Feb 10th and 11th 2007: Trip to Portland
Left early to the airport – found parking for the car at Double tree hotel which has $8 / day for long term parking, which was also valet parking though, plus they have a shuttle drop and pick-up from the San Jose airport. It was a tiny Horizon Air flight, but landed early by 8:35 AM at Portland. My friend came to pick me up only by 9:15, then we went to his home. Breakfast was Akkirotti, then we packed some food and headed out to checkout Multnomah water falls. It was about an hours drive, we stopped in between at view points. Drive was parallel to the free-way which runs parallel to Columbia river. But this drive takes you up (ghat section). So there are view points where you can see the entire Columbia river and there is really really Windy.. Strong winds.. you could end up “flying like a kite”.
There are multiple waterfalls and trails all along.. we stopped for some pictures.. then headed to Multnomah water falls. This falls is really pretty because it falls in two stages and you can also hike all the way up. We both did the hike, while Shwetha and Amulya were waiting down. View from the top again is scenic and worth the hike.
We then got down for some shopping / sovereigns at the gift shop below – picked up picture of the waterfall itself which can be framed at homeJ
Then we had Irish coffee, hot chocolate and returned home by 4 for lunch, we had some Pongal (which we had packed to have at the water fall. After this we went to Costco for some shopping – camera gift for my valentine.
Evening dinner was at Salvador Molly’s Westside Restaurant 1523 SW Sunset Blvd, Portland, 97239. This is a Brazilian restaurant which has the first item on their menu as “Balls of Fire” – If you have 5 of these with the sauce they provide, they take a picture of you and post it at the restaurant as a HERO. We ordered 5 balls and I have never had anything as hot and spicy as this before. It took a good amount 20 amounts for fire in my mouth to douse – no amount of water, beer, sweet nothing helps.. Inspite of this, trying to be hero, I had 2.75
Below is what they say on their menu!!!
The Infamous Great Balls of Fire – Many have tried, some have died!
Eat all 5 habanero-cheese fritters with the sauce, & get your picture on
the Wall of Flame!! $7.00
3 balls-$5.00 2 balls-$3.00 1 ball-$2.00
Other than this food was good, they also serve you roasted peanuts (raw) and you and just leave the “sippe” on the floor. So as you enter it looks like our Kadalekai parse. So it was a fun evening.
Fun really didn’t stop there, it continued back home in the night as well. We had great plans to watch – The Matrix (part 3) – Revolutions. But, I was way too exhausted with my previous day’s trip from Boston to San Jose and then waking up early to get to Portland.. then the hike, shopping.. so retired within 15 minutes. But, woke up within 2 hours and had to rush to bathroom – after effects of habanero – now my ass was burning and had to do this thrice.. Wow what an experience.
Next day morning – we had uppittu for breakfast, then we went on bike ride – my friend has purchased a new Kawasaki R6 (650 CC sports bike). It just flies.. was a different experience riding this (though I was pillion rider) on the freeways with 100 miles an hour.. it really has superb power and pickup.. but it was very cold.. my hands were frozen, trying to hold on.. Tried riding the bike in parking lot.. it was really ready to take off. Then we returned home and packed up.. We went to just see the bikes in the showroom there were awesome cruisers, sports bikes.. then after shopping (at outlet mall) which was for Shwetha for her upcoming birthday and valentines day. We had Pretzels at Aunt Annie’s – these were too good – I had missed this not trying for the past 10 years here.. You learn and see something newJ Then went directly to airport and was back to San Jose..
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