying to get to Seattle or Tacoma. Cabs can charge higher than a daily car rental. Be prepared for the additional expense. Enroute to Vancouver, British Columbia I didn’t have to worry about ground transportation on this visit, but didn’t particularly enjoy the out-onto-the-runway hopping onto a small jet trip on Canada air jazz, mainly because i don’t like small planes, it was however a good flight. Rating : 4 stars out of 5. Last Visited 3/21/08. Sources: Wikipedia and Seattle Airport.

Nosh (Berlin, Germany)

Nosh - Berlin
Pappelallee 77, 10437 Berlin, Germany * 030/44040397 * http://www.nosh-berlin.de/
A quaint outdoor/indoor cafe/restaurant/bar along Pappelallee. Full service bar, restaurant, and menu. Me and my friend stopped by one sunny afternoon, enjoying the sun, the drinks, and the food - as well as their free wifi - giving us an edge on finding our way around the city and contacting friends we were meeting up with. Good drinks, good food. I tried their Pad Thai. Quite nice. It’s definitely a place to relax, chat, and chill when walking along Pappelallee. Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5.

Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington

Pioneer Square
http://www.pioneersquare.org/. The heart of the city, where it all began. Thriving in history and many tales of times passed. This historic section of Seattle will enrich your spirit just from strolling past the historically preserved architecture that looms above you. There is over 20 blocks of Victorian Romanesque architecture, over 30 fine art galleries, and over 200 unique shoppes. In addition to coffee houses and restaurants, its also a section of Seattle’s thriving nightclubs - bringing entertainment to the city from the city’s birth. Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5. Visited 12/27/06.

Cafe @ Netherworld (Denver, Colorado)

Cafe @ Netherworld
http://ra.ntw.net/netherworld.com/
1278 Pennsylvania St., Denver, CO 80203
Denver’s only full service Cyber Cafes … an incredible hotspot of local activity from dancing, art gallery, poetry readings, a full bar, a full service restaurant, poolhall, the best jukebox in Denver, free wireless, and a venue for many events. Definitely a must-visit and must-hangout place to go in Denver’s downtown. Conveniently located and home to a friendly and great staff, you won’t be disappointed with this great place. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

previous visits I tried out the internet service and the food …. Several wifi networks to choose from, there home based network is the fastest in the joint - just get the username and password from the barista. The food - absolutely delicious …. previously I had the club with cajun fries; The Netherburger; the Taco Salad … all spectacular! and delicious …. hit the spot. Iced chai with a shot of Baileys Irish Cream is my now usual drink of choice … makes the afternoon go by so nicely … not everyday you get a bar and a cafe and a restaurant all condensed into one … fabulous! Friendly staff and great service. A must …. (visited 6/16/06, 7/06, 8/06, 9/06, 10/12/06) Recent visit, trying the artichoke dip … delicious!

Not of this World Cafe, Roswell, New Mexico

Not of This World Cafe
209 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201
A local hip cyber-cafe and restaurant in the heart of downtown Roswell, just a block down from the International UFO Museum. Great chai and coffee, friendly staff, comfortable seating, sofas, and games to play … live music on weekends, this cafe is the place to be and escape from the desert heat, while nestling down with your laptop enjoying free wifi, or renting their computer terminals to catch up with the cyber world. Highly enjoyed. Rating 4 stars out of 5.

 

Internet Hotspots In the Greater Orlando, FL Area

A while back Orlando has cancelled free wireless internet and even now there are still only a few places you can go for free internet but I always had a hard time finding them. I finally found a great list and tested a few places and they work. Here’s the list and you can use any of these places with your laptop and a wireless 802.11b Internet access.

Some of the places include Apple stores, hotels and resorts, Orlando Airport, and the Orlando Internet Cafe.

Free Wireless Internet Hotspots

16th Street Mall (Denver, Colorado)

16th Street Market (16th Street, Downtown Denver, Colorado) A pedestrian based downtown open-aired street mall with shoppes, cafes, theaters, markets, restaurants, and stores … downtown Ambassadors stroll down the street and are easy to locate for guidance as is the central hub of Denver tourism with an information center in the middle of the market. Street performers are easily found and the free shuttle bus stops frequently to give you lifts up and down the mall even to the museum strip. Free wifi radiates along the blocks for anyone looking for a cyber-hookup. Bustling during the summer, many markets and festivals can be found in the area. Reminescent feelings of Denver’s stab at Vancouver’s Granville and Santa Monica’s promenade. Review Rating of a 3 out of 5. (visited 6/17-18/2006).

Food & Wifi at Netherworld Cafe (Denver, CO)

Cafe @ Netherworld
http://ra.ntw.net/netherworld.com/
1278 Pennsylvania St., Denver, CO 80203
Denver’s only full service Cyber Cafes … an incredible hotspot of local activity from dancing, art gallery, poetry readings, a full bar, a full service restaurant, poolhall, the best jukebox in Denver, free wireless, and a venue for many events. Definitely a must-visit and must-hangout place to go in Denver’s downtown. Conveniently located and home to a friendly and great staff, you won’t be disappointed with this great place. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

A recent visit I tried out the internet service and the food …. Several wifi networks to choose from, there home based network is the fastest in the joint - just get the username and password from the barista. The food - absolutely delicious …. I had the club with cajun fries … it was enormous! and delicious …. hit the spot. Iced chai with a shot of Baileys Irish Cream … makes the afternoon go by so nicely … not everyday you get a bar and a cafe and a restaurant all condensed into one … fabulous! Friendly staff and great service. A must …. (visited 6/16/06).