Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

Amex Business Gold Offer Under ‘Investigation’

thepointsoflife

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August 13, 2021

I applied for the Amex Business Gold (90,000 Business Gold Card Offer, Suddenly Not Available). The targeted offer in my inbox said 90k points. When I logged in, the targeted offer said 100k points. When I called to confirm, the agent said there was no offer at all. She recommended waiting until my card arrived and then calling to confirm the offer. I called and was told that it was 80k points. I explained that it should be 100k and was told to fax (see WiseFax: Groundbreaking Technology for the Dial-Up Nomad) a copy of the email that Amex sent me along with screenshots of the welcome screen. Now, I wait to see the results of the ‘investigation’.

Another day, another fax.

Waimauku: Wine Tasting in Auckland

thepointsoflife

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August 12, 2021

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Wine Tasting Auckland 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.

Like golf, I have gone all over the world to taste wine (see Wine Directory). One of the best experiences was in Waimauku, a small locality of Auckland. Though it is not a huge region for wine like Blenheim in the south (see Wine Tours by Bike NZ: A Must for Wine Enthusiasts), Waimauku has plenty of vineyards to visit.

Stop #1:West Brook

It is a tradition for us to stop at a larger producing winery first and then make our way to smaller ones. The problem with large tasting rooms is the requirement to go on a group tour. I don’t need to see the barrels, I just want to drink the wine (see Guided Tours: Like Attending Class, It’s Boring But Sometimes Useful).

a statue in a yard — Homage to TPOL, a necessary stop on the tour

a large room with barrels stacked on top of each other — Seen one, seen ’em all

a counter with bottles of wine on it — Finally, the tasting room

The best part of large vineyards is the grounds. I endure the tour for the opportunity to explore and take photos of the impeccable scenery. It doesn’t get more beautiful than this:

Even the exit was picturesque.

Stop #2: Coopers Creek

The winery was in Waimauku, but the grapes were brought in from all over NZ.
Stop #3: Kumeu River

Small in size but nice for a quick stop.

a bottle of wine on a shelf — Little did I know that this would become one of my favorite varietals.

Final Stop: Soljans

We started big. We ended big. Overall

For such a small area, there were plenty of vineyards. In one day, we saw as many as we could.

Don’t Route Via Panama

thepointsoflife

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August 11, 2021

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TPOL is off to Colombia to pursue his IQKhameleon dreams. The most convenient route used to be a direct flight from PR. With that option gone, the second most convenient route is through Panama. Except for this:

The Government of Panama requires a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or Antigen) within 72 hours prior to traveling to Panama. … Passengers on inbound, outbound, or transit flights who test positive for COVID-19 at the airport will be required to quarantine at a MINSA-designated hotel/hospital for 14 days.

Getting tested before traveling is an inconvenience that I have no interest in enduring (see 11 Reasons Why I Still Don’t Want to Travel). However, it doesn’t look like this requirement is going anywhere for years to come. That is not why I am skipping this route. I am avoiding it because of the chance that I may test positive and be stuck in a “MINSA-designated hotel/hospital for 14 days.” Who knows what hotel they would put me in. And notice the “/”. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that some passengers would have to quarantine in a hospital. It is unclear what the procedures would be to finally leave. Imagine my trip to the Stans (Kayak Answers, “Can I Travel to…?”) with this possibility, and maybe you can understand why I contend that my style of travel is dead (see ThePointsOfLife Travel Philosophy).

Guess I’m going back through the most overrated city, Miami, to see my blog reader Mario (see his comments in Hyatt Regency Miami: You’re Not Staying Here Anyway).

a building with a red roof and a gate — A false positive would have me stuck like a boat in the Suez Canal.

Gulf Harbour Country Club: Where to Golf in New Zealand

thepointsoflife

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August 10, 2021

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Gulf Harbour Country Club 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.

I have golfed all over the world (see Golf Courses). The Gulf Harbour Country Club is notable because of its impeccable scenery.

Getting There

Located in Whangaparaoa, the golf course is one hour away from the airport. Fortunately, I stayed at the ibis Auckland Airport the night before, making renting a car convenient.

The Course

The challenge of the course comes from trying to stay focused on golfing and not on capturing great pictures.

Tee Box

Every tee box is an opportunity.

Scenery

Set above the water, the views are incomparable.

Caution

Do not die from photos (see Beware of Selfie Death!).

Greens

Be sure to practice your putting before arriving.

Overall

The drive was worth it for this fun day of golf.

Last Call: Giveaway to Puerto Rico

thepointsoflife

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August 9, 2021

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Guess where I am? Same spot as I was before. Since I never received a reply from the winner of the March Madness tournament (see Whatnameissnttaken2: Claim Your Free Trip to PR!) and since Lost in Cebu is probably still stuck in Cebu, it’s time to end this giveaway. Whoever comments on this post will be put into a drawing for the one-way flight to PR, not to exceed $200. Participant must play in TPOL’s Twighlight Golf Leagues which takes place weekly on Saturday @ 4:30PM. Contest ends in one week. Flight must be booked before end of 2021. Vaccine required.

Kayak Answers, “Can I Travel to…?”

thepointsoflife

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August 2, 2021

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Admittedly, it’s becoming silly to write about trips that I won’t be taking (see No Vegas for TPOL). Yesterday, while feeling the confines of my incarceration and the effects of my Manhattan, I let my mind dream about an exodus from this island. I had my sights set on the ‘Stans of the world. Sober, I decided to check the travel restrictions to Uzbekistan. I saw contradictory information and almost gave up. That’s when I came across Kayak’s Can I Travel to page. It looks like an infected version of TPOL’s Where I’ve Been page. Based on the information provided, I can transit through UAE or Turkey and need a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival. From there, the trail went cold. Searching for Kazakhstan as the destination, I could not find any information. I could only find restrictions if Kazakhstan was my origin. Old TPOL may have pressed forward but at this point, I gave up for three reasons: 1) Assume that each of the ‘Stans, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, requires a PCR test. Who wants to coordinate or do that at least 5 times? 2) In normal times, visa restrictions would be a pain for a few of those countries. Imagine going through the hassle of getting a visa now only to be denied entry because of a new COVID requirement. 3) Assuming I avoided past visa pitfalls that have befallen me (see Visas), what if I tested positive, despite receiving the vaccine, in the middle of my journey? I could only imagine the hassle it would be to accommodate what would otherwise be a great adventure.

My tea’s gone cold I’m wondering why I
Got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window
And I can’t see at all
And even if I could it’ll all be gray
Put your picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it’s not so bad
It’s not so bad

a group of glasses and bottles on a table — Dear Stan: Don’t Drink & Travel Plan.

Simply The Best: July 2021

thepointsoflife

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July 30, 2021

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Oh look, half the year is gone. Despite not traveling, I magically produce award-winning content. Here are the best posts from July:

Nothing to Rent in Tuscany, But Maybe I’ll Buy a House in Italy
Most can only dream of an ocean view home in the Caribbean and a villa in Italy. For TPOL, it might become a reality.
White Lotus Hotel Review: If Entitled Points Travel Was a TV Series
If you can’t be bothered to travel with today’s restrictions but are missing the hijinx of a perfect trip going wrong, visit (watch) the White Lotus.
Hilton Moorea: Fun in the Sun
Alan Wong July 20, 2021 at 8:33 am. That is seriously one ugly couple.
Guns & Butter: Tahiti Travel Guide
To truly enjoy your time, hope that it is sunny and do your best to avoid outsized expectations.
Nice for What
Come, talk shit, and enjoy. If you’re too brittle, hit the back button now.
TPOL Chokes, Loses
TPOL lost by one.
Will the Hunt for Status Push Me to Travel?
It’s hard not to get inspired looking at those beautiful colors. Then again, just about every destination on this list is off-limits. What’s a travel blogger to do?

Samsung Z Flip Was a Flop

thepointsoflife

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July 29, 2021

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TPOL always has the latest electronic gadgets including a functioning Blackberry (see My Travel Technology). When my other phone, the Samsung S9+, stopped working I decided it was time for a change. No longer wanting to carry a phone with a 10-inch display, I was looking for something more compact. I thought I had found it in the Samsung Z Flip. I should have known better. First, the phone was supposed to be ‘mystic bronze.’ It is actually rose gold. Second, the phone is not water-resistant nor is it dust-resistant, something that doesn’t bode well for someone living on an island oasis (see July 28th: TPOL’s Victory Over Life Anniversary). Finally, the expected battery life was for less than one day.

After one month of using the device, I noticed air bubbles on the screen. How could a bendable ‘glass’ screen have air bubbles? As it turned out, the screen is not glass, it’s plastic. After another month, a mysterious line showed up in the middle of the phone. After yet another month, the bottom half of the phone gave out. And now almost the entire display is not working.

So long you pos phone. I hope the next one justifies the $1200 sticker price. Until then, it’s back to carrying a boombox phone with a gigantic display- Samsung S21 Ultra.

July 28th: TPOL’s Victory Over Life Anniversary

thepointsoflife

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July 28, 2021

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If you don’t recall, 2020 was depressing (see The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip Report). At the same time, 2019 was one of the best years for TPOL (see Happy New Year from TPOL: The Year & Hindsight Is 2020). As referenced in that post, I declared Victory Over Life that year, specifically on July 28th. That was the day that my demo crew knocked over an extraneous wall, further opening my kitchen to this remarkable ocean view. I’m sure my mental sanity has taken a hit over these last six months, but #vol endures regardless of the never-ending pandemic.

a golf course with buildings and trees — There are few in the world who have a better view, better life. #vol

ibis Auckland Airport: Bring Your Own Push Cart

thepointsoflife

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July 27, 2021

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ibis Auckland Airport: Bring Your Own Push Cart

Ibis Auckland Airport 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.

After enduring the return leg in coach from Tahiti to New Zealand (see Air New Zealand to Tahiti: In Coach to Paradise), I arrived in Auckland exhausted. I thought I made the convenient choice booking the ibis at Auckland airport. Unable to find the hotel shuttle, I hijacked a luggage cart and pushed it through high winds and a tremendous fog until I arrived at the hotel.