OK - With the potential hope of an interested travel companion I have shifted gears. Going to Angkor Wat during our winter time is the best time because the jungle vegetation is alive along with the critters as it will be spring/summer there. Total Tomb Raider style. So what better way to celebrate New Years Eve than go visit and celebrate there. Departure on 12/30/16 with a return on 1/7/17.
After hours of research, I found a good hotel - Reveal Angkor Boutique Hotel (good reviews on Orbitz). Same deal as before - I blow miles on one of 3 airlines to get you there and you pay for your food, drinks etc.
The plan got altered slightly - decided to do New Years in Shanghai because I hear that is absolutely nuts. So leaving for there on 12/30/16 and moving on to Cambodia on 1/3/16 to stay until the 7th.
I'm 100% in for this schedule!