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Andbus to Andorra: ‘And’ It Showed Up

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Andbus to Andorra: ‘And’ It Showed Up
Andbus to Andorra is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
I still needed to get to Andorra after the first bus did not show up (see I Missed My Ride: Not So ‘Direct Bus’ Andorra). To do so, I had to take another bus to Terminal 1, which confirmed that I was indeed in the right place when I was waiting for Direct Bus. What is nice about Andbus is how the website shows clearly where the bus stop is.
a screenshot of a phone
No confusion here.
a woman in a large building with signs and columns
Terminal 1
a bus parked under a roof
Look who it is
a group of buses parked in a parking lot
Where I wait
a bus parked in a station
Look who arrived
a group of people in a bus
On my way
After boarding the bus, the driver made his way through the airport. I, once again, passed Terminal 2. And I, once again, wondered how it was possible that my bus did not come.
a person walking through a window
Hello Terminal 2
I spent the next three hours blogging and beginning my quest to be a YouTube sensation (see Creeper Cam Is Back: Alexander Bachuwa Launches the Vlog).
a laptop and phone on a seat
The gear
a remote control for a camera
The Vlog
When we arrived in Andorra, there was no passport check. We rolled right through.
people standing next to a bus
Welcome to Andorra

I Missed My Ride: Not So ‘Direct Bus’ Andorra

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I Missed My Ride: Not So ‘Direct Bus’ Andorra
Not So ‘Direct Bus’ Andorra is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
I have been forever paranoid about missing a flight (see Boarding Announcement Paranoia). I am terrified of being caught on a train without a ticket (see “Tickets, Please, Tickets”: Train Anxiety). And I am scared that I will take the wrong bus or, worse still, miss the bus completely. To prevent Travel Lesson posts from accumulating, I purposefully and strategically researched the bus from Barcelona to Andorra. I came across Direct Bus. For 60 euros, I could easily and without hassle reach another country on my list (see Where I’ve Been). I took note that the bus picks up at Terminal 2 and scheduled my Bolt to make sure I arrived with plenty of time to spare. Upon arrival, I went to the information desk to double-check the location of the bus stop. She confirmed that it was out the doors to the right. Unfortunately, there were no signs that said Direct Bus. As the minutes ticked along, I became concerned. Not wanting to be idle, I asked multiple bus drivers. Both said I was in the right spot.
a group of people walking under a covered walkway
Is this the right spot?
a bus parked at a bus stop
Right spot, wrong bus
With the pickup time moments away, I made use of the Direct Bus WhatsApp contact. Here’s what I was told.a screenshot of a phone a screenshot of a phone Assured that I was in the right place and that the bus was there, I waited past the pick-up time and assumed that maybe the bus was running late. A few minutes later, a Direct Bus arrived. I thought this was it. When I went to board, the driver said that he was not going to Andorra and that my bus had already left. I tried to explain that I had been here the entire time but he said ‘se fue’ and that was the end.
a bus parked on the side of a road
Right bus, wrong bus.
Outraged, I called Direct Bus and the agent tried to convince me that I missed the bus and that I would have to wait two hours for another one. I could have gone home but decided to book with another company, Andbus, hoping it would show up.
a group of people standing in a line in a terminal
Confirmed: I was in Terminal 2
a man standing at a bus stop
Transport to Terminal 1
a view from the bus window
Going to Terminal 1 to catch Andbus
Overall There is no Travel Lesson to be learned. The bus did not show up. I am not crazy.

Odd: Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower Hotel Review

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Odd: Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower Hotel Review
Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
Getting There: Take a standard taxi from BCN airport (see Transport From BCN: Forget Uber, Take a Taxi).
My first stop on this crazy trip was Barcelona. Typically, I land at a destination and the craziness starts. This time, I took a different approach. This time I decided to ease my way into the trip. The Hyatt BCN is the perfect place to implement this strategy. Why? 1. It is very close to the airport. Had I not messed with Uber and Bolt, I could have been in my comfy Hyatt bed in minutes. 2. It is in the middle of nowhere. I don’t appreciate that this place is called the Hyatt Regency Barcelona. While technically it is in Barcelona, there’s nothing that resembles Barcelona for kilometers. If I had hurriedly booked this hotel with the expectation that I would be somewhere in the vicinity, I would have been quite disappointed. Fortunately, I have learned the lesson that Hotel Name + City Name does not equal prime real estate (see Four Points Ljubljana: Not Near the Centre). This time the less-than-ideal location was to my advantage. The goal was not to do anything. Temptation was far from my door making this mission easy to accomplish.
a city with many buildings and trees
Fun is not right outside your door.
3. Points Cheap What will we do when Hyatt has a serious devaluation like Hilton? This would end my ability to pad stays at properties without worrying about points (see Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary). For 9k a night, I received a great room and a hot shower.a room with a bed and a table a bed with a large headboarda bed with white sheets and a large headboard in a rooma light fixture from a ceiling
a bathroom with mirrors and sinks
Where’s TPOL?
a bathroom with black tile floor and black countertops
Where’s TPOL?
a shower head in a bathroom a group of bottles of soap 4. Close to Andorra As stated above, the Hyatt is close to the airport. The airport is where I attempted to catch the bus to Andorra. This is convenient if logistics go as planned (see I Missed My Ride: Not So ‘Direct Bus’ Andorra). 5. It’s a Funky Hotela tall building with glass walls and a red and orange structure a tall building with a glass facade a glass building with plants in pots a large glass building with a glass ceiling and a plant in a pot a glass wall with green leaves on it a tree with leaves on it a room with a large window and a large building with plants
a water bottle and a kettle on a table
No espresso machine is bad.
a glass tray with food and snacks on it
But olives in the mini bar? Good.
Overall If you’re looking to ease your way into your Euro trip, stay at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona. Olives I would pay for.

Transport From BCN: Forget Uber, Take a Taxi

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Transport From BCN: Forget Uber, Take a Taxi
Transport From BCN is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
Take it from me, I hate taxis at the airport. However, there is a time and place for them. And that time and place is Barcelona airport, especially if you happen to be staying at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower. Here’s why: I saw there was a metro in the airport. Starting my trip frugally and with no rush, I thought it made sense to pay the 5.50 euros for the metro. After doing so, I turned to my Moovit app to chart my route. I should have done this before paying for the ticket.
a screenshot of a phone
Should’ve looked at this first.
Bolt & Uber Timers Striking out on the metro, I checked the rideshare apps. I learned that new arrivals to Barcelona have to wait 15 minutes for a ride-share app to request a driver. And when it does, it is no easy mission to find the Uber driver.
a screenshot of a phone
I hate this guy.
Taxi I do not have time to waste for the sake of wasting it. After trekking all over BCN airport, I concluded that I was better off taking a taxi to the hotel from the outset. I discovered that I was only a few minutes away.a sign on a wall with elevator doors
a parking garage with many cars
It’s not here.
people with luggage in a parking lot
Everyone thought it was here.
a bench in a parking garage
It was here.
a man driving a car
1 hour later, on my way.
Overall I have no issue paying a premium for expedient taxis. The problem is not knowing whether I will be ripped off. In Barcelona, this was not an issue, but how was I to know this in advance?  

Simply The Best: August 2024

thepointsoflife
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Simply The Best: August 2024
I’m back home and back to blogging (see TPOL Is Back! and read Renee’s Festivus comment). Here are the best posts from August. 1. Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash SummaryTPOL does it again. 2. Repeat Business: Iberia San Juan to Madrid
a person's feet on a plane with a screen
I’ve been reprimanded about my shoes on the cushion.
3. Iberia MAD-BCN: Some Funny Business
a bottle of wine next to a glass of wine
Comment: “Jeez TPOL, I never had you pegged as a n00b”
   

Iberia MAD-BCN: Some Funny Business

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Iberia MAD-BCN: Some Funny Business
Iberia MAD-BCN is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
This was a strange flight. I was in ‘business’ but there were 3 seats in the business class row. I’m not sure if this was COVID-inspired but the middle seat was unavailable for passengers.a row of seats on an airplane That came in handy for my tapas and Coke Zero. Inspired by my American neighbor, I ordered a bottle of the Cava. It was warm and tasted like the ‘champagne’ we had in my house growing up. No bueno. a plate of food and a drink on a table a bottle of wine next to a glass of wine Overall For 10k points (see Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary), flying business is worth it.

Repeat Business: Iberia San Juan to Madrid

thepointsoflife
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Repeat Business: Iberia San Juan to Madrid
Iberia San Juan to Madrid Repeat is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
Should I keep this one short? I think so. Why? Because my commute from San Juan to Madrid has been documented many times (see Iberia Flight Reviews).
a person's feet on a plane with a screen
Hello again
Amenities Kit I liked the socks. I tossed the rest.a pair of socks and a bag on a table Appetizer Roast beef was an interesting choice but it worked out.a plate of food on a table Vino The best part of flying Iberia is the Rioja/Ribera Del Duero stand-off. I also had one glass of Cava as no alcohol was served before take-off.a menu of wine bottlesa plate of food and wine glasses on a table Dinner I’ll have the chicken! Not very fancy but good enough.a plate of food on a table Cheese The wine is starting to hurt my head.a plate of food on a table Sleep The lie-flat was serviceable. It beats sitting upright. IFE Bad Boys worked but the TV shows were outdated. The Office Season 1?a tv screen with a couple of men in sunglasses Breakfast No bueno.a plate of food and a glass of juice on a table Overall It’s 50k points to fly business direct from Puerto Rico to Madrid (see Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary). I’ll be doing this again.

Simply The Best: July 2024

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Simply The Best: July 2024
Here are the best posts from the month of July.
  1. Intro: The Gold Medal Trip Report
    a group of people on a track
    While I have seen and done just about everything I want to see and do, I have yet to go to an Olympics. That aspiration will be fulfilled.
  2. They Call Me Mr. Fete: St. Lucia Carnival Intro
    a man in a garment
    This year, I resumed my quest for Trini elation by going to St. Lucia.
  3. Travel Lesson Lisbon: Friend Reunion Led to Missed Flight
    a man sitting on a stool with his arm around another man
    If you’re seeing your friend for the first time in 13 years, don’t make plans for the day after.
  4. Manila, Medellin: Too Many Gringos
    a building with plants on the side of it
    The influx of gringos is the norm. I can’t blame them. It’s quaint. It’s safe. But why must those people be so annoying?
  5. Tommy’s Resort Haad Rin: Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
    a group of people on a beach
    This is the place to say if you’re going to the Full Moon Party. If you are going for rest and relaxation and it’s not a full moon, this is a great place to stay.
  6. Gone Till September
    a man sitting at a desk
    For a great time, read the comments of this post.
 

Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary

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Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary
This is the Points & Cash Summary for the Gold Medal Trip Report. (July, August). The post is appropriately called Bus-Ted given its semblance of a bus schedule and because of the money and points burned on this trip. Admire all the other Bus-Ted compilations here.
Here is the money and points spent: a screen shot of a table Here is the Great Circle Mapper: a screenshot of a map This trip brings me to 119 UN countries and 154 countries and territories. See where I’ve been here. Overall TPOL does it again.

TPOL Is Back!

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TPOL Is Back!

Yes, I am back. And I have so much to say.

Let’s start with this photo:

a man wearing a helmet and climbing a rock

Any guesses where this was taken?

 

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