Showing posts with label San Antonio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Antonio. Show all posts


This is my favourite places in Texas. This was our last stop in the road trip and we choose to spent the night at the Riverwalk. San Antonio Riverwalk consists of some small rivers and flood management system in San Antonio. Along the banks, they constructed hotels, houses and it was a walk away from one of Texas War Memorial called The Alamo for the Alamo battle.

San Antonio is located South of Austin and 3.5 hours drive from Houston. There were plenty of hotels at the Riverbank. We choose to stay at an old charming hotel called San Antonio Riverwalk O'Briens Historic Hotel. It was the cheapest option with excellent review. It is located in front of a parking bay and 2 mins walk from the Riverwalk. It was old but very clean and provide breakfast, except noises I heard coming from the road at 3 am during the commencement of Daylight Savings in US.
Very European vibe


The parking across the hotel is a private parking that charges $5 from evening to 6am. We reached the hotel quite late around 8pm. Checked in, and we went exploring the Riverwalk at night. There was a lot of people considering it was actually near to St. Patrick's Day. We walked halfway and basically trying to survey restaurants along the riverbank. We choose the Hilton's fresco restaurant right by the river and I ate salmon while RR had some salad. We were just people watching and just take in the environment. The Riverwalk reminds me of Venice in a lot of ways. But, Riverwalk was prettier and not smelly. 

We then took a walk and visited some flee market along one of the river's bridge. There was a lot of college kids on their Spring break and I think we fit in just well LOL. We found a souvenir shop and we decided to buy our Texas souvenirs here. Price was not that bad. I managed to buy loads of fridge magnets and a San Antonio t-shirt for my dad. We decided to take the river cruise in the morning instead and went to the hotel to get some sleep. We went to sleep at 11 and woke up at 6 to refill our parking meter.
This is where they shoot the film Selena

I'm the Captain for 2 minutes

Had a simple breakfast at the hotel (I just had pastries and coffee) and RR decided she was still hungry. So we went into a Breakfast Bar to had some breakfast. The food was blend and tasteless. We then went to buy tickets for the cruise. We sat in front and the boatman again, had lived in Malaysia row few years. Another small world. We talked and he invited us to take photo as if we are steering the boat. It was amazing and the boat man was super nice. We went around the river with the boat man told the history of the place and mentioned how the Riverwalk was build. The water was green because the dyed it for St. Patrick's Day.
Fountain garden near The Alamo

The Alamo

After the cruise, we went for a short walk to get to The Alamo. The Alamo is a war memorial for the Alamo battle. It was actually a church. We did not go in since the line was so long. We just read the brief history outside and left. A lot of people we chat with thought we were studying in Texas. I guess RR and I still got the college kids look.

We went off early to San Marcos Outlet to shop. Again. This time I scored some A&F shirts. We left quite early to make sure we reached Houston in the evening. San Antonio Riverwalk is an amazing short vacation spot. It was happening, pretty and so relaxing. I would go back if I ever be in Texas again. Perhaps I would stay longer here just chilling.
Author at Texas State Capitol
Percutian ke San Antonio & Austin
March 2016

It has been a while since I wrote something, well work caught up as well as other things. Minta maaf ban yak-banyak. Janji nak tulis pasal pengalaman di USA sampan habis.

One of the favourite type of vacation is a road trip (it was my favourite at least). I can tell that not all places are suitable for road trip , I mean people don't road trip across Europe do they? Or at least in congested city like Paris even somewhere close to Malaysia which is Singapore or Indonesia. You need resources (car rental can be hefty, fuels) and willing drivers. One of the country which is perfect for road trip is USA. My parents did the USA East-West Coast road trip back in their college years and trust me, it will be something you'll remember forever.

I too, dream of road trip while I'm in USA, but for a couple of months' trip, I can only do Texas. Texas is big y'all. It will take 3 hours or more just to cross Texas borders. I found my road trip buddy, RR which turns out to be a very close friend. (being on the road bring people together, need I say more?). We're gonna do 3 cities and agreed on our stops in this short road trip. Being on the same page as your trip buddy is important! Learn to share, respect and give and take to each others' needs. Don't be a selfish organiser. Road trip is all about partnership and fun of course. 

Our stops: Richmond, Austin, San Antonio and San Marcos (of course)

Today, I'm gonna talk about the capital city of Texas. Yes, many of you thought it's Houston, but NO. Come on, Houston is being popularised due to it's significant role as a NASA base. The capital of Texas, kids, is Austin.

Austin is located about 3 hours drive Noth-East side from Houston. Like many capital city in USA, Austin has it's own State Capitol Building. It is a replica of the State Capitol Building in Washington DC. Austin is special because unlike other Texas state, the metropolitan area is situated around series of lakes, which is huge! The lakes are part of a river called the Colorado River. Not to be confused the same river in Arizona.

To me, Austin is more laid back and it certainly has a metropolitan feel to it. Well, the entrance to Texas State Capitol is free but there is no parking nearby (same as Houston). We choose to park at a parking building 2 blocks away from the Capitol. When we reached Austin, it was already in the evening around 5pm.
The centre of the Capitol dome from top floor. Around it are the paintings of US presidents.

They erected several memorials around the Capitol. Funny story is that, we didn't plan to go inside the Capitol building. We went in because RR need to use the bathroom. As usual for government building, there will be security screening at the entrance. It was a Saturday so there is no proceeding inside the Capitol and there are quite number of visitors inside. 

After the toilet break, we wander off and visited the top floor to the bottom. Inside, there's a dome and around this dome at each floor, the hang the paintings of US previous and current President. We spotted Abe Lincoln, Adams, Bush and Obama here. It's like their own hall of fame. You can go freely inside the Capitol except the proceeding room where they conduct the session.

The building is simply stunning inside and out. It was our first time entering any State Capitol in the US and we learn something about their politics. Thanks to RR of course. If she didn't have that bathroom break, we will missed out.
Austin Skyline from lady Bird Lake

Our last location in Austin before heading to San Antonio is Lady Bird Lake. Well, I researched on photo spots and this came up. Since the Lake/river is huge, they had constructed a boardwalk on the river across Austin downtown. This is where you can actually the see the Austin skyline from across the lake. There was no proper parking but people park on the side road. We just followed and park our car there. Thankfully there is no police and we are quick.
Boardwalk along Lady Bird Lake/ Colorado River

The river bank hosts some private houses and jogging track. We also see some people canoeing in the river/lake. I can tell that I like Austin more than Houston. The environment is different and the city is beautiful. Next story is about Texas Ranch. On to the next post.


Several colleagues were planning to go to the Natural Bridge Caverns located in San Antonio. They then extend the invitation to me to join. I was actually planning to go here.

San Antonio is about 3 hours drive from Houston. We depart at 6.30 a.m and stop for breakfast in the middle of the highway. The day was cloudy and I was worried that it might actually rain throughout the day. I did not drive this time as one my colleague drive us.

We had breakfast at Whataburger which is a big fast food joint in the US. I ate an overly-sweet cinnamon roll. I bet my sugar level sky rocketed that morning. We reached the caverns by 11.00 a.m just in time for the 11.30 a.m tour.

The ticket costs around $24 incuding the tour that will took 90 minutes. It was drizzling lightly and the temperature began to drop. We took the normal tour and at the entrance, the tour guide actually adviced us to take off our jacket because the cave is actually humid and hot to preserve all the formation. He said that the humidity of the cavern is at 99%. Way worst than KL.

Outside this cave is a natural bridge - hence the name. This cave is 188 feet deep and was discovered around the 60s. They have multiple chambers inside the cavern with the biggest one is called the White Room. At the entrance, it was okay but few meters down the passage, you can feel the humidity and the heat crawling into your skin. It feels like a stuffy room. There is no climbing requirement as they have build a descent passageways for visitors. Lighting is sufficient but you guys have to be careful of the slippery passageways.

Outside the caverns, the tour operators even set up a few little shops selling rocks, formation to the visitors. They even have an on-air obstacle course and flying fox for the kids with an additional fee. Fun part is that the area has another attraction which is the Safari Drive Thru next door.

The King's Throne


The safari enable you to drive your own car to the vicinity of the open safari. Price for admission is $25 including a large bag of animal food. This safari is about 5 miles long and yes, it was packed with cars that day. Can you imagine a traffic in the safari? Quite ironic right?

Inside we were greeted by a mountain goat and we proceed to see other animals from our car. We even attempt to get the animals to come near our car for the food with no avail. Perhaps they are fully fed since morning. We had no luck with the zebras and we finish the course by successfully feeding the llama. The llama was too friendly that it almost get his head in our car.



Nevertheless, it was an okay trip for a short weekend. It will be a perfect spot for young kids. In Malaysia, you don't have a drive thru safari (that I know of) and this is fun.
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