Page 46 – The Points Of Life

Iberia Business SJU-MAD: And Another One

thepointsoflife

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February 13, 2023

Iberia Business Class San Juan to Madrid is part of The Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España Trip Report.

I’ve flown Iberia to Madrid in business many times:

And of course, the most memorable time was when I was almost kicked off the flight: Iberia Business ORD-MAD: Mask Jokes Literally Don’t Fly.

This time was different. This time I was relocating to Madrid for the inauguration of my bi-annual residency in a foreign country (see TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?). To start, I checked in a bag, something that I only do when I return from Shanghai with a suitcase full of new clothes (see Fabric Market Shanghai Prices: How to Bargain (2019 Edition)). Whether I brought too much or too little is a topic for another post.

Masks

On February 8th, 2023, Spain finally removed the mask mandate for public transport including planes. Of course, my flight was on February 7th, 2023. Having learned my lesson from last time, I kept my stupid mask on until the wine was served.

Seats

I may have learned my lesson about the masks but I forgot to read my post, Iberia Business SJU-MAD: Beware of the Bright Lights. Had I done so, I would’ve asked for seats away from the noisy, busy, bright front row.

a two black rectangular computers with red and yellow text — Always nice to have seats side by side.

Amenities Kit

I stopped collecting amenity kits years ago. I did keep the eye shades and the socks.

Welcome Drink

As usual on Iberia, there was no welcome champagne, just OJ.

Wine

Last time I was in Madrid, it was exclusively for wine tasting (see Guns & Butter: Ribera Del Duero, Madrid Travel Guide (Vino Edition)), making me an expert in tempranillo. The choices on the flight and in Spain for vino tinto is Rioja or Ribera del Duero. I started with the Rioja Reserva and eventually settled down with the Ribera Crianza. Both were good choices.

Shrimp & Fish

I really enjoyed the arugula salad and shrimp. The fish wasn’t dodgy but the movie Airplane always comes to mind when I order it on a plane.

Dessert

I was surprised at the level of detail given to the ice cream sundae. It was much better than the cheese spread.

Sleep

The plane was a bit hot, but I slept fine. I woke up with one more hour to go.

Breakfast

There was no hot breakfast but I did have a solid muffin.

Overall

For 34k points each way (see Iberia Residency Booked: Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España), a direct flight from my permanent home to my second residence can’t be beaten.

TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?

thepointsoflife

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February 10, 2023

7

Why a Second Residency is part of The Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España Trip Report.

My domicile is Puerto Rico. Specifically, I live in the magical bubble of Rio Mar. My days consist of constant outdoor activities. You can find me on the beach, in the pool, on the golf course, or on the tennis court. The rest of the time I am in the casita enjoying the view.

So why did I decide to leave La Isla Encanta for two months? The answer is simple. I needed a break from the exhaustion of retirement. Living near the equator, I face a daily battle of trying to do everything before the sun goes down more or less around 6 PM throughout the year. Sleeping in is not an option. There’s no worse feeling than letting the day slip away on account of a few more ZZZ’s. I never imagined that I would be in bed sober by 9 PM on Friday, but that became the norm as a sunrise workout on the beach Saturday morning brought more pleasure than a binge with my old friend, Don Q.

Though I am as active and as healthy as ever (see VIDEO: Battle Ropes in Puerto Rico!), I am not ready for such a regimented routine. Before Covid, the life plan was to spend most of my time in Puerto Rico, part of my time racking up more countries on travel sprints (see Where I’ve Been), and part of my time living in places voted for by readers (see Vote Where TPOL Moves in December (For Real This Time)).

During Covid, I embraced that I only have one life and needed to do what I want, when I wanted to do it (see The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip Report). Accordingly, I modified my life plan. I would still spend most of my time in PR, and I would still spend part of my time gallivanting around the world, but the expat assignments would not be left up to my spiteful readers (see Canceled! TPOL’s Move to Albania). I would decide where I would reside (Vote for Where TPOL Will Move Next And…).

I came up with the following: Every year I would live in one of my two favorite cities, Shanghai or Cape Town. Every year, I would also live in a first-world major city. The first residency assignment was supposed to be Dubai during the World Cup, but that fizzled because the shuttle that would take me to and from Qatar was a figment of my imagination. The second residency was supposed to be Melbourne after a stopover in Fiji (see 55K Alaskan to Fiji And My New Melbourne Residence), but given the lack of flight availability on the return, it has been converted to the prototypical helter-skelter TPOL trip, return flight and routing to be determined.

This brings me to Madrid. Por que Madrid? The answer should be obvious: a points flight to Madrid and back to San Juan was available. Definite dates are necessary when booking a long-term stay (Say No to Airbnb, Show Up Start Living at The Blue Ground). It’s hard to beat a confirmed round-trip business class flight (see Iberia Residency Booked: Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España). As I learned before, it’s impossible to beat said flight when it is direct from San Juan (see Iberia MAD-SJU Business: Great to Fly Direct).

Now that I knew where I was going, the question everyone asked is what am I going to do there? Everyone had suggestions. You should go to the church that’s carved into a mountain. You should go to Toledo. You need to play golf.

What do I plan on doing?

Nothing. The purpose of a residency is to do what I would do if I were an actual resident. That means not being a tourist. That means not being adventurous. Should I go to church? I wouldn’t show up to church for my own funeral. Visit Toledo? Have you been to the 419? Gracias, no gracias. Golf? That’s a no. I have spent enough time at the range.

At some point, my hobbies in Puerto Rico turned into obligations. Now, I need a break from them. I don’t apologize for this smug statement. It wasn’t long ago that yours truly was living in exile in Mongolia (see Aug 1, 2014: The Mistake ). Back then, I thought that suffering was a natural part of life. I attribute my feeling of perpetual guilt in moments of pleasure to my Catholic Arab upbringing which I have endeavored to renounce. Maybe that’s the real reason why I’m not going to visit that church in Madrid. Perhaps that is why I can finally do nothing and not apologize for doing so.

TPOL Now Living in Madrid!

thepointsoflife

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February 9, 2023

2

I’ve made it to Madrid. This will be my home until the end of March. Unlike my typical trips where I wait years to write the Trip Report (see Writing Trip Reports: How Old Is Too Old?), I plan on blogging in real-time. The content won’t be Flight Reviews apart from my direct flight to and from San Juan (see Iberia Residency Booked: Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España). The content won’t be Hotel Reviews as I’m living in a two-bedroom apartment in the posh neighborhood of Chamberí. It won’t necessarily be Food & Drink Reviews either as I can’t binge on Protos and jamón Ibérico for two months (see Guns & Butter: Ribera Del Duero, Madrid Travel Guide (Vino Edition)). Indeed, I have no idea what it will be. The point of living here is to pretend that I’m actually from here and to actually do what the locals do (see Why A Second Residency?).

Let’s see how it goes.

a glass of wine and a bowl of chips on a table — One of many drinks to be consumed.

TPOL Is Moving Offices

The Deal Ticker

thepointsoflife

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February 6, 2023

2

Good morning,

You’ve reached TPOL. I am unavailable because I am moving to Madrid (for 2 months) starting today (see Iberia Residency Booked: Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España). Unlike my normal travels, I should resume normal operations promptly as this is a work experiment, not a travel tour.

Best,

TPOL

a golf ball in the hole — Right when my golf game is improving, I’m leaving.

Simply The Best: January 2023

thepointsoflife

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February 3, 2023

0

Would you look at that? January is done. And TPOL is the best. Here’s why:

This Flight Is Bound for Baghdad: IST to BGW Turkish Flight Review
On my 40th birthday, my journey to my homeland for the first time was underway.
Iberia Residency Booked: Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España
Last year, I decided that in addition to my crazy jaunts around the globe, I would also take up residency in a pre-selected, first-world big city for four months out of the year.
Sign of the [Economic] Times: Marijuana Is Legal in Thailand
I sternly warned my friend that weed is illegal in Thailand and that there are stern penalties for those who possess it. He rebutted my claim by saying that he had purchased it from a legal dispensary. Initially, I did not believe him.
Vilnius to IST: Turkish Flight Review 1 out of 8
I have these eight flight reviews to share: VIL to IST IST to BGW BSR to IST IST to TUN TUN to IST IST to TBS TBS to IST IST to DOH
Guns & Butter: Singapore Travel Guide
As a backpacker looking for value, I used to think that was boring. As a resident of Puerto Rico, I wish my island was ten percent as ‘boring.’
Scoot SIN-BKK: Hard Product: Dreamliner, Soft Product: Not
Try as I might, I could not contain the toxic gasses that escaped from this dreadful dish. I would have set off a domino effect of everyone on board vomiting had I taken a bite of this. It was so vile that I had to press the call button and have the flight attendant take it away.
Michigan Loses on NYE: Suing ESPN for Emotional Distress
I am willing to take on Ohio State clients as well as they literally had to go through this agony when the clock struck midnight.

Iraq Visa on Arrival: Take a Seat, Hand Over Some Cash, Then Exit

thepointsoflife

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February 1, 2023

6

Iraq Visa on Arrival is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.

“Welcome to Iraq,” a passenger sarcastically said after the exit door and plane were not aligned correctly, forcing us to wait on board while the geometry was sorted out.

After a walk to the passport control, I was handed a misaligned visa-on-arrival form created using a copy machine. I was told to go back to the waiting area and fill out the form. I filled it out hastily so as to avoid the queue of other foreigners. I then saw a random guy in uniform standing near a sign that said visa-on-arrival. He was not behind a desk or a counter. He was just standing there. I handed him the form along with my passport. Then I was told to sit down. Each person filled out the form and handed his passport to the same person. Then he disappeared with our freedom.

I observed and wondered what other people were doing Iraq. I thought maybe someone else was having a homecoming (see Iraqi Homecoming Trip Report: An Introduction). Maybe these were fellow family members.

a group of people sitting in chairs and a blue suitcase — Could these be long-lost cousins?

An hour later, the same random man returned and called each person’s name and shouted how much money each of us owed. One by one, people went up to the man and paid him with cash in exchange for our passports. It didn’t matter who submitted the form first. What mattered was having exact change. My guide told me only to bring 100s because most places will not accept bills in small denominations. I would suggest some change for situations like this. The visa cost was $77. I only had crisp Benjamins, forcing me to wait until everyone else had paid to receive $23.

Change in hand, I went back to the immigration counter, had my passport stamped, and proceeded to exit.

“Welcome to Iraq,” indeed.

Overall

Visas are usually a problem for me. I am bad about sending the app ahead of time, I gloss over the rules, or I sloppily fill out the forms. Judging by the informal approach at Baghdad customs, I have concluded that culturally I am predisposed to such disorganization.

Keep vs. Cancel: Chase Business Hyatt

thepointsoflife

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January 31, 2023

6

I have stopped being lazy when it comes to calling in for retention offers. With the economy sputtering, maybe banks will be a little kinder when it comes to subsidizing annual fees with perks. That was not the case with Chase Hyatt Business.

Me: Calling to cancel my card.

Chase: Why?

Me: Annual fee.

Chase: OK, card is closed.

There was no hesitation. He didn’t even read a disclosure where I could interject. It was over before it began.

I have no regrets about canceling. The $199 annual fee is not worth the sticker price. There is no annual free night like its personal partner. The only benefit for most people is two $50 statement credits when staying at a Hyatt.

a pool with chairs and flowers — Use the statement credit at the overpriced, overrated Park Hyatt St. Kitts.

This Flight Is Bound for Baghdad: IST to BGW Turkish Flight Review

thepointsoflife

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January 30, 2023

0

Turkish Istanbul Baghdad Flight Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.

Are you ready for Turkish Airlines Flight Reviews? As part of my RTW ticket (see 25,000 Mile RTW Trip Including Iraq Booked!, I made great use of ANA’s flexible routing options to add many new countries to my Country Count List (see Where I’ve Been). While flying direct is the most optimal way to book such a ticket, I had no choice but to transit in Istanbul over and over, and over, and over again. Accordingly, I have these eight flight reviews to share:

Passenger: Excuse me, is this gate A9?

Agent: Where are you going?

Passenger: Cancun. What’s this line for?

Agent: Baghdad

Passenger: Oh

Walks off gingerly.

On my 40th birthday, my journey to my homeland for the first time was underway (see Iraqi Homecoming Trip Report: An Introduction)!

Unlike my Turkish flight from Vilnius to Istanbul (see Vilnius to IST: Turkish Flight Review 1 out of 8) and unlike previous Turkish flights in general, this one did not disappoint.

Plane

Flying the A320 neo was incomparable to the standard A321. There was a crisp TV screen, large chairs, and a footrest where I could actually rest my feet.

Service

I’ve joked in the past that it’s not that Turkish flight attendants are mean or indifferent, it’s that something is lost in translation. I hypothesized that “You, food?” in a sharp tone may not sound warm, but it is not purposefully mean (see Turkish Business Beirut to Istanbul: Lamb Chop!).

On this flight, there was nothing lost in translation. Everything was ‘sir this’ and ‘madame that.’ The service was impeccable.

Drink

There was no alcohol on the flight but the OJ was freshly squeezed (contrast LOT’s JFK-WAW Tropicana offering). Other juices were available as well.

a glass of pink liquid with a straw in it — Sour cherry juice? No, thank you.

Pillow and blanket

I was freezing from Vilnius to Istanbul and was not offered either a pillow or a blanket. On this night flight to Baghdad, I was offered both.

Food

The food was terrible on the last flight from Vilnius to Istanbul. On this flight, the simple appetizer was great. The croissant, though a no-no on the travel diet (see A Holiday of Healthy, Tipsy, & on Budget? Basically Impossible) was appropriately hot, and the mushroom omelet, though not spectacular, was good enough.

Entertainment

I passed out on the last flight but have had the chance to peruse the in-flight entertainment on this one. While the TV comedy shows were sparse, the movie selection was full of favorites. Since I will be flying Turkish six more times on this RTW trip (see 25,000 Mile RTW Trip Including Iraq Booked!), that was good to know.

Wi-Fi

There was 1GB of free Wi-Fi for business class.

Destination

Although it was 3:30AM and I should have slept, I refused to do so. I was taking in the experience. I never thought I would visit Baghdad and now I was minutes away from arriving.

a view of a river from an airplane window — Tigris River

Touchdown

I’ve landed in hundreds of cities but nothing will compare to touching down in Baghdad on my 40th. To think, had my parents not emigrated to the US, this could have been my home airport. Beyond that, it is eerie to imagine all that has transpired at this airport. It used to be called Saddam Hussein International Airport, SDA. After the US invasion, the name was changed to Baghdad International Airport, BGA.

Overall

Thank you Turkish for taking me home for the first time in comfort and style.

Sign of the [Economic] Times: Marijuana Is Legal in Thailand

thepointsoflife

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January 27, 2023

6

Marijuana Thailand is part of the Reunion Tour Trip Report.

While I was stuck in Singapore on account of not receiving my Vietnam visa (see Vietnam E-Visa Not Processed: Another TPOL Duck Up?), I called my friend whom I was supposed to meet in Hanoi and told him to meet me in Bangkok, Thailand. Because of my error, I booked him a room at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok on points and told him to try and behave himself before I arrived. Later that night, I received a message from my friend stating that he had purchased marijuana off the street in Thailand. I sternly warned him that weed is illegal in Thailand and that there are stern penalties for those who possess it. He rebutted my claim by saying that he had purchased it from a legal dispensary. Initially, I did not believe him.

When I arrived in Thailand, I took my friend to Koh San Road, an obligatory stop for any tourist (see What Are You Doing on Khaosan Road?). Next to every pad thai station was a weed dispensary. If you’ve been to Khaosan then you will know that that’s a lot of dispensaries. I asked the proprietor when weed became legal. He said in June of 2022.

I was dumbstruck by this development.

Like all merchants on Khaosan, the proprietor asked if I wanted to buy any weed. He asked me to smell the bud, as if that would convince me. I politely declined as I am not one for the sticky icky whether it be in blunt, gummy, or brownie form.

Back on the infamous Sukhumvit 11 (see One Night in Bangkok: A Marathon Party Guide), there was one stall next to another.

a man standing in front of a food truck — Ubiquitous is the word of the day.

TPOL’s Tip: A ‘J’ as the kids call it costs 100 baht. The good kush costs 300 baht.

Overall

After years of travel restrictions, I assumed that post Covid the government was looking to rev up the tourism industry. This seems to be a quick and easy way of doing it. I never believed that marijuana would be legal in Thailand. That is a sign of the [economic] times.

a sign on a stand — Weed is legal all over Thailand including Koh Pha Ngan.

Approved! Alaska Personal

thepointsoflife

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January 26, 2023

2

I applied and was instantly approved for the Alaska card which offers 70k after 3k spent. The reason I am writing about it is two-fold: First, I continue to be rejected for the business version. I assume that they did not refund the annual fee when I closed it and it shows that I have an outstanding balance. I always mean to call to clear it up, but the list of personal calls is out of control (see Complaints: How Long Till You Let It Go?). Second, Alaska points have a special place in my heart. Remember the days of flying Emirates first after 4 40k apps in the same day? Whatever happened to Darius from MMS?

I recently redeemed Alaska points for the world’s longest flight from JFK–SIN for 100k points (see World’s Longest & Best Business Class Flight: JFK-SIN). I also booked LAX to Fiji then to Australia in business for 55k points (see 55K Alaskan to Fiji And My New Melbourne Residence). Although those are great redemptions at a great value, my Alaska balance suffered as a result. Fortunately, BoA doesn’t hate personal me. Now, if I can just figure out how to get business me back into their good graces.