Austin
Tried to stay in bed for as late as possible. In the end I got out of bed after 10. Metinks it's not late enough. Things to do today? Clear stock (the groceries I've bought since I arrived), pack and utilise my last chance online to the fullest!
Uncle returned to work today, so firstly, it's a stay-home day, which is ideal for me; and secondly, I need to borrow his wife's lappie to access the Net this time (since he brought his to work). I stayed up late last night to sort out the photos; today they're all burned to 2 CDs in total. That's around 810 MB in total. And most importantly, sent the confirmation email to Shimizu Ryokan. Ha, I forgot it's already the 18th over at Kyoto!
Proko online, then lunch... And I started with cleaning the ice cream... But my cough is hindering me - in the end I only finished Ben & Jerry Strawbeery Cheesecake and half of Haagen Dazs Baileys. Gomen ne, Proko; if you've lived next door I'd have passed the remaining to you.
My last sundown in Texas. May not look very good since I'm on my tiptoes trying to catch the scenery over the fence... Oh I am short.
17.15 Uhr (Texas time)Uncle returned from home. Dinner was roasted chicken from the supermarket - and was very nice!
Bathed and adding finishing touch to my packing. Omg - my luggage is already full... Maybe some tiny spaces here and there to squeeze future small gifts and all, but completely no space for the books, cds and whatnots on my shopping list! And I am also starting to doubt if I am actually entitled to a 32kg weight limit instead of the usual, since my final flight after Christmas can be interpreted as a short trip from Narita to home. Hence perhaps just 20 kg limit instead... T___T
Schertz - Enchanted Spring Ranch - San Antonio - Austin
Intended to wake up around 7 (hotel breakfast was from 6 to 10.30am), but was awakened way earlier by ST who was an even early riser. It paid off though, to lose some extra sleep for a breathtaking sunrise from our window; I wasn't there for the full treat though; the horizon was already in its glowing orange hues when I drew the curtains back.
Nevertheless, still a beauty.
I decided to have a morning bath and pack while ST went down to the hotel lobby for breakfast. I was tv-ing when she returned, encouraging me to take some breakfast. I had decided to just perhaps have a hot drink, but I ended up getting two servings of meat patties with mustard. The patty was really tasty and tender, but it was actually the mustard that made me goe for seconds, lol. Their hot chocolate was yummy too. So rich! I can't remember clearly now, but I drank about 2-3 cups. Ha, my first proper breakfast in Texas ho~~
We left the hotel after 11am. Uncle drove back to the ranch area (which we were at last evening). It was just one long straight stretch of road... Uncle had to stop and ask for directions several times. We were definitely having trouble locating the ranch (where Uncle had planned for us to visit).
We drove to what was clearly the end of that stretch of highway, and ended up in a beautiful (and rather secluded) town. A river runs along the edge of the town, and the surroundings looked so enveloped in nature, quiet and peaceful.
Random town pic
Seems like dear Uncle was ready to give up and head for home, BUT we eventually found the ranch after all - and that's after around an hour of driving aimlessly? The ranch's entrance... was really not ehm... very obvious. The name's "Enchanted Spring Ranch". Once again, though the sun was shining strongly, it was still cold. However, I decided to leave my coat in the car and put on an extra pullover (which I brought along coz I was prepared for it) in place of my precioussssss coat. We had three guides to show us (and a couple of other American visitors) around on a wagon.
The slow wagon journey was very very bumpy. Haha... I wasn't surprised when one of the guides warned us we might fall off the wagon from our seats solely due to its tremendous rocking.
We made two stops along this 15 minutes ride. And all the wildlife around us. Not something I've expected. Zettai omoshiroi.
First stop, to feed the fishes here. The fishes were totally
gigantic whoa. However I was more attracted to the surroundings here. A tranquil another world.
And then came along a llama!! And I happen to like llamas~~~
Second stop. Basically there was this swing that was filmed in a very famous scene from a past movie. I can't remember what was the film title mentioned, but it doesn't mean a lot to me, meh. But the surrounding is still very pretty.
Our wagon, and one of the guides
Then the return journey, which we passed by many other animals...
This is actually one of the guides' dog, lol :)
Deers...
A REINDEER!! The feeling was delightful, coz it was so close to Christmas then? This was my best shot; the reindeer was running so fast after its counterpart I had no time to change my cam to iso mode ahaha
The second part of the tour was based in this "cowboy town". The guides said it was frequently used as a film set. Meanwhile, some animals (eg. bulls, cows, goats, etc...) were also reared along the cowboy town.
Remember the llamas? (actually there were two; I only took a photo of one previously). They managed to follow the scent of food (there were some on the wagon) all the way here! Ha, cute!
Then, meet the bull family
This is one good lookin' Highland laddie!!! I've always loooooved Highland cows; this is the first time I see them with my own eyes...
Quite a cute lad isn't he? *marry me!!!!!!* (lol)
Look at his feet!! *___* (pic below)
Wandering around the cowboy town...
I can't remember what time we left the ranch, but by then it was pretty warm. Still cloudless skies, but the sun... gosh... the sun was merciless. It was another hour's ride back to San Antonio for lunch, and it was that the sun was shining where I was sitting, totally roasting me.
Lunch was at
Panda Express, and it was a treat from ST and me - coz it was gonna be the last outside-meal with Uncle's family, so showing some gratitude for their hospitality for these two weeks. The heat was almost unbearable.
Then another 2-3 hour on the road as we head back to Austin. Uncle decided not to stop at the two "Outlets" as planned, coz the kids were all worn out. However we did not go straight home. I was tired too so I slept in the car - when I woke up it was all dark, and the car was parking at "HEB" (supermarket). Rather surprised I didn't come to wake up to see the house's garage lol. Oh yes, and I was suddenly hit by a terrible dry cough. o___O Shit.
Yep, after dark and it was all freezing again. Spent another two hours in the supermarket - my basket was full of drinking chocolates and milk-favouring straws. Decided to bring some back for friends since I've tried them and they were really yummy. At the counter the cashier was teasing me: "All chocolate?" I sheepishly said "ya, ahaha..." to him. Geeez... Rather embarrassing, but I'll save the trouble explaining that those were not for me... Nyaa~
At night I started my packing. Tomorrow was a stay-home day coz Uncle will be back to work, and then the morning after tomorrow ST and me will be on our way to the airport.
Austin - San Antonio - Schertz
Woke up around 6.30am to bathe and pack... only ST and Uncle were awake. Then chatting via Skype with relatives from home - and what a racket over at the other side. We were scheduled to leave by 8am, but were delayed by some kind of children/domestic matters; so in the end we left the house only after 10.30am. o___O;;;
In the meantime however, me and ST were already packed and ready! So ST went ahead to clear the yard, while I took a stool from the kitchen and sat myself comfortably on the cemented pavement of the yard, watching her and indulging in the cold tempatures and quiet surroundings. Such peaceful sanctuary, sitting and enjoying the cold breeze while sipping hot mlk from my mug. Kimochi~~~~~~
In the yard - my view of bliss
10.30 Uhr (Texas time)We finally set off, followed by a brief stop at the petrol station. Then an hour drive before lunch at San Antonio - KFC,
for the third time. The same stuff we ordered,
for the third time. Brrrilliant. Meh.
Random pics taken along the road:
Don't let the nearly cloudless sky fool you - it was actually pretty cold outside, accompanied with chilly winds
We took the highway and drove past downtown. Looks deserted and empty for a Saturday. Anyway, that white building on the left (poking out of the trees) is City Hall.
Strange ne, the streets are really empty though it's the weekends...
Perhaps coz everyone's here...?
Plains and farms passing us by...
Oh yeah, before lunch we did drive pass a lot of signboards with places named after German words - Schlitterbahn (a theme park metinks), Toepperwein, Fredericksburg, etc. Am amused.
Another sign - another location in German. Somehow it makes me feel like if I was actually travelling on German highways, coz of these familiar sights
We continued with our journey - and Uncle's
GPS rocks (so much more efficient than those I've seen back home)!!!
A church...
We passed by a mining area or something... a stark contrast to the surrounding greens
Crossroads :)
Another hour passed before we reached Seaworld, finally, around 2pm. A ticket is not cheap - 48.99 USD. Under the impression that Seaworld sounds like a water theme park (and I don't know what else to expect) I was afraid I would wet my coat... but in the end, coz of the gusty cold winds, I brought along my coat and scarf.
Welcome to Seaworld
First stop was the Sea Lion Theater... for a sea lion show of course. There was a surprise for first time audiences - a trap door on stage right opens; a gush of water (an awful huge amount of it!) and the people sitting at the front rows got really wet!! YOKATTA. Hontou ni YOKATTA. I would cry, and then goe into a fit or killer mode if anything happens to my coat! RAWR. >:EE
Next stop at 2.30pm was the 4D Theatre. And what a hell of an experience. My first four-dee you know? The crab legs feeling at my feet sets me in full alert for anything that comes suspicious. Lol - silly isn't it? Screamed at the bees and the bats - coz they were so damn big and "near"... WTH... when at the back of my mind I know they are unreal. Whahaha. So I was making a lot of noise; screaming and laughing, muahahahaha. Even closed my eyes at the bees part... coz I'm so damn scared! So not entirely feeling goooood, but it was a first experience, and so there. I think I was just completely caught off-guard and then overwhelmed. Ha ;)
At 3pm was a dolphin-plus-killer-whale cum acrobats show
Viva!. It was just... WOW. WOW. WOW. The stunts... reminds me very much of Cirque de Soleil :DDDDDDDDDDDDD And the
extra funny man (second picture below) was indeed very funny. XDDDD
We were off to see the aquarium at
The Coral Reef - and an impressive one. Very beautiful. Not the fishes nor sharks, but the rays of shimmering sunlight emerging from the schools of fishes at the upper level of the waters. The effect was magical, like angel dust pouring into the dark depths of the waters. Kireiiiiiiiii~~~~~
The best shot I could get - the rest were all total failure. My cam is not very capable at taking pictures in insufficient light... T___T
When we were out of the aquarium it was coincidentally the feeding time for the dolphins at the
Dolphin's Cove.
Next, we tried very hard to locate the stables from the map. But it was our noses that led us to our desired destination haha. The stable was... pretty much strong smelling. The clydesdales (giant species of horses) were incredibly HUUUUUUUGE! :O
I really like their furry white feet!!!
A closer look...
A short coffee break after all that walking in the cold. It was exactly 5pm (also Seaworld's closing time) when we were done and ready to leave. It was a lovely sight of the family walking towards the setting sun...
Drive towards tomorrow's destination; Uncle's intention was to locate some hotels along the way... Beautiful, beautiful sunset. The palette of lush colours on the horizons... And what a sight it was, the last 15 minutes of the sunset... Golden orange hues... fading into pink, then purple, and lastly blue... First time on isolated roads after darkness fall - and that's because we are now in the ranch areas. We even got to stop for a deer crossing the road! :D However, the area was too isolated; there wasn't a single hotel along the way at all. Uncle had to drive us all back to San Antonio instead - another hour or more of driving.
Dinner before checking in at a classy hotel (Hampton Inns). Me and ST shared a room with... 2 king-size bed. OMG... And the bed was jump-able (:DDDDDDDD) Overall I felt so pampered as I went around the room poking at cool stuffs!!! Soaked in the tub for an hour or so... felt reeeeeeally great... The mouthwash was icky though. Out of the bath, the bed was bouncey comfy and fluffy. Oh, and extra cloud-fluff toilet paper. Whoa. *____*
