Blog: May 2015
May 1, 2015
Enroute to Austin, Texas!
Enroute to Austin, Texas!
May 1, 2015
Got to Austin pretty late the first night, so grabbed some tacos and margaritas near our Airbnb at Baby Acapulco. This kind of outdoor seating is very Texas.
Got to Austin pretty late the first night, so grabbed some tacos and margaritas near our Airbnb at Baby Acapulco. This kind of outdoor seating is very Texas.
May 2, 2015
Got a ourselves a rental car for Austin and Dallas for the rest of the week! A tad too bright..
Got a ourselves a rental car for Austin and Dallas for the rest of the week! A tad too bright..
May 2, 2015
First stop in Austin was UT Austin. The campus was big and open and flat. Their clock tower isn't quite as majestic as Cornell's though. :P We also went to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library where it told the history of LBJ and his achievements, and also had a massive wall of his library books.
First stop in Austin was UT Austin. The campus was big and open and flat. Their clock tower isn't quite as majestic as Cornell's though. :P We also went to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library where it told the history of LBJ and his achievements, and also had a massive wall of his library books.
May 2, 2015
Omg.. Austin BBQ is to die for. We waited about 45 minute for Micklethwait and the ribs and briskets were soooo good! This wasn't even the most popular one. The most popular one is Franklin's and you gotta wait for hours, with the possibility of them running out of food when it gets to you.
Omg.. Austin BBQ is to die for. We waited about 45 minute for Micklethwait and the ribs and briskets were soooo good! This wasn't even the most popular one. The most popular one is Franklin's and you gotta wait for hours, with the possibility of them running out of food when it gets to you.
May 2, 2015
The Texas State Museum and the Capitol were nearby so we walked there to see it. The museum talked about the history of Texas and how it became part of the U.S. - a little dry at some points. The Capitol was really nice though. It's really pretty and you can go inside to see where the senators and house of representatives have their meetings. I think it's prettier than the DC Capitol.
The Texas State Museum and the Capitol were nearby so we walked there to see it. The museum talked about the history of Texas and how it became part of the U.S. - a little dry at some points. The Capitol was really nice though. It's really pretty and you can go inside to see where the senators and house of representatives have their meetings. I think it's prettier than the DC Capitol.
May 2, 2015
Made our way to South Congress Ave where there were a lot of restaurants and small shops. Most of the shops were antique and gift shops, so we didn't spend that much time there. I did get to try on some cowboy boots and cowboy hats though... We got tacos at Torchy's Taco. It was pretty unique - I had a sausage in my taco! Then we waited on Congress Bridge hoping to see the bats come out at sunset, but they came out really late when it was dark and we barely saw anything. We got some ice cream at Dolce Neve afterwards. 5 stars with hundreds of reviews on Yelp, really lived up to its rating it was soo good. After that, we got a few drinks on Rainey Street with a few other ADPs before calling it an early night.
Made our way to South Congress Ave where there were a lot of restaurants and small shops. Most of the shops were antique and gift shops, so we didn't spend that much time there. I did get to try on some cowboy boots and cowboy hats though... We got tacos at Torchy's Taco. It was pretty unique - I had a sausage in my taco! Then we waited on Congress Bridge hoping to see the bats come out at sunset, but they came out really late when it was dark and we barely saw anything. We got some ice cream at Dolce Neve afterwards. 5 stars with hundreds of reviews on Yelp, really lived up to its rating it was soo good. After that, we got a few drinks on Rainey Street with a few other ADPs before calling it an early night.
May 3, 2015
Baylor Walls. This is like the 5 Pointz of NYC: a bunch of walls filled with art and graffiti. Pretty interesting because it's just a huge art wall in a very residential neighborhood.
Baylor Walls. This is like the 5 Pointz of NYC: a bunch of walls filled with art and graffiti. Pretty interesting because it's just a huge art wall in a very residential neighborhood.
May 3, 2015
We read really good reviews for Hamilton Springs, and when we got there a little before 10am we had to wait to get into the parking lot. The spring itself was really pretty and nice to walk around, but there's not a lot of flat area to sit down and chill in the sun. It was mostly rocks and only a small section had softer ground. So that was a little disappointing. We just walked around, took some pictures, and then moved on to the next spring!
We read really good reviews for Hamilton Springs, and when we got there a little before 10am we had to wait to get into the parking lot. The spring itself was really pretty and nice to walk around, but there's not a lot of flat area to sit down and chill in the sun. It was mostly rocks and only a small section had softer ground. So that was a little disappointing. We just walked around, took some pictures, and then moved on to the next spring!
May 3, 2015
Panorama view of the entire Hamilton Spring!
Panorama view of the entire Hamilton Spring!
May 3, 2015
Jacob's Well! This was so much better than Hamilton Springs. It was a lot sunnier, more lively, and more things to do. It's a deep well, about 30-40 feet deep, and then it extends horizontally into an underwater cave several hundred feet. People would jump from the high rocks or from the smaller ledges. I wasn't feeling particularly risky, so just did a few jumps and flips off the small ledge. The scary part was jumping into the well, but after the first time it wasn't so bad!
Jacob's Well! This was so much better than Hamilton Springs. It was a lot sunnier, more lively, and more things to do. It's a deep well, about 30-40 feet deep, and then it extends horizontally into an underwater cave several hundred feet. People would jump from the high rocks or from the smaller ledges. I wasn't feeling particularly risky, so just did a few jumps and flips off the small ledge. The scary part was jumping into the well, but after the first time it wasn't so bad!
May 3, 2015
The Alamo! I remember learning about this in American History ages ago, and now finally got to see it in person. It's very small actually and in the heart of San Antonio. The inside wasn't very spacious and displayed weapons and equipment used during that time. Honestly, a little disappointing but it was still cool to see it.
The Alamo! I remember learning about this in American History ages ago, and now finally got to see it in person. It's very small actually and in the heart of San Antonio. The inside wasn't very spacious and displayed weapons and equipment used during that time. Honestly, a little disappointing but it was still cool to see it.
May 3, 2015
San Antonio Riverwalk! It was felt so nice here because it was cool and shady compared to the 90+ degree San Antonio weather. It's pretty much a bunch of restaurants along the river, not much actually. San Antonio itself isn't very big and everything centers around or near The Alamo.
San Antonio Riverwalk! It was felt so nice here because it was cool and shady compared to the 90+ degree San Antonio weather. It's pretty much a bunch of restaurants along the river, not much actually. San Antonio itself isn't very big and everything centers around or near The Alamo.
May 8, 2015
After checking in to our Airbnb, we biked to Frenchmen Street and wandered around there. Stumbled upon Frenchmen Market. It's like a night market that sells handmade craft, while there's bars all around it and people are drinking on the streets. I really liked all the lights there.
After checking in to our Airbnb, we biked to Frenchmen Street and wandered around there. Stumbled upon Frenchmen Market. It's like a night market that sells handmade craft, while there's bars all around it and people are drinking on the streets. I really liked all the lights there.
May 8, 2015
The St Roch Market is just two blocks from our Airbnb. It's a really nice market compared to the neighborhood it's in. Very hipster.
The St Roch Market is just two blocks from our Airbnb. It's a really nice market compared to the neighborhood it's in. Very hipster.
May 9, 2015
French Market was our first stop of the day. It sells a lot of small things and there's a food section too. We got crab cake poach egg from Meals from the Heart Cafe and it was deliiiiicious. So amazing. We came back again right before heading to the airport.
French Market was our first stop of the day. It sells a lot of small things and there's a food section too. We got crab cake poach egg from Meals from the Heart Cafe and it was deliiiiicious. So amazing. We came back again right before heading to the airport.
May 9, 2015
The famous Jackson Square with the St. Louis Cathedral in the back. NOLA is the perfect place to people watch.
The famous Jackson Square with the St. Louis Cathedral in the back. NOLA is the perfect place to people watch.
May 9, 2015
Inside the St. Louis Cathedral. It's the oldest cathedral in North America.
Inside the St. Louis Cathedral. It's the oldest cathedral in North America.
May 8-11, 2015
The Streets of New Orleans:
Architecture in NOLA are influenced by the Spanish and French and they're so beautiful. Every street has the colorful houses with balconies on pillars and it's so different from every other city. The windows all have shutters and a lot of them open directly out on the sidewalk. It gives such a invite and comfortable feeling.
The Streets of New Orleans:
Architecture in NOLA are influenced by the Spanish and French and they're so beautiful. Every street has the colorful houses with balconies on pillars and it's so different from every other city. The windows all have shutters and a lot of them open directly out on the sidewalk. It gives such a invite and comfortable feeling.
May 9, 2015
The famous Cafe du Monde and their beignets. They're essentially fried dough doused in sugar powder. The line for this place was soooo long during the day, so we went a little later when there was no line. The beignets were pretty good, but not as amazing as it's been hyped to be.
The famous Cafe du Monde and their beignets. They're essentially fried dough doused in sugar powder. The line for this place was soooo long during the day, so we went a little later when there was no line. The beignets were pretty good, but not as amazing as it's been hyped to be.
May 8-11, 2015
Street Performers of New Orleans:
NOLA is filled with street performers - singers, bands, dancers, artistic skills, or variations of them. Just wandering around the French Quarters you're bound to find a street performance any time of the day. That's what we spent a lot of our time doing, just walking around looking for street performers.
Street Performers of New Orleans:
NOLA is filled with street performers - singers, bands, dancers, artistic skills, or variations of them. Just wandering around the French Quarters you're bound to find a street performance any time of the day. That's what we spent a lot of our time doing, just walking around looking for street performers.
May 10, 2015
Swamp Tour in the Bayou! We took a 45-minute bus ride out to the swamplands and got on a flat-bottom boat to see alligators! It wasn't alligator season yet, so there were only about 4-5 as opposed to the 20-30 that the tour guide said comes out in the summer. But it was still pretty cool. Alligators come towards the boat to get fed marshmallows and hotdogs haha. We also went deeper in the swamps and saw wild hogs. They snort so loudly and are so sloppy and ugly. First time seeing them. And we saw a lot of houses by the swamps where people live there permanently and make a living fishing or shrimping. Some were built on stilts to withstand hurricanes and floods. When Katrina hit, a bunch of the houses floated away and only a few built back up.
Swamp Tour in the Bayou! We took a 45-minute bus ride out to the swamplands and got on a flat-bottom boat to see alligators! It wasn't alligator season yet, so there were only about 4-5 as opposed to the 20-30 that the tour guide said comes out in the summer. But it was still pretty cool. Alligators come towards the boat to get fed marshmallows and hotdogs haha. We also went deeper in the swamps and saw wild hogs. They snort so loudly and are so sloppy and ugly. First time seeing them. And we saw a lot of houses by the swamps where people live there permanently and make a living fishing or shrimping. Some were built on stilts to withstand hurricanes and floods. When Katrina hit, a bunch of the houses floated away and only a few built back up.
May 10, 2015
After the swamps, we took the St. Charles streetcar to Garden District. It's the oldest streetcar in NOLA and apparently is a must-ride. But so not worth it. It's packed, slow, and so infrequent. We spent over half an hour waiting for the streetcar, and then chugged along at a maximum of 15mph for another 45 minutes to Garden District. There weren't even that much there.
After the swamps, we took the St. Charles streetcar to Garden District. It's the oldest streetcar in NOLA and apparently is a must-ride. But so not worth it. It's packed, slow, and so infrequent. We spent over half an hour waiting for the streetcar, and then chugged along at a maximum of 15mph for another 45 minutes to Garden District. There weren't even that much there.
May 8-11, 2015
Bourbon Street:
No open bottle policy in NOLA and people drink at all times of the day. NOLA is like a party city. You'll find people holding a margarita at 9am in the morning, and at 9pm everyone's wasted bar hopping on Bourbon Street. Like no other city I've been to. Very interesting to people watch though! I tried the famous Hand Grenade and it was so good. There's 5 different types of liquor and it's actually pretty strong. Also tried the Hurricane and didn't like it because the Tequila taste was too strong.
Bourbon Street:
No open bottle policy in NOLA and people drink at all times of the day. NOLA is like a party city. You'll find people holding a margarita at 9am in the morning, and at 9pm everyone's wasted bar hopping on Bourbon Street. Like no other city I've been to. Very interesting to people watch though! I tried the famous Hand Grenade and it was so good. There's 5 different types of liquor and it's actually pretty strong. Also tried the Hurricane and didn't like it because the Tequila taste was too strong.
May 11, 2015
We couldn't get into St. Louis Cemetery #1, so we just stopped by St. Roch Cemetery near our Airbnb. These cemeteries are common in NOLA where people are buried above ground in this big tomb houses.
We couldn't get into St. Louis Cemetery #1, so we just stopped by St. Roch Cemetery near our Airbnb. These cemeteries are common in NOLA where people are buried above ground in this big tomb houses.
May 11, 2015
Final stop before the airport! National World War II Museum. It's ranked #4 in the US! The museum was really good and talked about the war and all the battles in detail. We also watched the movie, Beyond All Boundaries, where it talked about how the US got involved in the war and the important battles during the war. I like war history and really enjoyed this museum.
Final stop before the airport! National World War II Museum. It's ranked #4 in the US! The museum was really good and talked about the war and all the battles in detail. We also watched the movie, Beyond All Boundaries, where it talked about how the US got involved in the war and the important battles during the war. I like war history and really enjoyed this museum.
May 23, 2015
Hiking at the NY/NJ Stateline Lookout trail again! This time with a lot more people and it was so much more fun with a larger group. Lots of adventures along the way and goofing around. :)
Hiking at the NY/NJ Stateline Lookout trail again! This time with a lot more people and it was so much more fun with a larger group. Lots of adventures along the way and goofing around. :)
May 23, 2015
1 year Cornell reunion with my favorite people! So nice to get together as a whole group again, especially exactly 1 year since we graduated. It's so nostalgic but so glad nothing's really changed and we still act the way we did back at Cornell. It's a nice change of pace from work and finally get to be silly around these people again.
1 year Cornell reunion with my favorite people! So nice to get together as a whole group again, especially exactly 1 year since we graduated. It's so nostalgic but so glad nothing's really changed and we still act the way we did back at Cornell. It's a nice change of pace from work and finally get to be silly around these people again.
May 24, 2015
Driving to breakfast, then the park, then to the beach. It's like Fast & Furious except with 3 regular sedans heh.
Driving to breakfast, then the park, then to the beach. It's like Fast & Furious except with 3 regular sedans heh.
May 24, 2015
Back to the ratchet high school garage parties, except we're all college grads. Fun times with the best people. ^_^
Back to the ratchet high school garage parties, except we're all college grads. Fun times with the best people. ^_^
May 26, 2015
Landed in Chicago and headed straight for the Sears Tower! It's the second tallest building in the Western Hemisphere? (after the Freedom Tower, I believe). The view from the top was alright and you just see lots of tall buildings around you. The glass skydeck was really cool though. You walk out into this glass box and you're looking 103 stories down to the street level. I tip-toed over the ledge at first and then once I was over it it didn't feel that bad.
Landed in Chicago and headed straight for the Sears Tower! It's the second tallest building in the Western Hemisphere? (after the Freedom Tower, I believe). The view from the top was alright and you just see lots of tall buildings around you. The glass skydeck was really cool though. You walk out into this glass box and you're looking 103 stories down to the street level. I tip-toed over the ledge at first and then once I was over it it didn't feel that bad.
May 26, 2015
I've heard from friends that I have to try the Chicago hotdog. So I got really hyped up to get Portillo's, but the hotdog was very underwhelming. It's like any other hotdog, except it's on sesame bun and has sliced tomatoes, pickle, and peppers on it. But at least I can say I've tried it!
I've heard from friends that I have to try the Chicago hotdog. So I got really hyped up to get Portillo's, but the hotdog was very underwhelming. It's like any other hotdog, except it's on sesame bun and has sliced tomatoes, pickle, and peppers on it. But at least I can say I've tried it!
May 27, 2015
Had a corporate fun event today, but I left a little early and met up with two high school friend who also happened to be in Chicago! What are the odds? We went to Bordel, this speakeasy in Wicker Park, and I thought it was just very average.
Had a corporate fun event today, but I left a little early and met up with two high school friend who also happened to be in Chicago! What are the odds? We went to Bordel, this speakeasy in Wicker Park, and I thought it was just very average.
May 28, 2015
Buckingham Fountain! It's so pretty and the open space is so nice, it's also right next to Lake Michigan. I was not expecting the fountain to shoot up that high up. It's so nice that there's this big open area right in Downtown Chicago.
Buckingham Fountain! It's so pretty and the open space is so nice, it's also right next to Lake Michigan. I was not expecting the fountain to shoot up that high up. It's so nice that there's this big open area right in Downtown Chicago.
May 28, 2015
The famous Millennium Park.
The famous Millennium Park.
May 28, 2015
There's two glass tower water fountains and it shows the citizens of Chicago. It'd be pretty cool to have my face on such a big public display like this.
There's two glass tower water fountains and it shows the citizens of Chicago. It'd be pretty cool to have my face on such a big public display like this.
May 28, 2015
The Bean!! AKA Cloud Gate - I did not know that was the official name. I came here the first night in Chicago at night, but it was so dark and hard to take any pictures. Today was perfect though. So many tourists around the bean and touching it, you can actually see a bunch of fingerprints on the Bean. The reflection off the Bean was really cool because it reflects the Chicago skyline. And it curves too so there's a slight fisheye effect. The Bean is also a really fun people watching place.
The Bean!! AKA Cloud Gate - I did not know that was the official name. I came here the first night in Chicago at night, but it was so dark and hard to take any pictures. Today was perfect though. So many tourists around the bean and touching it, you can actually see a bunch of fingerprints on the Bean. The reflection off the Bean was really cool because it reflects the Chicago skyline. And it curves too so there's a slight fisheye effect. The Bean is also a really fun people watching place.
May 28, 2015
The streets of Chicago:
Chicago streets are so confusing, with some areas having an upper and lower level. The Riverwalk by the Chicago River is like a peaceful getaway right underneath the tall skyscrapers. And everything is so close together - probably about 2 miles to get from one side to the other so it's so convenient.
The streets of Chicago:
Chicago streets are so confusing, with some areas having an upper and lower level. The Riverwalk by the Chicago River is like a peaceful getaway right underneath the tall skyscrapers. And everything is so close together - probably about 2 miles to get from one side to the other so it's so convenient.
May 28, 2015
John Hancock Tower, the other tall skyscraper with an observatory on top. This one has a Tilt, which essentially lets you lean on a glass that tilts 30 degrees out over the street level. Doesn't look very exciting because you can just peek over. I like the view from the Hancock Tower because you see all of Downtown Chicago and you see up and down the shores of Lake Michigan. I went right before sunset so I got to see Chicago when it's still light out, during sunset, and at night. Chicago at night is soooo beautiful.
John Hancock Tower, the other tall skyscraper with an observatory on top. This one has a Tilt, which essentially lets you lean on a glass that tilts 30 degrees out over the street level. Doesn't look very exciting because you can just peek over. I like the view from the Hancock Tower because you see all of Downtown Chicago and you see up and down the shores of Lake Michigan. I went right before sunset so I got to see Chicago when it's still light out, during sunset, and at night. Chicago at night is soooo beautiful.
May 28, 2015
Chicago as it transforms from daytime into nighttime.
Chicago as it transforms from daytime into nighttime.
May 28, 2015
From the top of the Hancock Tower you can see out in all directions. To the North you see up the shore of Lake Michigan. To the East is Lake Michigan, To the South you see Downtown Chicago. And to the West you see the suburbs.
From the top of the Hancock Tower you can see out in all directions. To the North you see up the shore of Lake Michigan. To the East is Lake Michigan, To the South you see Downtown Chicago. And to the West you see the suburbs.
May 28, 2015
Before leaving Chicago, I went to Adler Planetarium to look at the Chicago skyline. It's so amazing. Definitely want to come back to Chicago in the future.
Before leaving Chicago, I went to Adler Planetarium to look at the Chicago skyline. It's so amazing. Definitely want to come back to Chicago in the future.
May 30, 2015
Bryant was in town so I met up with him for dinner! We checked out Union Market and it's like a nice and clean space with shops and eateries. New discovery and I shall come back in the future. Then we got Ethiopian food, first time for both of us and the waitress had to explain to us how to eat it. It's very different - you eat with your hands and there's no utensils at all. Kinda a messy ordeal, but the food was really good.
Bryant was in town so I met up with him for dinner! We checked out Union Market and it's like a nice and clean space with shops and eateries. New discovery and I shall come back in the future. Then we got Ethiopian food, first time for both of us and the waitress had to explain to us how to eat it. It's very different - you eat with your hands and there's no utensils at all. Kinda a messy ordeal, but the food was really good.