TRIP - Booking travel for 2018/2019

3 months in Taiwan, I am itching to travel/get out :P

2018
September - 淡水 北投 陽明山
October - 金山 淺水灣
November - 台南
December - 沖繩, 樂桃廉價航空 $9040 for 4 祝我們好運

2019
January - Bangkok, Thailand 曼谷 $17000 for 4

April - 東京, BA Avios on JAL, total 80K Avios + $500 CAD for 4 (20K + $125/person)

New chapter, beginning in ......... TAIWAN

I have done the ultimate travel, moving from CANADA -> TAIWAN
New home, new job, new long commute :(

Future travels start from Taiwan now, which means probably no more long flights (=no Europe nor America)

Countries I'd like to visit in future
Japan
Southeast Asia - Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia
maybe Australia but it's too similar to Canada IMO

TRIP History for 2014/2015/2016/2017

All of these trips are results of mistake fares or wanting to get out every few months, before Logan turns 2
Sometimes I don't even know why I travel so much, especially with children :-)  Certainly memorable

2014

• Jan - Taiwan
• April  - Italy <- mistake fare, $300/person to Italy (Florence, Venice, Milan). No regrets
• July - Atlanta, USA
• Sep - LA, Las Vegas USA
• Oct - Washington DC
• Dec - Taiwan

2015

• April - Seoul, South Korea <- mistake fare again ($500/person on Delta), will make it a family trip
• May - Turkey on Aeroplan, in TK Business-class <- mistake glitch, 50K Aeroplan/person
• Summer - Taiwan
• November - Dubai ($200/person nonstop on Eithad price error)

2016

• March - Paris ($300/person nonstop on AC price error)
• July - Prague, Hong Kong, Taiwan (Aeroplan Mini-RTW)
• November - Taiwan

2017

• March - Portugal, Spain (AA off-peak, 40K/person)
• April - SFO (Delta price error, $250/person)
• July - Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Taiwan (Aeroplan Mini-RTW)
• December - Nice (France), Taiwan (Aeroplan Mini-RTW)

Toronto to Taipei the LONG way. Toronto-Istanbul-Seoul-Taipei

YYZ-IST TK18 on 77W 23D

• Wi-fi 1-hour $10, 24-hours $15 USD
• Economy food is so-so
• Turkish' English is barely understandable :(

IST TK CIP lounge

• Massive. Shower #1
• Too many food to eat - desserts, grilled meat, nuts, pizza, pasta, simit, etc...
• Not that much to do though

IST-ICN TK88 on A333 22K

• Finally, Lemonade (with Mint)
• 80-90% load, and my 6K got changed to 22K, stuck with old pa in 22J whom didn't move despite many empty seats around. Sigh

Seoul/Incheon ICN

• Airport is too large, my legs are darn tired from walking inside
• Transit tour is boring
• Asiana lounge (Concourse) is average, hot food (fried rice), shower
• Korean people speak even less English

ICN-TPE BR159 on A332 Hello Kitty 21A

• Cute Kitty pillow cover
• Got 2 HK card set
• Meal was so-so, with HK utensils and ice cream

Monthly Recap

Logan is 3 months old
- 56 cm
- 5.6 kg

Travel
- Heading to Taiwan for X'mas
Stuck in Vancouver for 2 days due to Ella's passport issue
Time to realize the importance of points, cash, knowledge of the area, and some luck

- Booked a NYC-Milan trip for April 2014, cost ~$900 CAD for all of us (Wideroe price error). Booked all hotels on points too
Destinations: Milan, Florence, Venice

- Booked 2 Mini-RTW Aeroplan tickets in J (125K + $400 fees) for Jason for 2014



What else?
- Got a free Nexus 7 :)
- Got 2 Moto G phones for $240 total
- Bought things, gifted things, sold things

Monthly Recap

I have been a free man for the last month, and what did I do?
Despite all the below, I still miss Ella & Wendy

Everything Else
- Catch up with MBA friends
- Finishing all frozen food and junk food at home @@
- Cleaned up unnecessary stuff at home
- Cleaned bathroom and kitchen clogged drains
- Replace RO Water Filter
- Sleep at odd hours on odd schedule

Finance
- Cleaned up Investment stocks of some bad stocks
- Invested in TFSA
- Cancelled Credit Cards - CIBC Aerogold, MBNA SmartCash, MBNA 0% Platinum
- Re-applied above Credit Cards again - CIBC Aerogold (15K Aeroplan), MBNA SmartCash ($100 cashback), MBNA 0% Platinum ($100 cashback)

Travel
- Will fly out soon on EVA Air as Star Alliance Gold with benefits
- Will get to try EVA Royal Laurel Business class for 25K Aeroplan one-way
- 長榮航空現在加入星空聯盟了=可以用Aeroplan換免費機票喔 多倫多-台北來回 經濟艙75K/商務艙 125K + $60 而已
- EVA Air has joined Star Alliance, and redeemable on Aeroplan. YYZ-TPE/Asia round-trip is 75K Economy or 125K Business + $60 in fees
- 想要累積Aeroplan 推薦申請免年費信用卡最快 Quickest/cheapest way to earn Aeroplan

AMEX Personal Gold, get 20K MR after $500 spend, 1st year FREE. 20K MR = 20K Aeroplan

CIBC - Aerogold - 15000 Aeroplan on signup, 1st year FREE

TRIP - 2 Weeks Vacation to TAIWAN

Vacation

• My annual vacation to go home and visit parents, relatives
• Weather was hot in Taiwan as usual
• We took another 4 day trip to Singapore, which I'll blog in separate post
• Ella had a wonderful 2 months in Taiwan, having tons of fun with so many people (July to Sept, Y1M5~Y1M7)
• Hoping for another trip back this X'mas ($$$ flights)
• Many thanks to my dear wife Wendy for taking care of Ella "alone" for 2 months. It's no small task

Travel notes

• United Airlines
• Both ways I got 2 Meals + Snack on TPAC flights and lots of drinks. I was impressed as I thought US airlines have cut down
• Unfortunately we had a 2 hour delay at SFO, sitting on the plane waiting for them to fix the radio
• Star Alliance Silver
• At SFO United wouldn't do anything for me, but I lucked out in Economy+ as my 31J was Y in old seat map but Y+ in new 772 3-3-3 layout.
• At TPE the ground staff recognized my Silver status and upgraded me to Economy+ all the way, and I had middle seat empty for TPE-NRT, and whole row to myself NRT-IAD). Shocking UA804 NRT-IAD was 30% loaded, where everyone in E+ has a row to themselves and Y wasn't full either
• Half-way to my Star Alliance Gold (via Aegean airlines A3 program) now 
• NEXUS/Global Entry
• Saved me great time at IAD and YYZ immigration (I passed immigration in 1 minutes at both), only so that I wait 20 minutes at baggage :(
• For Global Entry, remember to choose "Visitor" even if you're transit via US; otherwise you'll need to see Passport control and get inspected @@
• If you opt out for full-body scanner like I did at SFO, you may get a male "complete" pat-down ... not the old metal detector
• Priority Pass for lounges
• US Domestic lounges (SFO, IAD) still suck, with the same snack/mixed nuts
• Asia lounges (NRT, SIN, TPE) are much better on hot food
• NRT United Club food is average (sushi are tasteless and no real good food), but I did use 1 shower room (out of 13) to freshen up 
• Park N' Fly Airport Valet Parking
• First time using Valet parking and I paid $100+tax for 17 days (same rate for 7~30 days with this coupon)
• Check-in & check-out was very quick using kiosks (remember to enter the coupon code). My car only added 3 km during the stay and I took out all valuables just in case.
• 中國信託 信用卡出國機場免費停車
• China Trust credit card offers 2 free airport parking (up to 7 days each) per year and we parked for 4 days this time. Saving of $500 NT

June Recap

Ella is 1 year and 4 months old (16 months old)

• She hasn't gained much weight or grown taller much, hence she's now 97-percentile instead of way above the growth chart. 
• She is 12.5~13 kg and ~83 cm tall
• She doesn't talk much yet
• She can however listen and understand most things we tell her, quite amazing
• She loves to play out in the deck

Other News

• All my Aeroplan promotions are in, and I am at 146,000+ Aeroplan miles again (I counted, I collected 140,000 Aeroplan in 6 months, thanks to AMEX and Aeroplan promotions). Now I can redeem for Business Class flight once again
• Club Carlson "Big Night Giveaway" promotion points have come in also
• Earned 50K at Radisson, 44K at Country Inn + another 50K at Radisson
• Earned 50K at Radisson
• Now I have enough points for many nights at fancy Radisson Blu in Europe/Chicago
• Trip to SFO is booked in July, it's been an "interesting" experience when things are not in my control
• Trip to Taiwan is booked for September, and may visit Singapore for a few days also
• AMEX Platinum annual fee is increasing to $699/year on June 29, anyone who signed up by it will "only" be charged $399/year but can still enjoy all the new benefits!! 
• New benefits are (I only list ones I care)
• Gold Club Carlson hotel membership
• $399 value of Priority Pass - you access worldwide lounge for free
• $200 credit via AMEX Travel service, resets on Jan 2013 so you get 2 x $200 essentially
• Fine Hotel & Resorts
• Contact me if you'd like a referral to sign up (I get 15K AMEX MR, you get 30K MR after $500 spending in 3 months)

Flight/Trip Report: Taipei-Singapore-Bangkok-Zurich (stopover)-Montreal-Toronto

The return trip is much more complicated - 4 airlines, 4 aircrafts (A333/B773/A346/A333/A320), 5 segments, and 6 airports. Door-to-door took 45 hours

Photos: Taipei-Singapore-Bangkok-Zurich-Montreal-Toronto (I stopped over at Zurich for few hours)

Taipei - Singapore Lounge at Terminal 2

Food - Many hot food (the best lounge in terms of food in this Mini-RTW trip) and Taiwanese drinks (I love it)
Service - They cleared the plates and re-filled food quickly
Hardware - Average, there are sofas, magazines, computers, no shower I think

Overall - Great to get in for its great choices of hot food and drinks.

SQ877 Taipei (TPE) Singapore Changi (SIN) 333 Executive

4.5 hours, 3219 km

Seat: 12A moved freely to 14K. Half-empty, 2-2-2 layout
Food - Average+. The beef entree was okay
Service - Love it, SQ totally deserves its reputation, very attentive and friendly with smiles. Asked to take pictures for me and gave me some SQ souvenirs (cards, postcards, pen). I took pictures with them
Hardware - Comfy business class in leather and color. Big TV, angled-flat seat. AVOD is good

Overall - Flying on Singapore is the best, enough said.

Singapore - Thai Royal Silk Lounge at Terminal 1
Food - Lacking, some dim sum items and all else sucks
Service - Average. Needs to borrow converter to use the power outlet
Hardware - Small, crowded, Internet slow

Overall - Shouldn't be called a lounge at all.

TG410 Singapore Changi (SIN) Bangkok (BKK) 773 Executive
2.5 hours, 1442 km
Seat: 14K (upgraded 3 days before departure). Full, 2-3-2 layout
Food - Looks like Economy food, served in rectangular box.
Service - Average.
Hardware - Old-style business class seat. Okay for short-haul, big TV and good AVOD

Overall - Average, and disappointment continues from the lounge, as I had high expectation for Thai

Bangkok - Thai Royal Silk Lounge at Concourse C
Food - Average, I enjoyed the hot buns and desserts
Service - Average, cleans quickly
Hardware - Not crowded, few computers to use, sofas, cool temperature to relax. I used the shower

Overall - Average+. I did relax after the spa and shower

Bangkok - Royal Orchid Spa at Concourse D
Food - I liked the cool Green jasmine tea a lot (they served those to clients)
Service - Good 30 minute Neck & Shoulder massage
Hardware - Spacious, relaxing, no shower though.

Overall - Best part of BKK airport service.

TG970 Bangkok (BKK) Zurich (ZRH) 346 Executive
12 hours, 9022 km
Seat: 11K. Half-empty, 2-2-2 layout
Food - Looks like Economy food, served in rectangular box.
Service - Average. Seems textbook and no personal attention even at half-empty.
Hardware - Newer-style business class seat. Angled-flat but not comfortable to sleep in at all due to the angle (vs. lie-flat). I did sleep 7 hours though combined. Good AVOD

Overall - Unfortunately, Thai business class are not worth it.

Zurich - SWISS Business Lounge
Food - Lacking, only good choice was tasty fried rice and chocolate treats. Movenpick ice creams weren't Haggan-Daaz.
Service - Average
Hardware - Crowded, Full, confusing. Shower long waitlist. I'd actually rather be outside instead

Overall - Sad to see a completely-full lounge is worse than no lounge

LX86 Zurich (ZRH) Montreal Trudeau (YUL) 333 Executive
8 hours, 5992 km
Seat: 5D moved to 4K at gate. 80% Full, 1-2-1 layout
Food - Average+, not my Asian-preferred styles but good.
Service - Attentive and friendly. Let me into First Class Suites and take photos for me :)
Hardware - I liked SWISS's single-seat. Almost lie-flat to sleep on. AVOD is good, LCD is smaller than SQ

Overall - Good experience on a Western airline

Montreal - Maple Leaf Lounge at Domestic Terminal
Food - Same as Toronto. Salad/Nachos/Chips. Drinks and beer tap
Service - Average
Hardware - Average. A bit crowded

Overall - Average, nothing to write home about.

AC421 Montreal Trudeau (YUL) Toronto Pearson (YYZ) 320 Executive
1 hour, 505 km
Seat: 1F. Full, 2-2 layout
Food - Cheese tray, nothing worth writing
Service - Average. We were delayed 1 hour due to waiting for 2 must-wait mechanics.
Hardware - Average

Overall - Worst part of my entire trip. Delayed 1 hour and in future avoid domestic Business class.

Movies Watched (many more as I had more hours)
Kung Fu Panda 2
Midnight in Paris
Fast Five
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
X-Men: First Class
Thor
Win Win
Last Night
Water for Elephants


Will conclude in a separate post ........

Flight/Trip Report: Toronto-Tokyo-Taipei

I wrote about my Mini-RTW flights in May and now I have completed the insane trip, and here are my thoughts.

Photos Toronto-Tokyo-Taipei 

Toronto - Maple Leaf Lounge at Terminal 1
Food - Average. Hot foods are pasta/ravioli and soups. Salad/Chips/Nachos/Fruits. Alchol/Beverages/Juices
Service - They cleared the plates and re-filled food quickly
Hardware - Average, there are sofas, magazines, computers, slow wi-fi. The 2 shower rooms are nice (I took a shower just because I could), inside isn't too fancy though (and lack of clean towels?)

Overall - Nice to get in if you can, but wouldn't make extra efforts to qualify. Average

AC1 Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Tokyo Narita (NRT) 77W Executive
13 hours, 10297 km
Seat: 11A, Full business class. 1-2-1 layout

Food - Most memorable ones of my trip. I loved the Japanese meals (see pictures to understand). The self-serve bar is great (vs. my other segments had none). I missed these nuts
Service - Surprisingly above my expectation. Attendants were nice and prompt
Hardware - I'm glad I tried the AC fish-bone J product despite the costly fuel surcharge. It may be dated but it still does the job. I had lots of storage space, lie flat is awesome for sleep (but I only slept 30 minutes due to excitement?). LCD is huge and movie selections are good. Amenity kit is average.

Overall - I'd fly AC long-haul J product again in a heartbeat (not Domestic though). I missed the food still. A+

Tokyo - ANA Lounge at Terminal 1, Satellite 5
Food - You have the Noodle bars and many selections on drinks and snacks. No good sushi though
Service - Average+, you know Japanese will never disappoint you in service.
Hardware - Big lounge space, worth the walk from Satellite 4 to 5 (20 minutes) with nice view. Lots of people though. The hidden massage chairs in the back corner were nice

Overall - Nice to get in if you can. Average+

NH1083 Tokyo Narita (NRT) Taipei (TPE) 763 Executive
4 hours, 2181 km
Seat: 7D moved freely to 10G. Half-empty, 2-1-2 layout

Food - Single meal for the short flight. Average+
Service - Pretty attentive, Average+
Hardware - Standard business class seat, not flat or big LCD but okay for short flight

Overall - Average+. Enjoyed the friendly service all the way.

Movies Watched
Love and Other Drugs
Limitless
Morning Glory
Two for the Money

X'mas seems like tomorrow

Week recap

Had the company X'mas dinner last weekend, a full month before actual X'mas
For once, I was lucky and won a staff prize (everyone seems to get chosen, so my odds was 1 in 5 staff) - Belkin N+ Router and USB Adapter bundle. Except now I don't know if I should use it or gift it, or sell it ;-p

This week

• Weather is slowly slowing changing from Warm to Shower and then it'll be Snow
• Midterm is over! easier than expected
• November is over! quicker than expected as well
• 2.5 more weeks until I pack up and fly to Taiwan, 3rd time this year
• Thinking of visiting Hong Kong, to create new memories
• Sadly I still cannot make Aeroplan Elite since I flew United in January, Eva in August and China Airlines in Dec
• Flights $900 + $1350 + $1750 = $4000
• Wedding-related expenses = countless
• Finding the love of my life = priceless ^__________^

Counting Down

Counting down to

• Taiwan
• Flying, and flying on AC 777
• Super hot and humid weather
• Seeing family and relatives, new family and relatives
• Grandma's birthday
• A new chapter   ;-)

"Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." - movie Forrest Gump

Best Job in the World? Vote for Clare from Taiwan

I must say, this is a great publicity trick

For my colleagues and boss are reading this, my job is the BEST job in the world
For everyone else, maybe it's The Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef at Australlia

Please vote for Clare from Taiwan (sorry Canada)

Happy 97th Birthday, Taiwan 雙十國慶

October 10 (中華民國國慶日) is Taiwan's birthday. And for 2008, Taiwan is now 97 years old. Today celebrates the start of the Wuchang Uprising of October 10, 1911, which led to the collapse of China's Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Tenth_Day

When we were in Toronto last weekend, we happened to walk into the Taiwan Birthday Celebration at Bay & Dundas, pictures to be posted soon
Let's just say, I was so proud and emotional to see Taiwan's flag