I still haven’t gone anywhere. That’s fine because I still haven’t finished my final two Trip Reports:Quest Around the Globe & Tahiti Triumph. Yes, they are from 2016, but once they are done seven years of TPOL travels will be in the books. Here are the best posts from February:
The days of normal are going to come soon whereby the banks will say, “There is no offer on this card. We will go ahead and close your account.” That day was not yesterday. When the $125 annual fee comes due on my Marriott Bonvoy, I pay it without hesitation because I value the award certificate more than the fee. Indeed, I value the certificate more than I value the points because I have no emotional connection to the certificate i.e., if I don’t use the certificate, it expires. If I use my points, how do I get more in a post SPG world?
I was surprised when I received the following offer. $50 for keeping the card. $100 if I spend 2k on the card within 3 months. In addition, Bonvoy business also provides a $15 credit for using it to pay the wireless bill.
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.
The best way to travel is by train. The train from Moscow to St. Petersburg is convenient and a better alternative than going back to the airport (see Take the Train to St. Petersburg!).
What other city has so many beautiful buildings and statues?
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Built on the site where Alexander II, the former Emperor of Russia, was assassinated in March of 1881, this building was once a church but is now a secular museum. It is also the prettiest attraction in St. Petersburg from any angle, by day or night.
My old Cadillac.
Palace Square
Stroll around the Palace Square while simultaneously reading the Wiki page on all the major historical events that transpired here. It includes the following: The Bloody Sunday massacre, which gave way to the First Russian Revolution (the Revolution of 1905), which led to the Russian Revolution in 1917, which culminated in the overthrow of the monarchy, execution of the imperial family, and creation of the Soviet Union by the Bolsheviks, which was founded by Lenin. How’s that for a historical synopsis?
The General Staff Building was the HQ of the Russian Armed Forces.
The Alexander Column
The Alexander Column was raised after the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon’s France. The column is named for Emperor Alexander I of Russia, who reigned from 1801–25.
Alexander under the Alexander ColumnAlexander at night
The Winter Palace
The Winter Palace was the residence of the Russian Emperors from 1732 to 1917. Today, it is a museum. See it both day and night.
Wandering
Wandering the streets with no map is my idea of exploring. From the rivers and bridges to the statues, St. Petersburg is a city worth seeing on foot.
TPOL: JD/MBA/WorldExplorer
Nespresso
Maybe not on the top of your lists for places to go domestically or internationally, but stopping at the Nespresso bar provided for caffeine and great pictures.
This is probably better coffee.
Vodka & Caviar
Vodka and caviar tastings are a must if you visit St. Petersburg. I recommend the Grand Hotel Europe, which also is the birthplace of beef stroganoff.
International Cuisine
The restaurants in Moscow were great. The restaurants in St. Petersburg were even better. Topping the list:
Start with Uzbekistan
Looking to relive the glory days of good eating in Mongolia, an underrated city for international fare, I went to Baklajhan, an Uzbek restaurant (see Shashlik in St. Petersburg).
Georgia on My Mind
Following my wonderful time at Baklajhan, I tried to go to Tarkhun, a famous Georgian restaurant, in St. Petersburg. I arrived too late and they wouldn’t seat me. Hungry and trying to avoid McDonald’s, I searched for restaurants that were still open. I came across Khochu Kharcho and decided to give it a shot.
Even though it was past 10PM, the place was packed and lively.
Just because a place is open 24/7, does not make it Denny’s. The dinner was as quality as my other culinary experiences in Russia. I ordered appetizers, wine, entrees, and dessert. The price was around $100.
TPOL’s TIP: Khochu Kharcho is located at Sadovaya St, 39/41, St Petersburg, Russia, 190031
Japan are you in the house?
Hungry for sushi after hours? Go to две палочки. It’s open 24 hours and it’s fantastic.
TPOL’s TIP: Dve Palochki is located at Nevsky Ave, 47.
Dumplings?
This strange restaurant isn’t the place I would recommend for dumplings but you should certainly sample some before you leave.
Souvenirs
The nesting dolls were over $50. Clearly, they are made for tourists. I had to pass despite wanting the Michigan one.
Look who’s next to old Jimmy.
Russian Motors
I recall the business school case study on Lada. What’s a trip to Russia without seeing their stellar auto lineup?
Anyone for a Drink?
A travel guide wouldn’t be complete without a few libations. Here’s where I went:
Craft Brew Cafe
Next to Leffe Brune, my second favorite beer is Delerium. I first had it at Craft Brew Cafe.
TPOL’s TIP: Located at Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa, 15, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000
Ivan & Maria Gastropub
Looking for serious beer? Try Ivan & Maria. It’s not as potent as vodka but it’ll get you there.
TPOL’s TIP: Located at Nevskiy Ave., 64, St. Petersburg 191011 Russia
If cocktails are more to your liking, I suggest these two places:
географя (Geography)
Damn right that’s all I need.
TPOL’s TIP: Located atRubinstein St, 5, St Petersburg, Russia, 191025
Tesla Bar
This was my favorite bar in St. Petersburg because of the atmosphere and the cocktails.
TPOL’s TIP: Located at Rubinstein St, 30, St Petersburg, Russia, 191002
Overall
It is clear why St. Petersburg is one of my favorite cities.
This is not a Golf Review. This is not a review of Rio Mar (see House Hunters Puerto Rico: TPOL Finds His Home). It’s another post of another cool video captured with the Skydio 2, aka WALL-E Wingman. I’m still trying to figure out how to use it and how to keep him from losing me. I should also add that I’m still trying to figure out how to play golf, but I certainly can say that I’m improving. Check out these drives and a birdie on a par 3. Unfortunately, Wingman’s battery was running low and all that shows up is the result of the hybrid. But the putt is on film, sort of.
The card was fun while it lasted (see Amex Green Approved!). But now it is time to move on. Why? First and foremost, I am anti-annual fees and loving it (see Keep vs. Cancel: US Bank Radisson (Update)). The renewal fee is $150 and it doesn’t get me much. 3X on travel? You already know where I’ve gone (see NYC Twice: A Recap of My 2020 Travels). 3x on restaurants? That’s not a bad deal except in Puerto Rico where Amex is not accepted at most restaurants. But that’s not the reason I am canceling. The real reason is because this card is considered a credit card by Amex which caps the number of credit cards to 4. I have 2 Marriott’s, the Blue, and this Green. When I applied for the Hilton personal, I was rejected for hitting the max. Whether recon ultimately approves me for the Hilton is a topic for another post. For now, it’s time to say goodbye. It ain’t easy being green.
Hi kids! Do you like violence? Wanna see me stick Nine inch Nails through each one of my eyelids? Wanna copy me and do exactly like I did?
Then go ahead and click this link and buy your own set of Battle Ropes. Amazon has all sorts of them for sale. The ones I purchased were $150 and are top-notch quality and have not frayed at all. I recommend 1.5 inch diameter and 50 feet. Anything over 1.5 inches may be challenging if you have ‘cheese grip’ and anything under 50 feet isn’t really a battle.
Eventually, my YouTube channel will have workouts as part of TPOL’s goal of becoming a lifestyle blog, not just a points pusher. To that end, I think it’s time to revive my original catch-phrase, “Living Doesn’t Have to Suck.” Check out this drone video and I dare you to disagree.
Here’s the transcript of my call to U.S. Bank on my Radisson cards which I planned on keeping regardless of the annual fee (see Keep vs. Cancel: US Bank Radisson).
Me: I have an annual fee on my Radisson personal for $75, a $2 interest fee, and a $28 late fee. I would like those fees removed.
Agent: No problem.
Me: Thank you. Can you transfer me to the business side?
Agent: Sure.
New Agent: How can I help you?
Me: I have an annual fee, interest fee, and late fee. I would like those fees removed.
Agent. Sure, no problem.
Me: Thank you.
Thank you to reader ‘Phil’ for letting me know that he called and received a retention bonus from U.S. Bank. Like Phil, I never put a spend on the card. Unlike Phil, my request was immediately granted. Can banks stay this nice beyond COVID? I like free.
I took the train from Moscow to St. Petersburg. That was excellent (see Take the Train to St. Petersburg!). There is no train from Russia to Cyprus. There is a direct flight on S7 Airlines to Larnaca after a stop in Moscow. While not as romantic as the train and not as convenient as the train, it was only $125 to go from LED-DME-LCA.
As for the flight, I expected more from a One World partner, but what could I expect when I’m riding peasant? Here are the dazzling photos:
TPOL’s TIP: Located atRubinstein St, 5, St Petersburg, Russia, 191025
