My Travels

This week, I did not stay in Carson but went to the airport area. I checked into the Four Points Los Angeles Airport Hotel. With the holidays, it was a brief stay in the hotel. It's the first time I've stayed more than a night at this hotel. Previously, I am usually here for a night for the park and fly rates. I opted to dine at the hotel restaurant, Brewsters Beererie, because I'm a fan of the bourbon honey smash cocktail. I ordered the braised pork hash for dinner. It wasn't a cheap dinner but the food is surprisingly good for an airport hotel. I also dined at Fogo de Chao for an all you can eat meat extravaganza. I have never been to this Brazilian steakhouse chain and I found it good. Pricey, I stuck with only eating meat and cannot offer any opinion on the desserts.

I'm heading to Albuquerque for a work conference and my colleagues have convinced me to arrive earlier to check out the national parks in the area. I hopped onto my United flight and had to layover in Denver en route to Albuquerque. Once I arrived and met up with my colleagues, grabbed my rental from Dollar and drove off in my VW Passat. I was looking forward to the Passat as I have been thinking of getting one and thought it will be a good test if I really wanted one or not. Headed north to Cortez, Colorado for half a day and arrived at the vacation lodge found on Romantic Vacation Rentals . A very lovely home and not an unreasonable rate for the size. We had bought groceries before getting to the rental so our meals were mostly home made during the weekend. The next day, headed out to Mesa Verde Park to check out how the Indians lived in the area. I had done no research and completely relied on my colleague and the schedule that was planned out. I was pleasantly surprise...

Haven't been overseas this year and went on United Airlines to Saigon. Visiting family in the north and south parts of the country. For this trip, started off by staying at the Westin Los Angeles Airport for a park and fly rate. I hit platinum status with a double SPG EQS promotion. I was curious what platinum status will get me with SPG. After checking in, I didn't see anything different than before but the front desk didn't know I was platinum. I'm not sure if that changes anything. Will have to see on the next stay. Appetizer, I dig the fish shaped soy sauce bottle Dinner My breakfast of chicken katsu was more appealing than an omelette I was on the upgrade list for a few months on United and they finally confirmed my upgrade a week before. I sat in a newly minted Boeing 787 in business/first  class on my way to Saigon. It is a fancier plane with the window tinting instead of shades, accessible size toilets with hands free fixtures, and mood...