Page 75 – The Points Of Life

Blind Taste Tasting @ NZ’s Oldest Riverside Tavern

thepointsoflife

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August 18, 2021

Beer Tasting is part of the Tahiti Triumph Trip Report. It covers the following cities:

See the Picture Preview here and see how this $60,000 trip cost $1999 here. Be sure to check out TPOL’s Map, the best feature of the blog.

Do you fancy yourself a beer drinker? Can you differentiate among different beers? I certainly cannot and still don’t know the difference between a lager and a pilsner. To be sure, I can pick out a gross IPA and can feel the thickness of a stout, but that’s about the extent of my capabilities. Unless it’s something obvious like a hefeweizen or Dunkel Weizen, chances are I will not get it right. This was confirmed during my blind tasting tour at The Riverhead, New Zealand’s Oldest Riverside Tavern (an interesting claim to fame).

The Brewery

The Hoppiness

a row of glasses of beer on a table — The beers were served and the tasting began.

a group of glasses of beer on a table — I got one right.

The Food

Beer snobs can look down on me for that showing, but I found real hoppiness in the food.

Overall

I am a pro when it comes to wine tasting (see Waimauku: Wine Tasting in Auckland), but beer? Not so much.

Approved! Amex Business Platinum

thepointsoflife

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August 17, 2021

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The good news is that I’m going to have more money than Davy Crockett. The bad news is that I’m going to have a minimum spend problem after adopting four new children: the Amex Business Platinum and Amex Business Gold for myself (see Amex Business Gold Offer Under ‘Investigation’) and for Ms. TPOL. If I pull it off, my MR balance will exceed 700k. I can only imagine what others have managed to amass during this MR giveaway. This still doesn’t resolve the issue that I have all these points and nowhere to go (see 11 Reasons Why I Still Don’t Want to Travel).

a screenshot of a credit card — Preserve the screenshot in case the offer magically disappears like the Gold one.

First Class Queen: Come on Down!

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August 16, 2021

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It seemed inevitable that the winner of the one-way flight to PR would be the spouse of a long-time reader, Gene. I first met FCQ (follow him on IG here) at the Freddies in April 2016 and have seen him at every Freddies since. The real question is not whether he can beat me in golf, but whether he will fly coach to get here. He has until the end of December to make it happen.

Amex Business Gold Offer Under ‘Investigation’

thepointsoflife

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August 13, 2021

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I applied for the Amex Business Gold (90,000 Business Gold Card Offer, Suddenly Not Available). The targeted offer in my inbox said 90k points. When I logged in, the targeted offer said 100k points. When I called to confirm, the agent said there was no offer at all. She recommended waiting until my card arrived and then calling to confirm the offer. I called and was told that it was 80k points. I explained that it should be 100k and was told to fax (see WiseFax: Groundbreaking Technology for the Dial-Up Nomad) a copy of the email that Amex sent me along with screenshots of the welcome screen. Now, I wait to see the results of the ‘investigation’.

Another day, another fax.

Waimauku: Wine Tasting in Auckland

thepointsoflife

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August 12, 2021

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Wine Tasting Auckland is part of the Tahiti Triumph Trip Report. It covers the following cities:

See the Picture Preview here and see how this $60,000 trip cost $1999 here. Be sure to check out TPOL’s Map, the best feature of the blog.

Like golf, I have gone all over the world to taste wine (see Wine Directory). One of the best experiences was in Waimauku, a small locality of Auckland. Though it is not a huge region for wine like Blenheim in the south (see Wine Tours by Bike NZ: A Must for Wine Enthusiasts), Waimauku has plenty of vineyards to visit.

Stop #1:West Brook

It is a tradition for us to stop at a larger producing winery first and then make our way to smaller ones. The problem with large tasting rooms is the requirement to go on a group tour. I don’t need to see the barrels, I just want to drink the wine (see Guided Tours: Like Attending Class, It’s Boring But Sometimes Useful).

a statue in a yard — Homage to TPOL, a necessary stop on the tour

a large room with barrels stacked on top of each other — Seen one, seen ’em all

a counter with bottles of wine on it — Finally, the tasting room

The best part of large vineyards is the grounds. I endure the tour for the opportunity to explore and take photos of the impeccable scenery. It doesn’t get more beautiful than this:

Even the exit was picturesque.

Stop #2: Coopers Creek

The winery was in Waimauku, but the grapes were brought in from all over NZ.
Stop #3: Kumeu River

Small in size but nice for a quick stop.

a bottle of wine on a shelf — Little did I know that this would become one of my favorite varietals.

Final Stop: Soljans

We started big. We ended big. Overall

For such a small area, there were plenty of vineyards. In one day, we saw as many as we could.

Don’t Route Via Panama

thepointsoflife

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August 11, 2021

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TPOL is off to Colombia to pursue his IQKhameleon dreams. The most convenient route used to be a direct flight from PR. With that option gone, the second most convenient route is through Panama. Except for this:

The Government of Panama requires a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or Antigen) within 72 hours prior to traveling to Panama. … Passengers on inbound, outbound, or transit flights who test positive for COVID-19 at the airport will be required to quarantine at a MINSA-designated hotel/hospital for 14 days.

Getting tested before traveling is an inconvenience that I have no interest in enduring (see 11 Reasons Why I Still Don’t Want to Travel). However, it doesn’t look like this requirement is going anywhere for years to come. That is not why I am skipping this route. I am avoiding it because of the chance that I may test positive and be stuck in a “MINSA-designated hotel/hospital for 14 days.” Who knows what hotel they would put me in. And notice the “/”. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that some passengers would have to quarantine in a hospital. It is unclear what the procedures would be to finally leave. Imagine my trip to the Stans (Kayak Answers, “Can I Travel to…?”) with this possibility, and maybe you can understand why I contend that my style of travel is dead (see ThePointsOfLife Travel Philosophy).

Guess I’m going back through the most overrated city, Miami, to see my blog reader Mario (see his comments in Hyatt Regency Miami: You’re Not Staying Here Anyway).

a building with a red roof and a gate — A false positive would have me stuck like a boat in the Suez Canal.

Gulf Harbour Country Club: Where to Golf in New Zealand

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August 10, 2021

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Gulf Harbour Country Club is part of the Tahiti Triumph Trip Report. It covers the following cities:

See the Picture Preview here and see how this $60,000 trip cost $1999 here. Be sure to check out TPOL’s Map, the best feature of the blog.

I have golfed all over the world (see Golf Courses). The Gulf Harbour Country Club is notable because of its impeccable scenery.

Getting There

Located in Whangaparaoa, the golf course is one hour away from the airport. Fortunately, I stayed at the ibis Auckland Airport the night before, making renting a car convenient.

The Course

The challenge of the course comes from trying to stay focused on golfing and not on capturing great pictures.

Tee Box

Every tee box is an opportunity.

Scenery

Set above the water, the views are incomparable.

Caution

Do not die from photos (see Beware of Selfie Death!).

Greens

Be sure to practice your putting before arriving.

Overall

The drive was worth it for this fun day of golf.

Last Call: Giveaway to Puerto Rico

thepointsoflife

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August 9, 2021

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Guess where I am? Same spot as I was before. Since I never received a reply from the winner of the March Madness tournament (see Whatnameissnttaken2: Claim Your Free Trip to PR!) and since Lost in Cebu is probably still stuck in Cebu, it’s time to end this giveaway. Whoever comments on this post will be put into a drawing for the one-way flight to PR, not to exceed $200. Participant must play in TPOL’s Twighlight Golf Leagues which takes place weekly on Saturday @ 4:30PM. Contest ends in one week. Flight must be booked before end of 2021. Vaccine required.

Kayak Answers, “Can I Travel to…?”

thepointsoflife

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August 2, 2021

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Admittedly, it’s becoming silly to write about trips that I won’t be taking (see No Vegas for TPOL). Yesterday, while feeling the confines of my incarceration and the effects of my Manhattan, I let my mind dream about an exodus from this island. I had my sights set on the ‘Stans of the world. Sober, I decided to check the travel restrictions to Uzbekistan. I saw contradictory information and almost gave up. That’s when I came across Kayak’s Can I Travel to page. It looks like an infected version of TPOL’s Where I’ve Been page. Based on the information provided, I can transit through UAE or Turkey and need a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival. From there, the trail went cold. Searching for Kazakhstan as the destination, I could not find any information. I could only find restrictions if Kazakhstan was my origin. Old TPOL may have pressed forward but at this point, I gave up for three reasons: 1) Assume that each of the ‘Stans, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, requires a PCR test. Who wants to coordinate or do that at least 5 times? 2) In normal times, visa restrictions would be a pain for a few of those countries. Imagine going through the hassle of getting a visa now only to be denied entry because of a new COVID requirement. 3) Assuming I avoided past visa pitfalls that have befallen me (see Visas), what if I tested positive, despite receiving the vaccine, in the middle of my journey? I could only imagine the hassle it would be to accommodate what would otherwise be a great adventure.

My tea’s gone cold I’m wondering why I
Got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window
And I can’t see at all
And even if I could it’ll all be gray
Put your picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it’s not so bad
It’s not so bad

a group of glasses and bottles on a table — Dear Stan: Don’t Drink & Travel Plan.

Simply The Best: July 2021

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July 30, 2021

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Oh look, half the year is gone. Despite not traveling, I magically produce award-winning content. Here are the best posts from July:

Nothing to Rent in Tuscany, But Maybe I’ll Buy a House in Italy
Most can only dream of an ocean view home in the Caribbean and a villa in Italy. For TPOL, it might become a reality.
White Lotus Hotel Review: If Entitled Points Travel Was a TV Series
If you can’t be bothered to travel with today’s restrictions but are missing the hijinx of a perfect trip going wrong, visit (watch) the White Lotus.
Hilton Moorea: Fun in the Sun
Alan Wong July 20, 2021 at 8:33 am. That is seriously one ugly couple.
Guns & Butter: Tahiti Travel Guide
To truly enjoy your time, hope that it is sunny and do your best to avoid outsized expectations.
Nice for What
Come, talk shit, and enjoy. If you’re too brittle, hit the back button now.
TPOL Chokes, Loses
TPOL lost by one.
Will the Hunt for Status Push Me to Travel?
It’s hard not to get inspired looking at those beautiful colors. Then again, just about every destination on this list is off-limits. What’s a travel blogger to do?