Depois de Waimea River e de umas bombas no outside, nada melhor que umas pauladas na wash machine.
Waimea Shore break:

I’m just going to go ahead and be a brat for a minute.  I need to get off this damn island.  Seriously.  My world looks like this:

but wait, there’s more …

And then of course …

Forgive me because two years ago, whimpering at the incessant beeping of ‘PC Load Letter’ and sad cups of cubicle coffee, I would have given my left ear to move to a tropical island, with nothing to do all day but scuba dive and eat sushi.  It’s just that those privileges required me to set up house on an island 1000 miles from a continent.

And now I am going insane.

Please refrain from hating me in the comment section -I know I’m an ingrate.

If I could teleport myself anywhere in the world, I’d be in a my fire engine red Carmengia (which are oddly very popular here in Japan), cruising up the 101 to wine country.

The open road.  My continental friends, this American privilege is not to be mocked. I beg of you. Close your laptop, get in your car, and GO.

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Austin, Texas is a city renown for its beauty, quirkiness, famous music scene, outdoor recreation, and for being the capital of a state seemingly much unlike itself. A jewel in the center of the big ole state of Texas, Austin exists independently from some of its more conservative and “country” counterparts, creating the offspring of a mid-Texas melting pot, a common relocation spot for like-minded nomads, and a platform for music junkies, artists, techies, and still- cowboys and cowgirls. An unusual union it is, and that, is what makes it beautiful, admirable, a destination and a home. Like its anomalous ingredients, the very bewitchingly undefined (and unrestricted) core of Austin continues to exist in its myriad range of accommodations. Decadent or funky, quaint or majestic, Austin, Texas has it all- and more- and surprisingly, unlike other cities, within a very friendly distance of one another and within friendly distance for exploration of Austin’s favorite landmarks. And this is what we will explore.

Round One: The Driskill

Perhaps the most majestic hotel in all of Texas is the opulent and historic Austin landmark- the Driskill. Founded in 1886, the respected member of The Historic Hotels of America, boasts a history rich with presidential love, the success of a wealthy cattle baron (The Driskill’s founder: Jesse Lincoln Driskill), and as a setting for many movies including Sandra Bullock’s flick: Miss Congeniality. A favorite resting place of Lyndon B. Johnson, the Driskill was the location of his first date with future Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson, where they met for breakfast.

The Driskill stands majestically over downtown Austin’s famous 6th street, towering far above the city’s music venues, dive bars, art galleries, eclectic restaurants, and crowds consisting of the University of Texas college crowd, young professionals, trendy artists and musicians, country folk, travelers, and everything in between. You name it, Austin has it.

The Driskill prides itself on historical preservation and continual modernization. Original marble floors, columns fit to support a medieval palace, and a stained-glass dome exist amongst modern amenities, tastefully implemented as to not overpower the opulent history, yet to satisfy the modern traveler’s expectations. It’s a truly beautiful union.

Having two well-known, highly-(re)visited, and unbelievably delicious restaurants, the Driskill continues its luxe expectations in all avenues of its continued success as a luxurious hotel landmark and a culinary Austin, (hell, a continental US) jewel. The 1886 Cafe and Bakery has an eclectic breakfast and lunch menu as well as traditional baked goods and down-home cookin’ (alongside a casual, yet elegant setting). Seasonally changing as the chef’s creativities take new winds and avenues, the menu maintains its traditional staples while still offering surprisingly unusual pairings. Perhaps my favorite seasonal dish- the salmon Benedict with a mango hollandaise. But don’t overlook the gingersnap pancakes, jalapeno corn biscuits, or the Gulf shrimp and lump crab crepes.

For a more formal dinner, the Driskill Grill, is an award-winning restaurant exemplifying culinary perfection and an old-Texas yet extravagant atmosphere (think overstuffed leather couches, cow-hide rugs, and hidden nooks in the Driskill Bar area- and rich wood walls, white table cloths, and candlelight in the actual restaurant). The menu is local yet wordly- emphasizing expert twists of wild game and world-class ingredients. Both innovative and classic, the Driskill Grill is sure to please any pallete. Some house specialities include a cherry wood smoked quail with polenta and mushroom, an herb crusted axis venison with a wild mushroom risotto and fresh plum chutney, and a cinnamon dusted duck breast. The Driskill Grill also has an extensive caviar and artisanal cheese menu. Having two distinctively different establishments for dining, the Driskill fairly encompasses both casual dining and decadent four-star cuisine.

Whether seeking romance, indulgence, lavishness, or serenity, the Driskill offers exquisite flawlessness favorable to any traveler’s budget- from the intimate and reasonably priced Curio rooms to individually themed suites suitable for royalty.  Despite its grandeur, the Driskill is a truly unbiased destination.

Round Two: Lost Parrot Cabins

Located conveniently near Austin’s famous Lake Travis, is a delightfully tropical land of private, colorful cabins, island fever, live in-house music on summer nights, a quasi Mexican art gallery, and an unbridled view of hill country at its finest. Lost Parrot Cabins exemplifies a Caribbean-style mini resort tucked away in the central Texas hillside, with seven delightful bungalows with welcoming whimsical names like: Mermaids in the Night, Mexican Wind, Mango Moon, and Little Miss Magic. All are tastefully decorated with multifarious collectibles, hand-picked from world travels by the owners & innkeepers: Cat Flood and Cliff Bennett. With useful amenities like a mini or full kitchen in each bungalow, the assorted additions like fireplaces, private porches, hammocks, vintage hardback books, and retreat-like appeal are all flavorful extras.

The emphasis on uniquity in each quirky detail of the bungalows and the grounds adds a rich personality and colorful gallery-esque escape in the unexpecting country roads of Travis County.  It’s truly the offspring of Jimmy Buffet, Mexico, and a painter’s pallete at Lost Parrot Cabins, and still somehow tasteful, inviting, and mistakingly tropical.

The grounds of Lost Parrot Cabins include a BYOB bar, hot tub, pool, and a handcrafted stage poolside for musical performances and mingling on warm hill country evenings, all continuing the flow of Mexican art, collectibles, and idosyncratic beauty and color. Some nights, Cliff Bennett, one of the two innkeepers, busts out his guitar for a performance alongside his amazingly talented (pre-teen) granddaughter, playing everything from Janis Joplin to Johnny Cash in a harmoniously perfect show, with the comforting undertone of genuine familial love. It’s the small moments like this that emphasize Lost Parrot Cabins, as a family-operated passion, thus a cozy nook for relaxation and intermingling.    

Stay up as late as you want poolside, perhaps with tropical beverages to highlight this hand-crafted paradise, soak in the hot tub under the Texas moon, cook out at the community grill under a canopy of artsy details, or hibernate in the private bungalows for exclusive peace and quiet. Join the communal breakfast at the BYOB bar each morning alongside the friendly innkeepers. Or trek off to Austin’s Lake Travis for a day of water sports or lakeside dining. Within a short drive there’s also Hamilton Pool, hill country hiking, or zip-lining through the forests. Whichever avenue you choose, this tropical escape is truly a rarity and a hidden masterpiece.

Only partway into our exploration of Austin accommodations and we can already see the distinctive array of places to tuck in and get some Zzzs. And we still have many more corners of this diversified city to traverse.

By: Ashley Halligan

Photos from: pillowsandpancakes.com

Vrijdagflauwte deze voormiddag, maar het zonnige weer en een Spezialkanüle schlagers gemengd met hier en daar een streep NDW hebben me er bovenop geholpen. Of toch: met de glimlach de dag laten doorkomen.

Het is een beetje zoals Huug zei, maar dan op mijn manier: ich bin reif für die Insel…

Wenn i so überleg, worum’s im Leben geht,
dann sicher net um des wofür i leb’.
I arbeit’s ganze Jahr lang, schön brav für’s Finanzamt,
i frag mi ob des ewig so weitergeht.

I bin reif, reif, reif, reif für die Insel.
I bin reif, reif, reif überreif.
Und i frag mi warum i no’ da bin,
für’s aussteig’n bin i scheinbar zu feig.
Und i wunder mi warum i no’ da bin,
für’s aussteig’n bin i scheinbar zu feig.

Wenn i einmal ins Postkastl schau,
wird mir im Magen flau.
Mein Leben kost’ mi mehr, als i verdien.
Mei’ ganze Energie geht auf,
für Sachen, die i gar net brauch’,
für Sachen ohne die i sicher glücklicher bin.

I bin reif, reif, reif, reif für die Insel.
I bin reif, reif, reif überreif.
Und i wunder mi warum i no’ da bin,
für’s aussteig’n bin i scheinbar zu feig.
Und i frag mi warum i no’ da bin,
zum aussteig’n bin i scheinbar zu feig.
I bin reif, reif, reif, reif für die Insel.
I bin reif, reif, reif überreif.
Und i wunder mi warum i no’ da bin,
für’s aussteig’n bin i scheinbar zu feig.
Und i frag mi warum i no’ da bin,
zum aussteig’n bin i scheinbar zu feig.

I bin reif für die Insel,
i bin reif für die Insel,
i bin reif für die Insel,
i bin überreif.
I bin reif für die Insel,
i bin reif für die Insel,
i bin reif für die Insel,
i bin überreif.
I bin reif für die Insel,
i bin reif für die Insel,
i bin reif für die Insel,
i bin überreif.