My Travels

Landed into Ton Sat Airport and was able to get through security and customs fairly easily.  I had arranged for the hotel airport car service. From my last trip, I found that the taxis were not the cheapest route. I was given the same room as last time and was happy to see things were unchanged. This is my first time in Vietnam for a work conference. The conference hotel was Melia Hotel and it was a very new and modern facility. On this trip, I discovered that my international data roaming plan was not valid in Vietnam. Something must have happened with the U.S. telecoms and the Vietnamese government. My colleague's service was also not allowed. Luckily, I brought an unlocked phone and will say that Mobifone is a good deal for prepaid data. Just make sure you activate the monthly plan or your value will disappear the next day. The store operator was gruff but helpful. Afterwards, I was treated to a foot massage at the Oasis Spa inside the Melia Hotel. I thought it was fine...

I am on my way to a conference in Hanoi. Since I was already in San Diego, I booked my flight on United Airlines out of the city for convenience. I have never flown in or out of San Diego International Airport  and I found the airport easy to navigate with little fuss. The United Club appears recently renovated with modern furnishings. There is a very white theme which reminded me of the Clubs in SFO. The service was very attentive. I landed in SFO and had about five hours to kill before heading out to Tokyo for my second layover. The United Club in the International Terminal allowed me to unwind and the afternoon snacks were tasty. United Club San Diego Airport   Upon arriving in Tokyo International Airport  (Haneda), I checked into the Sheraton Miyako Hotel . This layover would be for 10 hours and I didn't want to stay in the ANA Lounge overnight. I met up with a colleague in SFO who has never been to Tokyo. Since it was about midnight, went ou...

Went down to San Diego for a day to visit friends. Checked into the Westin San Diego and was upgraded to a junior suite via my certificate. The layout was a little awkward and the spacing belied the square footage description. The TVs were ginormous and looked relatively new. Grabbed some drinks from the lobby bar and the sliders were really good. The Mrs. Robinson drink was pretty tasty. Westin San Diego Junior Suite Bedroom  Westin San Diego Junior Suite Living Room Grabbed dinner at Oceanaire and enjoyed my soft shell crab BLT. I assumed it would be a sandwich but it was literally crab lettuce and tomato. I would have called it a salad than BLT. Service was acceptable but could have been better given the price point of this restaurant. Grabbed a nightcap at La Puerta and grabbed a pedicab back to the hotel. Always ask how much those guys will cost because they will get you good if you are not specific.  The next morning, grabbed breakfast at the hotel rest...

Back in the valley of the sun. Took a leisurely drive out and had lunch at Pizza A Metro . I really enjoy their pizza and split that with gnocchi and carbonara pastas with friends. Afterwards, stopped at Urban Cookies for their chocolate chip cookies. Checked into the Hilton Scottsdale Villas and Resort and spent the afternoon in the villas pool. The hotel has two areas, one is the main hotel with hotel rooms and another is an area of townhouse style buildings. This area is where the villas are located. Each building had five units and I was able to check in online for the large villa. I would recommend for families to stay since they are all two bedroom two bath units. Hilton Scottsdale Villa Living Room Hilton Scottsdale Villa King Bedroom Hilton Scottsdale Villa Doubles Bedroom   For dinner, explored the downtown area and ate at The District . I normally don't venture to hotel restaurants to eat but SPG offered a promotion to earn points and discount. It w...