Introduction: Jazz, Maudi Gras, Hurricane a very unique about this southern part of the U.S. I always wanted to use Amtrak, as well as Airbib to save money on hotels
From: | To: | Departing | Arriving | Method: |
Home | Houston Amtrak Station | 10:30am | 11:30am | Taxi |
Houston Amtrak Station | New Orleans Union Station | 12:10pm (-> 1:40pm) | 9:40pm | Amtrak (Sunset Limited) |
New Orleans Union Station | Airbnb Location | Taxi |
I stayed at work until 4:30am then drove home. I went to bed after rechecking the packed items. I woke up at 9:00am, getting up this early was not that bad despite of lack of sleep time. I stretched my body, took shower, did the final check on the packed items before leaving my apartment at 10:00am then walk to the entrance of the aparment under the cloudy sky with a lot of humidity in the air. I check on the smarphone App, to see where my taxi is as I walk, and waited until the cab arrived. The taxi came right on time so I left the apartment at 10:30am sharp. A smooth ride to Amtrak station was good except the taxi driver kept showing me his photos on his smartphone. I arrived there at 11:15am, walking inside for the check in. The building was not great as I hoped, like the Grandcentral in New York City. At least they has the AC running so I cannot complain. About 10 people already there and there are exhibits on the walls to show the history of the railway in Texas.
I can see my cab is coming
The train was suppose to arrive at Houston at 12:10pm and about 40 people in
the waiting area by then. We had an announcement that the train is late, the
departure was pushed back to 12:30pm then 1:00pm then again at 1:30pm. One
of the reason behind is that the Amtrak "borrows" rail from other freight
railways like Union Pacific, so passangers train is at lower priority. The
train finally arrived at Houston Amtrak station at 1:00pm, just as
thunderstorm started.
It took a while for passengers to disembark and
unload their baggages from the train. The boarding began around 1:20pm. The process was not
complex but different from in Japan. At the check in by the door, I get a
car assigned. When I walk to the car, I get a seat assigned. I walked up the
cabin, then found there is already people sitting, so I had to walk back out
and talk to the staff. I liked the Japanese way of selling reserve tickets.
Anyway, I now have a seat and I am good to go. (Done)
Sunset Limited at Houston | Passenger Car | Diner Car | Lounge Car |
The train left Houston station at 1:40pm under a hard rain, slowly moving and passing by the downtown. It initially moved forward then backward a bit to change the track before moving forward again. The train changed direction from eastward to north bound, then turning east again after passing I-610. Now the train is running outside the urban area and I see lots of green. I walked to a dining car and picked up a late lunch; fried chicken while sharing a table with a couple going to NOLA, and an Amtrak employee. The couple decided to take their Friday off since they find a good deal on a hotel, and I learned that this train can only go up to 79mph on the track because of the other freightt trains, from the Amtrak guy. We just had an serious train wreck a few days ago at northeast so this is a type of topic naturally comes up. He was heading to northeast to help a team there. He also told us that when Acelas trains cross each other at 180? mph and they can cause 15 deg tilt! After the lunch, I walked back to my seat.
Departing Houston
Lunch
The train arrived at Beaumont at
3:50pm and departed at 4:00pm. The train was slowly gaining speed and moving
in another swampy place. Passing Orange around 4:30pm, I need to check the
depot out later. Passing Sulpher at 5:00pm. I talked with the train staff
and got my dinner reserved at 5:30pm, The train kept going toward east, and
arrived at Lake Charles 5:15pm which was originally at 3:29pm. Now we are in
? After two minutes stop, off we go. I went to eat dinner, the outside was
getting darker but still some light, and I can see the fields and houses
along the track. Arriving at Lafayette at 5:15 at 6:30pm as the rain came
back.
Making a stop as New Iberia at 7:08pm for a few minutes stop. 5:41
Morgan city at 8:00pm
Arrived at Schriever at 8:27pm, originally
scheduled at 7:03pm so we are made a stop leaving at 8:30pm under dark sky
with lightning. Stopped at Waggaman at 9:20pm, waiting. Began moving
at 9:30pm. The train stopped again at the middle of the yard at 9:40pm and began
moving again at 9:45pm. Crossing MS river at 9:55pm via a bridge, I can
see cars speeding on a bridge at Clearview Parkway. Approaching to New
Orleans. The rain pouring down as the train moving by I-10. Entered a circle
then going backward after stop at 10:15pm toward the station terminal at the
lit up Superdome right by. Made one safety stop, then arrived at New Orleans
at 10:10pm, about 30 minutes later than originally scheduled.
Beaumont
Dinner
Getting close to New Orleans
Sunset Limited arrived at New Orleans
Get my bag and walked out from the train. I passed the lobby area to ground transportation. I had to share a taxi with a couple to get out of there quick. I paid $13 for a ride. Met with the host, then we went out a drink. I come back around midnight, took shower, went to bed. Tomorrow will be a fun day.
Woke up at 6:00am, stretched my body then
took a quick shower. Stepped out and began walking toward the French
Quarter. I walked along the ? street, and it was a quiet and sunny, I found
the uniqueness of the city in no time. Some buildings were from 1800s. I
walked on Frenchmen St, Royal St then on Bourbon street. Some bars are
already open so I can actually get drunk from the morning but this is not my
kind of choice. Stopped by at Cathedral and peeked inside, walked by
Jackson Plaza then Had breakfast at Cafe Du Monde. They only take cash. I
paid $8 for Cafe L ate and Donut like things.
Superdome Began heading northwest toward Our Lady of Guadalupe at 8:00am. The area I
have seen a lot of homeless people, and not sure if it was safe. Walked by
at Holiday Inn to take a picture of Clarinet on the wall at 8:15am. It was
said that New Orleans is the birthplace of the musical instrument. Walked
to the famous Superdome at 8:25am where I think graduation to be held.
Superdome 8:25am
New Orleans Amtrak Union station 8:35am
Cafe Du Monde
Old U.S. Mint: 400 Esplanade Ave. New Orleans, LA 70116 (10a-4p)
St.
Louis Cathedral: 615 Pere Antoine Alley New Orleans, LA 70116 (Oldest
Church)
Ferry to Algiers Point?
The Royal Sonesta Hotel: 300 Bourbon St. New Orleans, LA
70130
Jackson Square: 751 Decatur St. New Orleans, LA 70181
Our Lady
of Guadalupe: 411 N Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70112
Clarinet: 330
Loyola Ave. New Orleans, LA 70112
Mercedes-Benz Superdome: 1500 Sugar
Bowl Dr. New Orleans, LA 70112
St Patrick's Church: 724 Camp St. New
Orleans, LA 70130 - Oldest church (1840?)
Gallier House: 1132 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
St Charles Street buildings
Street Car on St. Charles Line
Walked down the street, grabbed a couple of bottled water because it was
getting hot already, checked out St. Patrick's at 8:50am st pat church? the
oldest in the U.S.?
St. Charles St. Walked a few blocks and get on a street car for St Charles Line. I paid
$3.00 for one day pass, I visited locationss
then getting on
inbound train, Snapping a picture of then get off from the train after reaching Canal St.
Waiting for the next train...
I walked back to the French Quarter. It was still around 11:00am, too early for lunch so I stopped by at the Hard Rock Cafe and bought some pins.
(Hard Rock Café: 125 Bourbon St. New Orleans, LA 70130)
At 11:30am, I
walked in to the store. Antoine's Restaurant(1840) - 713 St Louis St. New Orleans, LA 70130 The restaurant was established in 1840 and it is oldest in family owned. The
inside was white walled, had mirrors on both sides. I spent about one
hour, starting with a cocktail, salad, roasted chicken and then pecan
pudding carme for desert. After meal, I get to take a look at various rooms.
Rex room, the last room, mystery room and so on. The room I ate had some
mirrors.
In the afternoon, Crossing the river
Walked on Decatur street to former
New Orleans mint. It was getting hot and I can easily sweat by walking under
the sun, to check out coins with "O" stamps. In the upstairs, they had
pictures of New Orleans jazz players like Louis Armstrong, and Fats Domino.
Lighthouse
Getting out from the building, then walked up to French Market station of street car, the driver was taking a break and chat with two other persons from Wisconsin and Chicago. Took a train to canal st station then walked up to the gate for the ferry. I paid $2 and get on board a ship. Saw a girl I saw at one of the train stops in the morning. Must be an another tourist. The ferry went to the other side of the river in 10 minutes, I had a 5 minutes to go take a picture before the ferry head back to the New Orleans side. Another $2 to get onboard, back at 2:25pm.
Street car at French Market
New Canal Lighthouse 8001 Lakeshore Dr. New Orleans, LA 70124
Dinner and dessert
4:11-4:30 return from cemetery to Burbon St. I stopped by
Walked
around, decided to eat at Pierrer ? Between 5:50-6:30pm
I had a combo
meal of gumbo, jambalaya and ? And I had creole queen and pecan pudding
again this time it was too much.
Come back to the house I stay then
relaxed. Took shower before heading back out again around 8:00pm
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar(1720): 941 Bourbon St New Orleans, LA 70116 (Piano)
BMC, legend plaza, then chat with my dad, before spending at Spotty Cat. The
place charges money tends of have better music.
I walked on the Bourbon
St. And I can hear groups play at different bars.
On bourbon st. Of
course there are places I can watch women and as the night progress, they
Going bed at 0:30am
From | To | Depart | Arrive | Method |
New Orleans | Houston | 9:00am | 3:25pm | Megabus |
Houston | Apartment | 4:40pm | 5:30pm | Metro Bus |
Woke up at 6:00am, stretched a bit and took shower. I invited my host to have a breakfast with me since he told me of a place nearby opens at 7:00am. I had shrimp omullet, and coffee in Chicory style; a typical NOLA way. After coming back, I picked up my bag and shook hand with him, then began walking toward the bus stop. I saw some people there already but first wanted to buy lunch. The dissapointment hit because the place nearly should have been opened 24 hours had Sunday hours set from 2:00pm. So I walked around and found a cafe to make BLT to go for me. I walked back to the bus stop again.
My breakfast
Getting a to go meal
I arrived at the stop at 8:45am and this time the bus is already here. Checked with people in line to confirm it is going to Houston. Getting on the bus and took seat. It was not that bad just don't have a lot of room for my bag.
Megabus at New Orleans
The bus departed at 9:00am, moving north little bit. to get on I-610 in ten minutes. The bus movd along the Lake Pontchartrain and kept going. It arrived at Baton Rouge at 10:20am to pick up a few more passengers. We left at 10:35am, crossing the river. There was a construction congestion and stuck for a while around 10:50am for 20 minutes. Passing Lafayette at 11:50am, then the bus made a stop at Egan, LA at 12:15pm so people can get food and take restroom break.
Police on I-10 2:45pm, Getting off the bus at Houston after the rain 4:00pm
The bus departed at 12:40pm after neighbor check. People get quiet after this, and the ride was going smooth. Crossing into Texas at 1:55pm and the rain started. By the time passing Beaumont at 2:15pm, the sky was back in cloudy but I know there is a storm system in front. Rain came around 3:00p south of Mont Belvieu but when entering Houston city limit, the rain was over. The bus took I-610, passing by port of Houston and moved up I-45 north before getting off at downtown. The bus arrived at the parking at 3:50pm, getting off and walked to a nearby bus stop to wait for the one for line 053.
Catching a bus
This is my first time using the Metrobus and just made my Q card a few days ago. I thought it was coming at 4:14pm but did not come until 4:30pm. The bus passed by Gallaria, and kept going west. Finally getting off near my apartment at 5:30pm. It was a long ride but I only paid $1.25 for that. Took things easy for the evening, I was hoping that I can go workout but my legs were so sore from sitting in uncomfortable position for such a long time so I gave up. Went to bed by midnight. (Done)
In the morning, Breakfast
Cost:
Links:
Copyright 2015 - Kosuke Ishikawa / Unauthorized copying of contents, partial or whole, is not permitted.