I always say that a lounge is better than no lounge. But tell that to the people in the Priority Pass Lounge in Athens. People were deeply upset that there was no place to sit and that there was not enough food. Getting up from your chair meant losing your chair. After this mediocre holiday, I was in no mood for people with moods (see Athens for Nightlife? Not My Pick).
Have you heard of Kiribati? Neither had I until I started looking for Avios redemptions in the South Pacific (see Extra Sweet Spot: Fiji to Kiribati on Avios). Before arriving, I tried to find accommodations, but the prices were exorbitant, or no one responded. The only hotel that did was in South Tarawa. I figured I would get on the ground and go from there.
Arrival
Upon arriving, there was a small kiosk with brochures for bungalows in North Tarawa. I took down a few names and attempted to make contact.
George Hotel
Getting There: The hotel picked us up from the airport.
The George Hotel is a well-known hotel in Kiribati. But it is not filled with tourists. It is occupied by workers from around the globe in Kiribati for all sorts of odd work. The rate was $122 a night, which is quite steep for what I received.
What to Do?
There’s next to nothing to do in South Tarawa besides drink beer and hope the Wi-Fi works. The food at this hotel and the hotel next door was unremarkable.
Stuck?
Not knowing what to expect, I had originally booked three nights in South Tarawa. Almost immediately, I knew that this was a mistake and made plans to escape. I made plans to leave the next day. There was one problem. No one could take me to the dock to get to North Tarawa. The only person who knew how to drive was out sick. It took some effort to finally find someone to pick me up.
Tank Tour
The only attraction in South Tarawa are the tanks left over from World War II. They are awesome. The ferris wheel can be skipped along with the shipyard.
Overall
Minus the tanks, you should skip South Tarawa. TPOL sacrificed one day of his life to learn that for you.
If you are looking for someone who has been to more Hyatt Places than he would care to share, look no further than TPOL. In this latest installment of cursory reviews of the Hyatt Place, I take on the Hyatt Place JAX airport.
I had a law conference on Amelia Island and did not want to pay the premium rate for what turned out to be an abysmal stay at the Ritz-Carlton (see You Call This Luxury?). Ever frugal, and with a late-arriving flight, I stayed here first. Below are photos of the room. You’ll notice that this time I decided to showcase how the Hyatt Place looks at night.
Getting There
The Hyatt Place JAX Airport is near the airport. You would think that goes without saying, but how many times have you booked an airport hotel only to find out it’s a ways away?
Breakfast
Hyatt Place is known for its bland breakfast. This was one stop beyond bland. I was offended by the integrity of the bagels. I was also irked that there was no coffee at either station.
Overall
Some Hyatt Places are great. Some are just another ‘place’ to lay my head.
The Athens Greece Travel Guide is part of the Trip Report Athens Marathon: The Original Course which includes the following cities:
Click here for the picture preview.
Here is the Athens Travel Guide using the Guns & Butter methodology:
Introduction
I remember my 6th Grade teacher Mrs. Gramer who probably had early onset dementia because she would kick kids out of class and forget to bring them back in. When it happened to me and I left for lunch without her permission, I told her, “But Mrs. Gramer, you always forget things.” She wasn’t amused.
Anyhow, Mrs. Gramer taught us about the Cradle of Civilization in your boy’s homeland of Iraq, the journey of Cristobal Colon to the New World, and about the rise and fall of the Greek Empire. We all gazed in amazement as she showed us pictures of the Parthenon while she simultaneously looking for her lost spectacles. They were, as always, on top of her head.
Despite being one of the students from hell, I was excited to learn about Greek culture and hoped that one day I would be able to go to Greece. At that time my PanAm award miles was empty leaving me to wonder how I would get to Athens in a lie-flat seat.
The Athens Marathon
The opportunity finally came to visit Greece when I signed up for the Athens Marathon. It doesn’t get any more Labor intensive in regards to Guns & Butter than running a marathon. While my finishing time of 5:05 wasn’t my greatest achievement, I would still recommend the Athens Marathon to anyone looking to complete the Original Course, the route that Pheidippedes took to deliver the news of a Greek victory against the Persians from the city of Marathon to Athens.
The Acropolis
Mrs. Gramer would be very proud that I made it to the Acropolis. She wouldn’t be as impressed with my source for the definition of what the Acropolis is, an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens which contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. (reference Wiki.)
Theatre of Dionysus
On the way to the top, stop and admire the Theatre of Dionysus, the first theater in the world. Dionysus is the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness, fertility, theatre and religious ecstasy in. (reference Wiki.) While I didn’t see any ritual madness going on, there were plenty of people climbing over each other to take photos.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus was built in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla (reference Wiki.) Today it is used as a concert venue and the site of the Athens Festival which celebrates Greek culture and history.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis. It is dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the peak of its power. (reference Wiki.) It was interesting to learn that the Parthenon wasn’t primarily used as a temple. Instead, historians believe that it was the original Fort Knox, safeguarding the gold of the Greek Empire.
Cost
It costs 12 euros to get into the Acropolis which also includes access to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Note the hours for the Acropolis. It closes at 3PM during the winter and 7:30 during the summer.
National Monuments
The Temple of Zeus
It’s easy to take for granted how impressive the Athenian architecture is because the historic landmarks are now surrounded by a busy city. On one side of the street, there is a coffee shop probably opened within the last few decades, on the other there is the Temple of Zeus constructed between 472 and 456 BCE.
The attention to detail, the longevity, and ingenuity of the structures are a testament to the greatness of the Greek Empire.
The Hellenic Parliament
The Old Royal Palace is the first Royal Palace of modern Greece, completed in 1843. It has housed the Hellenic Parliament since 1934. (reference Wiki.)
The Parliament is located across from Syntagma Square which is adjacent to the King George Hotel. Every hour there is the Changing of the Guard Ceremony in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens. The Square is named after the Constitution that the first King of Greece Otto was obliged to grant, after a popular and military uprising on September 3, 1843. (reference Wiki.)
Today, Syntagma Square has new significance. It is the site of anti-austerity strikes which are a result of Greek’s controversial decision to remain in the EU and adapt severe spending cuts. Thousands have taken the square to protest, resulting in riots and clashes with the police. Indeed only days after the marathon on November 8th, 2015, there were more riots right outside of my hotel.
Panathenaic Stadium
Panathenaic Stadium held the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It is one of the oldest stadiums in the world and was the finish line for the Athens Marathon.
In 329 BC it was rebuilt in marble by the archon Lycurgus and in 140 AD was enlarged and renovated by Herodes Atticus, giving a seated capacity of 50,000. (reference Wiki.)
Gyros Tour
Seeing all of Greek’s architectural marvels and taking the time to read about all of them on Wikipedia is exhausting. After a busy day of being a responsible tourist, it is time to go on a Gyros Tour, which is the most delicious part of Greek culture.
Plaka
Plaka is an old neighborhood in Athens located right off of Syntagma Square. There are many restaurants, gyro parlors, and coffee shops to enjoy. Unfortunately, there is also a McDonald’s and H&M which mars the cultural purity of the neighborhood.
Monastiraki
Monastiraki is the flea market neighborhood next to Plaka. Though there are some quality items of great craftsmanship, a large portion of it is stores filled with counterfeit bags, useless trinkets, and opportunistic salesmen.
National Gardens
A tranquil escape from Athens is the National Gardens which is located right next to the city center.
Aigeli
Aigeli is a cafe within the National Gardens and a great place to relax and have an espresso while talking politics with locals.
The King George Hotel
The historical landmarks described within this travel guide is only steps away from one of the best hotels in the world, The King George Hotel. After finishing the marathon, nothing was better than getting a bag of gyros and returning back to the peace of this hotel.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
The second choice is George’s neighbor, Hotel Grande Bretagne.
Grnad Hyatt Athens
In 2025, I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Athens. I suggest skipping this place.
Hotel Cecil
For the budget-conscious traveler, you could stay where my friend stayed, the Hotel Cecil. While it’s terrifying from the outside, it is in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Athens’ nightlife.
What Not to Do
TPOL’s Tip: Bolivar Beach Club is located at Leof. Poseidonos, Alimos 174 55, Greece
Conclusion 2015
Everything I saw in Athens was centered around Syntagma Square as well as the 26.2 miles route to Athens. It would have been nice to leave the city and go to the countryside for wine tasting but running the marathon made doing so impossible.
While I enjoyed my time in Athens, I expected it to be more lively. Instead, I found a city that lacked energy. It felt like the people were worn out from the emotion of dealing with the uncertainty from the financial crisis. I wish I could say I was hopeful about the future of Greece but given the government’s actions, I do not see how the situation will improve. I am of the mindset that Greece should stand up to Germany, default on their loans, leave the EU, and retain their autonomy. That, I believe, is what the ancient Greeks would have done.
Conclusion 2025
To quote 2015, “While I enjoyed my time in Athens, I expected it to be more lively. Instead, I found a city that lacked energy.”
Day 4 of the World Cup was the culmination of my World Cup experience. For the final match, I paid the retail price of $274 for category 1 tickets in advance of knowing who was playing (see The Guide to Buying Tickets for the World Cup And Other Big Events). I had hoped that it would be Portugal vs. Brazil, but Brazil finished first in its group, leaving me with Portugal vs. Switzerland. Incidentally, my seats for the Brazil vs. South Korea were better, despite being Category 2.
Sober No More
As I have documented, there was no energy at this World Cup. It was a muted affair. To make sure I had some fun, I went to a watch party before the game, where I opted for performance-enhancing supplements.
Morocco vs. Spain
The excitement wasn’t only on account of alcohol. Morocco was playing Spain and had forced penalty kicks. The place was a madhouse when Morocco won.
Turbans for Sale
In addition to a few shots, I made a few friends who appreciated the Urban Turban (buy yours here).
Lusail Stadium
When I bought my tickets, I wanted to make sure I would be going to Lusail Stadium. It is the most beautiful of all the stadiums at the event. It did not disappoint.
The Game
The game was a bit blurry (reference alcohol above). Portugal went up quickly, and it was over for Switzerland shortly after it started.
Where is Ronaldo?
There was some controversy as Ronaldo did not start. He eventually made his way onto the pitch but did not do much.
Travel Lesson
People complained that there was no alcohol at the World Cup, which made the event boring. I agree that alcohol and making party go hand-in hand. Having said that, I will no longer drink before any sporting event. It’s fun in the moment, but I don’t remember much more than that. The same is true when I watch sports at home. I need to be fully attentive so my energy gets passed to my team.
Post Food at the Intercontinental
My favorite bar in Doha is the Belgian Cafe at the IC. It has great burgers and great beer, despite the sticker shock.
Metro? This Way!
The logistics of this World Cup were world-class (see Qatar 2022: Tremendous World Cup Logistics). Free metros to go anywhere.
Overall
4 World Cup games in 4 days. Where else in the world is that possible? #saudi2030
When I was finally given my boarding pass after being denied boarding for the World Cup (see Epic Failure: Denied Boarding for the World Cup), I rushed to the AA Flagship Lounge in Miami searching for a bottle (Drink Your Stress Away). I did the same thing in Philadelphia after I was initially told I had arrived too late to check my bag (see Missed Flight? How Much Time for Checked Bags?).
It took a second to find the bar as the lounge was under construction. But, find it I did.
I went to see my golf coach in Doylestown, PA, as part of my trip to Philadelphia (see Guns & Butter: Philadelphia Travel Guide (Political Edition). My instructor was gracious enough to drive me to the airport to catch my flight home. Sitting in traffic, I wondered if I would arrive at the airport with enough time to check in my golf clubs. Most airlines state that at least 45 minutes before departure is required. I arrived at the airport 1 hour and 20 minutes before my flight.
The AA agent said that I could not check in my clubs and recommended that I put them back in my car if I wanted to make my flight. I informed him that I didn’t live in Philadelphia and I was going home. He said that the next flight was first thing in the morning.
While not as sickening as when I was denied boarding to Doha for the World Cup in 2022 (see Epic Failure: Denied Boarding for the World Cup), I did feel stupid that I might miss my flight. I pleaded with the agent and was told to go to the special assistance counter.
At that counter, the agent took my ID, weighed my golf bag, and gave me my boarding pass without hesitation.
I don’t think there’s a Travel Lesson to be learned here, but I will add it for future reference as a reminder that traveling with checked bags comes with risk.
TPOL’s Guns & Butter Travel Guide is the best way to see as much as you can in as little time as possible. Here’s how it works – A trip is composed of two factors: Labor And Lazy. The opportunity cost (what is given up) for relaxing and being Lazy is gained by being adventurous in the form of Labor and vice versa. The guide includes inefficient activities i.e., tourist traps that should be avoided and aspirational activities that are worth doing but may be impossible to see given the constraints of time and resources.
250 Years?
It’s an open question if Americans will make it to Independence Day independent. Americans should travel to Philadelphia to visit the historical sights. Maybe then we would have a better appreciation for the freedom we take for granted.
Can you identify the following?
Cheesesteaks
Now that you have some understanding of civics, you can enjoy another American pastime – eating.
I went on a quest to find the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia. I only managed to go to two places (see Best CheeseSteak in Philly? Don’t Ask Me).
We may not have freedom of speech by July 5th, which is why I am saying this now: I am not a fan of the cheesesteak.
This video, on the other hand, is deliciously fantastic. Play with audio for the full effect.
Rocky
Sylvester Stallone is a Trump supporter. I choose to believe that Rocky is not. One of the best tourist attractions in the world is running up the Rocky Steps (see “Rocky! The Best Experience in Philadelphia & Worldwide”).
TPOL’s Trivia: Stallone’s Replica (Loaned): Sylvester Stallone bought a second identical statue at auction and loaned it to the city for events like RockyFest, placing it temporarily at the top of the steps.
TPOL’s Trivia: The original statue will be permanently installed at the top of the steps, replacing the replica.
Hyatt Regency
A decent place to stay and a great points redemption was the Hyatt Centric Philadelphia. (see The Softer Side of Philly).
Overall
America is a country of immigrants. If it were not, you would not have TPOL. But don’t take my word for it, listen to Neil Diamond.
Far
We’ve been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They’re coming to America
Never looking back again
They’re coming to America
Home, don’t it seem so far away
Oh, we’re traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we’ll say our grace
Freedom’s light burning warm
Freedom’s light burning warm
Everywhere around the world
They’re coming to America
Every time that flag’s unfurled
They’re coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They’re coming to America
Got a dream they’ve come to share
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today
My country ’tis of thee
Today
Sweet land of liberty
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
It took a lot of effort to finally go to Kingston, Jamaica for Carnival. Unfortunately, it was not worth the effort. Here is a summary of the trip, told in posts:
Jamaica Carnival 2022: Marriott Still Unavailable
Jamaica Carnival Postponed till July
Carnival Jamaica: TPOL Goes to Candy Land Next Week
Puerto Rico to Jamaica: Oh No, Not Spirit! Wait, Why Am I Connecting through Panama?
Spirit: Thankfully Not Awful Like Frontier
Courtyard Marriott Jamaica: For Carnival, Stay at the AC
Jamaica Carnival Review: My Fault Or Miserable Party?
Kingston-San Juan: 2 Copa Flights, 2 Lounge Reviews
Do you remember how I arrived in Jamaica (see Puerto Rico to Jamaica: Oh No, Not Spirit!)?
The journey home was also inefficient.
Fortunately, I was flying business on Copa, an underrated carrier for comfort in these parts. In Kingston, the first stop, after a Red Stripe, was the Priority Pass Lounge.
There wasn’t much going on there apart from jerk chicken and my favorite, Appleton Rum (see World’s Best Rum).
Ready to leave, I hopped on my Copa flight to Panama, went to the Copa Club there, and then back on a plane, finally bound for home.
