Starting February 21: Australia Reopens to International Tourists
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced today (February 7) that Australia will reopen to international tourists on February 21. Australia began closing its borders and s...
New Orleans Day 3 — Chestnut’s 2021 Christmas-Year-End Mileage Run, Part 4
This post continues Chestnut’s Christmas trip diary with everything seen and experienced on Day 3 in New Orleans~~...
New Orleans Day 2 — Part 3 of Chestnut’s 2021 Christmas Year-End Mega Trip
New Orleans Day 2 — Part 3 of Chestnut’s 2021 Christmas year-end mega trip. Everywhere I went was closed, and my terrible luck was truly at its peak....
New Orleans Day 1 — Chestnut’s Christmas Trip Marathon, Part 2 (Late 2021)
Picking up where the last post left off, this installment covers Chestnut’s first day in New Orleans....
Review of the Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin Stay (AMEX FHR Platinum Credit)
Compared with the Ritz-Carlton, which is also in FHR, the Four Seasons feels livelier. It’s right next to Isetan and Joy City, so dining and entertainment are much more convenient....
U.S. Retaliates Against China’s Flight Curbs, Suspends 44 Flights by Chinese Carriers Between the U.S. and China Through April
Following the last time in 2020 when the U.S. took countermeasures against China’s "Five Ones" policy, today (January 21, 2022), the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an ord...
![Complete Guide to Marriott Travel Packages [Jan 2022 Update: Redemptions Have Ended, and Hotel Certificates Will Be Refunded as Points]](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20style=%22background-color:%23404020%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20350%20233%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Complete Guide to Marriott Travel Packages [Jan 2022 Update: Redemptions Have Ended, and Hotel Certificates Will Be Refunded as Points]
According to Marriott’s official website, Travel Packages are no longer available for redemption. Any hotel certificates previously obtained through a Travel Package will be conver...
InterContinental Changsha Stay Review + What to Eat, Drink, and Do
If you love taking photos, spicy food, and great local eats, Changsha is a fantastic destination with a lively nightlife scene. Compared with the freezing winters in northern China...
A Christmas Morning Surprise from Delta Air Lines — Chestnut’s 2021 Year-End Holiday Grand Tour, Part 1
It had been more than five years since Chestnut last did a long-distance rail grand tour in the United States. On a whim this year, Chestnut decided to head to New Orleans for Chri...
Free US virtual number for texts/calls/keeping your number active: Google Voice intro
I just discovered today that Google Voice can be used from mainland China, including making and receiving calls and sending and receiving text messages. I’m using an iPhone. Please...
Hong Kong suspends flights from the US, UK, Australia, and Canada for two weeks
With Hong Kong’s fifth COVID wave described as “on the verge of breaking out,” Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced at a press conference today (January 5) that new entry...