Citi makes no sense. Over a year ago, Citi approved me for the Citi Thank You card, now the Strata card. At that time, I had a 2k limit (see Citi’s Pointless 2k Limit Thank You, No Thank You Card). Over a year later, I still have a 2k limit. Every attempt to increase my credit line has been denied. In the interim, I have applied and was approved for the Citi AA Exec Card (Approved! AA Citi Exec 100k). That had a higher limit than my Citi TY card. When the annual fee on that card came due, I attempted to transfer the credit line to my Strata card. Citi claimed that this could not be done because the cards were in different families. I then asked if I could transfer some of my 30k+ credit line from my Citi+ card.
Here’s how that worked out:
As you can see, my credit line was adjusted. Why Citi, why?
Disclaimer: I may receive a commission if you click and buy a product listed.
TPOL’s Wins the Club Championship** is part of the TPOL to LIV PGA Trip Report (read the Introduction Inspiration).
Let’s start with the asterisks.
* I played in the ‘Malanga’ Flight, a euphemism for the worst players in the club i.e., players with 20+ handicaps. A club champion can only come from the Championship Flight which is played from the gold tees.
** I only finished first on the first day. I shot a 96. The tournament was two days long.
Day 1 Celebration
But if you overlook those to trivial points, you can call TPOL the club champion. I beat out 15 other players on day 1 and came in 4th after day 2, shooting a terrible 105.
The real reason I am writing this post is to continue to document my ascent from worst to first. Next year, regardless of my handicap, I will play in the championship flight. It is open to anyone who wants to tee off from the tips. If you have not played from the golds, I suggest trying it. Here’s why: when people see you on the tee box, they will automatically assume you are a good golfer. That will give you the confidence to swing freely. If you do hit a bad shot, those observers will just assume you hit an errant shot. That confidence will allow you to take the next shot with ease. Another reason I will play in the championship flight is because this year there were only five competitors. Worst case, I finish sixth. Then I can write I finished 6th in the club championship. Those who only pay attention to headlines will be impressed.
I will win the club championship and quit golf thereafter.Historical Note: This tournament took place on October 12th and 13th, 2024.
Holiday Inn Express Gibraltar is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
After stopping to smell the flowers, I made the fifteen-minute walk to the Holiday Inn Express.
The Brits making the sidewalks pretty.Location
There are no taxis in Gibraltar roaming the streets at night. Fortunately, the Holiday Inn Express is within walking distance from the Spanish border (see Border Crossing on Foot: Spain to Gibraltar).Hotel Itself
The decor is not from the typical Holiday Inn Express.
Staff
I was welcomed by the nice staff and was told I had been upgraded. I was also offered a welcome beverage of my choosing. Critically, the front desk helped arrange a taxi for my trek up the rock (see The Guide to Climbing Gibraltar).Room
The room was funky.Bathroom
The bathroom was adequate, though I’m not a fan of Dove soap.
View
The view was unbeatable.Breakfast
The breakfast was English.How is this appetizing?Very bad OJPrice
Gibraltar is not cheap. The Holiday Inn Express goes for $200 a night. I used 38,000 IHG points instead (see Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary).
Overall
This is the best Holiday Inn Express because of the staff, the unique location, and because it will forever be associated with my stay in this unique overseas territory.
Border Crossing Spain Gibraltar is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
Many have speculated if TPOL is in the CIA. Why does he speak 7 languages (see TPOL The Polyglot: A Better Way to Learn Multiple Languages)? Why has he been to the most random of places (see Where I’ve Been)? Why does he walk around with surveillance equipment (Creeper Cam Is Back: Alexander Bachuwa Launches the Vlog)?
I cannot confirm or deny such reports. I can say that I feel like an undercover agent whenever I have the opportunity to cross a border on foot. There’s a special thrill to it. One second I am under the laws and regulations of one country, the next second I’m in no man’s land, and in the third instance, assuming I am not detained, I am in a new country.
The crossing from Spain to Gibraltar was especially memorable. One second, I am speaking Spanish, the next I am transported through an English portal. It’s similar to when I try to go to ESPN in Puerto Rico and am redirected to ESPN Deportes, but in reverse order.
The reminder that I was no longer in Kansas, Spain anymore was exemplified by the iconic British phone booth.
The fun continued as I found myself walking across an active runway, something I would experience more vividly upon my return (see What a Shot! Crossing the Airstrip Gibraltar) en route to the Holiday Inn Express.
How can it get more fun than this?TPOL’s Tip: If you’re arriving at night and are looking for a taxi, you will not find one. The Holiday Inn Express is only a fifteen minute walk.
Gibraltar Drive is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
Who else takes you ’round the world’ like TPOL? No one.
In today’s installment, I share my journey from Malaga, Spain to another ‘country,’ Gibraltar, to add to my Where I’ve Been. The journey takes an hour and forty-five minutes in a Panda (see Car Rental Costa Del Sol: Next Time It’s a BMW).
Along the way, I passed through, Marbella, a wealthy town I would also visit on this trip. I knew nothing about Gibraltar apart from the following:
It is a British Overseas territory.
It’s home to many online gambling companies.
It’s home to a big rock.
This lack of knowledge added to the intrigue. It also reaffirmed that the TCC List for counting countries (see ‘Is Hawaii a Country‘) promotes adventure much more than the standard UN List (see Where I’ve Been). But for such an extensive list, I never would have thought to go to Gibraltar nor would I have taken the time to learn more than what I mentioned above about this unique place.
Regarding the drive, here are TPOL’s Tips:
You do have to go through some tolls but credit cards are accepted.
You should park your car on the Spain side and walk across because it is unlikely that your rental is covered in Gibraltar.
Be sure to make the right turn into the car park. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in the long queue of cars looking to cross into Gibraltar. If you do, there is an opportunity to turn around.
Another Panda?Very cool seeing GB platesGB parking
Car Rental Malaga is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report. It is also a part of TPOL’s Travel Lessons, a compilation of mistakes you should not make.
Are you looking to explore the Costa Del Sol of Spain? Care to add Gibraltar to your Count Count (see Where I’ve Been)? Then you will need a rental car. Ever the cheapo, I made the mistake of selecting the least expensive car for this journey: The Fiat Panda Hybrid. I’ve rented Pandas before and enjoyed this compact vehicle. The problem with Pandas is that they are lazy and lack the drive to do anything (see Panda Panda: Chengdu Panda Visitor Guide). The problem with my Panda is that it did not have enough horsepower to command the sharp ascents en route to Granada nor the stalking Lamborghinis en route to Marbella.
‘Fun to drive’ is not an expression I can ascribe to this car.
The redeemable quality of the Panda is that I did not attract any unwanted attention from the authorities as I did in Sicily (see Wine Tour: Fun & Games Until Police Stop).
Despite its lack of performance, it’s hard not to be enamored with this cute creature. It did get me from point A to point B to point C to point D to point E and back to point A.
My Panda needs a wash and a nap.TPOL’s Tip: The price to rent this slow-moving vehicle was $99 for 7 days.
Overall
Next time I’m going to splurge for a BMW hybrid. I have places to go and people watching me go there.
Breaking News: Upon further review, I don’t know if this is a Fiat 500 or Panda, but I’m not rewriting this post and abandoning my Chengdu theme.
Ryanair Barcelona Malaga is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
I write this quick review to say that I do not understand why so many people believe that Ryanair is terrible. This is the second time I have flown Ryan and like the first time, have no serious complaints (see Ryanair LUX-LIS: Not as Bad as Expected). It is critical to make sure that you have paid for the appropriate luggage (see 100 GBP Carry-On Bags? Scammed by Ryanair & Trips.com). If that is sorted, you should have no problems.
Going forward, I will skip my ‘review’ of Ryanair until there is something worthy to say.
$132 to get from point A to point B can’t be beat (see Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary).
Barcelona Travel Guide is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
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.
Originally, I was supposed to stay in Barcelona as part of my Residency Series (see 2024 Residencies Announced! Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town). The prices were too high leaving me to join the fight with locals who water-gunned down the unwelcome tourists. It is not lost on me that I am part of the problem.
Here’s what I did, what I would recommend doing, and what I would avoid.
Past
This is my third time in Barcelona. The first time I was here was in 2011 after being unceremoniously fired from General Motors (Read Everyone’s Advice Is Wrong . . . Including Mine). Highlights included the Sagrada Família (not pictured), Torre Glòries, and the Monumental, the last bullfighting ring in Catalonia (see Attending A Bullfight In Madrid: A Range of Emotions). Monumental
The second time was in 2019 to make party (see For One Night Only: Barcelona Party Guide).
Present
Older and wiser, this time I indulged in the finer things including a Michelin restaurant (see Mont Bar Barcelona: Am I Michelin Material?).
This did not preclude me from making party.
Day
If you’re looking to day drink, I recommend the best place on earth: Can Paixano Barcelona. There you will find tapas, cava, and people.
I do not recommend buying over-sugared, suspect mojitos from vendors on the beach in Barceloneta. Go to Opium instead for comfortable seating and overpriced cava.
TPOL’s Tip: Opium is located at Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 34, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
More expensive than Opium are the multiple chiringuitos on the beach. They weren’t this much when I came in 2011.
2011 before party inflation
Night
Avoid: Barceloneta
When did I get old? In 2019, I went to Shoko in Barceloneta and thought I fit in.
Shoko 2019
Robbed of my youth thanks to Covid (see The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip Report), I felt self-conscious walking around all the children. It reminded me of the terrible time in Tenerife, when I received unsolicited advice: “Go home old man!” ( see Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife: Well That Sucked).
Go: Club Sutton
This place was not loaded with children. I was able to make party like the good old days.
TPOL’s Tip: Make a reservation online to avoid the mercurial doormen.
TPOL’s Tip: Club Sutton is located at Carrer de Tuset, 13, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona, Spain
Don’t Follow: People
The problem with Barcelona is that everyone is going somewhere but arriving nowhere. There are crowds of people walking without a destination. In attempt to make party, I stealthily stalked various groups of people to see where I would end up.
Don’t Go: La Rambla
Like Nanjing Xi Lu in Shanghai, La Rambla is the tourist hell of Barcelona. There are tons of people and poachers roaming about. If you did not heed my advice regarding following people, you will end up here.
Do Go: La Pipa
First, you have to find it.
Hint: It’s in this square:
TPOL’s Tip: You have to be a member to enter this speakeasy. That requires providing false information to the doorman via his tablet.
TPOL’s Tip: Pipa is located at Pl. Reial, 3, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain.
Do and Don’t: El Born Neighborhood
El Born reminds me of Barrio Antiguo in Monterrey, Mexico. It’s full of people, bars, and restaurants. In theory, it should be a fun time. In reality, it has no flavor. Why most bars do not play music is an enigma.
Get ready to walk aimlessly looking for party that does not exist.Tapas
What’s a trip to Spain without tapas? I recommend walking down Carrer D’Enric Granados. There are plenty of places to eat and drink.
I will give an honorable mention to Mosquito, an Asian tapas restaurant AKA dim-sum restaurant in El Born.
TPOL’s Tip: Mosquito is located at Carrer dels Carders, 46, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, SpainStay
It is important to rest while you are in Barcelona. If you’re looking to party and go to the beach, the W cannot be beat (see W Hotel Barcelona: Don’t Miss the Day).
Disclaimer: I used the term ‘beach’ loosely. It’s more of a harbor than a playa.
Residents of Barcelona: Holster your water guns. While I will do my residency in Barcelona one day, I have no immediate plans of doing so. I prefer Madrid.
Can Paixano Barcelona is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
I may not be Michelin material (see Mont Bar Barcelona), but as a lover of bubbles, meats, and cheeses, I am qualified to speak about the best place on earth, Can Paixano.
What makes it the best?
Cava
I can’t say that Spanish Cava is better than South Africa’s Blanc de Blanc (see The Best Bubbly Comes From Franschhoek, Not France), but it’s both refreshing and affordable. Can Paixano has many varieties of Cava, all at amazing prices.
$2-$4 a glass.Burgers
Who doesn’t like a fatty burger with a glass of bubbles?
Tapas
As one who enjoys one too many, I appreciate tempering my temptation with tapas. Can Paixano has many on tap for the right price.
Day Drinking
Is there anything better than being buzzed in the day? The crowd at Can Paixano does not think so.
Started emptyBusierJammed with a queue outsideCompetition?
Interestingly, the only other place remotely like Can Paixano is the Mo Club in Missoula, Montana (see The Road Trip Burger @ The Mo Club).
Burger God BarcelonaVs. Burger Glory MontanaLa Cuenta
Many tapas and bubbles later, the bill came out to $35 for two.
Overall
If you don’t like this place, chances are high that I will not like you.
Mont Bar Michelin Barcelona is part of the Gold Medal Trip Report.
I know about food but am not a foodie and I despise that word. When my friend who is as sarcastic as I am invited me to go to a Michelin-star restaurant in Barcelona, I accepted because I knew it would be a laughing good time. Indeed, it was.
My prior two Michelin experiences were not the pompous, over-the-top experience one would expect when overpaying for sustenance (see Punk Royale Copenhagen: Michelin Restaurant on Acid & see Michelin Sushi Tenerife: $375 Worth Spent??). While the vibe of this place was more reserved, it did not detract from the enjoyment of the evening.
In addition to great company, the food was tremendous. Unfortunately for Mont Bar and the chef, I cannot describe how delicious the food was. Half of the ingredients used to describe what I was eating were foreign to me, despite being presented in English. Worse still, I know that these photos do not capture the art, sophistication, and extravagance of such a meal.
TPOL’S Tip: Skip the overpriced Wagyu but be prepared to deal with the waitress’s disappointment should you do so.
TPOL’s Tip: Do not order the wine pairing at a Michelin restaurant. You will get too hammered to enjoy the nuances of the food consumed.
All I could do was try to keep a straight face while the brigade of waitresses came by to explain what each item was. With each course, we were instructed in which order to consume each part of the composition. “We recommend you start with X and then follow it with Y.” I asked what would happen if I defied her orders. Would the common man miss the experience if he had the Y before the X? Would the waitress be offended? Would the chef be aghast?
It took until the second to last dessert for me to go rogue. My order of operations was wonderful, leaving me to wonder if it would have been better had I followed the instructions.
Supposed to go from closest to furthest.Deep Thought
If you’ve seen the movie The Menu, it will change your perspective of going to Michelin restaurants. It will also make you second-guess whether your compulsion of photographing and now filming (see DJI Store Barcelona: A Great Upgrade for an Unpublished Vlog) should be outlawed much like it is at comedy shows. Should we go to enjoy the performance and leave the b/v-logging at the door?
TPOL’s Tip: Mont Bar is located at Carrer de la Diputació, 220, L’Eixample, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Overall
The cost of this foray into culture was 340 euros for two. Given the laughs, the food, and the experience, it was money well spent.
Are you Mont Bar material?
As you can see, my credit line was adjusted. Why Citi, why? 
Hotel Itself
The decor is not from the typical Holiday Inn Express.
Staff
I was welcomed by the nice staff and was told I had been upgraded. I was also offered a welcome beverage of my choosing. Critically, the front desk helped arrange a taxi for my trek up the rock (see The Guide to Climbing Gibraltar).
Room
The room was funky.
Bathroom
The bathroom was adequate, though I’m not a fan of Dove soap.
View
The view was unbeatable.
Breakfast
The breakfast was English.
Price
Gibraltar is not cheap. The Holiday Inn Express goes for $200 a night. I used 38,000 IHG points instead (see Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary).
Overall
This is the best Holiday Inn Express because of the staff, the unique location, and because it will forever be associated with my stay in this unique overseas territory. 
The reminder that I was no longer in Kansas, Spain anymore was exemplified by the iconic British phone booth.
The fun continued as I found myself walking across an active runway, something I would experience more vividly upon my return (see What a Shot! Crossing the Airstrip Gibraltar) en route to the Holiday Inn Express.
How can it get more fun than this?
TPOL’s Tip: If you’re arriving at night and are looking for a taxi, you will not find one. The Holiday Inn Express is only a fifteen minute walk. 
Along the way, I passed through, Marbella, a wealthy town I would also visit on this trip. I knew nothing about Gibraltar apart from the following:
$132 to get from point A to point B can’t be beat (see Bus-Ted: Gold Medal Trip Report Points & Cash Summary). 
Present
Older and wiser, this time I indulged in the finer things including a Michelin restaurant (see Mont Bar Barcelona: Am I Michelin Material?).
I do not recommend buying over-sugared, suspect mojitos from vendors on the beach in Barceloneta. Go to Opium instead for comfortable seating and overpriced cava.
TPOL’s Tip: Opium is located at Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 34, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
More expensive than Opium are the multiple chiringuitos on the beach. They weren’t this much when I came in 2011.
TPOL’s Tip: Make a reservation online to avoid the mercurial doormen.
TPOL’s Tip: Club Sutton is located at Carrer de Tuset, 13, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona, Spain
Don’t Follow: People
The problem with Barcelona is that everyone is going somewhere but arriving nowhere. There are crowds of people walking without a destination. In attempt to make party, I stealthily stalked various groups of people to see where I would end up.
Don’t Go: La Rambla
Like Nanjing Xi Lu in Shanghai, La Rambla is the tourist hell of Barcelona. There are tons of people and poachers roaming about. If you did not heed my advice regarding following people, you will end up here.
Do Go: La Pipa
First, you have to find it.
Hint: It’s in this square:
TPOL’s Tip: You have to be a member to enter this speakeasy. That requires providing false information to the doorman via his tablet.
TPOL’s Tip: Pipa is located at Pl. Reial, 3, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain.
Do and Don’t: El Born Neighborhood
El Born reminds me of Barrio Antiguo in Monterrey, Mexico. It’s full of people, bars, and restaurants. In theory, it should be a fun time. In reality, it has no flavor. Why most bars do not play music is an enigma.
I will give an honorable mention to Mosquito, an Asian tapas restaurant AKA dim-sum restaurant in El Born.
TPOL’s Tip: Mosquito is located at Carrer dels Carders, 46, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Stay
Burgers
Who doesn’t like a fatty burger with a glass of bubbles?
Tapas
As one who enjoys one too many, I appreciate tempering my temptation with tapas. Can Paixano has many on tap for the right price.
Day Drinking
Is there anything better than being buzzed in the day? The crowd at Can Paixano does not think so.
In addition to great company, the food was tremendous. Unfortunately for Mont Bar and the chef, I cannot describe how delicious the food was. Half of the ingredients used to describe what I was eating were foreign to me, despite being presented in English. Worse still, I know that these photos do not capture the art, sophistication, and extravagance of such a meal.
TPOL’S Tip: Skip the overpriced Wagyu but be prepared to deal with the waitress’s disappointment should you do so.
TPOL’s Tip: Do not order the wine pairing at a Michelin restaurant. You will get too hammered to enjoy the nuances of the food consumed.
All I could do was try to keep a straight face while the brigade of waitresses came by to explain what each item was. With each course, we were instructed in which order to consume each part of the composition. “We recommend you start with X and then follow it with Y.” I asked what would happen if I defied her orders. Would the common man miss the experience if he had the Y before the X? Would the waitress be offended? Would the chef be aghast?
It took until the second to last dessert for me to go rogue. My order of operations was wonderful, leaving me to wonder if it would have been better had I followed the instructions.
