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Dec 2008
I Stand Corrected!
Hi Reb,
Hope you are well and enjoying the holidays wherever you may be. Always enjoy reading your travel articles in the Ottawa Citizen (reminds me of some fabulous places I have had the opportunity to visit). Read your Ipod Top 10 this week and your number 8 made me smile...love Toto and their song Africa...thought you might like to know of (perhaps add to your Ipod) another Kilimanjaro tune that actually ALSO successfully incorporates the word Kilimanjaro into the Lyrics - it's called, wait for it: Kilimanjaro by Johnny Clegg and Juluka, an incredible group, and the chorus goes a little like this: ♫ I'm sitting on the top of Kilimanjaro, I can see a new tomorrow ♪... great fun. (http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/juluka/kilimanjaro.html)
Safe travels,
Cheers,
f
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Best New Gear of '08
23/12/08 18:43 Filed in: Gear
The Ottawa Citizen asked me to put together a list of the best new travel gear of ’08. Here is what I coughed up:
The Flip Ultra Video Camera
What it is: A compact, cell-phone shaped video camera that records 60 minutes of digital footage. A built-in USB arm connects the gadget directly to your computer, which means one less wire in your frightening “techsessories” drawer.
Why it makes the list: It’s super portable, cheap enough to abuse and the single red button (record, duh) eliminates a lot of confusion. Watch out, YouTube, granny’s got a Flip!
What it costs: $159.99
Where to get it: Future Shop, Best Buy and Wal-Mart
TravelRest Pillow
What it is: An inflatable travel pillow that’s shaped like an extended comma. Sling the tether cord over the seat back on an airplane or car and cuddle the cushion.
Why it makes the list: The typical horseshoe travel pillow still leaves you feeling like your head is forming a right angle with your torso. This innovative device keeps your noggin upright. Bonus: when deflated it takes up minimal space in your luggage.
What it costs: $29.99
Where to get it: Capital City Luggage, 1337 Wellington Street West
Better Energy Systems Solio Classic Solar Charger
What it is: Tap into that big ball o’ burning gas and power up cameras, cell phones, mp3 players and GPS devices on the road. One hour of sun yields 20 minutes of talk time or 50 minutes of music on your iPod.
Why it makes the list: Flashpacking (tech-laden backpacking) is cool, and that “Morocco On Foot” blog is lookin’ mighty fine. But, sadly, hauling a ten-pound adapter supply through the Sahara is no mirage.
What it costs: $101 (yes you read that right, they just couldn’t shave off that extra dollar)
Where to get it: Mountain Equipment Co-Op
Heys xScale
What it is: The world’s smallest portable luggage scale, its digital display measures up to 110 lbs.
Why it makes the list: Because weight loss is always in. Especially when airlines are getting stricter with baggage allowances, you’re traveling to that S&M conference, and the clerk is asking you to remove weighty items from your bag as impatient co-travelers in the queue rubberneck.
What it costs: $30
Where to get it: Ottawa Leather Goods, 179 Sparks Street
What it is: A compact, cell-phone shaped video camera that records 60 minutes of digital footage. A built-in USB arm connects the gadget directly to your computer, which means one less wire in your frightening “techsessories” drawer.
Why it makes the list: It’s super portable, cheap enough to abuse and the single red button (record, duh) eliminates a lot of confusion. Watch out, YouTube, granny’s got a Flip!
What it costs: $159.99
Where to get it: Future Shop, Best Buy and Wal-Mart
What it is: An inflatable travel pillow that’s shaped like an extended comma. Sling the tether cord over the seat back on an airplane or car and cuddle the cushion.
Why it makes the list: The typical horseshoe travel pillow still leaves you feeling like your head is forming a right angle with your torso. This innovative device keeps your noggin upright. Bonus: when deflated it takes up minimal space in your luggage.
What it costs: $29.99
Where to get it: Capital City Luggage, 1337 Wellington Street West
What it is: Tap into that big ball o’ burning gas and power up cameras, cell phones, mp3 players and GPS devices on the road. One hour of sun yields 20 minutes of talk time or 50 minutes of music on your iPod.
Why it makes the list: Flashpacking (tech-laden backpacking) is cool, and that “Morocco On Foot” blog is lookin’ mighty fine. But, sadly, hauling a ten-pound adapter supply through the Sahara is no mirage.
What it costs: $101 (yes you read that right, they just couldn’t shave off that extra dollar)
Where to get it: Mountain Equipment Co-Op
What it is: The world’s smallest portable luggage scale, its digital display measures up to 110 lbs.
Why it makes the list: Because weight loss is always in. Especially when airlines are getting stricter with baggage allowances, you’re traveling to that S&M conference, and the clerk is asking you to remove weighty items from your bag as impatient co-travelers in the queue rubberneck.
What it costs: $30
Where to get it: Ottawa Leather Goods, 179 Sparks Street
Art Imitates Me
I recently received an email from a reader in Ottawa asking whether she could paint one of my photos (how very polite of her ask! I just steal stuff from the internet). Virginia Dupuis was inspired my story on The Mermaid Inn, located on Mermaid Street in Rye, England. Here is the result of her efforts:
MY PHOTO:
VIRGINIA’S PAINTING:
MY PHOTO:
VIRGINIA’S PAINTING:
Let it Snow(Flake)
15/12/08 16:29 Filed in: Gear
$59.00 at Steve’s Music (www.stevesmusic.com)
From my weekly travel gear column in
Tasting Termites
It’s hard to believe that I’m already on my 15th video (hear that horn? It’s my own. Toot, toot!).
On a serious note, thanks to everyone who has been watching, even if you’ve been watching through wincing eyes.
If you’ve missed something, it’s all available on my YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/rebstevenson. Please subscribe, rate and comment if you can.
On a serious note, thanks to everyone who has been watching, even if you’ve been watching through wincing eyes.
If you’ve missed something, it’s all available on my YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/rebstevenson. Please subscribe, rate and comment if you can.
Old San Juan: A Spicy Salsa of Culture
By Reb Stevenson
OLD SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - Carlos Sanchez brags that he can “conquer” me with salsa.
The 21-year-old has all the sex appeal of a kid brother. But there he stands outside Nuyorican Café, smoking a cigarette and eyeing me up with smug confidence.
“If you really want a girl, if you dance salsa, you can get her,” he insists.
“Ok. Show me,” I prompt, doubtful.
Read More...
Sweet Air-o-line..buh buh buh!
05/12/08 11:21 Filed in: Airports
“Oh look, they have Leavin’ on a Jet Plane!”
Ha. Charming. The first 1000 times.
Read the story online HERE
Cooler Carols
04/12/08 09:24 Filed in: Humor
BY REB STEVENSON
ILLUSTRATION BY SIMON OXLEY/ISTOCKPHOTO
Yule logs blazing? Gifting myrrh? Lords a-leaping? Come on carols, get with the times! Here are a couple of modernized holiday tunes that might be more at home on your iPod than grandpa’s record player.
Read More...
ILLUSTRATION BY SIMON OXLEY/ISTOCKPHOTO
Read More...