Kebab Azerbaijan: Best Worldwide?

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Kebab Azerbaijan: Best Worldwide?

Kebab Azerbaijan is part of the Reunion Tour Trip Report.

When I say kebab in this post, I mean it with a b not a p (see The Best Kebab(p) in the World). Kebap refers to shawarma, not minced meat on a stick. With that clarification complete, I would like to advance the debate over who makes the best kebab (see Arabs Fight Over Who Makes the Best Kebab).

Firuze Restoran

To start, the decor is great.

a small chest with a wooden object on it a stained glass window with colorful designs on it

TPOL’s Tip: Firuze restaurant is located at 14 Tarlan Aliyarbeyov St, Baku 1005, Azerbaijan

Before I describe the scrumptious kebab, let me go through what else I ordered.

Mojito

TPOL has a rule. I don’t drink when I eat. I almost broke this rule by ordering a mojito. Since I didn’t specify with alcohol, it came out as a mocktail. I was pleasantly surprised as to how fresh it was and was glad that I followed my rule by default.a glass with ice and a straw on a table

Plov

Azerbaijan’s staple food is plov. I ordered the lamb version. While it was good, I did not care for the sweet cherry sauce.a bowl of rice and meat

Salad

I don’t make a point to order salad but kebab waiters always insist that I do. They look so disappointed when I say I don’t want it. a bowl of salad with cheese and olives

Dolma

I ordered three sisters’ dolma. The tomato stuffed with lamb was my favorite, but the eggplant was a close second.a bowl of stuffed peppers

Turshi

I told the waiter I wanted a side of turshi. He looked at me in amazement. “You speak Azerbaijan?” I said no and told him that Iraqi Arabic also calls pickles turshi. Interestingly, I am not aware of other places in the Middle East that call it this. a plate of food on a table

Kebab

Before I describe this scrumptious kebab, I must apologize to my grandma for writing that she is no longer one. Here’s why:

Lamb

The best meat in the world is lamb. Why do Arabs insist on using beef or chicken? The kebab came out hot and tender with the perfect amount of mint and onions. It was served on top of pita bread which preserved the taste of the kebab long after it was gone.a plate of food on a table

My only regret is that I did not order more.

a group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant
Get the tower.

Chai

No kebab meal is complete without chai.a glass of liquid on a plate

Overall

For perhaps the best kebab in the world, go to Firuze. Enough said.

a room with tables and chairs
Closing time

TPOL’s Tip: This meal cost 61 manat or $35.

Haircuts Abroad: Baku, Azerbaijan Edition

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Haircuts Abroad: Baku, Azerbaijan Edition

Haircut Azerbaijan is part of the Reunion Tour Trip Report.

The tradition of haircuts abroad continued. This time, I was in Baku. I opened the door of a barbershop in the basement of a building near the Hyatt Regency. Inside, there were two chairs, but no one was there. I heard the familiar sound of NFL Live as I asked if anyone was home.

a barber shop with a chair and a sink

A man came out and told me it would be a minute before the barber came. When he arrived, I was told to take a seat. While waiting for my haircut to begin, the barber switched on the overhead lights, turned on chill house, and put football on the tele.
Since he did not speak English or Russian, I communicated with simple sign language what I needed. 1 on the top and fade on the side. Typically, this haircut only takes a few minutes, but I was there for thirty.
a man standing in front of a sink
While it wasn’t the crispest cut and shave I have received, it was worthy of the TPOL’s International Haircut Collection.
a man smiling for the camera
$11 isn’t exorbitant, but I expected it to be a few dollars cheaper.

Moving Abroad (Temporarily): An Expert’s Guide for What to Pack

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Moving Abroad (Temporarily): An Expert’s Guide for What to Pack

Long Term Packing is part of The Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España Trip Report. Read TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?

I used to live by the mantra – Take 1/2 the Clothes, Twice the Money (now updated to Take 1/4 of the Clothes, 1/2 the Money). I was a bit terrified of packing my suitcase. Since I was staying in Madrid for over a month, I knew I had to bring more than toilet paper and water.

Using this trip as a baseline, here’s what is required if I go somewhere for a ‘long’ time.

  • Documents
    • Passport
    • Old Passport (Chinese visa)
    • Drivers License
    • ID card
    • Keys
    • Amex Platinum or any Amex in case points need to be transferred.
    • Debit Card
    • Charles Schwab Debit Card
    • Money Bag
    • Money Clip
    • Orange Wallet
    • Checks
  • Travel
    • Eyeshades
  • Electronics 
    • Phone
    • Laptop + Case + charger (2)
    • iPad mini + case + Apple Pencil
    • Remarkable + pen + case
    • Thinkpad external keyboard
    • Garmin Watch + Charger
    • Conference Call Headphones (Shokz)
    • Workout headphones + wired connection
    • Nebula + remote + plug
    • Amazon Firesticks (2)
    • Travel Mouse + USB
    • Work Mouse + USB + Case
    • Wonderboom
    • Clock
    • Bag Scale
    • Travel Adapters (2, cords included)
    • Mini travel chargers (2)
    • Laptop travel charger (1)
    • DJI Pocket
    • DJI Action
    • DJI Drone
    • DJI Microphone
    • DJI Accessories + Case
  • Clothes
    • Pants (3)
    • White V necks (2)
    • Gym Shirts (4)
    • Boxers (4)
    • Shorts (2)
    • Gym Shorts (2)
    • Bathing suit (2)
    • Gym Shoes
    • Socks (4)
    • Belt
    • Loafers (2)
    • Sandals
  • Toiletries
    • Cologne
    • Travel toothbrush
    • Travel WaterPik
    • Deodorant (2)
    • Clippers + Charger
    • Razor
    • Nose Trimmer
    • Large toothpaste
    • Heartburn medication
    • Motrin
  • Organization
    • Day bag
    • Travel jacket
  • Gym
    • Ropes
    • Low parallettes
    • Inertia Wave
    • Golf balls
    • Golf gloves
    • Golf hat
    • Urban Turban
  •  Extras
    • Wine sealer + 2 corks
    • Yeti

a group of luggage on the floor

I Am Not a Foodie. And Neither Are You.

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I Am Not a Foodie. And Neither Are You.

I committed a cardinal sin by writing this post: Eat Like A Local: Madrid, Spain. I knew that using the words ‘eat’ + ‘local’ would invite criticism. Readers are predictable. While I can’t help but respond to their nonsense with my counter-nonsense, I also have to thank these nincompoops. First, it’s nice to know that someone is at least opening the article. Second, responding to their comments gives me a break from saving the world (see CFPB Dead! Sorry Musk, Bachuwa Law Still Alive). Finally, ill-informed comments provide content for posts such as this one.

I Am Not a Foodie. And Neither Are You.

Wikipedia defines a foodie as “a person who has an ardent or refined interest in food, and who eats food not only out of hunger but also as a hobby.” Let’s break down this definition. To be a foodie, you first need to have a passion for food. There are times that I am excited about eating, and some times when I do not want to be a fat pig (see The Tahiti Diet: Making the Bungalow Selfie Count). I would argue that having an ardent interest in food is an affliction that requires professional help. Ergo, I do not have an ardent interest in food.

Per the definition, one doesn’t have to either be ardent about food or have a refined interest in food. This is more controversial. What many consider refined, I consider intolerable. How refined does one have to be to appreciate a greasy slice of pizza (see Who Agrees? Detroit Style Pizza Is The Best) or a Coney hot dog (see Detroit Delicious)? While I will concede that the Italian Garden isn’t the gold standard for Olive food (see Times Square: Real Italian Food), I would not want to eat at a Michelin restaurant with any frequency (see Mont Bar Barcelona: Am I Michelin Material?). Ergo, I am not refined.

The final part of this definition states that a foodie eats ‘not only out of hunger, but also as a hobby.’ If my hobby were eating, I would be a 500lb fat guy sitting in a basement blasting Pulitzer Prize quality blogs like The Points Of Life. Stated differently, eating on its own is not a hobby. It is something done in conjunction with another activity e.g., traveling. Ordering oysters and caviar from Uber Eats is not a memorable culinary experience. Ordering them in Tallinn, Estonia is (see Seafood in Estonia: What a Treat).

Having deconstructed the definition, I would like to meet a foodie in person. I wonder if they’ll be as intolerable in person as they are on my blog.

a man in a box eating pizza

 

 

Eat Like A Local: Madrid, Spain

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Eat Like A Local: Madrid, Spain

Eat Like a Local is part of The Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España Trip Report.

What does it mean to eat like a local? For me, it’s literally where I ate while I was living in Madrid.

a plate of food on a table

a long line of plates and cups on a conveyor belt

a pizza on a cutting board next to a bottle of wine

a plate of food with sauce on it

a group of dim sum baskets on a table

a group of tacos on a black plate

a plate of meat on a table

a plate of meat and bread on a table

a woman sitting at a table with drinks

a tray of shrimp in front of a beer tap

Overall

Everyone has a snooty opinion on what it means to ‘eat like a local.’ Some recommendations are good and some are not so good (see Don’t Take All Advice: Meh Restaurants in Madrid & Pho Madrid: No Me Gusta).

Don’t make it complicated. Eat and enjoy.

CFPB Dead! Sorry Musk, Bachuwa Law Still Alive

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CFPB Dead! Sorry Musk, Bachuwa Law Still Alive

Have your points been clawed back? Has your credit card company closed your account? Thanks to President Musk, you have one less option if you are trying to pursue justice. DOGE is saving the big banks hundreds of millions of dollars by closing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. While this is bad for consumers, I was not a big fan of the agency because they lacked meaningful enforcement and, more importantly, punishing powers. Fortunately for consumers, your favorite points blogger, and the angriest attorney you know (subscribe to The Angry Attorney Podcast), is still alive and well. While Bachuwa Law, cannot guarantee results, I can guarantee that The Angry Attorney will fight for you!

Sorry Musk, I’m still here.

Alex Bachuwa Profile
So angry, yet so handsome

 

Hyatt Regency Baku: Too Far from the City Center

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Hyatt Regency Baku: Too Far from the City Center

Hyatt Regency Baku Hotel Review is part of the Reunion Tour Trip Report.

Getting There: Take Bolt from the airport for 12 manat ($7) (see Bolt Azerbaijan: My Preferred Rideshare).

a car on the road
Try your luck with a local taxi.

I need to do a better job of researching hotels before booking. I assume when I see a brand-name like Hyatt it automatically is in a great location. Clearly, I have not learned my lesson from my stay at the Hyatt Osaka (see Where Are You Hyatt Regency Osaka?).

Location

The Hyatt Baku is not located near the old town or close to the major sites. This is not the hotel for tourists looking to explore Baku by foot.

a sign in front of a tree
Baku, but not Baku
a road with cars and buildings in the background
Far from the center

TPOL’s Tip: Bolt only costs a few manat to get to the old town.

Price

Perhaps the reason I did not research the location is because of the measly number of points it costs to stay here. The room retails at $166 per night but goes for only 5,000 points.a building with trees and a palm tree in front of it

Room

As a Globalist, I was upgraded to a junior suite with a lot of furniture. When staying alone, I would rather have a deluxe oversized room than two rooms of which I will only use one.a bed in a hotel rooma room with a bed and a television a tv on a dresser in a room

Bathroom

The room had an extra toilet in the living room that I did not use and a bathtub in the master that I also did not use. The shower had low water pressure.a bathroom with sinks and bathtub small bottles of liquid on a corner shelf a shower with a shower head and a shelf a bathtub and toilet in a bathroom

Suite

Coming for business? Plenty of space for those key meetings. a room with a couch and a coffee table a room with couches and a table

a large building with many windows and a parking lot
The view

Lavazza

It’s often an adventure to figure out how to turn on the espresso machine. I managed to do so and make espresso. The next time I tried, it was blinking red and my attempts to troubleshoot proved fruitless.a coffee machine and cups on a table

Lounge

I was staying on the 8th floor. The lounge was conveniently located on the 7th via a dangerous spiral staircase. It was easier to head to the lounge for espresso than wait for an engineer to come to my room.

a spiral staircase in a room

TPOL’s Tip: From 6-8PM there are also drinks and light snacks.a plate of food on a table

Overall

The hotel was good enough but I would recommend the Courtyard Baku for those here for leisure.

a wooden box with black text
A novelty souvenir

Madrid Long-Term Rental: Show Up, Start Living at The Blueground

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Madrid Long-Term Rental: Show Up, Start Living at The Blueground

Madrid Long Term Rental is part of The Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España Trip Report.

My plan is to live in various parts around the world for a month at a time (see TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?). The biggest issue is finding a long-term rental that is not an overpriced Airbnb that delivers big on pictures but low on quality. Looking for places to live, I stumbled across TheBlueGround.com, a website with apartment listings worldwide. I knew I wanted to stay in the upscale neighborhood of Chamberí and searched accordingly. I was able to find a two-bedroom apartment for a little more than $100 a night.

TPOL’s Tip: The minimum stay is 31 days.

TPOL’s Tip: If you pay by credit card, there is a processing fee. The issue is that the security deposit is also subject to the processing fee but said fee is not returned.

 

Holiday Inn Nice: Niece Enough

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Holiday Inn Nice: Niece Enough

Holiday Inn Nice Hotel Review is part of the Still The Best Trip Report.

South of France is too expensive for TPOL (see Guns & Butter: South of France Travel Guide (Budget Edition)). Luckily, I missed my flight to Nice and only had to come up with the funds points for one night (see Lufthansa LIS-FRA-NCE: Finally Arrived). Still, finding a points hotel was not easy. The Marriott properties were going for extreme rates. I had a Chase stay cert that was expiring and was happy to burn it instead of paying $250.

Location

The hotel is within walking distance to the beach. It is also within walking distance to the train station to get to Monaco.

a street with palm trees and buildings
Go right out of the hotel to go to the beach.

a beach with umbrellas and chairs

a building with a clock on the top
Go left out of the hotel to go to the train station for Monaco.

Room

I spent my day in Cannes. This was the extent of my photography skills when I arrived at the hotel late.  a bed with white sheets and a chair in a room

Overall

If you’re looking to get the Nice experience, staying on the waterfront is the way to go. If you’re looking to get a taste of a life you cannot afford, the Holiday Inn may be the way to go. a sign on the side of a building

Bolt Azerbaijan: My Preferred Rideshare

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Bolt Azerbaijan: My Preferred Rideshare

Bolt in Azerbaijan is part of the Reunion Tour Trip Report.

When I landed in Baku, Azerbaijan, I was relieved that Bolt was available. Unlike earlier in this trip when I landed in Singapore (see Grab: The Rideshare App in Singapore And Thailand ), I quickly ordered a ride and was on my way to the Hyatt Regency Baku for only 12 manat ($7). Nothing is worse than arriving at an airport and having to deal with overpriced taxis (see “Taxi my friend?” The Worst Places to Hail a Cab).

Bolt is the rideshare leader throughout Europe (see Bolt: The Preferred Rideshare App in Estonia) and I am fine with that.

TPOL’s Tip: I saw cars with Uber stickers but could not get my Uber app to work.

a large flag from a glass wall

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