As I write this post, I'm sitting in my room at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, reflecting on my many memories of 2011. From my trips to Hawaii, to making friends with people from all around the world, 2011 will be a year that I remember for a very long time. I was fortunate to visit eight new countries, which was something that I had not planned on, but I'm certainly not regretting.

Some of my most memorable trips include:

Charleston, S.C. Hong Kong Kauai Paris Sao ...

Part 1 – Introduction Part 2 – AA Five Star Service (JFK), JFK Flagship Lounge, AA #3 JFK-LAX Flagship First Class Part 3 – LAX Flagship Check-in, LAX Flagship Lounge, Encounter Restaurant, AA #247 LAX-KOA First Class Part 4 – Four Seasons Hualalai: The Experience Part 5 – Four Seasons Hualalai: Details and Strategy Part 6 – Hawaiian #207 KOA-HNL First Class, HA KOA Lounge Part 7 – Halekulani Part 8 ...

Overall, this year has been a very light year for me because of some things going on in my personal life.  However, I have been able to gain some new destinations and routes along the way in my travel this year.  So without further adieu, the new cities I have been to or through this year:

Vancouver Seattle London The more interesting thing has been the new lines I've encountered this year, and already looking for some more new lines in January of the new ...

Part 1 – Introduction Part 2 – AA Five Star Service (JFK), JFK Flagship Lounge, AA #3 JFK-LAX Flagship First Class Part 3 – LAX Flagship Check-in, LAX Flagship Lounge, Encounter Restaurant, AA #247 LAX-KOA First Class Part 4 – Four Seasons Hualalai: The Experience Part 5 – Four Seasons Hualalai: Details and Strategy Part 6 – Hawaiian #207 KOA-HNL First Class, HA KOA Lounge Part 7 – Halekulani Part 8 – Honolulu Activities – Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head Run, ...

Let me preface my comments by saying that I am 6'5.  Thus I am a lot more sensitive to legroom than many travelers.  So if you are shorter, take my comments with a grain of salt.  

Overall, the flight was exactly as I expected, mediocre food, crushing legroom, and an average flight crew.  For my flight out, I was able to secure two seats to myself on a 777 by paing the premium seat buyup of $39 (fortunately I won't have to pay that again).  I was able to get ...

Part 1 – Introduction Part 2 – AA Five Star Service (JFK), JFK Flagship Lounge, AA #3 JFK-LAX Flagship First Class Part 3 – LAX Flagship Check-in, LAX Flagship Lounge, Encounter Restaurant, AA #247 LAX-KOA First Class Part 4 – Four Seasons Hualalai: The Experience Part 5 – Four Seasons Hualalai: Details and Strategy Part 6 – Hawaiian #207 KOA-HNL First Class, HA KOA Lounge Part 7 – Halekulani Part 8 – Honolulu Activities – Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head Run, ...