Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

You Broke My Heart, Blackberry. You Broke My Heart.

thepointsoflife

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July 5, 2016

You Broke My Heart, Blackberry. You Broke My Heart.

Terrible news in the world today as my favorite piece of technology declared its own death with the headline that it will no longer make phones with keyboards. This is undoubtedly the end of the road for Blackberry as no one is going to by their antiquated phones ever again. I can’t understand why they would eliminate their only unique selling proposition and believe that they can take on Android or iPhone head on. I use my Blackberry to blog on the go, to write emails, and to draw attention to myself. The joke, “Is that a Blackberry, I didn’t know they still made those,” never gets old. Now what will Mitt Romney, Kim Kardashian, and I do when we have a groundbreaking article to post? Use my touchscreen Samsung S7 Edge to write articles with the disclaimer that auto correct errors should be expected? Say it ain’t so. In six months I predict that Blackberry will have a fire sale and this will finally be the end of what has been a painful and predictable decline. (see TPOL’s Letter to Blackbery Warning Them of Their Impending Doom circa 2010) You broke my heart, Blackberry. You broke my heart!

Air New Zealand PVG-AKL: The Black Mamba

thepointsoflife

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July 5, 2016

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The Air New Zealand Shanghai Auckland Business Class Flight Review 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.

You’re in for a treat on this flight. I skipped writing another review on the Air China Business Class Lounge Shanghai because it was just as I left it, full of patrons peddling for pasta. Instead, I’m going to focus on the sleekest airplane I’ve ever flown, the Air New Zealand Black Mamba.

2016-05-05 13.44.59 — The livery is a bold departure from the usual.

The Intro It’s very difficult to find a direct flight on Air New Zealand in business from PVG-AKL. In fact, my flight was supposed to go PVG-NRT-AKL with the latter leg on the Dreamliner. With predictable delays in Shanghai, the airline switched us to the direct route upon checking in. That was very nice of them. Otherwise we probably would have missed our connection to AKL.

The Black Mamba — The Dreamliner Black Mamba

The Cabin After experiences Emirates First to Dubai then to Shanghai, it should come as no surprise that I was disappointed with the layout of the business class cabin. Of course it is unfair to compare business to first, let alone, Emirates to Air New Zealand. Still, saying that the cabin was crammed is not an exaggeration.

2016-05-05 13.50.30 — Hope your neighbor is friendly

2016-05-05 13.51.57 — Air NZ Business Class

2016-05-05 13.51.01 — Kia ora: The screen is small but it’s fine because of its proximity to the passenger.

2016-05-05 13.49.40 — The business class seat

The Service The service was peculiar. In some airlines like Cathay Pacific, the flight attendants have a sixth sense for knowing what passengers need. Without having to ask, the champagne is replenished or some ice cream is served. On Air New Zealand, the crew were friendly enough but I definitely had to hit the ding button more times than I am comfortable doing to get a refill. Since the passengers are in close quarters, it was impossible not to notice what your neighbor ordered. Like waiting for an entrée at a restaurant, I became jealous of what the guy next to me was being served. What followed was the domino effect of me requesting the same thing which was followed by the person next to me doing the same. It was pretty comical.

The Amenities Kit The socks were the best. There were no pajamas offered which was surprising but I didn’t need pajamas when I had these baller socks. The rest of the amenities were lame.

2016-05-05 16.41.12 — Everyone sporting their socks

The Entertainment The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of my favorite shows. Watching Geoffrey Butler be Geoffrey while I was way up in the sky was just great. Another entertainment offering was the ability to chat with other passengers. After copying my neighbor’s Irish coffee order, I sent him a quick message saying cheers! #notcreepy

2016-05-05 14.28.06 — Don’t be shy, chat with your neighbor

The Wine New Zealand is famous for its pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. Air New Zealand’s menu does not tell you what kind of wine is served. Instead it uselessly plugs some wine experts in the description.

2016-05-05 16.44.05 — Great red and appetizer

After sampling what they had on board, I agree with the experts’ assessments but can’t understand the usefulness of putting it on a menu.

The Burger The burger was so fantastic, it deserves its own heading. It may seem unorthodox for an airline to offer a burger in business class but how many times can someone eat a steak in the sky before admitting that it is not as good as on the ground. The same cannot be said of this burger. It was first-class all the way. I actually wanted to order another and was quite happy when another passenger let me finish hers.

The Food The dessert was yummy and the eggs were on par with the burger.

The Bed Oh so comfortable. Sure we were squished together in the business class cabin but once the bed was made I was in my own heaven. The duvet was very soft and I fell asleep almost instantly.

Overall I know I pointed out some quirks about this Air New Zealand flight but overall it was excellent. It is different from any other business class product that I have experienced and I felt very lucky to enjoy more uninterrupted hours in the sky by flying direct.

Simply the Best: June 2016

thepointsoflife

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July 4, 2016

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Another month in the record books. I didn’t post for three weeks in June while TPOL was being redesigned but somehow the numbers came around thanks to my Iceland and Emirates experience. I have to say that I’m thrilled with how the site looks even though there’s still a lot to do. I think it will be like Dubai, constantly under construction (but beautiful nonetheless). Here are the top posts for the month of June.

WOW Air! Bring Your Credit Card

You’ve seen the ads: $99 to Iceland. For that price, you can put me in a Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach chicken filled flight with a crate as my seat. Luckily for us travelers, WOW Air is quite the step up from the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom airplane.

2. Flying Icelandair by Mistake

This was besides my visa issue the dumbest thing I have ever done while traveling.

3. The World’s Greatest Travel Jacket: A Smuggler’s Tool

Think James Bond meets Inspector Gadget.

4. The Emirates Lounge at JFK: Where It All Began

There are certain things that no one can get sick of. These include silly string, bubble wrap, and any review having to do with Emirates Airlines.

5. Emirates Shower Class JFK-DXB: One More Time

Seated with a full bottle of Dom and two glasses, I carefully popped the cork. I blame the elevation for the mess that I caused which explains this classy photo.

6. Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai: Yum, Yum

Those of you who know me already are aware of my nickname, The Fat Guy in the Lounge.

7. Radisson Blu 1919 Reykjavik: VIP Treatment

This is a great hotel. I doubt I will stay here again post Club Carlson devaluation but I am glad that I used my 2*1 nights for a memorable, sleep-deprived Icelandic experience.

Oh, and if you haven’t checked out TPOL’s Map, please do so, it’s truly the best feature of the site. Every pushpin is a link to everything I’ve ever written for each city that I have visited.

Exclusive to TPOL, a map that gets you all the info you need for all the places I have been.

4th of July Eating Contests at Your Favorite Lounges

thepointsoflife

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July 4, 2016

2

4th of July Eating Contests at Your Favorite Lounges

Happy 4th! Today is one of my favorite holidays because it combines three things I love: USA! USA! beer, and BBQ. A 4th of July tradition is Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest which TPOL tried to emulate a few years ago by consuming 2lbs of dog, 2 buns, and a mound of chili cheese fries in an hour. Other contests include the Big Mac Challenge in Prague, Czech Republic and the 2lb Burger Challenge in Drummond, Montana which I still think I won. In honor of today, I have come up with ten new eating contests should you happen to be spending your 4th at a lounge.

Curry at KIX: Have the machine pour yourself a beer then load up your plate with mounds of rice and mystery meat. It’s time to get to work.
“I had that 27 and 10 last night and today, chicken curry. 54 points last week and the next day, curry stew!” #Durant
Pasta at PVG: Be quick on your feet and make the mad dash to the pasta feed in Shanghai before other eager contestants get there.
Pasta baby!
Carrots at DTW: Sadly, America doesn’t provide a lot of great gorging opportunities but a carrot contest is very possible in just about any US airport.
The carrot and the [celery] stick
Dim Sum at PEK: Yes! Dim Sum. They reload the dim sum fast enough to make this a viable contest.
The world’s most perfect food
Egg Whites at MSP: TPOL’s favorite breakfast is hard-boiled eggs. Peeled egg whites is a luxury item fit for a king. Get after it!
The yolk is not part of the contest
Wieners at HKG: Late night at HKG? Indulge in as many wieners as is humanly possible. This is more inline with a proper hot dog contest.
Wieners!
Kufta at IST: The Costco of airport lounges is in Istanbul. Kufta prepared fresh and hot of the grill makes for a great contest. Alternatively, you can clog your arteries with a baklava eating contest.
The referee
Donuts at SNA: How are your arteries? In good shape? Then get to John Wayne’s United lounge for donuts and more donuts. Milk is for cheaters.
Who doesn’t love donuts?
Sushi at DXB: Who gets full from sushi? See if you will at Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai.
Champagne & sushi
Ramen at NRT: Made to order, devouring bowls of ramen at the ANA lounge in Narita is a nice way to take the title of American Douche from the party described in this linked post.
Happy 4th everyone!

TPOL’s Guide to A Night in Shanghai

thepointsoflife

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July 2, 2016

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The Shanghai Nightlife Travel Guide 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.

This guide has been updated in 2019 (see TPOL’s Guide to Libations in Shanghai).

Shanghai is the best city in the world. I cannot definitively tell you why I think so. There’s just something special about it. It has a unique energy and diversity that I have yet to encounter anywhere else. Curiously, what I love most about Shanghai is that there isn’t a lot to do. Days consist of either going to the Fabric Market or recovering from the night before. And it is the latter point that this post will focus on. Bracing for a long evening out, I begin the night by heading to Yang’s Dumpling for only a few savory dumplings. Binging at Yang’s inevitably results in an inescapable food coma. As Yang’s is located on the bustling street of Nanjing Xi Lu the next stop is the dive bar known as Windows TOO, which is situated west of People’s Square in Jing’an Temple area. A few Tiger beers, a few rounds of craps, and maybe a few whiskeys means it’s time for the next phase of the evening: more drinking.

Head back in the direction from which you came and go to Barbarossa Bar where you can enjoy a proper cocktail with a view of People’s Park. If you’re feeling tired, head to the Starbucks next door for a doppio to keep you going. After all it’s going to be a long night.

From there, hop in a cab and instruct shifu to take you to 外滩 (Waitan or the Bund). Be sure to stop at an All Days or Family Mart to maintain your BAC. I recommend a giant Tsingtao beer, two mini shots of Jack, and a Coke Zero chaser. Don’t bother playing the 7-Eleven Drinking Game because you won’t last very long. If you’re looking for one of the classiest bars in Shanghai, head to the Long Bar at the Waldorf Shanghai. If you’re looking for a more international crowd the second stop is usually Bar Rouge, a French owned nightclub with impeccable views of the Huangpu River and Pudong (home to the Park and Grand Hyatt). One drink at $15 should be enough to realize that it is time to find another place to party. When exiting, do not take the taxis parked right outside as they will not go by the meter. Take Uber instead.

IMG_20140621_022523 — Or climb the bikes to the top

Bar Rouge on a typical Shanghai rainy day

The next destination is the internationally and notoriously known nightclub called M1NT Shanghai. M1NT may not be what it was years ago but the nostalgia of going up the elevator and seeing the sharks swimming around bring back some of the best memories. The main dance floor plays a variety of music while the lounge plays hiphop and is more intimate.

If you still have a couple of Jack bottles, now may be the time to go to the bathroom and consume those. M1NT like Bar Rouge has New York priced drinks. As a tourist this isn’t a big deal but for those living in Shanghai on a local salary, a night at M1NT could blow the budget. If you still are capable of reading this post, then check the time. Is it 3AM? Good. Now it’s time to leave and take another Uber to a Chinese club. When I lived in Shanghai, I used to know their names but alas the glorious ones have all closed. These include Babyface, Club 88, and Richy. Undoubtedly, new ones have opened so you won’t be out of options.

IMG00221-20100824-1907 — Babyface was better than Richbaby

Imported Photos 00045 — The best club in the history of mankind

If you still are capable of reading this post, then check the time again. Is it 5AM? Good. Now it’s time to go to the after party Hollywood Shanghai. Be sure to have 100 RMB to get in. The good old days of sneaking in seem to be a thing of the past. If you somehow stumble upon the courtyard, be sure to do a handstand to prove your sobriety.

If you still are capable of reading this post then the sun is now coming up and you probably are very hungry. Not to worry, outside of Hollywood you will find Chinese BBQ, fried rice, and dumplings to satisfy your stomach. Remarkably, you will also find that your proficiency of the Chinese language is at an all time high, or so you think. Be sure to tell shifu that you want your food to be ‘hen la’.

Everything is good. I love the green beans and the lamb the most

2016-05-19 02.07.16 — Dumplings for the soup and sometimes dumplings stand alone

With your mouth burning from my advice, I think it’s time to call it a day and head back to your hotel. By now the breakfast buffet should be open if you want a snack before passing out and doing this all again when you wake after well after the sun has gone down.

Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai: The Beautiful Boutique

thepointsoflife

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July 2, 2016

5

Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai: The Beautiful Boutique

The Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai Hotel Review 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.

Getting There: The Andaz is located in the swanky neighborhood of Xintiandi. The fastest way to get there is to take the Maglev and Uber from there. Alternatively, you could Uber all the way.

The cosmopolitan life is what the Andaz brand is all about. It’s what the W brand aspires to be but will never become. The Andaz Shanghai combines the best of all worlds by delivering an upscale experience in a great neighborhood. I’ve only stayed at two other Andaz hotels, the one in Napa Valley and the one in San Diego. Both were great but this one is the best. First, the suite upgrade was fantastic. Next, the breakfast (though incomparable to Twelve at Henghsan) offered a wide variety of freshly prepared Western and Chinese food. Finally, the location can’t be beat. Xintiandi is a neighborhood within central Shanghai with a walking street filled with bars and restaurants. Although it’s a bit touristy, it’s still pleasant for an evening out. The only issue I can think of is that there is so much to do and see around the hotel that I barely had a chance to enjoy it! Therefore, I will have my pictures to do the talking for me. The Hotel Itself

2016-05-04 17.01.18 — In Chinese, the ‘an’ in Andaz means peace. I agree.

2016-05-04 17.03.18 — The bar which includes free wine during happy hour.

2016-05-04 17.04.54 — The suspended fish tank by the elevators

The Room

The Bathroom

2016-05-04 17.06.33 — The sink that changes colors

The Amenities

2016-05-04 17.07.45 — Welcome to the Andaz

2016-05-04 17.08.18 — Nespresso of course

Andaz espresso, snacks, and soft drinks all included

2016-05-04 17.08.44 — The stationary bike

2016-05-04 17.08.57 — No idea what the point of this is

2016-05-04 17.11.56 — Where’s the NO Xplode?

2016-05-04 17.12.07 — Peddling well enjoying the view

The View

The Exterior

2016-05-04 18.14.42 — The other entrance

2016-05-04 18.15.04-1 — The happy hour lounge

2016-05-04 18.15.20 — The happy hour lounge

2016-05-04 18.15.49 — The Hong Kong building (home of M2 nightclub)

The Breakfast

2016-05-04 18.16.54 — Restaurant entrance

2016-05-05 07.35.51 — Jiaozi and xiao long bao

Overall I would definitely recommend staying at the Andaz Xintiandi. Guests can enjoy being in the heart of the action without giving up quality.

The Grand Hyatt Shanghai: PH’s Not So Little Brother

thepointsoflife

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July 2, 2016

4

The Grand Hyatt Shanghai: PH’s Not So Little Brother

The Grand Hyatt Shanghai Hotel Review 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.

Getting There: Take the Maglev and then Uber the rest of the way. The taxi stand outside the Maglev is also a decent option if your data is malfunctioning.

The Grand Hyatt Shanghai must get sick of living in the shadow his younger brother, the Park Hyatt. That is literally the case here as the size and stature of the Grand Hyatt which is in the Jin Mao building is dwarfed by the Park Hyatt which is in the World Financial Center. While both were feuding, the Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world was erected and will be home to J-Hotel, the tallest hotel in the world.

2016-05-03 20.58.23 — World Financial Center Street View

The Location The hotel is located in Pudong across from the Bund where the real nightlife and fun of Shanghai takes place. Pudong is a boring area with nothing to do. The reason to stay on this side is for the view of the other.

2016-05-04 13.09.48 — Reflecting on my time in Shanghai

The Hotel Itself The Jin Mao Tower is striking from the outside and from within. There is a lookout point on the way to the hotel room that will make you hold onto your camera a little tighter as you take pictures of down below and up above.

The Room Can I please have unlimited DSUs? Now this is a room. The views of the World Financial Center, the Bund, and an endless skyline make this hotel incomparable.

2016-05-03 18.05.07 — The bedroom and bathroom

2016-05-03 18.04.40 — View of the living room

The Living Room Need space to breathe? The air is thin up here.

2016-05-03 18.03.27 — Curtains drawn to prevent big brother from spying

2016-05-03 18.05.18 — More inexplicable decaf

2016-05-03 20.39.21 — Tea and espresso cups

2016-05-03 20.39.29 — Top shelf espresso pic

The Bathroom The bathroom was unsurprisingly impressive. One funny note is how the toilet seat would go up anytime it sensed someone approaching. The toilet can be accessed from the bathroom or from the living room so I received a friendly wave each time I passed by.

2016-05-03 18.01.14 — I say hello toilet

2016-05-03 18.01.33 — It says hello TPOL

2016-05-03 18.02.26 — Every good hotel should have a dental kit as this one does

The View

2016-05-03 18.11.29 — Then this jerk shows up

2016-05-03 18.06.59 — Probably my favorite tall building

2016-05-03 18.25.47 — Even if he does block the view

The Lounge Why does TPOL love lounges? Because everything is free and unlimited. Open bar and endless snacks are my idea of a good time. In my next life, I will live at an all-inclusive resort.

2016-05-03 17.13.48 — The Grand Club needs the windows washed

Overall Although the Park Hyatt is impressive, I enjoyed my stay at the Grand Hyatt because of the Diamond Suite Upgrade and because of the lounge. The Grand Hyatt Shanghai gets overlooked by guests who opt to stay at the Park Hyatt. For a cheaper cash and points options or a booking exclusively based on points, I would select the Grand Hyatt without question.

Shanghai Fabric Market: What Is Friend Price?

thepointsoflife

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July 1, 2016

13

Shanghai Fabric Market: What Is Friend Price?

The Shanghai Fabric Market Travel Advice 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.

Location: The South Bund Fabric Market is located at 399 Lujiabang Lu. All the hotels and taxi drivers know it.

TPOL is the best bargainer. Period. That’s the attitude you need when you enter the fabric market at Liujiabang Lu. There’s nothing more fun than spending a Saturday afternoon picking out shirts, suits, and button combinations. Sometimes the suits end up looking like something from Star Trek. Other times you end up with clothes that look better than anything that can be purchased at ten or even twenty times the price at Saks Fifth Avenue. The first key to surviving the fabric market is to have a list of what you need ahead of time. The second key is to know what the 朋友 (friend) price is before you begin bargaining. Finally, and most importantly, it is critical to find a tailor that you know and trust. Personally, I’ve been going to the guy since 2009 and have had no complaints. It’s been six years since the last time that I had returned and evidently costs had risen since the last time I had went. Or had they? Speaking a little Chinese and trading some good laughs, I ended up paying the same thing I did all those years ago. Back then 100 RMB was around $14 and now 100 RMB is $15 so I should say I paid the same amount in renminbi. The booth that I go to is No. 261 and the secret prices that I get are as follows:

Suit: 500 RMB
Cashmere Coat: 600 RMB
Shirt: 100 RMB
Suitcase: 130 RMB (top quality)

Then after all is calculated I try to get a few more RMB knocked off of the final price. Am I cheap, competitive, or compulsive? That’s a discussion for another post. In the end, I walked away with 5 suits, 1 winter coat, and 20 shirts. The best part is they all fit perfectly the first time and there were no duds in the group. I shook shifu’s hand and told him I would be back next year for more. For a complete list of other prices for goods bargained abroad see the post: Bargaining Abroad, I Lost the Battle.

2016-05-03 15.14.56 — Hey pretty lady you want dress, scarf?

You're going to like the way you look...(I don't think this is trademarked anymore) — You’re going to like the way you look…(I don’t think this is trademarked anymore)

Club Carlson E-Certs: Good Luck Booking!

thepointsoflife

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July 1, 2016

21

Club Carlson E-Certs: Good Luck Booking!

Club Carlson is annoying. There’s no other way to put it. I am trying to burn these Office of the President E-Certs which I was given after the Club Carlson devaluation. I managed to book one night at the Radisson Blu Corsica and use points for an additional night as part of my That Champagne Lifestyle Trip Report. The problem is that there is no E-Cert availability for the third night. Standard rooms are available, standard points are available, and the rate isn’t even exceptionally high. Indeed, the hotel doesn’t even look that great. The E-Cert expires in 2 months which is why I tried to use it in Iceland to book the Radisson Blu Saga. The same thing happened then, no award availability. As is implied in the name, the E-Cert can only be booked online so calling customer service or reaching out to the hotel is useless. I get there isn’t always award availability, that’s not the nature of our business but I don’t understand (and nobody can tell me) if the award will open up. The interesting thing is that I made the first E-Cert booking today so booking in advance is not the issue. This is the last of my Club Carlson affiliation. I’m not sure I’ll keep the Club Carlson cards one more time. Anyone have any tricks?

Yang’s Dumpling Shanghai: Still #1

thepointsoflife

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July 1, 2016

2

This is a Food Review of Yang’s Dumpling which 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.

Location: Yang’s is located in the walking street off of Nanjing Xi Lu. The address is 269 Wujiang Rd, Jing’an, Shanghai, China

Yang has come up. He used to live in a shack on West Nanjing Road on the second floor. Like everything in Shanghai, Yang has modernized. It’s sort of a shame because the old restaurant used to have a long line, nowhere to sit, and an illegible menu. Back then a menu was not needed since patrons would just signal with their fingers how many dumplings they required. The good news about Yang’s Dumpling is that the quality has not gone down. That is a relief since there it has become increasingly difficult to find street restaurants that make sheng jian bao (pan-fried dumplings). Indeed Nanjing Xi Lu used to be full of mom and pop dumpling joints. Now, it’s been overrun by high-rise buildings and Krispy Kremes. That is very sad. If you’re confused on how to eat xiao long bao or sheng jian bao, consult this guide in preparation for an orgasmic experience.