I have also flown to Hawaii for as cheap as $5.60 using my FREE points from my Hawaiian Airlines credit card.
Once you sign up, there is no minimum purchase to get 70K miles. I have seen one-way flights as low as 12,500 points but you can expect to pay $17,500 which is four FREE one-way trips. Apply here:
PRO TIP – I normally pay to fly home as it can be 25,000 to 35,000 points to get home which is how they get you. Flying back to the west coast is normally under $200 USD so check that before booking.
Canadian PRO TIP – fly to LA, Vegas, Seattle or San Deigo and grab a $99 flight from there. Flair to Vegas is normally the cheapest and can be had under $100 CDN.
Bags – you do not need to check a bag as prices at the Costco are the same more or less. You can even get a $1.50 hot dog on the Islands when you grab a few things. I also use compression packs so you can get a shit ton of things (NO LIQUIDS) in your FREE personal and or FREE carryon bag.
OK – back to the post for today, seat sales to Hawaii which happen all the time. Once one airline has a sale, the rest of them will match it. Sign up for Hawaiian Airlines text/email deals or Clark Howard to give you a heads up.
Here are some of the latest flights on sale that I was emailed today, 01/07/24:
Prices can obviously change anytime so keep an eye out for the notification. Keep in mind that you can book a flight and cancel any time before 24 hours to hold the price. CHECK WITH AIRLINE FIRST!
Depending on the island, prices can vary on hotels, Airbnb or hostels depending on how you roll. You can check on my Kona, HI and Fishing post, Honolulu post or Kona post as they will help you find a place to stay if you are wanting something budget friendly. I pay ~$35 a night on all islands, single occupancy!
You can also send me a WhatsApp or Gmail from the home screen, and I can help look.
I avoid using “eclectic” because it sounds similar to “expensive,” but you can see by the video what I mean!
There is no other way to describe my Airbnb experience in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was the most amazing Airbnb I have ever stayed in, and it was $35 a night. The owners are lawyers from Argentina, and they put all of their love of travel, music, antiques, and heart into this stay.
It even had a record player in each room! Three of the four pictures are the lobby when you walk up the stairs. From the lobby, you can access four different rooms by small ladders to slightly different floors.
Music is played during the day and there is a couch to look at the wall antiques. My room pictured below was directly across from the wall unit of antiques so often left my door open looking at them.
The bed and desk were in the loft area with about ten steps, and it felt like a different room.
Montevideo is a rather small town, and the Airbnb was right down from the walking street in one direction and the ocean in the other direction with the best view to top things off. They use a fancy filter, but I can promise you that the view was amazing from my room in every single direction.
OK, I will settle my eclectic ass down and tell you about getting there and the travel is half of the adventure. I grabbed an Uber from my Airbnb in BA to the ferry terminal. Once arriving, I bought a one-way ticket as I was unsure how long I would stay.
I need to take the ferry to Colonia and then a bus ride totaling five hours to get to Montevideo.
I only spent two nights in Uruguay to get a feel for the landscape. Beautiful but nothing made it stand out to me. The food was basic and on the expensive side and it is so small that I have no reason to go back. Here are a few pictures of the architecture:
As I said, I only stayed two nights, and here are my two dinners which were borderline gross. I could count on McDonald’s for breakfast, and I even had lunch there once too due to my dinner experience:
The meal on the left was a cheese-covered sandwich with probably two pounds of cheese and couldn’t even chase it down with a beer.
The middle was $65 and it was not cooked at all so left it and called my credit card company as that is bullshit!
If you’re from Uruguay, I apologize; the world can see the passion of the people from their football team and their fans!
It just didn’t do anything for me other than the awesome Airbnb where I spent most of my time relaxing counting down the hours to leave.
When I bought my Volaris AYCF pass, the first thing I noticed was that I could get to Lima, Peru for under $100 USD. That is exactly why I went twice in the first six months of buying the pass!
The first time I went, I stayed in downtown Lima which is not recommended. It is very crowded and am told that is not that safe at night.
The second time was a charm, I found an amazing Airbnb with a cliff side ocean view in Mira Flores which was incredible. These were my morning view for less than $20 a night or $480 a month on a long-term stay!
The warm ocean breeze and the sound of people running, riding their bikes, and walking their dogs 24 hours a day is a very safe location. My Airbnb hosts were so amazing. I had food poisoning from an earlier visit to Costa Rica. They ran to the pharmacy and put up with my horrendous symptoms for two days. I plan to visit again as I have their WhatsApp contacts for a cash deal!!
I was able to wake-up, up and go directly across the street for miles of walking paths to get my 10K steps in every day once I felt better. I could walk in either direction for miles and the view was stunning.
Evening⬆️ Time-lapse pictures of the alongside the walking path in front of my Airbnb. Morning⬇️
One thing I did not know is that Paddington Bear was actually from Lima, Peru! I loved that story as a kid!
“A Bear Called Paddington is a story about a young Peruvian bear who travels to London in search of a home. He finds himself lost and alone at Paddington Station but is eventually taken in by the kind Brown family. The story follows Paddington’s adventures in London and how he changes the lives of the Brown family”.
The historic area of Lima is amazing!
The cost of living in Lima is also very reasonable for a large city. It has everything you need for your North American fix like TGIF and Chillis at half the cost. The Peruvian ceviche, coffee and local beer is the best you will find anywhere in the world.
The cost of most things are 50-75% off North American prices:
$2-3 Daily coffee and treat with a cliff side view.
$2 Weekly laundry washed and folded.
$20 Any meal on the TGIF or Chillis menu with two beers.
$30 ninety-minute massage, I would get two a week.
There was a mall with all stores you would find around the world. The prices were not much cheaper at the mall as the items came from the same factories.
In closing, Mira Flores is an affordable place that you can enjoy low cost, great weather and outdoor activities and festivals. The thousands of active locals can enjoy dirt bike track, skate park, Volleyball/basketball courts, parasailing and miles of paths.
After writing this blog post, I am reminded me that I could easily live in Mira Flores, Peru!
It has everything that I love about travel: inexpensive, great weather and walkable:
(I never thought I would ever use an accidental pictures of my feet)! 😁
I have been going to Mexico since my teens, and my favorite place in the country always changes.
Hilarious story to start! The first time I went to PV, I figured out that the romantic zone meals gay zone, whoops!
I knew I f#cked up when there was a flag on the door. The homo that checked me in was rude AF which is why I labeled him a homo! I asked if it was ok for a straight dude to stay the night. He never gave me a pillow or blanket which did not matter as I could not sleep knowing broke Back Mountain was in the building.
(There is nothing wrong with being gay, there is something wrong with me having to change myself for your gayness).
I have since stayed at the below Airbnb’s in the Bay of Banderas:
I specifically asked for an early check-in as I was taking the red-eye. He said, no problemo, well, there was a big problem as the room was not clean. I asked what happened and he said things changed and to go hang out at the pool. I may or may not have topped the shelf of the place, LOL. I would not do that but he deserved it 100%!!
I went to PV 4-5 times in a row on my Southwest (SWA) Airlines credit card for free using points. I have played the travel credit card game for most of my life and couldn’t tell you how many cards I have opened/closed/opened/closed …
Yeah, it can affect your credit score but rarely miss payments, and am hovering around 750+ so no problem. Currently, I carry my Frontier, SWA, and Hawaiian credit cards. I have previously held Spirit(3X), AA(2X), and Delta revolving every couple of years to take advantage of free offers.
As part of SWA, you can save money by going to COSTCO and buying their $500 SWA gift cards for $430. At one point, I bought $2000 worth of cards to meet my SWA credit card minimum spend to get the bonus miles. I have a shit ton of rapid reward points and SWA credit but rarely fly SWA these days. I always have a backup travel plan to my back travel plans, so SWA is there when I need them at a massive discount or free.
The Costco deal happens several times a year so get your credit card and wait for the sale and BOOM, tons of cheap travel.
“You know, like nunchuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills… free flight skills are here at NAD! LOL
OK – back to PV, focus Darrell …
I would land in PV, and grab the local bus to either downtown PV Malecon or Nuevo Vallarta where Kenny the dickhead lives. He and his sidekick Dana drive me ape shit but deep down I am sure they are not dickheads.
Centro has been my favorite as there is everything you need within walking distance,
Hurricanes can be a problem in PV and landed the week after a terrible Nora in 2021. It was horrible to see the destruction and a notable story was a woman getting swept away in her car. They were looking for her when I was there and never did find her body which is horrible.
Just to lighten things up, the first time I got my nose and ear hair waxed was in PV for $3. Honestly, something was lost in translation as it was an “upgrade” after a haircut and hot shave, LOL. I have since done it a few more times knowing what to expect. What a shit show but had everyone entertained! You’re welcome for the laugh! 🤓
My biggest worry now on Monday these days is watching the NYSE hoping that it does not crater. Once past that point, I normally start my Monday by getting a coffee and breakfast sandwich at Coffee Point at Las Palomas Golf Club and Resort.
This is by far the nicest condo complex in Rocky Point making sense as it is five starts.
It has three pools for each phase and more importantly three swim-up bars with magnificent ocean views. I have my clubs here in Rocky Point but have yet to swing them at the course even though there are weekly events including scrambles which are perfect for my shitty golf game. There is also another nice course at Isla Del Mar here, so I need to get my ass in gear and swing away.
I would be lying if I did not mention that I stayed for a margarita or five after coffee if I was still there in the afternoon. They have been known to say to me, it is afternoon Amigo, do you want a margarita. If the market is green, I stay and if the market is red, I leave – simple.
Here is a walking tour of two of the phases including the newest phase on the top right that is just finishing.
If golf was more like hockey, I would play more as you can drop the guy next to you for chirping my game! LOL
My first flight on my Wizz all-you-can-fly pass was from London, Gatwick to Varna, Bulgaria.
I had bought the pass months prior, and this was a test trip to see how it worked, and couldn’t have been happier. I was able to fly standby to anywhere I wanted for the most part even though it was a short ten-day trip. I have been able to use it five times which paid for itself already. I paid 499 Euros which was approximately USD 550. I flew my Phoenix to Los Angeles to catch my Norse Airways from London Gatwick. I have found many deals over my lifetime, but the Norse Airline flight was one of the best deals.
I found a one-way flight for USD 109 which is still unbelievable as I type this right now.
PRO TIP: Always check one-on-one trips as they are often cheaper than round trips as I blogged here:
Once I landed and cleared Customs, I went straight to the Wizz app to see what was available knowing the Varna flight left a few hours after I landed doing prior research. Boom, the first flight was booked, and I was off to the ticket counter to better understand the baggage rules.
PRO TIP: Use compression bags to fill your free personal item bag as you can squeeze tons in them.
I waited in line for an hour, and I was starting to get worried. Once I got to the counter, the agent advised that I did not check in online for my flight and it would not cost USD 65. I f#cking paid 10 Euro or USD 120 for my flight so I was pissed. Lesson learned as discount airlines will always try to nickel and dime. I got my boarding pass, and I was off to my gate with plenty of time.
My first Wizz all you can fly flight went off without a hitch after screwing myself not checking in online. If you want to know more about theWizz pass, you can check or my blog here.
Once I arrived in Varna, I got the familiar feeling that I was back in the Ukraine. It has been over 20 years, but Eastern Europe is not as developed. The language felt familiar even though I failed Ukrainian 10 in high school, LOL!
Being Ukranian, the prices were right up may alley too! I paid under $5 for some awesome cabbage soup with a roll and drink. The buses and Ubers were also very inexpensive to tour the city.
I realize that taking pictures inside a Church may not be cool with some people but, I asked first.
I have been renting a small room in Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) for almost seven years. Time flies when I cannot remember half the shit I do when I’m here, LOL.
I stayed here for the first time as an Airbnb on June 24th, 2017, and never left. I talked to the amazing owners asking them if I could rent monthly and never looked back. I am paying less monthly than my HOA in Arizona, so it does not bother me that I am not here a lot.
Mi Mexican Familia Fortunado (El Jefe) and Lupe!! 🙌 🙌
Lupe is posing with her delicious Pazole soup she made for her guests during the Rocky Point rally; I posted details here:
El Jefe (The boss in Spanish) poses with a picture they used to use in the advertising credits at the Movies in Phoenix. I call him El Jefe as he is the boss man for Airbnb as he and Lupe run a tight ship.
Just like life, my visits to Rocky Point have evolved over the years. I was working five days a week when I first started renting hoping to make it up once a month. Within a couple of years, I was working four days a week and able to make it a bit more. There were times when I came here every weekend and others I would not visit for several months.
I just knew in my heart that I had a pad in Mexico and did not need to jump on a plane to get my fix. It was almost too convenient for playtime in Mexico at times.
Fast forward to 2024, I had an awesome plan to work here part-time, or so I thought.
I had just spent four months working in Hawaii under the radar, so I thought, why not Mexico? I prepared an office with backup power and bought Starlink Internet. I wanted to ensure I had my bases covered if there was a power or internet issue so I could run my office. The only thing I never considered was a backup job, LOL.
I set up my office during the Christmas of 2023 and everything was ready to go in January.
I got an email invite on February 1st, 2024, to attend a mandatory meeting. This was the same week the media announced we would be laying off. It did not take much thought to figure out I was toast.
My first thought was Thank God I had a place to stay as my Airbnb in Mesa, AZ was rented for another three months.
I was still pissed that I invested all that money in an office, but shit happens, and I hated the job anyway. I was just biding my time with healthcare and needed 2-3 more years.
I was given a decent severance package and six months of healthcare to figure out my next move. My next move was always the same, I took a trip to Central and South America.
OK – now that you have the full story, here are some pictures of my Mexico pad as I like to call it.
Judgers remember, your one-night cost more than my full month’s rent ($5 a night to be precise). 🤑5
I set the place up to make it feel like home even though it is tiny. As mentioned, I set up an office with backup power and internet if there was an issue.
I hung a 50″ TV, kickass Sonos speaker, laptop, and tablet so I was electronically set up.
I had my paddleboard on the wall again, fat tire bike, golf clubs, snorkel, and fishing gear ready. I have not touched any of them, yet. Honestly, they make me feel younger and ready to use if I get off my computer.
I bought a comfy mattress, beer fridge, air fryer, microwave, BBQ, Keurig.
People tell me; that nobody wants to travel like you. I take it like a compliment from the airport there frosty. ☃️ LOL!!
The thing that sticks with me is that people also compare me to my mom.
She was a simple Ukrainian who lived the same way in retirement. She lived in a small trailer in Yuma, AZ. and did a lot of things herself just like me. If they don’t like it, they can kiss my ass was one of her mottos later in life!
Mom was lucky enough to spend over 15 years as a snowbird living until 84. Seems like a good way to live to me and take it as a compliment. I miss you every day Mom and I am bragging not complaining!
I spent five weeks in the Philippines Islands in the fall of 2024. It reminded me of the importance of slow travel as I was able to immerse myself in The Philippines culture with a home base the entire time.
I rented an Airbnb studio condo for the full five weeks in Cebu City:
It reminded me of the awesome feeling of learning a new city and not having to rush.
I was able to live like a local and able to take advantage of the inexpensive lifestyle.
I was bringing American dollars, and everything was in Philippine pesos making everything super inexpensive. I had a local barber that I used every Monday for a $5 hot shave, drop-off laundry service was $4 a week, and a fast-food meal was a few dollars a week to give you an idea.
Everything you would do was so much cheaper too! I would get a chair massage almost daily $5 including a great tip. Going out to eat was amazing too as Cebu is a call center hub. Since they worked the overnight shift to support the Americas, everything was always open to keep the city moving.
I would see people going to work at 8 PM with McDonalds breakfast and coffee for example.
I could get my favorite Korean BBQ or noodle fix 24/7/365 at a fraction of the cost of back home. The next time you check your credit card bill or warranty and get The Philippines, just know they are eating well, LOL.
I have always seen the Emirates football (soccer) jerseys and Emirates Airline’s amazing first-class service on social media. An Uber driver once told me it was not expensive, and I have been intrigued ever since.
When I bought the Wizz Airlines all-you-can-fly pass, Abu Dabhi, and Dubai were at the top of the list. When I planned my European trip in the fall of 2024, I kept checking the standby availability and accommodation options. I was able to make it happen after Austria with a little logistics. I took a Flix bus from Vienna to downtown Budapest, Hungary, and an Uber to the airport. Once I arrived (hungover AF) I had a few hours to spare for my six-hour direct flight. Holy shit, it was happening!
I did not land in Abu Dabhi until later at night and was without a phone charger that was left on the bus in Budapest. After some currency math, I bought a $3 USB charger for 25 dollars at the Abu Dabhi airport. That allowed me to grab an Uber to my hostel. I grabbed my USD 30, 30-minute Uber and was on my way after the long self-inflected but I was knocking out a huge bucket list item.
Arriving at my hostel after midnight it was already quiet time which is normally 10 PM – 8 AM unless you’re at a party hostel like the Mad Monkey I stayed at in Palawan, Philippines as there was no quiet time. Damn kids, get off my lawn, LOL!
I was still fired up from the reality I was actually in Abu Dabhi and got to visit Dubai too. I went outside as they had a nice courtyard to relax. The first person I met was who we all called Bahrain as that is where he was from and that was easy to remember, and what an absolute GEM. He was wearing a traditional men’s abaya, smoking cigarettes, and drinking a beer.
If you know the culture, this is not normal, so he was my best friend immediately. We talked for a while and then both made our way to our shared room. It had seven single beds with an IKEA-type shelf for each assigned with a lock assigned to each bed. I unloaded my stuff as quietly as possible and hit the sack for about 4 minutes. The dude in the next bed was snoring like a chainsaw. As a reference, I am almost deaf in my right ear and could hear his through the pillow with my left ear, LOL.
This guy was Syria, my next best friend in the hostel after we hashed out the snoring in the morning which entailed “go get a hotel if you do not like it” which was fair, LOL.
Over the next several years days, Baharan, Seria, and I would spend a good amount of time talking.
Baharan (left) could not speak English so a lot needed interpreting, but his body language and animation made it pretty clear what was going on at most times. I was constantly laughing at him, and he knew it so kept up the entertainment. From a whoop whoop, nope nope, she/he broken, sad/happy face with loud YESS and NOO I got it.
Syria (right) was also an old soul for someone who was only 26 years old hanging out with Bahran and me in our 50s. He had been through so much in his young years with the war with Palestine that I would not even pretend to understand. Both of his houses and his restaurant were leveled in the fighting.
Some people in UAE would not associate with him because he was Syrian as well. It hurt so bad listening, but he had an amazing no-quit attitude. I got to Facetime with his beautiful fiancé who was in Michigan and could tell how much he loved her and missed her. Great news, I saw on IG that she was in Abu Dabhi, and they got married. I could not have been so happy for him as he deserves so much happiness.
Honestly, I was sad when Syria found a new place but happy for him as it would allow him to save money and start working again. I still got to hang out with Baharan a couple of times and felt even worse when he dropped me off at the airport a couple of days later even though his driving was scary AF. He gave me a hag and one of his head garments as we said goodbye:
I was back in London on my way back to America as I was at the end of my trip after visiting Varna, Bulgaria, Vienna Austria, Budapest Hungary, and both London Gatwick and Heathrow areas of London.
The amazing architecture in Abu Dabhi is almost impossible to share so added a Google link here to help share what I saw in the five days I was there. I also made a day trip to Dubai, but I will post about that amazing trip.
