Lonely Planet soon DEAD to me?

On July 30, 2013 By Rick McIn books, dead to me, economics, internet, things getting worse, travelLeave a comment

I love Lonely Planet.

But not — perhaps — for much longer.

The end of guide books? Lonely Planet lays off one-third of editorial staff

Venerable travel guide brand Lonely Planet, which has bounced from owner to owner in recent years, just announced some bad news: They’re slashing staff on three continents and getting rid of much of their content staff. Almost 100 jobs were slashed in Melbourne, Australia alone, and additional layoffs were made at Lonely Planet’s London and Oakland offices. …

Update: According to an email from a Lonely Planet publicist, “Print will continue to be part of the mix” for the company.

END OF AN ERA: LONELY PLANET SLASHES CONTENT JOBS

They say they’ll switch to more digital format, more user generated content.

The time’s not right. Yet.

Show me a worthy digital alternative to a Lonely Planet guidebook?

Africa is HUGE

On July 13, 2013July 11, 2013 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

Flying to Africa twice last year. And hoping to return in 2014, I was shocked how much BIGGER that continent is than I had thought.

public transportation out of Seattle

On July 9, 2013July 7, 2013 By Rick McIn product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

Crazy good. So much better than most of the rest of the USA.

I took the train from SeaTac airport to the Seattle-Bremerton Ferry. It’s a breeze.

more photos

To get all the way to Port Townsend from SeaTac costs is only about $6.25.

Want to get into Olympic National Park?

EASY.

My favourite way to get to Canada is by the inexpensive Black Ball ferry — Port Angeles to Victoria, BC. (90 minutes)

Sunrise Point, Hurricane Ridge

On July 8, 2013July 8, 2013 By Rick McIn friends, hiking, travelLeave a comment

They’ve had some INCREDIBLE weather up at Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park lately.

Opening up GREAT HIKING as the snow melts.

more photos from our day hike

Thanks Diana.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

On July 6, 2013July 1, 2013 By Rick McIn food, travel, TVLeave a comment

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown is an American travel and food show on CNN which premiered on April 14, 2013.

episode 8 – “Congo”

Tony visits Congo, the setting of one of his favorite books, Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, and the basis for one of his favorite movies, the classic Apocalypse Now.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

visiting Westpoint

On July 2, 2013June 29, 2013 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

A beautiful setting. Much history.

The United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA), also known as West Point, Army, The Academy, or simply, The Point, is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City.

The campus is a popular tourist destination complete with a large visitor center and the oldest museum in the United States Army.

Cadets are required to adhere to the Cadet Honor Code, which states that “a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” The academy bases a cadet’s leadership experience as a development of all three pillars of performance: academics, physical, and military. …

All cadets reside on campus and dine together en masse on weekdays for breakfast and lunch. The academy fields fifteen men’s and nine women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports teams. … (including Gymnastics)

Colloquially, freshmen are plebes, sophomores are yearlings or yuks, juniors are cows, and seniors are firsties. …

QUIT Budget rent-a-car

On June 28, 2013 By Rick McIn product complaints, travelLeave a comment

In the past, I’ve found Budget as good as anyone.

But my recent rental out of JFK airport in NY revealed problems.

The vehicle was fine, a Kia Rio.

I rented and (oddly) prepaid online for 3 days. That was $30 / day plus a bewildering slew of add-on charges and taxes.

$136.23

Calling in to ADD an extra day was a hassle. It took 5-6 phone calls. I kept getting cut off near the end of the transaction.

For the extra day I was told the charge would be $69.76.

But on return of the vehicle, I was billed an extra $111.62. (More confusing taxes and charges.)

Deceptive and confusing pricing.

On a vehicle advertised to me for “$30 / day” I paid $111.62 for one day.

Budget rent-a-car SUCKS. 😦

I’ll boycott the company for life.

If you’re still not convinced, here’s Budget JFK when I returned the car.

None of the other agencies looked crowded.

I speculate that Budget offers low, appealing rates online. Then overcharges for every possible other thing.

Poor service, too. At least it was for me.

I recommend you ask for the total, TOTAL cost when renting a vehicle. And avoid Budget if you can.

The Soul Spot, Brooklyn, NY

On June 28, 2013June 26, 2013 By Rick McIn food, friends, travelLeave a comment

We wandered dark streets from the Brooklyn Bridge, looking for the greatest local restaurant in greater New York.

And found it. 🙂

Bare-bones and fluorescent-lit, this place looks like a hundred other storefront steam-table soul-food joints. But something extraordinary must be going on back in the kitchen.

“Supersavory” chicken and dumplings tread a delicious murky brown gravy.
… Nicely seasoned collards actually show signs of life—a refreshing departure from the norm—while sweet, juicy yams pack a cinnamon-sugar punch. …

NY Magazine review

Rockin’ agrees.

Urban Spoon – The Soul Spot 94%

Yelp – The Soul Spot

Shewchuks at the Brooklyn Bridge

On June 26, 2013 By Rick McIn friends, travel1 Comment

Logistics were challenging — did you know New York is crowded, unfriendly, expensive and impossible to drive? — but I managed to rendezvous with the Shewchuks on their family holiday to NY City.

Riverside wine bar.