Hawaii – Oahu 2025 Day 1 and 2

Posted on November 26, 2025 by jmatie22

First day we left SFO at 6:30pm, and arrived at HNL at 10pm (40 minutes earlier than expected). Took a taxi to the hotel (next time would take an uber since it’s cheaper and less pressure to pay cash).

Arrived at the hotel / resort (Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort, Ali’i tower) at 10:30. Most of the shops in the resort were closed except the general store. So got some chips and High Noons, watches a bit of Pearl Habor and called it a night.

Next day woke up at 7:30am, and got coffee at a place called Lappert’s Hawaii. They also had ice cream. Wouldn’t probably go back for coffee since they don’t have oat milk, or hazelnut. But may go back for ice cream.

Also tried a spam musubi croissant for breakfast. Without the seaweed on top it tasted pretty good.

At 11am, arrived at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Put my name in the standby for the Arizona memorial, and got in at the 12:00pm slot. Visited the road to war museum while I waited near the visitor center.

The USS Arizona Memorial i think was worth it. The memorial is above the ship, and you could see parts of the ship penetrating the water line.

After the memorial headed to the USS Missouri using a shuttle (it is on Ford Island). I took the 35 minute guided tour, which I think is worth it to explain the significance of the ship with respect to WWII (took a tour of the bow, surrender deck where the Japanese surrendered, and the kamikaze deck where a Japanese pilot was found dead, but buried out to sea). After the guided tour, the 2nd deck was interesting. Although no weaponry, it focused on how it was like to live on the ship. It had the cafeteria, quarters, chief mess. Also going up to the bridge after was a different experience as well.

A history on the USS Missouri is that it was started to be built in Jan 1941 and finished 3 years later. It served in WWII, Cold War, and in the 80s.

Afterwards (after waiting 40 minutes for the shuttle) headed to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Because of time constraints, zipped by it fairly fast. Notable things I did look at was hanger 37 (start of the muses with Japanese Zero as the main showcase), the plane used in the Doolittle project, Hanger 79 (had planes like F-15a, and also mostly survived the attack.. and has a cool flag hanging in it) and the Ford Island control tower (looks like the movie).

Unfortunately was able to check out the USS Bowfin submarine (was 4 minutes late for the last entry).

One clear message from today: Freedom isn’t free.

Afterwards went to the hotel and caught a quick sunset at the beach at our hotel.

Then we headed for dinner near the Downtown / Chinatown area. Restaurant was called Yohei Sushi. Details can be found here:

https://food.johnmatienzo.com/2025/11/26/yohei-sushi/

Then head for drinks at a Tiki Bar in Chinatown. I will say that Chinatown area at night is a bit sketchy. However bars in it are good. Details can be found here on the bar:

https://food.johnmatienzo.com/2025/11/26/skull-and-crown/

Last stop of the night was at a more whisky themed based bar, also in Chinatown, called EP Bar. Details here:

https://food.johnmatienzo.com/2025/11/26/ep-bar/

Porto 2025 – Day 1

Posted on July 3, 2025 by jmatie22

Flew out from SFO using by Swiss Air. First leg was to Zurich. Paid 37K points (through chase portal) for economy, then upgraded to business for $1210 for the first leg. Definitely worth the upgrade. Got to use the Polaris lounge in SFO since they are a Star Alliance member (main thing in Polaris I got was Macallan 12. They also had Arran).

On the flight itself, remember to make sure that if you’re flying business, either choose the seat that has a lot of side table space, or the lone seat. Overall, great experience. No complaints about food (except that the cheese I think made not more gassy than usual, which did affect sleep). For the first 11 hour leg got 3 hours of work done, and watched 2 hours of shows before trying to sleep. Oh, and one thing they did not have was Aperol (they had Campari). They did have Rebel 0.0 non-alcohol spritz, so used that instead with (actual) champagne (but note Rebel is 15g of sugar, when daily intake should be 30g).

When landing in Zurich (ZRH), connecting flight we only had to go through passport control (not through security again). Could also use the duty free (at SF or Zurich) for alcohol since we were transferring from the US. In addition, since our flight to Porto was delayed, we were able to use the Business class Swiss lounge (I could bring an economy guest). ONE major complaint (which may deter me from flying through ZRH in the summer) is that it does not really use AC, so was sweating in the lounge. Fortunately the business class Swiss lounge had showers! Otherwise, food was subpar at that lounge (and even drinks). Only other good thing was the ice cream and Swiss chocolate.

When boarding my flight to Porto, they instantly upgraded me to business class (which was sweet for the free drinks but really didn’t want to eat more). and FWIW they have bottled Aperol spritz on that flight. Not sure if they upgraded me because of my previous business class ticket, or because I’m Star Alliance Gold)

When we arrived at Porto (OPO), unloading and picking up luggage’s was easy. Instead of ubering to the hotel, used a taxi.

When we got to the Hotel Dom Henrique Downtown, we checked out the 17th floor at this place to view the sunset (unfortunately could only view it through a window):

17 Restaurant and Bar

After, we wandered a slight it around the Aliados area (fairly clean, spacious architecture) walked to a Portuguese restaurant called Brasao, and tried the rissol and francesinha dishes.

Brasao

That pretty much ended out first day.

Mexico City 2023 – Day 1 and 2

Posted on December 16, 2023 by jmatie22

Flew out of SFO Friday at 2pm, and landed in CDM at 7:30pm. Immigration into Mexico was pretty easy. You just scan your passport, and you are in (no person or stamp).

Our AirBnB was in Roma Sur (south), which is conveniently located Av. Insurgentes (a street which seems fairly safe to walk during the day time, and has lots of shops and eateries).

Our first place we checked out is in the nightlife area of Roma, called Zona Rosa (apparently where the rich and gaybourhood is). We went to the 3rd best bar in the world, Handshake Speakeasy. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/16/handshake-speakeasy/

After, we walked around a bit. Got some tacos (at the Taconte place pictured below). They were just alright (so not blogging about it). Also checked out a “sort of club”. It was $4 per person to enter. Sound system and drinks were not good (and would not recommend).

I’d be down to explore the area again, but definitely need to really see reviews of places first before committing.

Before ending the first night we did try to find alcohol to take back to the AirBnb. FYI, seems like buying alcohol you can’t do past 2am in Mexico City. You can buy it at convenience stores like Circle K or 7 eleven. Also it is available by Uber eats. (You can buy it past 2am at circle k if you pay by cash).

The next day (our 2nd day), started by walking from our AirBnb to brunch on Av. Insurgentes street. As mentioned above, lots of shops and eateries, and also found an ATM to withdraw cash (at the BBVA bank).

For brunch, we went Marques. Details can be found here

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/16/maque/

After brunch we went to a nearby Park, Parques Mexico. Lots of things going on in it. It’s a place where people sell dogs, a dog park, people throwing frisbees, people salsa dancing, and some water fountains.

After, we walked towards the Condesa area, where I got some Starbucks, and also people clothes shopped. We also stopped by this Korean restaurant, Jowong, for drinks:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/16/jowong/

After we walked to our dinner place called Contramar. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/17/contramar/

After, we got drinks at a place called Limantour:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/18/limantour/

To end the night, we went to this club (they technically classify it as a bar) called Departamento. It has three floors, with the top being a rooftop club, and the middle floor looking like a warehouse. They played playa tech house music in the top floor, and more progressive in the middle floor. Would totally come back to this “club” (fyi, security does check thoroughly, and some people’s socks were checked).

Europe 2023 Day 1 – Ibiza

Posted on July 23, 2023 by jmatie22

Original plan was to leave SF at 3pm on a Saturday, then arrive aim Ibiza on Sunday 4pm (in time to catch Swedish house mafia), connecting through AMS. Plan was solid until my flight leaving SF was delayed 3 hours! Within those 3 hours tried to see if there was any other reasonable solution (ie not paying thousands) to get to IBZ at the same time. Was about to take a United flight to London Heathrow instead (several direct flights to IBZ from there), but then it got cancelled! Also tried to figure out a new flight to IBZ. Unfortunately had to get a non direct flight (stopping by Barcelona). Getting me there 4.5 hrs later.

Flight went by reasonably fast (was in Exonomy Plus with no one at the middle seat, and watched Suits for most of it, then got maybe 1 hour of sleep).

Arriving at AMS, taxiing to the gate was probably a good 15 minutes. When entering the airport, the walk to passport control was around 8 minutes. Then waited in line for 35 minutes (although they were actively asking if people had flights to catch within 30 minutes of the current time). After passport control, no re-entering security. Went to the aspire lounge aka Lounge 26 (covered by priority pass). The lounge was just meh (comparing to centurion). Only hot food was soup, and alcohol was self serve (only whisky was Red label).

On the positive side, sorta learning how to adapt to unexpected travel hiccups. Hopefully this is the only one on this trip!

FYI, vueling and posting the gates on google of the worst. Had to go to the airport website to find the gate info.

The flight to BCN (stop over) was around 2 hours. Vueling doesn’t have seats that recline, but alcohol they sell is cheap. When I got to BCN, my gate we landed to was at A12. The gate I needed to reach was B43. I basically sprinted for a good 10 minutes to make my connection. Super glad I made it.

Arriving at IBZ, got a taxi, where they accept cc. Arriving at the hotel, The Grand Palladium White Island, quickly checked in, then made my way to Ushuaia for Swedish house Mafia. Only caught an our, but it was truly satisfying.

After, went to the Ushuaia rooftop. Great view, but it’s just meh unless you go during the music (aka before 11pm) (great view of the stage).

The last place we stopped by this night was Elvissa (aka Ibiza Town). We had stopped by Calle de La Virgin (the Castro street of Ibiza). Because it was a Sunday, it wasn’t super happening, but I can see how it could be busy got G area. We had a drink at Cenote, where the vibe is mainly jungle themed. Had a Mojito Pina Colad (basically a Mojito wit a hint on Pina). Was pretty good.

We also did walk around the Ibiza Marina (Avinguda Andanes). Reminded me of Split, Croatia.

Croatia – Dubrovnik Day 15

Posted on August 16, 2021 by jmatie22

This day was basically spent traveling. Got the free breakfast from my hotel (scrambled eggs and chicken sausage, which was meh since it wasn’t hot). Then Checked out of my hotel at 10am and took an Uber to the Airport.

Ok, most stressful airport experience so far (not because of anything COVID related, but because of waiting and so many checkpoints). Here’s the breakdown (FYI this flight is going from DBV to JFK using Delta Airlines):

10:50 – arrive at airport and got in line for boarding pass (while in line they ask you if you did a COVID test (but they don’t check) and to fill out this attestation form: https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-planning-center/know-before-you-go/attestation)

11:43 – got boarding pass and went to passport gate control (I didn’t get asked to show my COVID test when I got my boarding pass, but the person beside me had to show theirs on their phone)

12:05 – went through passport gate control and went in line for security baggage check

12:12 – finished with security and went to actual passport control (no line)

12:17 – in line for last checkpoint (for US bound flights only). They asked if I bought anything. I said a t-shirt

Did create the Defected Spotify playlist as I waited: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1bFR61TYCVfytsvcSASNix?si=Nx404zKNSX2zl4N7afw_xw&dl_branch=1

In short, I see why some people say you need 3 hours at the airport for international flights. If I did 2 hours, I would’ve missed my flight.

It is also interesting to note that at the gate, there is a cafe bar to get coffee, beer, Prosecco, whisky, etc. Super glad that was there.

The flight itself was pretty standard. 2 meals, pillow and blankets, free unlimited whisky, and watching Below Decks.

Got to JFK 30 minutes a head of schedule. Global Entry was super fast (they now have facial recognition. No need to use a card!).

Chilled at the Wingtips lounge at terminal 4 for a couple of hours (needed to drink 3 lattes to help keep awake because of the time change). Then proceeded to the gate for my flight to SFO!

Croatia – Split Day 1

Posted on August 2, 2021 by jmatie22

Left SFO around 7:55pm on 7/31, and took a Swiss flight from SFO to Zurich, Switzerland. The flight experience was actually really good. They served free Glenlivet (so got 4 of those), two meals (dinner and breakfast), and had blankets and pillows. They also had free snacks and bottles of water laid out for “overnight to” eating. One key decision I did also make is upgrade my seat to an exit row, where I basically had unlimited leg room. From the above, the 11 hour flight went by pretty fast (and also binge watching Below Deck season 4 while buzzed helped).

When I arrived at Switzerland, didn’t have to go through passport control. However, there was security, where they did a pretty thorough screening of my personal bag (I think because there was a good amount of electronics). One thing to call out though is that the mocha from the airport did make my stomach upset.

The flight from Zurich to Split went by fast (basically a bit over an hour). When arriving at Split, passport control had a pretty long line, but went through it after 20 minutes. After, there was a declarations control area, where it looked like they were randomly picking who went through it.

From the Airport, we took an Uber to get to our AirBnb (30 minute drive that cost about 500 Kunas). Our AirBnB is at a pretty central location (5 minute walk from the main part of town).

After settling in the AirBnb, we first had dinner at an outdoor fast food place called Fast Good 058 (where I just had fries since I wanted to stick to something basic). Then we headed to a street called Obala Hrvatskog Preporoda (translated to Coast of the Croatian Renaissance ), where they have a good amount of nightlife and restaurants/bars going on. We checked out Roof68, where they were playing some house / tech house music. Drinks were ok (not cheap though), but I did like the vibe.

Hawaii – Kona Day 1

Posted on November 19, 2020 by jmatie22

Flew out of SFO at 11am, which was a different experience from flights before since everyone was wearing masks, and no alcohol was being served on the plane. Landed in Kona at 2:30pm, where they scanned the QR code from travel.Hawaii.gov that had my negative COVID test results. Interestingly enough I didn’t have to get a second rapid test at Kona, since apparently only 25% of people since Nov 6 we’re getting the second test.

After getting off the plane and getting our Jeep Wrangler (Sahara) from Hertz (prepaying was definitely a cheaper option), we headed off to our AirBnb near Magic sand beach, then did a pit stop in Safeway for some supplies. We then met up with other friends in Kona in the main part of town (Holualoa)at a restaurant called The Fish Hopper and Seafood Steaks. Here’s more info on the restaurant:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/11/19/the-fish-hopper-seafood-and-steaks/

http://travel.johnmatienzo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/img_6653.mov

Starting off South America 2017 at the Airport Lounge

Posted on November 19, 2017 by jmatie22

Title says it all (at the KLM lounge using my Priority Pass provided by my Reserve card). Overall, I was pretty satisfied with the food and alcohol 🙂

SFO -> HND

Posted on November 21, 2016 by jmatie22

Arrived at Tokyo yesterday at 2:35 PM. Clearing customs was super fast and easy. Figuring out the train to Sugamo was also not bad, but had a bit of difficult at first since Google maps didn’t recognize my hotels address (apparently because it’s super new). But after loading my Suica card with 1000 yen (which had a previous balance of 500 yen), I was ready to go!

I met up with Ben at Sugamo station, and we headed to my hotel. We were planning to go to the on-sen at my hotel, but they didn’t open till 5pm, so we check out his place.

After chilling for a bit, we went back to my hotel, and check out the on-sen. For the most part, it was similar to the Korean Spa we tried in New York, but slightly better.