[US; 2025] Texas, Austin Domain
This is probably a post that I didn't want to write, but since it is a travel blog I should document all my travel journeys whether it is good or bad.
I would say this is an unfortunate travel journey for me - I dreaded taking the flight and sometimes sixth senses are always right.
Flight review
There is no direct flight to Austin from Singapore - so I went for United flight that layover at SFO. I managed to get a premium economy seat but wasn't the best for me as it was the first row. I love keeping my things under the chair in front of me but the first row means you need to put everything up the compartment.
This was what I got for Premium Economy on United - the blue bag was quite nice to touch:
The hot meals were quite decent:
I had this udon at SFO airport, I need some hot soup after the long flight.
The reviews were quite mixed on google map - but I would say it is decent asian food. Nothing surprising.Sankaku
Waited for my next flight and also pondering should I return back to Singapore... As what I mentioned earlier I had gastric after having the cold sandwich, my left chest was hurting and I was feeling quite terrible.
The huge room made me felt worse off - because it was so empty. I had panic attack one night which I ended up sitting at the hotel lobby for hours. But definitely a very comfy room, just not for me at the point of time. It was like a refurnished hotel - some facilities looks quite dated, while some were new.
I decided to still head to Austin and... the whole 4 hours journey was quite a torture.
Hotel
Landed Austin and got a super chatty Uber driver which I was struggling to keep him entertain as I was feeling terrible. Checked into this super huge accessibility room:
The Westin Austin at The Domain
The view from the room:
The huge room made me felt worse off - because it was so empty. I had panic attack one night which I ended up sitting at the hotel lobby for hours. But definitely a very comfy room, just not for me at the point of time. It was like a refurnished hotel - some facilities looks quite dated, while some were new.
Emergency Visit
Before I share what's around Austin Domain, I wanted to share my medical experience in the US.
After checking in the room, I went to a local clinic to see a doctor, and the diagnosis was it a chest wall pain. But I didn't feel well even after putting on the cold packs. So after that panic attack night - everyone suggested I should go for another clinic for second opinion. I got rejected by the second clinic, which told me to ahead to a nearest emergency room - hospital. So I got wheelchaired in to run all the tests - xray, blood test, ECG etc; and the final diagnosis was acid reflux with chest wall pain.
It is really important to get travel insurance:
- Urgent Care Clinic visit, simple consultant was USD$200
- Emergency room in hospital with all the test was USD$3,000+ (excluding medication)
Really how fortunate we are in Singapore where the emergency visit is just ~SGD$200
It had been 7 months since my trip, and I have not recovered from it. I did came back Singapore to do another round of tests at the emergency department; but nothing has improved from there, instead found more issues and nothing much can be done other than just wait for it to recover on its own...
Food in Austin Domain
I managed to explore a little of Austin Domain on times when I was feeling better
Sweet Paris Crêperie & Cafe
They have quite an extensive menu:Sweet Paris Crêperie & Cafe
Shake Shack
Shake Shack
Probably my favourite food in Austin was Shake Shack - I recalled that was the only meal I finished it all. The fries was amazing.
Culinary Dropout
This was quite a popular cafe to dine-in:Culinary Dropout
Food was great, service was attentive and servings were huge. Recommend to come in a group and just share dishes.
Twin Lion Chinese Restaurant
Twin Lion Chinese Restaurant
We found this quite highly rated chinese restaurant and decided to give it a try. The lady boss sounds very asian, like Taiwanese?
The food probably adjusted to fit the American's taste buds that it didn't felt very authentic Asian food to me. But something I like about US's Chinese restaurants.. some gives out these yummy fortune cookies:
Shopping & Activities at Austin Domain
The prices were much cheaper compared to getting them in Singapore.RazerStore Austin
There were also a few fashion stores and Macy which has tons of bags (it looks like a flea market of branded bags):
Topgolf Austin
Topgolf Austin
I get to try a bit of golfing, it was quite a friendly place for newbies (like me). But probably not a sports I will be interested in.
Will share more about the Austin CBD in the next post!
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