Austin, known as the “Live Music Capital of the World’ was the third place we visited during our course of journey towards Dallas for Christmas celebrations with families. The bus journey from San Antonio to Austin bus terminal only took 1 hour 36 minutes.
San Antonio to Austin
When we arrived at the Austin bus terminal, getting our backpacks was a bit of an unpleasant experience. We witnessed a lady worker who was taking care of unloading the luggage from the bus rudely telling the passengers to back off and get inside the terminal while she did her job. The outburst was unnecessary, and it just made her look like a mad person.
I find it quite challenging to get a taxi from the terminal, or maybe we just didn’t know where to find one. We stood at the roadside for a while before spotting a cab cruising on the busy road. It cost $10 for the ride to Rodeway Inn University/Downtown which was about 5.1 km away.
Rodeway Inn University/Downtown
I’m a big fan of Supernatural drama (watched seasons 1 to 13, and currently watching season 14), and staying in this hotel made me think of Sam and Dean Winchester, and how they regularly travelled across the states to save the world and stayed at a budget hotel such as one we’re staying here. Plus they’re both from Texas. Jensen Ackles (Dean) was born in Dallas, and Jared Padalecki (Sam) was born in San Antonio, and if I’m not mistaken, they’re both living in Austin now.
This hotel costs $150 for two nights with free breakfast. The breakfast was self-service, and it was pretty basic, served at the reception area. You could find a pancake machine with ready-made batter on the side, simple pastries, coffee from the machine and yoghurts.
The bed was comfortable, but the room definitely had seen a better day, and although the highway was just about 100 metres away. However, the noise coming out from the busy traffic outside was bearable. To prove the point, I recorded a short video of it.
Texas State Capitol and Bars on 6th Street
In the afternoon, while on our way to 6th Street, we walked past Mike A. Myers Stadium & Soccer Field, and also Texas State Capitol. The distance was about 3.2km from the hotel, and it took us about 40 minutes to walk.
Cupabacra Cantina
Some of the food and drink prices at Cupabacra Cantina $2.50 – Topo Chico $3.50 – Mexican Coke $4.00 – Bottled Beer – Bud / Bud Light / Coor Light / Miller Lite / Shiner Bock $4.75 – Stella Artois / Blue Moon / Negra Modelo / Heineken / Dos XX Lager $5.00 – Cold Brew Coffee / Sangria $5.25 – Los Tacos – Baja / The Yucatan / Grilled Portabella / Chicken Tinga $5.50 – Los Tacos – Orange Chipotle Brisket / The Chupacabra / Steak Guisada $5.75 – Los Tacos – Honey Jalapeno Fried Chicken / Fried Avocado $6.50 – Chips & Guacamole $7.00 – Flautas $7.50 – Chili Con Queso $9.00 – Chupa Salad / Cesar Chavez $11.00 – Avocado Salad $11.50 – West coast burritos fillings with Chicken Tinga / Grilled Portabella $12.50 – El Super Queso $13.00 – West coast burritos fillings with Orange Chipotle Brisket / Steak Guisada $13.50 – West coast burritos fillings with Barbacoa De Chivo
While looking for a place to have a late lunch, we wandered around 7th Street. The sight of homeless people sleeping on the walkway and beggars around made me feel a bit uncomfortable. We didn’t find anything interesting on this road, so we walked back to the 6th street and settled for lunch/dinner at Cupabacra Cantina.
The bar has six televisions offering movies and sports programs. While I was there sipping my Sangria, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory was on the screen. I first watched it over a decade ago, and until now I could still remember the storyline.
Blind Pig Pub
Once we finished watching the movie, we moved to Blind Pig Pub, located just across from the street, about a one-minute walk. At the entrance, the bouncer asked for our ID, and luckily I remembered to bring along my Cedula. It was the first time we were asked for ID in the US.
However, I think it was not because me and Mike looked young, but because of their policy. I bet they’d also check the ID of an old man with a walking stick. Anyway, this pub has live music and many choices of draft beers, but the beer was served in a plastic cup, and it cost $6, slightly more expensive than other places considering the size of the cup.
Dizzy Rooster
Our next bar was the Dizzy Rooster. Choices of draught beer were limited, but they have plenty of canned and bottled beers. This premise has ATM Machines, a Photo Booth, and also has live music, but they were still setting up the musical instruments when we left.
Darwin’s Piano Bar
Our last stop was Darwin’s Piano Bar, located on the same street just across from the previous bar. The bartender told us that he has three children with his Vietnamese wife, and it’s their 13th anniversary this year. He was very friendly and chatty and that made us feel welcome as well as comfortable sitting in the bar.
The bar also had a live band, and although they couldn’t play our requested song, they still tried their best to fulfil our request by substituting it with another song. We didn’t stay out late though, by 9:30 pm, we were already back at the hotel. It cost $11 with a taxi for the journey of 4km. The price for Dos XX and Angry Orchard was $12.
Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant
The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel and a buffet lunch at the restaurant next door, Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant. There were plenty of dishes to choose from, and it’s like economy rice back in Malaysia. It all looked very tempting, and I ended up trying every one of them.
It was my first time trying out Ethiopian food, and I liked it. Some of the curries tasted like Indian food though. The owner/staff was attentive, and it almost felt like having a meal at home. The price for two buffet lunches was $21.63 including tax.
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
In the afternoon we went to Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, situated along the Colorado River. This walk was about 4km including a detour to the Mega Bus station – to make sure we know where to go for the bus ride tomorrow.
The trail with a river on the side, the greenery and squirrels oblivious to the passersby brought a peaceful feeling while walking along the well-maintained path.
Royal Blue
Walking back to the hotel, we stopped by for a drink at Royal Blue, and as for dinner, because we were still full from the Ethiopian lunch, sausage buns from 7elevan were enough to sustain us until breakfast tomorrow morning.
It’s our last night in Austin, and after the 8km walk, we had an early night, not exhausted but just couldn’t be bothered with drinking and were very excited to meet with the family in Dallas tomorrow.
Other pictures
Travel Date: 20th ~ 22nd December 2018
