Goodbye winter. Average temperature in Mendoza, Argentina in January is 26°C (79°F).
Did I hear something about Malbec?
I fly to Santiago today. Looking for the best hiking and cycling I can find.
Coddiwomple (v.): to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination
Just purchased my second pair of Vargas pants for CAD $55 at MEC.
All my travel clothing needs be light, durable and multi-function.
I hate taxis. Uber seems a great alternative. I’m all about the sharing economy.
Once I finally created an account, it worked very well. Payment is all online. Even the tip.
I’d love to do a driving tour of Namibia and then Angola in a camper van. Namibia is currently my favourite tourist destination in Africa. Angola could be even better.
Dan spent 6 weeks driving Angola. Loved the nation. Felt very safe.
Read his trip report starting here – Angola Awaits
Angola’s tourism industry is relatively new, as much of the country was destroyed during the post-colonial civil war which ended in 2002. Unlike most countries in the region, which generally give US, EU, and many other citizens a visa on arrival or require no visa at all, Angola has complicated and onerous Soviet-style visa requirements (official letter of invitation, documents concerning purpose of travel, copy of travel itinerary, proof of funds, etc., all of which are sent back to Luanda for approval). This antiquated attitude to tourism places the country at a disadvantage in a competitive market for international tourism.
Andrew sent me a link to the kickstarter page of two guys trying to revolutionize backpack design.
I ordered one instantly. $189.93 USD delivered to Canada. (That’s the minimum package. They have other bundles with more accessories.)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
It arrived in time for Christmas.
I’m happy.
Quality is superb. These guys cut no corners. It includes a TSA lock. Classy touch.
VERY waterproof. VERY durable. … But heavier than I would like.
To save weight I’ll probably cut off the sternum strap as I rarely use it on my other packs.
I immediately went to cut off the duffel back handles (as backpack is my preferred carry) but they are integrated into the design of the shoulder straps.
By mistake they sent me two waist belts.
Nomatic has many other products. I’m assuming all their gear is great.
I got the 3-7 day Travel Pack. Their Backpack is optimized for 1-3 days.
Wirecutter recommends excellent competitors to this bag.
I’d love to be able to roll it through airports. Perhaps I’ll bring along a portable folding Luggage Cart on some trips.
This bag will replace my National Geographic Appalachian 20 Inch Upright Rolling Suitcase which does have wheels.
Egyptian Gymnastics Federation President ‘Bebo’ took some of the foreigners out to Khan el-Khalili (Arabic: خان الخليلي), a major souk in the Islamic district of Cairo.
We sipped mint tea and bubbled shisha at the same table where Putin and Saddam Hussein once sat.
Before I traveled to Egypt in 1994 all I knew about the nation was Naguib Mahfouz‘s novel Midaq Alley (1947) set in an alley in Khan el-Khalili.
Dinner was exactly my style. A tiny side street local joint with paper table cloths and feral cats waiting for leftovers.
First course was rice stuffed pigeon!
My second visit. The last 23 years ago.
The Egyptian Museum … home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities …
The Royal Mummies exhibition was closed for some reason. So for me the highlight was King Tut.
One shocker was seeing how Howard Carter and his team stacked these priceless relics after discovery in 1922.
Everyone in Egypt has the same reaction …
HOW did this civilization come up with so much technological innovation some 5000 years ago?
This museum is a MUST SEE if you get to Cairo.
No competition.
It’s cheaper to fly to an international destination than to a Canadian city.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Proposed Swoop, Jetlines, FlyToo and expanded Rouge may help. I’m not holding my breath.
Rick McCharles 