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Simply The Best: October 2020

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Simply The Best: October 2020

October was nuts. Big Ten season started. And then it ended. And now it’s November. We all know what that means: Michigan will lose to Ohio State (Sorry Harbaugh, College Football Should Be Cancelled). But let’s not forget about the best posts of the month.

  1. TPOL Endorses Biden

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    In April, I wrote Do I Stay Or Do I Go? Thoughts on the Second Covid Wave. Given the travel restrictions, I have no choice but to stay. It’s Donald Trump that has to go.
  2. Champagne, Cigars, Caviar? The Most Clever Lounge Perk

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    Smoking a premium cigar with a proper cognac in an airport lounge? Come on, this isn’t real.
  3. TPOL’s Vacation Post Policy

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    I’m not sure who invented the rule that successful bloggers have to post daily
  4. Testing Positive: TPOL’s Back

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    I don’t know when my last blog post was. Was it two weeks ago? Was it longer? I write blog posts so frequently that I don’t remember. What I do know about is Antifa.
  5. Cathay Business HKG-EWR: Not First, But It’s a Solid Second

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    Nobody wants to go to New Jersey. If you do have to go, flying Cathay is not a bad way to get there.
  6. Let’s Zoom Naked

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    In this COVID nightmare, many of us who work from home can’t be bothered to put on pants.
  7. Marriott Sanya: A Perfect Compromise

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    I would stay at the Marriott because of its location and because of the pool.

Cathay Business HKG-EWR: Not First, But It’s a Solid Second

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Cathay Business HKG-EWR: Not First, But It’s a Solid Second

Cathay Business Hong Kong EWR is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:

Cathay, Cathay, Cathay. I love you but I do not like your business class flights and I’ve complained about it.

I wanted to give long-haul back to the US a chance, but there would be no way that I would skip the opportunity of flying first when that option was available. Luckily, Cathay’s flight from Hong Kong to EWR does not have a first-class cabin. While I was envious of passengers flying first somewhere close by on a different plane, I took solace in knowing that there was no one on this plane that had it better than I.

Champagne 

Since it’s business class, there is no Krug. a menu of wine and wine

Krug or not, I never tire of taking these iconic photos:
two glasses of juice and a glass of orange juice on a table in a plane a tv on a table in an airplane a person's feet in a chair with a television and a screen

Food 

The food was better than my other Cathay business experiences.
a plate of food and a glass of water on a table a plate of food and glasses of water a plate of fruit and crackers on a table a cup of coffee and a strawberry

a container of ice cream
I won’t complain about ice cream.
a burger and fries on a plate
Or about burgers!

Seat 

Since it’s business class, the seats did lie flat. I have no complaints about that.an airplane with seats and a television a row of chairs in a plane a seat with a seat belt and a pillow on the side of the seat a screen on the side of an airplane

IFE

Ballers is also available in business.
a man smiling with his eyes closed

Service

Business or first, Cathay still delivers.

a group of small bottles and small packages on a table
And that delivery includes my favorite chapstick, Jurlique.

Overall

a phone with a screen and buttons
Cathay Business Hong Kong to EWR

Nobody wants to go to New Jersey (see Newark, New Jersey: The Discarded Mistress). If you do have to go, flying Cathay is not a bad way to get there.

Cathay Business Hong Kong EWR is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report.

Champagne, Cigars, Caviar? The Most Clever Lounge Perk

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Champagne, Cigars, Caviar? The Most Clever Lounge Perk

Best Lounge Perk is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:

I’ve been to some great lounges in my day (see all Lounge Reviews). Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai has great food, an abundance of drinks, and plenty of place to sleep but that’s to be expected. The same can be said of Singapore Airlines’ Private Room. Instead of writing about fine dining, I would like to point out lounges that have creative offerings. I will start in reverse order.

10. Amex Centurion Lounge LGA: Welcome Back to NYC

Drinks
Centurion LGA was the first lounge to have premium cocktails. And they tasted good.

9. Brussels Airlines THE LOFT Lounge: Buffet of Beers

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All my favorite beers under one lounge roof? And for breakfast?

8. Virgin Atlantic Lounge London Heathrow: We Be Clubbin!

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So many features in this lounge including waiters who came by (far too frequently) and a rooftop lounge.

7. Turkish Airlines Business Class: Where Costco Meets Chuck E. Cheese (The old one is better than the new one).

Care for a game of pool?
The old Turkish lounge was ahead of its time, offering an assortment of food and games to keep everyone entertained.

6. Delta Sky Club JFK: Hot Dog Eating Contest 

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This clever offering made for a clever post.

5. Delta Sky Club SFO: The Best Pho Real

PHO PHO PHO
2 good posts about Delta? When they offer TPOL’s favorite food in a lounge, I have to give them their props.

4. Etihad Arrivals Lounge: Time for a Proper Shave

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No one should show up scruffy in Abu Dhabi.

3. Fore! The PGA MSP Airport, Simply Awesome

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Priority Pass makes the list by offering a golf simulator with TPOL’s clubs.

2. ​Cathay Pacific’s Champagne Bar And Lounge

a table with wine glasses and bottles
As much champagne as I want? How can it get better?
  1. The Cigar Bar at the Etihad First Class Lounge 
a man holding a magnifying glass and smoking a cigar
Smoking a premium cigar with a proper cognac in an airport lounge? Come on, this isn’t real.

Cathay Dragon: Sanya to Hong Kong

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Cathay Dragon: Sanya to Hong Kong

Cathay Dragon Review is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:

It’s time to go home. That means flying from Sanya to Hong Kong first. It’s a quick flight but worth documenting when I look at how far I went on this trip and how it was all coming to an end.

a white airplane with red writing on it a white airplane on the tarmac a seat in an airplane a glass of water on a napkin with a ticket on a plane

Priority Pass Sanya: Like Flint’s Empress of China

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Priority Pass Sanya: Like Flint’s Empress of China

Priority Pass Sanya Lounge Review is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:

I once wrote Where can you find the best Chinese food in the world? Flint, motherf$@king, Michigan. Sadly, that restaurant is now closed. If you’re looking to remember the glory days of Empress, head to the Priority Pass Sanya. I have never seen a lounge with furniture like this. I felt like an emperor. a large chandelier in a room a room with a couch and a table a room with a couch and a table a chair and a coffee table in a rooma group of chairs in a room a room with a tall wooden cabinet

Overall 

I’ve been to many Priority Pass Lounges. This one stands out because of the over-the-top furniture. And that’s all I have to say about that.

 

 

Marriott Sanya: A Perfect Compromise

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Marriott Sanya: A Perfect Compromise

Marriott Sanya Hotel Review is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:

Initially, I couldn’t find a place to stay in Sanya (see Sanya, China: Struggling To Find Where to Stay). I ended up staying everywhere including:

The best of all of them was the Marriott Sanya.

Hotel Itself

This is a lavish property.

a building with a pool and palm trees

a ceiling with a fan and a wall

a large room with a glass fountain and a large glass ceiling

a group of birds in a fountain

Beach Compromise

There was not a beautiful beach like the Sheraton, but there was a view of the water. If you’re coming for the surf, this will have to do.

a large building next to a body of water

a beach with a body of water and buildings

a large body of water with a building and palm trees

a palm tree with pink flowers and a body of water in the background

Pool

There was a huge pool that I had all to myself. I was able to share it with many of my inflatable friends.

a pool with palm trees and a city in the background

a pool with palm trees and buildings in the background

a pool with a view of the ocean and buildings in the background

a pool with a view of the ocean and mountains in the background

in a pool with inflatable toys in front of a hotel

a group of lounge chairs under a canopy

a pool with a fence

Suite

Status usually goes a far way in Asia.

a room with a television and a table

a room with a bed and a table and chairs

a bed in a hotel room

a room with a couch and a table

a hotel room with a bed and bathtub

a bathroom with a tub and shower

a large white tub in a bathroom

a white tub in a bathroom

a bathroom sink with towels and a mirror

a group of glasses on a tray

a group of small bottles

a shower with a hose and a shower head

a round chair with pillows on a balcony

a view of a beach and a city from a high point

a body of water with buildings and boats

Lounge

Status leads to lounge access. In Asia, that access usually means good food and drinks.

a balcony with a large building and a body of water

a glass of beer and a cup of coffee on a table

a room with a large window and a large chandelier

a buffet with food on the counter

a group of small desserts in spoons

a table with different food on it

a bar with bottles of alcohol and glasses on the counter

a plate of fried spring rolls

a trays of food on a counter

a trays of food with a spoon and fork

a plate of food with tongs

a group of dim sum baskets

a tray of croissants and rolls

a display of bread and muffins

Breakfast

Status also includes breakfast.

a group of bowls of food

a plate of eggs and eggs on a table

a plate of food with a fried egg and sausage

Overall

I would stay at the Marriott because of its location and because of the pool. I would stay somewhere else for a beach as I did during this trip.

TPOL Endorses Biden

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TPOL Endorses Biden

Endorsement is part of The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip Report.

Four years ago I voted for Trump because of corporate tax reform and to get rid of the illegal ACA mandate. Since that time, I moved to Puerto Rico which solved my tax problem and now I pay for private health care at a reasonable rate. As this is first and foremost a travel blog, I will focus on two reasons why I can’t vote for that fool again.

  1. I want to travel. I’ve never seen anyone handle something so poorly and lie about it so brazenly. I wrote about how bad this pandemic could be way back in February (see Travel Or Stay Inside? TPOL’s Thoughts on Coronavirus) and caught hell for it. The good news is that the COVID deniers no longer comment, though I’m sure they still read the blog (see Social Distance Yourself from Misinformation). The bad news is that being right means a life of living in my basement (see Back on Lockdown in Puerto Rico) for fear of the unknown (see Thanks Donald! My COVID Test in Puerto Rico). While golf is fun and I like the island life, I miss the filth and grime of big cities. A year ago I was returning from Shanghai. Now, I can only fantasize about going back (see Recap! TPOL in Shanghai). This is no way to live.
  2. I want to be respected in the world. The President calls countries shithole nations, but it is America that is a joke. I was fine being called The Ugly American. Now, everyone feels sorry for us. This is no way to live.

In April, I wrote Do I Stay Or Do I Go? Thoughts on the Second Covid Wave. Given the travel restrictions, I have no choice but to stay. It’s Donald Trump that has to go.

two bottles of beer on a towel on the beach
I’ll trade beach for busy.

Amex Shutdown? Remedy & Going Forward

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Amex Shutdown? Remedy & Going Forward

Attorney Advertising Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

DoC wrote American Express Shutting Out Some People’s Accounts For Using No-Lifetime-Language Offers. Whether this is legally permissible is up for debate. Amex tries to protect itself by using the catch-all rule, “If you applied for one or more cards to obtain a welcome offer(s) that we did not intend for you,” then we can rescind the offer.

As a consumer lawyer (Submit an Inquiry if you have been shut down), I obviously disagree with Amex’s retaliation. Amex should do its due diligence in not issuing the points in the first place, not to mention the fact that Amex made transaction fees based on the purchases that gave rise to the bonus.

Ultimately, I don’t think this lifetime language is going to be around much longer. With a pending recession, these banks will have to be less restrictive with their approval process (see We Need Another Recession).

Have you been shutdown? Do something about it! Contact Bachuwa Law.

 

Let’s Zoom Naked

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Let’s Zoom Naked

Zoom Naked is part of The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip Report.

How many of you have received the email that says that you have been naughty on your laptop and there is a video of you doing something that you should not be doing? And all it takes to make that go away is paying a few bitcoins. Since nothing has been made public, the transfer must have gone through.

In this COVID nightmare, many of us who work from home can’t be bothered to put on pants (distinguished from Jeffrey Toobin’s situation). Imagine the embarrassment from neglecting to turn off the camera before standing up. Imagine the embarrassment if the meeting was being recorded. Since COVID isn’t going away, it seems like the only way forward is to make pants optional and provide a disclaimer that viewer discretion is advised. The alternative is to take TPOL’s advice and Stop Zoom Calls altogether.

a man sitting in a chair
#LIBERATEPANTS

Bottoms Up! Crowne Plaza Sanya City Center

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Bottoms Up! Crowne Plaza Sanya City Center

Crowne Plaza Sanya Hotel Review is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:

For such a small island, Sanya has many hotels. I started off at the Four Points Sanya, moved to the Sheraton, then to the Crowne Plaza, and ultimately went to the Marriott.

Positive 

The Crowne Plaza is right next to the nightlife. Literally, it’s across the street (see Sanya! Where to Party Guide). a road with buildings in the background

Negative 

The Crowne Plaza is right next to the nightlife. Literally, it’s across the street. a building with many windows and lights at night a street with trees and a light pole

Hotel Itself 

Like the Four Points, the Crowne Plaza Sanya is much nicer than I would find in the US. a reflection of a logo on a marble floor a purple lights on trees and a chair

The Hotel Nightlife 

Skip the hotel’s entertainment.

a menu on a table a room with a chandelier and chairs

a city at night with lights
View from the lounge

Bedroom 

You’ll need a comfortable bed after Sanya is through with you.

a bed with a table and chairs in a room a bed with a glass wall and a lamp a bed with white sheets and pillows a tv on a wall

Shower

A hot shower will also be of use.

a bathroom with a glass shower door a bathtub with faucets on the side Crowne Plaza Sanya Hotel Review a shelf with small bottles on it Crowne Plaza Sanya Hotel Review

Overall

If you’re looking to party or be in the city center, then this is a great choice.

Crowne Plaza Sanya Hotel Review is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report.

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