We bring you the world’s smallest capitals, travel to Ethiopia churches, a good Amex business cards guide, an interview by Starwood’s former CEO, a visit to a Romanian resort town, how babies flew in the 50’s, photos of international border places, give you Uber $15 credit and more!
TBB Blog Mission: To Entertain. Educate. Inspire. In That Order!
You can support TBB by applying for CREDIT CARDS, shopping with our AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK & clicking our REFERRAL LINKS. Thank you!
This will be short (I hope) as finally the worthy material slowed down…
There was an interesting interview by Starwood’s former CEO who has been missing in action since he left Starwood back in 2015. Well, he was writing a book and sounds pretty interesting stuff. Includes personal stories which is always pretty interesting stuff and not like so many boring blogs I filter through for you every day! Other than he mentions he includes personal stories in his book, he kept it completely CEO BS speak in the interview as usual which may carry to the book 🙂
You may get $15 if you are an existing Uber user by doing this.
The Gunnar dude with yet another version of his world capital series which I just LOVE! Ok, up next: The World’s Smallest Capitals. I thought I got the smallest capital right, I was so sure it was Vatican City. WRONG! Here they are:
1. Ngerulmud, Palau – 391 people
2. Vatican, Vatican – 1,000 people
3. San Marino City, San Marino – 4,128 people
4. Palikir, Federated States of Micronesia – 4,600 people
5. Vaduz, Liechtenstein, 5,429 people
6. Funafuti, Tuvalu – 6,025 people
7. Valletta, Malta – 6,444 people
8. Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis – 13,000 people
9. Roseau, Dominica – 16,582 people
10. Belmopan, Belize – 19,458
Screw it, slow day so here are the biggest capitals in the world too:
1. Beijing, China – 22 million people
2. Delhi, India – 17 million
3. Tokyo, Japan – 14 million
4. Manila, Philippines – 13 million
5. Moscow, Russia – 12 million
6. Cairo, Egypt – 10.2 million
7. Jakarta, Indonesia – 10.1 million
8. Kinshasa, Congo – 10.1 million
9. Seoul, South Korea – 10 million
10. Dhaka, Bangladesh – 8.9 million
I am appalled by the actions towards immigrants from the new US administration. so so wrong! The US has more immigrant inventors than every other country combined. I better stop…
The personal finance related link has a travel connection:What’s in and what’s out for retirees in 2017. Let me recap for you:
What’s out: Full Retirement
What’s in: Gigs
What’s out: Relocating in retirement
What’s in: Remaining in place
What’s out: Vacations
What’s in: Experiences
I despise sponsored trips as you will not say any good things if you ever wanted a similar score. Then again, this was a place that has been on my list every time I saw it. Exploring Ethiopia and its incredible rock churches.
Very cool stuff. 23 striking photos of international borders.
A Romanian paradise fading away. Vama Veche goes to shit!
Flying with a baby in the 1950’s.
BLOG BUZZ
This section is for advanced level users and veteran blog readers.
Apparently there will be another Hilton promotion effective February 1st. I am not going to bother you until the registration link is up, this blog is not dependent on page views—–>$.
Good comparison of the American Express Business Cards.
Remember, Award Wallet price goes up February 1st.
And I leave you with this…
Check out my updated blog lists: Blogs I Love, Blogs I Like, Blogs To Ignore
TBB
travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
Follow TBB on Twitter @FlyerTalkerinA2
You can subscribe to TBB below, winners only!
Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Morning all.
Am I first?!
Argh! I had some Server 500 error – at least I beat ScottCastle #lifegoals 🙂
Thanks for including Dustin’s post in your roundup! Have a good day!
Geez, two seconds ago it wasn’t even posted!
ScottCastle is missing!
Buzz-
With UA Basic Economy, would the Mom in the photo have to check the baby and pay the extra luggage fee?
In Basic Economy, the baby would have to go in the cargo hold for a nominal $100 fee.
Kinda wish they had something similar to the baby bassinet in the photo, only for your teenagers. It would be located on the wing!
Lalibela churches have been on my list for awhile, might have to plan that for next year. Lots of other cool stuff in Ethiopia, too including Aksum where the Ark of the Covenant is allegedly kept…I know you aren’t allowed to see the alleged artifact and it’s not proven but still would be cool.
Funny comments on checking that baby you guys…
Soooo happy to be “not trendy” in that whats in-out retirement list…
Anyone read Frequent Milers long-winded post? I fell asleep.
The guy needs a new editor to cut down on the verbiage.
Maybe he’ll do another post on Nekker Island. Guy is a complete fraud
Agree SumOfAll. No longer a fan of FM at all.
I have bookmarked that post and I will get to it.
I think you guys are awfully harsh on FM. Still trying to post original content and he could have gone mad in pimping direct cc affiliate links…
If he reads this: I still have your gloves!
Please stop berating our President and show some respect to our Country. You came here from another country and we did let you live here but since that time you really have been taking more from us than you have given to U.S. Yes, you help rich people invest their wealth, but really, what sacrifices have YOU made for this country. A net taker than giver. Always working the system aren’t you? You said you are still a citizen of Greece, if you do not like our President, I am sure they will take you back. There are many of us who read comments like yours about OUR President by unappreciative immigrants like yourself and we get sick to our stomach. I know I will now get attacked for this comment, but rest assured there are many, many, many millions more who are afraid to go online that are sick of seeing these ungrateful, self entitled people come here, degrade our country at our expense.
No attack here, just an opposing view.
Thank you for expressing the beliefs of the majority.
So weird. Donald Trump is a crazy person so lets see where he takes us.
But by the sound of MaryPoo’s words she’s a little unstable too. Does she not realize that every person in this country was an immigrant. How does she think her family got here originally? No the angry dumb white power Trump fans feel like America somehow belongs more to them. It is so selfish. Black brown and yellow are just as American as you are TrumpNutMary. And I say this as a white guy. You make us all look bad.
Additionally, and still not attacking…
TBB pays his taxes, he’s raising his kids to be good people, he advises people with wealth on how to grow their wealth in a way that I’m sure the IRS supports. (Essentially the anti-trump in terms of lifestyle)
I also don’t personally believe that millions of people are afraid to comment.
All Trump disciples know is attacking. They’re following a lunatic and acting like this is about politics.
I thought I might point out the irony of you claiming the “all they know is attacking” the illinformed poster by attacking and insulting her in multiple posts. Just saying that its a tad bit disingenious
Good point. Just so you know John has consistently attacked…so many 🙂
SumOfAll –
She deserves all of that and much more. I don’t mind picking fights with people who deserve it. People who ignore the crazies aren’t nicer or better than the ones who fight back. Comparing unintelligent ranting to passionate arguments is like comparing Donald Trump to an actual politician.
Also you’re the same person who just called someone a “complete fraud” a few hours ago.
Im not the one complaining that one side “does all the attacking”
Key in using quotes is actually quoting the words that were used. Otherwise you just look dumb.
Thanks MaryLou for taking the time to comment. How long have you been reading by the way?
I am consistent. I think Trump is a mentally unstable, selfish, narcissist, ignorant bully buffoon. And I will say whatever I want to say in my blog. Because…this is America and no way I am going back to Greece…but I will if I can find me Business Class awards to burn some AA miles woohoo!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>You came here from another country and we did let you live here
Thank you for letting me live here (smh in oblivion). So, where did your ancestors come from?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>what sacrifices have YOU made for this country
Please go first.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>A net taker than giver.
Look at your President before you speak!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Always working the system aren’t you?
Why are you so angry?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>You said you are still a citizen of Greece, if you do not like our President, I am sure they will take you back.
This.Logic.Makes.No.Sense.WTF
>>>>>>>>>>>>>here are many of us who read comments like yours about OUR President by unappreciative immigrants like yourself and we get sick to our stomach.
For the sake of your stomach, I would suggest reading Rene’s Points, you may even find his reviews of Delta sandwiches much better for it!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> rest assured there are many, many, many millions more who are afraid to go online
You don’t sound you are afraid. Are you related to Ingy by any chance?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>ungrateful, self entitled people come here, degrade our country at our expense.
So, lets build a fucking wall….
I am not self entitled, I gave up the Elite status addiction in 2012, so there!
I love my blog! Screw pumping affiliate links, the entertainment factor is off the charts!
Brenton and John: Thanks for the support. This is a window opening to our current society.
The angry part gave it away – gotta be Ingy trolling, LMAO. Well whoever it is, WTF? Doesn’t even make sense in parts but although I’ve not met you personally you’re obviously contributing what most of us are – working a solid job, raising a family, and presumably not running a meth lab in your shed 🙂 Picking on someone because they’re a recent immigrant and not 3rd, 4th, whatever generation is silly and ignorant.
Mary Lou sounds a bit unhinged, maybe she should sign up for some CCs and plan a nice relaxing trip to the Maldives or….dare I say it….Vendome!!!!!
I don’t like Trump one bit for many reasons but I became apathetic/cynical about politics several years ago…so I don’t get too excited one way or another but keep posting whatever you want here it’s your blog!
The irony of my political apathy is I’ve been heavily into ancestry research the past couple of years and am a distant cousin to both Barack Obama and George W. Bush…go figure!
Anyway ignore douchebag trolls like this.
“we did let you live here ”
I guess you are Native American, otherwise…shut up.
Throwing facts at Donald Trump is like throwing rocks at a ghost. You can’t argue with crazy as they say. But even Trump is more sane than people like Mary who are full of hate and ignorance and came out of the woodwork. He gave permission for all the dumb racist hicks to feel empowered. Mary you are the worst kind of American. Why don’t you leave?
Picking a fight with our second largest trading partner now….Shit, tequila and quacamole will go up 20%. Border tax??????? WTF!!! Maybe it is time to sell my Ford stock #crying
I think they are 3rd biggest. Alt facts?? Just worth mentioning
TBB, you definitely should’ve stayed in Greece. Maybe that country wouldn’t be going downhill if you were still there!!
I doubt it…Greece has very deep structural problems. But I ll take that as a compliment, thank you.
It is a compliment and you’re welcome!
Love your blog but I don’t know what move your taking about dealing with immigrants, unless you mean reviewing stronger screening measures from war zones. Maybe your confusing moves about ILLEGAL immigration. But you did not say that. And I do not think there are huge numbers of illegal immigrants inventing stuff in the USA but am open to being proven wrong.
I am not sure if you noticed but he is not saying “illegal” much these days.
US is a nation of immigrants. Walls are a giant waste of money and resources and hurts what this nation stands for. And having the audacity to get Mexico to pay for the wall, our 2nd largest trading partner, instituting border tax is just plain WRONG.
The Muslim countries we are now going to ban from coming here are human beings trying to flee wars man! We do have the toughest vetting procedures (too tough imho) and takes years to get here….so making them tougher/banning them is just plain WRONG.
Something sensible needs to be done about the illegal immigration problem, it is not easy. If it was, it would have been solved by now. Mass deportation is sure not it.
Smallest capitals –
Palau is a freaking country? As it says on my Flyertalk signature line, “You can’t be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline.” – Frank Zappa.
Lol good one!
Mary Lou, you aren’t more American than the rest of us. But you are a more embarrassing American. Please deport yourself.
I am waiting any moment for the “genius” marketing dept at Spiriti Airlines to come up with a hideous campaign around this to sell more plane tickets…
who is crazier mary or the donald? watching that interview last night was like watching a mental patient who got keys to the kingdom
George, a few days ago I half jokingly asked if you were attending FTU Advanced next month. Unsurprisingly, you said no. Are there any gatherings that you would suggest? I went to Chicago Seminars years ago, when I was pretty new to this, and want to attend another, and you have a different take than most bloggers. Thanks.
Troll City in here today.
😀