Lan Su, beautiful Chinese garden.................

There's a sparkling gem hidden among the modern office buildings of a wonderful American city. 

There you can escape traffic, calm your senses, and reconnect with nature.

Lan Su Chinese Garden was built in Portland, Oregon by Chinese artisans and is a window into Chinese culture, history, and way of thinking. It represents a 16th century private home and garden of a wealthy family.

Completed in 2000, most of the materials used, including more than 500 tons of rock, came from China. It is the most authentic Chinese garden outside of China. Suzhou in Jiangsu province, famous for its beautiful gardens, is Portland's sister city. Sixty-five artisans from Suzhou lived in Portland for 10 months while assembling the structures crafted in China for the garden.
The six panels above are carved from ginkgo wood and illustrate actual ancient gardens in the sister city of Suzhou. On the back of the fourth panel these words are written in calligraphy~~~~~~

"Most cherished in this mundane world is a place without traffic: truly in the city there can be a mountain and forest." 

Wen Zhengming 1470-1559

Once inside the walls, modern Portland is left behind.

The bat-shaped drip tiles along the rooflines are adorned with five bat symbols, representing each of the five blessings - long life, good fortune, good health, a love of virtue, and a painless passing.

As you walk along the many handmade mosaic rock pathways, you suddenly become aware that each one is a different and beautiful design..........and they have names such as "plum blossoms on cracked ice", here below in the Scholar's Courtyard.

Doorways and windows throughout the garden form views within views, creating the illusion of infinite space within a single city block.

This pavilion above - click image to view collage - represents the boat of friendship that departed from Suzhou, made its way across the ocean and eventually docked in Portland. From inside, you're meant to feel as if you're anchored on shore and being rocked gently by small waves.

Each pavilion represents something special and is surrounded 

by koi ponds.......

........and beautifully constructed and decorated 

outside and in.

 On the corners of this roof are two dragonfish, 
or chi wen, which swallow all evil influences 
and protect the building from fire.

Plants serve many purposes in Chinese gardens. 

Besides providing beauty, color, texture and fragrance, 

they also convey meaning.

The Tower of Cosmic Reflections pavilion, is the teahouse. From this two story building, women in the family would have viewed the garden and surrounding city. Their time would have been spent managing the finances and affairs of the family. Here it promotes social art and the culture of tea........and the offerings were delicious. My gaiwan (Chinese for tea cup) above holds Dian Hong - a soft oolong tea, and Bob chose Golden Monkey.

I must thank long-time blog friend Marilyn of Delights of the Heart, and her husband Jim, for taking us here a few weeks ago. We so enjoyed meeting them in person at long last, and the visit to Lan Su, a place we'd missed when in Portland before, was so enjoyable. We definitely will be going back when visiting Portland again.

Visiting the City of Roses..................and Marilyn!

Over the years my list of 'blog friend meetings' has grown. No matter in which country - yes I've met some lovely bloggers overseas on my travels - every gal, often with the patient hubby tagging along which is always great as Bob is usually with me, has meant a delightful day spent in the company of some very special friends.

Marilyn, Mary and Jim - Portland friends forever.

After about five years as online friends I had such an enjoyable time with Marilyn of the lovely blog Delights of the Heart, and her charming husband Jim, they made us more than welcome on this quick visit back to Portland, one of our favorites....the City of Roses.

We drove 9 plus hours from Northern California to Portland......and on arrival Marilyn insisted we pop over to her lovely home for her freshly baked apricot pie and Oolong tea.......even though it was quite late. Marilyn is to me the diva of tea.....knowing so much more than I will ever comprehend about the growing and preparing of delicious teas from around the world. Yes, yes, know I'm the English gal here, but I grew up loving coffee and didn't really start enjoying a good afternoon cuppa at 4 pm until after I emigrated to the USA.

Because Jim is an accomplished Master Gardener who specializes in heirloom roses, Marilyn's garden is gorgeous. The flowers and shrubs were at their peak and, with perfect weather of bright sunshine and blue skies, and perfect temperatures, I was able to ooh and aah constantly when we returned the next morning to start a wonderful day exploring the city.

First stop was at the breathtaking Multnomah Falls.......a full day followed perfumed with roses and other fun surprises.

OK, now in Seattle and off to the airport for an early morning flight back east. More next time on Portland's special places........then on to meet Washington State friends.

This has been a whirlwind trip and so much fun.

On the 'Oregon Trail'.....................

Can't wait to tell about my fabulous visit to Portland, Oregon yesterday.............not only seeing the beautiful places of the city that some tourists never get to visit, but also.............

.............being 'led up the garden path' here to visit one of my long time, most dear blog friends!!!!!

I'm not letting the cat out of the bag this morning as Bob is cracking the whip to get me back on the road within the hour as we head to Bellingham, Washington...........but soon I'll tell more.

Meanwhile, this was the magnificent view yesterday - a perfect day in Portland.  Looking out across the city to awesome, snow-covered Mt. Hood.

I'll share more of the lovely Pacific Northwest soon.