Not high since we're bffs now. Plus added security for a big event. I just don't want to give them my money
My next (audio) book is definitely The Wonder Trail by Steve Hely. He's the guy who wrote half of The Ridiculous Race which is apparently an amazing read, and has been recommended on this board more than a few times. (I've not gotten to it as I'm waiting for it to hit audible.) However; The Wonder Trail is, and I think my next big international trip is to SA, so it's a good time. https://www.audible.com/pd/Travel-A...il-Audiobook/B01G47Z2PA?qid=1495636922&sr=1-1
I didn't go anywhere really until I was 26 because I was broke but by the end of this year I'll visit 15ish countries in 2014-17 Get on your miles game and stop wasting pto on boring shit and it's easy
Drove down to Portland for work the other day, was a really cool drive. Getting outside of Seattle city this long weekend to do a hike or two. Possibly heading to Vancouver next weekend, only a 3 hour drive. Do we have any experience up there ITT? I'll get my India--Nepal--Myanmar--Vietnam write-up done eventually. I'm about 3/4 of the way through 9 hours of GoPro footage, and after working for 2 1/2 weeks I wish I would've stayed in Asia.
I really need to up my miles game. I've taken some trips but have gone for cheapest flights and haven't tried to focus on one airline /network. Don't have a miles credit card either
You can get the free Chase Freedom, spend your normal amount on groceries this quarter, no extra effort, and get a free RT flight from Indy to NY on southwest. That doesn't even count bonuses
Depends on what y'all like. Asia is significantly less expensive and requires you to be more adventurous with food, attitude, and just willing to suck it up and deal with it. Europe has the amenities some people require that SE Asia lacks in a lot of places. I like the 'fuck it and do whatever' SE Asia style but some people it really isn't for them
I have the freedom and just downgraded from CSP, need to find a good time to get the reserve. I just didn't know if you meant a specific airline miles CC
Didn't want to pay the yearly fee and missed the opportunity on the big bonus for the reserve. Was hoping it might come around again. Short sighted, I know
Yea I realized I'm an idiot. I'll try to fix my ways-- any chatter about the reserve ever getting back the huge bonus?
I haven't heard anything, and with how many bonuses they had to pay up on right away I wouldn't think so any time soon. They blew their projections way out of the water
It's taken me a bit to get back in the swing of things. I pretty much checked out at my old job ~6 months before I quit, then traveled for a few more months, so it's been 8-9 months before I actually focused on work. Shit sucks.
I'm definitely skipping Qatar as well, but basically as soon as I got back from Brazil world cup I knew I was going to Russia. There's nothing like going to world cup. So many people from all over the world, plus I'd love to see Russia regardless. I'm not concerned about safety (at least at this point, who knows in a year). Brazil I think was more dangerous to an actual individual traveler than Russia would be by far.
Plan is to be there two weeks. Going to book my ticket RT to Moscow. Would be there for pretty much entire group stage. Probably go to 1-2 US games assuming they qualify. Hopefully they get a game in St. Petersburg or Moscow (about a 50% chance, but wont know for sure till draw in December). If they do, would do those two cities and maybe throw in another country like Latvia, or Georgia/Armenia. If the US doesn't have a game in those cities, would still do both and then fly to one of the other host cities to see a US game.
Have you been before? My aunt is very well traveled and says St. Petersburg is probably her favorite single city to visit
I'll be heading up there for a long weekend in the next few weeks. Know zero about the city, so just need some high points. -Area to stay -top bars and restaurants -general things to do/tourist attractions Haven't decided if I'm going to drive or take the train yet. Haven't seen that far north yet so may drive.
We stayed at an Airbnb between Yaletown and downtown. A lot of bars/restaurants were walkable from there and there was quite a bit around it. Would highly recommend stay near Yaletown or Gastown if you plan on going at night. Restaurants: Fritz's European Fry House - amazing poutine (very limited seating so I would suggest taking it to go) Kaide Sushi Bar - some of the best sushi I've ever had was very reasonably priced Meat & Bread - I think they might be in Seattle as well but their sandwiches are incredible Alibi Room - gastropub in Gastown (nothing remarkable but the food and beer selection was good) The Oakwood Canadian Bistro - if you make it to the Kitsilano area I'd suggest eating here )locally-sourced Canadian-inspired dishes) Hokkaido Ramen Santouka - some of the best ramen I've ever had Bars: 33 Acres Brewing - this and Brassneck were my favorite of the breweries we visited. R&B Brewing - was only doing samples when we visited but does pizza now too. It looked like it was going to be a nice place so might be worth checking out. Postmark Brewing - didn't eat here but a good spot for brunch or to try their beers. Bomber Brewing Brassneck Brewery Devil's Elbow - favorite spot we went to in Gastown The Irish Heather - Irish pub in Gastown Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar - nice little find in Yaletown that had some great craft cocktails Attractions: Stanley Park - lots of nature, you can see the seawall here and they do a horse-drawn carriage tour Vancouver Lookout - great views of the city if it's not foggy Granville Island - giant marketplace with a lot of fantastic food Kitsilano - basically the Vancouver version of Haight-Ashbury We went to a CFL game while we were up there. Was kind of interesting if you need a football fix.
A buddy and I are thinking of doing 9 days split between Vancouver & Seattle with some hiking and camping along the way in August. Sounds like we should move forward over other locations? We've never been to either city.
I ended up swapping the porter 46 for the farpoint 55. Hopefully that doesn't come back to bite me when carrying on planes, but it's definitely more comfortable.
Never been to Seattle except laying over at SeaTac but I think you need at least three days for Vancouver. Seems like a good selection of cities if you want to get hiking and camping in too. Added some stuff BamaNug
I live in Seattle, let me know if you come out and I can give you some recommendations August would be awesome weather
I will post a trip write up in the next couple of days here but just wanted to share a funny incedent. This girl in my hostel in Berlin said to me "Berlin really needs to find itself culturally." She is from Houston.
I've written some Vancouver reccos itt, but it's been a while and I'd have to find them all because I can't remember. It's a great town.
I went 2 1/2 months and a few continents with my Porter 46. I used packing cubes and all my stuff fit perfectly fine. Only reason I could see someone needing something bigger is if they wanted to bring multiple pairs of shoes or multiple large jackets.
The 55 is a few inches taller than the 46 which concerns me trying to get it into overhead bins on smaller planes or airlines allowing only one piece of carry on luggage. I'm prepared to potentially having to gate check it, but I won't be happy about it. It is infinitely more comfortable than the 46, though.
Went to Vancouver 2 months ago and I loved it. Alot to do and each part of the city is unique. I highly recommend both Wildebeest and Joe Fortes for dinner spots. Day trip up to Whistler was awesome as well. Flew on a water plane and snapped the picture below. Stanley Park is in bottom left.
Gonna xp this into the CC thread but wanted to see if anyone had any previous experience. When you have bought flights through Chase portal, could you successfully select your seat (whether through the chase portal or through the carrier)? If anyone answers please include what carrier.
I selected mine on American and Korean, something else I don't remember, just fine. But its taken some time (hour or so maybe) after purchase
American. Selected on their app. Same as Ark, there was some lag between purchase time and when I could choose.