Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

JAL 787 Dreamliner: An American Marvel: SAN-NRT

thepointsoflife

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September 26, 2015

JAL 787 Dreamliner: An American Marvel: SAN-NRT

This is JAL 787 Dreamliner Review SAN-NRT which is part of the Trip Report: The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World which covers 5 Continents, 13 Countries, and 17 Cities.

Find the nerdy planning here. Find the picture preview here.

Those who say that America doesn’t manufacture anything anymore have not had the privilege of flying aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Plagued by issues before its launch, the Dreamliner got off to a shaky start. When it did go into service and I had an opportunity to fly it, the tricksters at Ethiopian Airline stuck me in a 777 moments before the 17 hour flight.

So when the day came to go for a ride, in business class no less, I could hardly contain my excitement. I boarded the plane and started taking pics of everything for my own amusement instead of for a Trip Report I didn’t know I would eventually write. The first marvel was the windows that did not have a drawn down shade but dimmed automatically. The second was the mood lighting that nursed passengers into a state of relaxation instead of the sudden blinding light that suddenly switched on much like the dirty trick used by my mother to wake me up before school. Third was the toilets. Worries about having life and limb get sucked into the underbelly of the airplane were washed away. This toilet flushed normally. Finally and most importantly was the noise. There was no noise. It was quiet like a film set of an airplane. Sitting there in awe, I was ready to take off and enjoy the added bonus of flying business.

The Seating

Japan Airlines had ordered this plane so quickly that it was outdated by the time it was delivered. The seats were angled-flat in a 2*2*2 configuration. Having yet to experience the luxury of lie-flat I paid it no mind.

JAL 787 Dreamliner Review SAN-NRT — Great plane, dated cabin

The Service

The service was kind and warm. The flight attendants routinely came by and refreshed my Jack Daniels and made sure that I was comfortable.

The Food

It has been claimed that food tastes better on the Dreamliner because of the way the cabin is pressurized. Whether this is true, I have no idea but the Japanese entrée certainly did not disappoint.

The Rest

With the quiet storm, the spacious seat, and the dimmed cabin, I slept like a baby, and not a complaining one.

Overall

I have only flown the Dreamliner once and look forward to the opportunity of flying it again now that I’ve been indoctrinated into believing that it’s lie-flat or nothing, champagne over whiskey, and first over business.

Oh to go back to the humble days when I was just happy to get on a plane!

<==Back to San Diego Lounge – Onto Conrad Tokyo==>

Why AA Admirals Lounge San Diego Is Inspiring

thepointsoflife

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September 25, 2015

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Why AA Admirals Lounge San Diego Is Inspiring

This is the American Airlines Club Lounge Review San Diego as part of the Trip Report: The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World which covers 5 Continents, 13 Countries, and 17 Cities.

Find the nerdy planning here. Find the picture preview here.

Why is the AA lounge in San Diego inspiring? The reason is in this sign:

SFO-NRT, LAX-NRT sure, but SAN-NRT? And direct? And on the Dreamliner? And on JAL? That’s just crazy. For me it was also lucky because the strict rules of the Explorer Award threatened to derail my whole trip but for the availability of this flight to Tokyo.

This post has little to do with how the AA lounge was basic, providing only one premium drink for passengers and more about the determination and innovation it takes to plan a round the world trip. Weeks of calling AA, changing this segment and changing that, only to have it invalidated over and over paid dividends in the form of this trip. It also has made me more creative in searching for overlooked routes, reading the rules till I could recite them from memory, and remaining persistent in the belief that any ticket, on any product, for any destination in the world is possible.

When I embarked on this trip it wasn’t for the blog. TPOL wasn’t around then. It was out of a sense of adventure. The possibilities of where I could go and what I could do were limitless. It is that freedom I felt during those weeks that motivates me to share my crazy travel tales on a daily basis and more importantly explain how easy it is for anyone to do the same.

With that, as is my duty, here is the review of the lounge:

I drank an Asahi. I used the free Wi-Fi. The rest of the time I sat there clueless as to what would come next.

Off to see the world. Care to join?

<==Back to RTW Ticket Preview – Onto JAL 787 Dreamliner==>

5 Continents, 13 Countries, 17 Cities: 1 RTW Ticket

thepointsoflife

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September 25, 2015

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5 Continents, 13 Countries, 17 Cities: 1 RTW Ticket

This is the picture preview of the $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World Trip Report where I used my American Airlines Explorer Award to go to:

Radisson Blu Cape TOwn — Radisson Blu Cape Town

In the words of Frank Slade, “I’m just getting warmed up.”

<==Back to the $77,000 Overview – Onto AA Lounge San Diego==>

Scottsdale Continental Golf Club: Baller on a Budget

thepointsoflife

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September 25, 2015

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Scottsdale Continental Golf Club: Baller on a Budget

The Scottsdale Golf Continental Golf Club Review is part of the Trip Report: The Greatest Diamond Challenge of All Time. Check out how I planned my Hyatt Diamond Challenge and how it cost next to nothing here.

In this report, I will cover:

Scottsdale: home to fun, sun, and golf. It is also home to one of the wackiest golf courses around. The 18 hole Scottsdale Continental Golf Club is located right near my place in Old Town. I had driven by it many times but until this year TPOL was not a golfer.

The course is a sprint of par 3’s and an obstacle course that pits golfer vs. other golfer vs. dogs vs. runners. vs. traffic vs. the driving range.

Golfer vs. Golfer

“Can I play through?” As a novice, I used to be inclined to say yes. I actually preferred that someone would pass me so I wouldn’t have the stress of knowing I was being tailed. I soon realized that most people are also terrible at golf and letting someone play through means you will end up stuck behind them. Since this course is so short, people weren’t even asking to play through. They would just fly by on their golf cart and wave their hand. Then they’d shank their tee shot and yours truly would be back there wondering what school of etiquette they went to. Mind you, it’s all in good fun.

Golfer vs. Dogs

Around the course there is a walking trail occupied by dogs on and off leashes. I thought I hit a pretty good tee shot and couldn’t find my ball. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a dog with a golf ball in his mouth. I’m going to say he made off with my ball.

Golfer vs. Runners

If the dogs don’t steal your ball, that doesn’t mean you are out of the woods. There are plenty of runners jogging along the path and the only thing separating them from a shot to the head is a warning sign advising golfers that they are liable for injury to pedestrians. Good grief, now you want me to tee off?

Golfer vs. Traffic

The course is right in Old Town and is surrounded by busy streets. While there is an underpass to go from the front to back nine, you get the feeling that you are playing golf on the 405.

Golfer vs. Driver Range

This isn’t what you think. You’re not challenging your skills against the driving range. Instead, you are chancing your luck that you don’t get hit by a ball hit off the driving range. The range backs up into the second hole and is adjacent to another. Not only are balls flying like at you like Katyusha rockets but when they do land nobody bothers to clean them up. As a result, you may lose your ball among the practice ones that litter the course.

2015-09-09 15.41.38 (Copy) — A rare par 4 (next to the driving range)

The Breakdown

Cost: $10, best deal in town + 1 free domestic.

Beer: $5/each

Cart: Old school motor

Ball Loss: See Worst Hole, see driving range confusion above.

Score: More or less over par.

Favorite Hole: Any par 3 where my ball made the sweet sound of getting up on the green.

2015-09-09 16.16.25 (Copy) — The fifth was good. On the right you had the drivers driving at you. In front you had traffic and the smell of chicken McNuggets cascading down upon you.

Worst Hole: 18 where I hit it into the water over and over again like Tin Cup.

2015-09-09 18.22.34 (Copy) — Finally got over the pond where the ducks and I searched for balls together.

What Makes It Unique: Playing par 3 after par 3 may sound like fun but it’s very challenging to be on your swing each time you tee off. Unlike a long par 5 there is no room for a mistake.

Conclusion: I think I’d return for the comedy but this experience was more clown car spectacle and less golf.

TPOL Grade: 1.5/5 Tees

2015-09-09 18.22.40 (Copy) — The only ones on the course with manners

<==Back to United Lounge Orange County

Parents Just Don’t Understand

thepointsoflife

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September 25, 2015

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So to you all the churners all across the land
There’s no need to argue
Parents just don’t understand

The wise words of a man named Smith transcend time and are applicable today. Maybe I’m not the Toys “R” Us kid I used to be (thanks to David Brandon ruining Umich football) but I still get into tiffs with my parents and ‘grown ups’ about the points game. The famous quote by those on the outside looking at my SQ Suite lifestyle is, “I hope you get a real job one day so that you don’t have to travel with points.” What they do not get is that no level of wealth would allow me to justify spending 12k on a one way flight when I could, for richer or poorer, still fly for next to nothing (damn fuel surcharges).

We points enthusiasts know that maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday this whole thing can come to an end. This is why we Shut Up And Book!, take pics aboard Emirates Shower Class, and have sleepless nights dreading our retreat to peasant class should there not be a welcomed recession (joking of course) on the horizon.

This brings me to the topic of MS and my hope that those who are not interested in flying around the world for $225 would be so kind to allocate their Birds, no matter if they be Red, Blue, or fluttering around to people like us. I understand the hesitation because a ss# is required but it’s not like I’m asking strangers for assistance. Even volunteering to manage it for them and show how all of this is possible is rebuffed.

Those that read BoardingArea everyday have become desensitized to the reality of having 40 credit cards, checking into a hotel for a week but staying for a couple of hours, and buying this card with that card to trigger that bonus for this bonus. It’s what you have to do to get from point A to point B, right?

Why can’t they understand?

John Wayne’s United Lounge: Orange County

thepointsoflife

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September 24, 2015

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John Wayne’s United Lounge Orange County is part of the Trip Report: The Greatest Diamond Challenge of All Time. Check out how I planned my Hyatt Diamond Challenge and how it cost next to nothing here.

In this report I will cover:

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Stuck in Orange County on a layover back to Phoenix I scrambled through my fanny pack looking for either United or American lounge passes. Of course I had none leftover (nor do I have a fanny pack) so I sat in shame at the Southwest Lounge. But, on the way to Mexico I did have two United passes that were expiring at the end of the month so I went ahead and used those.

My apologies for having this post out-of-order in the Trip Report but I highly doubt the lounge underwent any serious changes from when I visited on Friday and when I was denied access on Monday. I’m sure John Wayne would’ve found a way to get in both days. Overall, his airport was immaculate and the lounge was pretty damn good considering it was United.

Here’s some pics for your enjoyment:

2015-09-04 08.53.25 (Copy) - Copy — Find me in the club

united club orange county — The tradition of Bloody Mary and Coors Light

Free list please. If I'm paying then it's to pay for John Wayne's Subway located downstairs. — Free list please. If I’m paying then it’s to pay for John Wayne’s Subway located downstairs.

For a small United lounge it was very nice much like John Wayne's Airport. — For a small United lounge it was very nice much like John Wayne’s Airport.

<==Back to SWA Boarding Mexico City – Onto Scottsdale Continental Golf Club==>

Amex Centurion Lounge Mexico City

thepointsoflife

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September 24, 2015

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This Amex Centurion Lounge Mexico City Review is part of the Trip Report: The Greatest Diamond Challenge of All Time. Check out how I planned my Hyatt Diamond Challenge and how it cost next to nothing here.

In this report, I will cover:

“Run away and never look back,” I told myself as I made for the exits of the Priority Pass Lounge. Half a terminal later, I was seated at the bar the American Express Centurion Lounge in MEX. Ojos rojos in hand along with a few pretzels, I had forgotten about the trauma that I had endured at the prior bus stop.

Unlike the Vegas Centurion, there was not a fat man’s buffet; food was not free. But, there was beer and plenty of it. Given the distance from the gate to the lounge, I only had time to drink four. Two were salt and lime and two were clamato and cerveza. Still from what I did see, I would say it is well worth stopping in the Amex lounge, at least for the opportunity to swipe your $450 piece of plastic.

Besos amigos,

TPOL

<==Don’t Go Back to Priority Pass Lounge – Onto Southwest Boarding in Mexico==>

Priority Pass Bus Lounge Mexico City

thepointsoflife

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September 24, 2015

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This Priority Pass Lounge Mexico City Review is part of the Trip Report: The Greatest Diamond Challenge of All Time. Check out how I planned my Hyatt Diamond Challenge and how it cost next to nothing here.

In this report, I will cover:

Priority Pass Lounges may be better than waiting with the common folk but not by much. Leaving Mexico City, I went to the lounge near my gate before making the executive decision that it was worth the hike to the Amex Centurion Lounge.

This lounge was a glorified bus stop with patrons that look uncomfortable and an atmosphere that was depressing. It certainly didn’t help that the lounge was downstairs in a tiny room with chairs cramped atop one another.

To its credit, the lounge had Herradura tequila but for the trouble, I require Don Julio.

priority pass lounge mexico city — Like a work cafeteria

They had alcohol making it better than a United Lounge.

<==Back to $30 for a Taco – Onto Amex Centurion Lounge==>

Guns & Butter: Mexico City Travel Guide

thepointsoflife

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September 24, 2015

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The Mexico City Travel Guide is part of the Trip Report: The Greatest Diamond Challenge of All Time. Check out how I planned my Hyatt Diamond Challenge and how it cost next to nothing here.

In this report, I will cover:

Vamos a Mexico City con the Guns & Butter methodology:

A trip is composed of two factors: Labor And Lazy
Anything on the line (Production Possibilities Frontier for my fellow economists) is an efficient use of your time depending on your tastes and preferences.
Anything inside the line is inefficient as should be avoided.
Anything outside is aspirational but may be impossible to do given the constraints of time and resources.
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.

Bienvenido a la Ciudad de México. I hope you brushed up on your Spanish and are ready to get after it. The population of Mexico City is around 9 million people making it one of the largest cities in the world. In this guide I’ll cover what I did and didn’t do leaving the ultimate decision of what you should do to you.

Didn’t Do: Teotihuacan

According to all things sacred, “Teotihuacan is located in the State of Mexico 30 miles (48 km) northeast of modern-dayMexico City, known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas.”

It is probably worth a day trip but I couldn’t be bothered. It’s like my one temple rule in Bangkok.

Don’t Do: Dine In

Mexico City has amazing food on every street corner. Some will caution against the cleanliness of the food and the potential for food poisoning. I don’t mind if it’s the same guy who makes the food, makes the change, and shakes my hand after it’s all done. We had varied experiences from eating at restaurants. Once we ended up being ripped off for the world’s worst tacos. Another time the food at El Bajio was delicious but this doesn’t convince me that it’s better than the street.

2015-09-04 19.31.48 (Copy) — Salt + Lime Beer and Tacos

Chapultepec Castle

Tourism is tough on me. I prefer to eat, drink, and wander the streets. Those social ventures yield more interesting stories than organized tours. Still, some things you are compelled to do. One of them is visiting the Chapultepec Castle in Bosque de Chapultepec. The park is conveniently located within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency so drumming up the energy to get there shouldn’t be an issue. Once inside, don’t bother looking for a sign that says Castillo de Chapultepec. Instead look for Museo Nacional de Historia which is located within the castle. There is a cover charge to get in but they do take card. The Saturday afternoon we went there was a long queue.

2015-09-05 11.34.38 (Copy) — Bosque de Chapultepec

2015-09-05 13.04.47 (Copy) — Castle Entrance: Old residence of the French Imperialists then the head of Mexico

2015-09-05 13.08.00 (Copy) — Google Translate

2015-09-05 13.10.09 (Copy) — Awesome murals

2015-09-05 13.13.00 (Copy) — View from top of the castle

2015-09-05 13.22.43 (Copy) — Curse this HTC M9: Outside of castle

2015-09-05 14.07.08 (Copy) — Chapultepec means grasshopper

Nightlife & Polanco

All that tourism making you thirsty? Then it’s time to decide how far you want to take it. If you are looking for a peaceful evening among friends while enjoying a couple of cocktails, remain in central Polanco by the countless cafes.

2015-09-05 10.25.59 (Copy) — Polanco residence

2015-09-05 10.34.34 (Copy) — Abe in Polanco with a new hat

2015-09-05 15.50.07 (Copy) — Polanco spirits

If after you have had your share and want to see how this cosmopolitan city gets down, then take your pick of nightclubs. A friend of mine took me to Joy Room. Happy times shared by all.

Zacero

After a night out well past 5AM, our Sunday was reserved for going to Zacero, the proper downtown of Mexico City. Here you will find the Torre Latinoamericana, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, a Mexican flag that may be as big as the one in Cancun, the National Palace, as well as plenty of walking streets and the aforementioned $30 tacos.

It’s worth at least an afternoon but try to arrive in better shape than I did. You will last longer.

2015-09-06 12.40.14 (Copy) — The City is what I picture NYC to be in the 80’s

2015-09-06 12.51.25 (Copy) — The walking street

2015-09-06 12.53.33 (Copy) — Classic architecture

2015-09-06 12.54.06 (Copy) — Get ready to cross

2015-09-06 13.10.17 (Copy) — The Cathedral

2015-09-06 13.11.20 (Copy) — The Capitol

Late Night Food & Street Food

Are they one in the same? Not necessarily. When I speak of late night food I’m talking about two restaurants: 1) La Casa del Pastor 2) El Fogoncito.

They are not the fine dining that I advised against. They are casual and delicious.

2015-09-04 21.03.26 (Copy) — La casa del Pastor – Polanco

2015-09-04 20.45.30 (Copy) — Trompo! Trompo!

2015-09-04 20.43.01 (Copy) — The endless pico style sauces

The second late night spot is El Fogoncito.

2015-09-06 21.10.15 (Copy) — El Fogoncito – Polanco

2015-09-06 21.09.18 (Copy) — The collection of blurry picos

2015-09-06 21.14.55 (Copy) — Fajitas delicious

2015-09-06 21.15.00 (Copy) — Combo taco plate

2015-09-06 21.30.52 (Copy) — And a good cerveza

Here’s a hybrid street food restaurant in downtown that had great tacos:

2015-09-06 12.58.54 (Copy) — Tacos de Canasta – Downtown

2015-09-06 13.01.50 (Copy) — The hot sauce

2015-09-06 13.02.09 (Copy) — A variety of treats

2015-09-06 13.03.51 (Copy) — Original Coca

2015-09-06 13.08.06 (Copy) — Courtesy Clerk to bottles

2015-09-06 13.08.37 (Copy) — This is a bargain

Street Food is everywhere. Tacos, hamburgers, and gorditas among other tasty treats of which I do not know the name. Try one, try them all. You will never be disappointed. And if you are, it only cost you a few pesos.

2015-09-04 15.34.45 (Copy) — I will have 2 of those

2015-09-05 10.54.37 (Copy) — Fresh produce everywhere

Mexico City has tons to do but it can be exhausting to try and do it all in only a few days. If you do get overwhelmed, return to the Regency Club at the Hyatt for a nice tequila on the rocks.

Salud muchachos!

<==Back to Hyatt Regency Mexico City – Onto Don’t Pay $30 for Tacos==>

My Travel Technology

thepointsoflife

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September 23, 2015

4

If you’ve been keeping up with my Hyatt Diamond Challenge Trip Report, you may have noticed that picture quality takes a dip after I arrive at the Andaz San Diego. Initially, I thought it was the hangover preventing me from focusing on the subject. But with some digging, I have learned that the HTC M9 has faulty auto-focus software that makes capturing the right shot difficult. I guess I’ll be returning this phone and getting a…No, the answer is never iPhone.

Though I’ve already published a comprehensive What to Pack guide I thought I’d share a separate list for technology. Here’s what I’m packin’ and my two cents on each:

Garmin Vivoactive: For Running the Athens Marathon & Golf Reviews this device is great but has absolutely the crappiest software.
Shure SE 210 Headphones: Forget Beats by Dre, Shure is the way. But, for some reason the shelf life of these headphones is not very good. One headphone is cutting out meaning they better send me a new one before the marathon.
Samsung Galaxy s7 Edge: That’s a mouthful to say but the new phone seems very promising because it is champagne proof and has a great camera. Of course, the greatest feature is the Samsung Fast Charge.
- LG G3 (Previous): First, Sprint is the shittiest company in the world. TPOL doesn’t swear too often but it is called for when I do. Sprint, are you kidding me? It’s 2016 and I can’t call anyone let alone get a hold of Uber. The family is on Sprint that’s why I’m on Sprint. As for the G3, it’s another underwhelming Android device. The camera is way better than that crap M9.
Lenovo X1 Carbon: Oh ThinkPad, do you remember when I called you IBM? ThinkPads like Shure headphones are the best products in the market when they work. Initial quality is great but indubitably there will be an issue with the fan and the computer will overheat then break. For now, all is well on my Carbon except for the stupid new mouse and ‘adaptive’ top function keys.
Logitech M570 Trackball Mouse: Really, you bring a mouse on vacation with you? Yes, I do because it is much more efficient for getting things done than the Lenovo’s terrible system.
Nikon 1 J4: Tired of bad shots I got a real camera. I also enjoy walking around with it dangling from my neck like a true tourist. It’s a great camera but I still feel that low light shots could be better. I think I’ll go back to Sony eventually.
Nikon AW120 Blue: Though the days of creeper cam are a distant memory, I still carry an underwater camera. This Nikon takes good pics in the day and does great HD video. Night pics are terrible like all underwater cameras.
Big Jambox: Though it’s frowned upon by the TSA never leave home without the Jambox. It’s a party in a box no matter how tired you are from a night out anywhere.
Blackbery Priv: This is the best device on the list! I have an unlimited international Blackberry data plan with AT&T that I started in 2009 when I was went to study in Dubai. At the time the other rich oil sheikhs and I all had Blackberrys. Then stupid Blackberry decided not to listen to TPOL’s letter advising it of its impending doom if I was not hired. With my old Q10, Blackberry was good for one thing only: the keyboard. There was no Uber, no Dropbox, no Instagram, no Periscope, and no Tinder for those interested. Now with the Priv, I can finally use Android apps. I keep my Blackberry because I love writing blog posts, emails, and angry Whats App messages to my friends showcasing my travel exploits. I will never get rid of it!

And that’s what TPOL carries when he travels. What about you?