Lan Su Chinese Garden & Voodoo Donuts, Portland, OR 16 Jul 2013

We had planned to enjoy two days relaxing by the river, but our TV was not working correctly, so we returned to the RV remodeler so that their technician could fix it.  With no coach, we decided to return to being tourists in Portland.  We visited the Lan Su (Garden of Awakening Orchids) Chinese Gardens, 239 NE Everett St., in China Town. Admission is $8.50 and is good for the whole day.

This sculpture greets visitors outside the entrance.

 The entrance is a courtyard with these gates separating it from the rest of the world.  The program was built by Chinese artisans and is the most authentic Chinese garden outside of China.

 Gingko trees and wood are featured throughout.

The garden is an example of the home and garden of a wealthy 16th century Chinese family.  The Hall of Brocade Clouds would be the place of entertainment. At the ends of the roof are two dragons. They are there to attack evil spirits that attempt to enter.

 Doors and windows throughout the garden form views within views according to the guidebook.

 This The Hall of Brocade Clouds from inside the sanctuary.

 The sights, sounds, and smells of this place created a very soothing sensation.  Amazing to realize that a busy Portland is outside this one block area.

                                   

These Lake Tai rocks are formed underwater.  They are placed here to represent mountains.

The terrace sits in the middle the pond. It provides 360º views of the garden.

The tea house was a busy place.

The view just outside the tea house.

Flowers Bathing in Spring Rain houses six panels made from gingko wood. 

The panels illustrate actual ancient gardens in Portland's sister city of Suzhou.

These small cement tiles on one path.  There is visual interest everywhere.

 These drip tiles is adorned with five bats, representing the five blessings - long life, good fortune, good health, a love of virtue, and a painless passing. 

Looking from the Scholar's Courtyard at a Penjing.

The path through the garden circles the pond.  

The lily pads are gorgeous because they are controlled, not allowed to take over the pond.

The Koi seemed to recognize when people were on the bridges and they swam toward them.  It was good to see that no one tried to feed them.

 The final architectural picture took us back to the entrance.  We have always appreciated landscaping, but today we learned the power of smell and architectural elements.  We need Brent (our son) to see this place, so he can design the yard of our next house with some of these elements. 

 We have never been to Voodoo Doughnuts, so we decided to go there next because it was only three blocks away.  Quite the contrast to the tranquil garden.  The line was a half block long at lunch time on a week day.  We had nice conversation with mother and daughter in line with us.  It took us about 15 minutes to get inside.

The carousel displays all the choices.  They are known for their obscene shapes and their bacon-maple bars.  We ordered a dozen of mixed for $11.50 and added a bacon-maple bar.  We got the maple bar without the bacon.  Oh, well.  It was not greasy and tasted decadent.

There are signs in the store that say, "I got VD in Portland."  VD equals Voodoo Doughnuts. Being Vegan is VERY Portland.

 Come to Portland and you will see people carrying these boxes.  We saw two tough looking guys on motorcycles with these!

Here is our dozen.  We took all but two to our RV remodeler.  Does it count that we had that much discipline?