Should make for fascinating reading for you folk.
So, the new non stop Qantas flights from BrisVegas (spooky) to Chicago and San Fran after April 2020 were tantalising as Chicago in particular is a personal fave. Call Me Bwana is only a 2 week soujourn in March next year and thats not nearly enough OS Shenanagising for this little black duck in any one calendar year. The idea formed, due to direct flights, of two short US holidays (pre Election and Post US Election !) for October 2020 and February 2021 – as still love the winter over there. Spread the love and spend the inheritance so to speak. A lot of research has gone into this and the holiday is planned and even the odd fully refundable deposit out laid after allowing for pending World Recession and the Aussie $ dipping to 50 c US 🙂
I am going to Vegas in October and NYC in February.
Obviously.
Yep I dont get it either so dont fret. There are a few pertinent facts to digest. One could almost be swayed to call them excuses. Short Term rentals are becoming a nightmare in many US cities including Chicago. Chicago has a lot of lodging taxes as well so basically it is expensive to stay in and pretty well limited to Hotels. Similar story in San Fran and it fair to say that as great as San Fran is it is a deteriorating city by all accounts and I was there in 2013 and ticked all the boxes and Made my Day #Clunk. Chicago would be cheaper in Feb 2021 but that is a dangerous place (transport wise) and rather freezing at that time of year
Not convinced I am a Vegas kinda guy but there is no denying some great attractions nearby like Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. It also has some great iconic sites movie wise and did find a good rental at MGM Signature – just off the strip, no casino. No doubt would catch a show and play some Two Up but think there will be plenty to keep me busy outside of gambling and ogling Showgirls. Not that there is anything wrong with that…… The other bit to the puzzle is I loved my short visit to Santa Monica for the afternoon back in February and would have loved to have stayed well into the night on the Pier but had to get back to LAX for my cancelled flight early next morning VIA 2 Ubers and a long walk! Once again have been able to find a reasonable and legal rental within walking distance to Pier and Venice Beach so looking at a few nights there before flying home. All up , just under 2 weeks
Now devoted followers would know I have often said I would never go back to NYC. I lied. Apparently. Sometimes when there I dont take advantage of what is available but when I look back on it well there were magic times going to a concert at Madison Square Garden and also free entry to two Tonight shows yada yada yada. More importantly though I loved the Hotel Beacon and if you book well in advance the rates are quite reasonable – depending on exchange rate of course. the second city would be Philly as have not been there for 5 years and once again VRBO rentals are mostly legal there and there are some gooduns. Again a two week holiday in and out like a well trained Seal Team
Two short holidays , rather than one long one, does increase amount of time flying but also chance to snag that elusive Gold FF badge in the one year. Mind you I suspect after all the planning it could be that it just aint that bigger deal when you fly as often as I do. Still , be nice on that Headstone to have “At least he was a Gold Frequent Flyer”. Especially if that headstone was a result of that last qualifying flight.
Some variables are beyond my control of course especially with Pumpkin Head in the Oval Office. I suspect he will try and prevent a recession before Nov 2020 and so while the Aussie $ may not do well my Super should not be obliterated – my only source of aforementioned Aussie $.
If I was a gambling man I would think though that he will stuff it up so may as well head to Vegas with the other losers eh.
flashman181 