Category: travel

finally bought an iPod nano

On By Rick McIn Apple, music, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

In an unbelievable coincidence my beloved Rio Cali MP3 player popped out of it’s arm band holster and fell into a crack at the very summit of Tasmania. (I was scrambling the final rocky spire of Mt. Ossa, the highest peak.)

But as I am addicted to podcasts these days, I needed a replacement ASAP. An MP3 player is essential for travel.

I shopped the top Apple nano competitor, the Sansa. No likey.

While not perfect, the nano is pretty bloody brilliant. I love the size and tactile interface.

And it seems I solved the (AIDS) crisis in Africa by (buying( the 4Gb (red).

Wear your music (and heart) on your sleeve

When you choose the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition, you get an iPod nano in a bright red aluminum enclosure that tells the world you’ve chosen to join (PRODUCT) RED. And Apple contributes $10 of your purchase to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. It’s that simple.

The Apple Store (U.S.) – iPod nano

Nano.jpg

Australia killed 2433 tourists in 7 years

On By Rick McIn bad news, travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

Of the many places I have traveled, seems Australia is one of the most deadly.

But I was told those 2m long black-as-death Tiger snakes I kept stepping over on the Overland Track hadn’t actually killed a hiker since 1966.

Statistics have revealed the hidden toll Australia’s harsh environment takes on tourists with drowning the third most common cause of death.

Lifesavers said many tourists failed to see rips and wildlife experts said even a koala could “carve up” an inquisitive foreigner who invaded its space.

Between 2003 and 2005, 28 tourists drowned while 65 were killed in car crashes and another 276 died of natural causes.

Heat stroke claimed the lives of three tourists, seven died scuba diving or snorkeling, two died hiking, one died parachuting and another died after being bitten by an animal.

CDNN :: How Australia Killed 2433 Tourists in 7 Years

(via Two-Heel Drive)

Next travelogue on this trip >> photos – Hobart, Tasmania

hiking the Overland Track, Tamania

On By Rick McIn hiking, photos, travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

Tasmania has the best hiking in Australia. And in February it has the most temperate climate Down Under.

I headed straight for the Overland Track, named one of the top 10 treks in the world by the incontrovertible on-line authority — besthike.com !

The Overland was even better than expected.

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another smug summit money shot

With perfect weather I was able to scramble 3 side peaks including Cradle Mountain.

Check my trip report and annotated photos.

A Park Ranger told an incredible tale. He had arranged private transport to the hospital for a man who walked out of the trackless Tasmanian wilderness after 47 days. The adventurer had attempted to climb unsupported in series all the major peaks in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (13,800 km²).

The bloke had lost one third of his body weight, finally quitting after failing to summit the second most difficult mountain.

Next travelogue on this trip >> Australia killed 2433 tourists in 7 years

happy (belated) Australia Day

On By Rick McIn photos, travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

Finally starting to catch up posting my Aussie photos.

For Australia Day I was in Adelaide, South Australia. That morning I wandered Glenelg Beach and observed the Aussie festivities.

My hosts in Adelaide were terrific. I even got a day to go hiking in SA. The effects of the long Australian drought were evident. (In empathy with dry Australia I stayed dehydrated for most of my weeks Down Under!)

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more Adelaide photos on Flickr

One question, though. Why are all dogs in Adelaide small and white?

Next travelogue on this trip >> hiking the Overland Track, Tamania

Perth, Australia

On By Rick McIn photos, travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

I had a terrific time in Perth and Western Australia in WINTER – July 2003. (travelogue and photos)

This time I had just a fleeting few SUMMER days.

Perth is a lovely city and WA an amazing State, both absolutely booming economically right now. Housing prices have gone through the roof.

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more photos from Perth on Flickr

Perth, Australia – wikipedia

Next travelogue on this trip >> happy (belated) Australia Day

Brisbane, Australia

On By Rick McIn travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

I saw little of the city on my first visit to Brisbane. (Busy with 8hrs of gymnastics each day.)

But what I saw, I liked. The weather was perfect, even in the supposedly tropically hot summer.

I continue to be surprised how cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic are the Aussie cities. The wide range of different ethnic restaurants is a treat.

The population of Brisbane city is estimated at 971,757 (as of June 2005). Greater Brisbane has an estimated urban population of 1.81 million. …

Brisbane is claimed to have Australia’s highest rate of capital city population growth. The urban population reportedly grew by 11.5% between 1999 and 2004.

The last Australian Census in 2001 showed that 1.7% of Brisbane’s population are of indigenous origins, while 21.0% were born overseas. Approximately 13.5% of households speak a language other than English, with the most common being Chinese, Vietnamese and Italian. The median age across the city is 32 years old.

Brisbane – Wikipedia

I stayed right down town.

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more Brisbane photos

Next travelogue on this trip >> Perth, Australia

“if yer grandad was a convict …

On By Rick McIn travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

… clap your hands.”

Olde traditional Tasmanian song

My first visit to Tasmania.

From Melbourne I flew straight to Hobart in Tasmania. Historical evidence of the convict era is everywhere. Tourism is flourishing.

We drove up to Launceston (67,000) for a 1-day gymnastics clinic. My host, UK expat John Hargreaves, took me out for traditional fish and chips, the local brew, then a walking tour of town up into impressive Cataract Gorge. This is the principle tourist attraction in town and ideal for walkers such as John and myself.

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trip report on Cataract Gorge

Next travelogue on this trip >> Brisbane, Australia

I could live in Melbourne

On By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

I could live in Melbourne

I flew into Australia with HEAPS of American sports journalists headed there to cover tennis — the Australian Open.

I was headed towards the Sunburned Country for a series of gymnastics conferences.

I had fond memories of my only other trip to Melbourne in the early 1990s when I spent time daily in the fantastic Royal Botanic Gardens.

This time, I was housed close to wonderful St. Kilda beach.

Kilda.jpg
original – flickr

Each day I luxuriated in the St. Kilda Sea Baths: huge salt water jacuzzi pool and fragrant steam. They would make an ideal movie shoot location.

Cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic, what I like best about Melbourne are the thousands of eclectic restaurants and coffee shops. Food is not inexpensive, but it is excellent and diverse.

Gymnastics Victoria is located in the Chapel Street Precinct. I had a fine salmon at one of the many curbside restaurants. In St. Kilda district I sampled delicious Aussie lamb.

This city of 3 million has excellent public transport and good cycling routes.

The biggest story in Melbourne, however, is the 10-year-long drought. A map of the current grass fires is front and centre each day in the news. Global warming has not been good to this part of the world.

Have you invented a cost-effective desalinization process the Aussies should know about?

It seems a shame that a sea port should be so starved of H2O.

My photos of Melbourne on flickr.

Next travelogue on this trip >> “if yer grandad was a convict …”

DIAMANTE K

On By Rick McIn product endorsements, travel, TVLeave a comment

My favourite hotel on my favourite beach anywhere was the finish of an episode of Amazing Race. Cool.

Only 1200 meters from the breathtaking and legendary Mayan ruins of Tulum, an exclusive and quiet oasis can be found: Diamante K. It lies on beach front property of over one acre, and is surrounded by more than 200 palm trees.
Diamante K is an ecological hotel which features 30 cabanas; all powered by solar energy and located only 20 meters from the sea and a beautiful private beach.

DIAMANTE K

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Calgary airport #3 in the world

On By Rick McIn product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

Calgary does have a good airport. But service has declined over the years. There is no way it is better than Changi, Singapore (#4).

When Calgary first opened, luggage would be on the carousel by the time you got there. Those days are long gone.

Many travelers find themselves passing through Canada’s Calgary International Airport on their way to Banff and the Canadian Rockies in ski season, but there’s fun to be had no matter what time of year you find yourself in this airport.

Sign up for a “white hat welcome ceremony” and be greeted at your gate by a group of white-cowboy-hat-wearing volunteers, who’ll present you with your very own hat and Calgary-style welcome.

Proceed to baggage claim, where conveyer belts are anchored by rotating exhibits ranging from life-sized local animals to dinosaurs (all stuffed, of course). If you’ve got some time to kill, the airport also touts over 110 shops and restaurants with a “street-pricing” philosophy, guaranteeing prices won’t be padded.

Top 10 airports in the world – MSNBC