Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

Transport From BCN: Forget Uber, Take a Taxi

thepointsoflife

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September 3, 2024

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.

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 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

About

thepointsoflife

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September 2, 2024

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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 Summary

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

thepointsoflife

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August 30, 2024

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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.

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.

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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August 29, 2024

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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).

Amenities Kit I liked the socks. I tossed the rest.

Appetizer Roast beef was an interesting choice but it worked out.

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 plate of food and wine glasses on a table

Dinner I’ll have the chicken! Not very fancy but good enough.

Cheese The wine is starting to hurt my head.

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

thepointsoflife

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August 28, 2024

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Here are the best posts from the month of July.

Intro: The Gold Medal Trip Report
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.
They Call Me Mr. Fete: St. Lucia Carnival Intro
This year, I resumed my quest for Trini elation by going to St. Lucia.
Travel Lesson Lisbon: Friend Reunion Led to Missed Flight
If you’re seeing your friend for the first time in 13 years, don’t make plans for the day after.
Manila, Medellin: Too Many Gringos
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?
Tommy’s Resort Haad Rin: Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
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.
Gone Till September
For a great time, read the comments of this post.

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

thepointsoflife

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August 27, 2024

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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:

Here is the Great Circle Mapper:

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!

Uncategorized

thepointsoflife

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August 26, 2024

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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?

Gone Till September

Uncategorized

thepointsoflife

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July 10, 2024

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What is a blogger to do when trips get in the way of writing? Obviously, take time off. Where will I be? Here first: They Call Me Mr. Fete: St. Lucia Carnival Intro. Here second: Intro: The Gold Medal Trip Report Follow me on Instagram if you are feeling lonely.

a man sitting at a desk — I’ll explain this photo when I return.

They Call Me Mr. Fete: St. Lucia Carnival Intro

thepointsoflife

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July 9, 2024

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St. Lucia Carnival is part of the They Call Me Mr. Fete Trip Report.

Some people say the happiest day of their lives is the birth of their child. I say the happiest day is dancing among strangers in carnival (see Last Minute Trinidad Carnival Guide! Everything You Need to Know And Stuff You Will Figure Out On Your Own!). Indeed there is a song called Happiest Man Alive which revolves around carnival and soca. Last year, I tried to rediscover the carnival magic in Jamaica but came away unimpressed (see TPOL Goes to Candy Land). This year, I resumed my quest for Trini elation by going to St. Lucia. I leave in less than a week and am still sorting out how I can pull it off at the last-minute and be Olympic ready the week after (see Intro: The Gold Medal Trip Report). So far, I have my flight booked and 3/5 hotel nights covered. I’ll figure it out or my name isn’t Mr. Fete.

TPOL’s Tip: Jamaica is best celebrated with my favorite music: Dancehall.

Intro: The Gold Medal Trip Report

thepointsoflife

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July 8, 2024

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Intro is part of The Gold Medal Trip Report.

It’s summer. That can only mean one thing: TPOL is going back on the road and taking another break from blogging. Maybe I’ll post even less than in June (see Simply The Best: June 2024). Where am I going you ask? I am not entirely sure. At this point, I have a flight booked to Europe and a return flight from the Philippines.

a map of the world — It doesn’t constitute a round-the-world ticket as I will fly back in the same direction.

As you can see from the GCM, I will be stopping in Paris. 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 in addition to adding more countries to my Country Count List.