On the run

Well, I was traveling a lot the last 3 months, throughout the US. And got to know the people much better. So far Houston might not be the best place, but for sure is not the worst place either in the US. I've been to Moody Gardens with a colleague, which was really nice:

One of my travels brought me to Austin, the capital of Texas:

Austin is a very cool city. Very liberal, very lively. Unfortunately I only got a little glimpse. Hope I'll have the chance soon, to visit for a bit longer. 

Then I was in my favourite city again. NEW YORK! Met with a friend a his family. And since my hotel was really close to Central park, I could finally run there for the first time. New York is always fascinating, no matter if you visit places you have seen many times before, or discover new places. 

Next stop was the country music capital, Nashville, TN. Very cool place as well. If you want to have a good time in a nice bar and listen to live music, that's the place to go. Really like this city. As well Tennessee is a nice state. Beautiful landscape. On my bucket list to spend a weekend or more.

Then I went to Los Angeles. I was in LA 16 years ago for the first time, and I didn't like it too much. Ok, the beaches are nice, a walk on Hollywood Blvd is always fun, but in the end, not necessarily a place to spend more time than necessary.

A walk in Venice beach is fun though. You see very interesting people, shops and stuff:

And again, very recently I spent a night in New York. Found a little park, called Greenacre. Really small but very peaceful and no tourists and a waterfall.

As I was walking through the streets I passed a fire department and asked if I could take some pictures. The firemen actually didn't care :)

 

Another thing was interesting that day, parts of 8th Avenue very closed for a market, so that was interesting to see.

Well, I've been as well to other places like Atlanta and Memphis, however didn't make it to the city. I'll be probably keep on traveling in the US. However, it's definitely not too much fun with the US airlines. At least every second flight is delayed by more than an hour. I was stuck in the terminal shuttle in Newark Airport for almost half an hour. Luggage damaged, long queues at the security check, and so on.

Well, at least I'm always coming home safe and sound. Hope I can update more often soon.

New places...

I've started exploring the area around Houston. There are actually many things to do. Recently I went with a colleague to Galveston Island, which is roughly 40km south of Houston. It is actually quite nice, however, not too much to do.

You can walk along the "beach" which is next to the main road, or go to the "Schlitterbahn" Amusement park. Otherwise, there are bars, restaurants and hotels. Nice to spend a day, however not necessarily longer.
This weekend I was with another colleague again at Galveston Island to visit the Moody Gardens. That's actually very nice, reminded me a bit of the Gardens by the bay in Singapore.

There are several attractions. We went to the rain forest and the Aquarium. In the rain forest you are really within the nature and with all the animals.

This fella found particular interest in my shoe laces

The aquarium is spectacular! You are walking underneath the water into the exhibition.

Furthermore there is a penguin area:

And an area with seals:

This was really a nice trip, and I will definitely go back. However it is quite expensive. Each attraction is around 22USD.

Afterwards we went to Kemah Boardwalk, which is back up north towards Houston, close to the NASA Space Center at the sea. There are many attractions like a wooden roller coaster, other rides, like a full year fair. Many restaurants as well.

Nice area, especially for children. Probably would show that to visitors as well.


Furthermore I had a business trip to Sacramento, California recently as well. We went to the old part of Sacramento for Dinner. This part of the town still has the old Gold rush atmosphere from the 19th century.

It's a bit sad, that I couldn't spend more time there. Seems like a nice city, which is worth exploring. However there are some more cities on my schedule to visit in the coming weeks. Looking forward to next weekend especially, which I will spend my favourite city in the US.