Category Archives: Travel

Personal GPS tracking

In exploring handheld GPS units I came across something that was really interesting and has a lot of fun promise. It is the SPOT Personal Tracker.

The Personal Tracker is a device that you can carry with you while traveling on remote, or not so remote, adventures. It uses the same GPS satellite systems that other GPS receivers do, which means that it will work globally, and in places where cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent. The devise promises several nifty features that could be very handy and fun.

For example, you can set the unit to track your progress every 10 minutes and send a message back to friends and family to let them know your location. You can even allows people to follow your progress on a website—a fun way to share someone’s adventure with them. I can see those intrepid individuals who climb mountains or sail solo across the ocean, or even something less grand like driving across the country, making use of this for family.

You can have the unit send an “all OK” message to a list of people to give them periodic evidence that you have not fallen off a cliff. And in the case of a real emergency it has a 911 button which transmits your location to rescue operations and lets them know you need immediate help.

These all sound like great features, especially when the unit costs only about $100. However, in reading reviews and exploring the SPOT website, it may be an idea whose time has not quite come.

Reviews of the device are mixed, with more positive reviews than negative to be sure, but the negative reviews are consistent in topic. Mostly the complaints are that the unit does not obtain satellite lock as well as regular handheld GPS units, so in places with forest cover or in canyons that have limited access to the sky, the unit may not be able to transmit the location. This might not be so bad if it lost connection periodically, but seems to be a consistent issue.

The second issue that negative reviewers mention is that the website interface that SPOT provides is often, well, “spotty.” In order to use the device you must pay a subscription fee (basic fee looks to be about $100/year, with additional options available). And there are many complaints about the unit not being able to correctly contact the web system to update it. For example, if you arrange to send an “OK” message everyday at a certain time as a check in, the system might well not register it, leaving those tracking you wondering if it was a system error or something more serious.

Out of curiosity I visited the SPOT webpage to look it over, and I must say I was not impressed with what I saw. For a company offering a “high-tech” service, I could not get the webpage to function correctly. It may just be my browser, but the pull-down menu items flashed on and off and I could not navigate—it did not inspire me with confidence.

So, I guess I have to agree with the reviewers that this unit might be fun to play with, and it has great promise, but it might not be something to risk your life with. Although if this brand does not fully meet expectations I bet one will sometime soon—it is a great idea. If you know of other brands out there let me know and we can look into them.

Gamboa

Guest Post:

If you ever travel to Panama you want to be sure to visit Gamboa.  Gamboa is right in the middle of the rain forest. I know that may sound like a strange idea – going to the tropics and deliberately going into the rain forest but here’s what’s cool and different about this Panamanian  Rain Forest – It’s only 17 miles from Panama City and the Pacific Ocean. So, if you are staying at one of the Panama Hotels in the city you can drive in and out of this rain forest in less than an hour.

The Gamboa Rain Forest Resort

Now what’s really special about Gamboa is the Gamboa Rain Forest Resort. This Panamanian Resort is located smack dab inside the Soberania National Park where it sits on the banks of the Chagres River. The Chagres is part of the Panama Canal so just one of the bonuses of visiting here is seeing the huge ships, including some beautiful cruise ships, pass right by the front door. Although you can stay at Gamboa for the day and take in it’s long list of eco-tours and activities I recommend staying over at the resort at least a few nights. The Gamboa Resort is one of the most stunningly beautiful luxury hotels and resorts in Panama. Many visitors comment that it’s just like staying at a luxury beach resort only in the jungle rather than on a beach.

Gamboa Eco-Tours

The Gamboa resort does have a huge, beautiful pool but it’s really not the kind of place where you want to lie around. Gamboa is all about adventure, eco-adventure. There are over a dozen different eco-tours you can participate at Gamboa Rain Forest Resort. One of the most popular is a boat trip to Monkey Island. I don’t need to tell you what that is all about and why kids love it so much! For the sportsman there is some of the best fresh water fishing around right on Lake Gatun. You can either rent a boat or take one of the Sport Fishing Tours where you are sure to learn about all of the ‘hot spots’.  Gamboa is also known for it’s Aerial Tram which takes you up into the rain forest canopy to discover numerous birds and wildlife you won’t see on the ground.

More than just the Panama Canal

So, if you thought Panama was just a small country with a big shipping canal think again! Panama has it all from beautiful beaches to historic sites to modern cities to the wonders of the Gamboa Rain Forest. The next time you’re planning a trip may I suggest you try something new, visit Panama!

A Closer Look At A Diverse Brisbane

Guest Post

Brisbane, located in Australia, is much different then many of the tourists destination throughout the world. It offers a diversity in the available activities for one to enjoy, and it is all within a short distance to the center of the city. In the city, itself, you can enjoy a wonderful day shopping at some of the greatest stores around and dining at the many locales throughout. There are street side markets, local cuisine and talent spread out in this city area. When the night time comes rolling in the fun does not have to stop. There are a variety of clubs, shows and concerts for you to enjoy before you call it a day.

If you want to venture outside of Brisbane there is also much for you to see and do. There are fabulous beaches, great parks, thrilling amusement parks and incredible rain forests, all a short drive away. You can spend a day touring the local vineyards, talking a tour through the rain forest or having a picnic in the park.

One thing that everyone loves, about Brisbane, is the spectacular views that it offers. The views from Kangaroo Point and Story Bridge are like no other that you will ever witness. Let us also not forget about the cliffs that overlook the city, as they too offer some of the most breathtaking views anytime of the day.

The Moreton Bay area makes up one that’s unbelievably contrasting. It extends the unparalleled experiences of the Moreton Harbor and among Australia’s biggest marinas, then merely a scant ferryboat ride away you’ll witness the tender dunes of Moreton Island. This unbelievable island escape can be ideal for a day of four wheeling as well as dolphin watching or remain a couple of days at the astounding Tangalooma Resort or camping along the shore of this exquisite tropic island.

While visiting Brisbane you are also guaranteed that the weather will be perfect for the beach. Brisbane has year round moderate temperatures, which makes for a great escape when the colder months set in. There is such a diverse selection of activities and entertainment in Brisbane that you can be sure everyone will find something to enjoy.

There are numerous brisbane hotels that you can choose from while planning your Brisbane holiday. When you are ready to reserve your brisbane accommodation go to www.brisbaneinformation.com.au.

Complete Your Vacation By Scuba Diving in Hawaii

Guest Post

Some of the most popular activities on the beautiful Hawaiian islands are, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and much much more. Scuba diving in Hawaii is one of the most popular things to do, and you shouldn’t skip out on it.

Hawaii has many companies which offer scuba diving tours. All of them have certified and professionally trained instructors. If you are brand new to scuba diving they will help you with the basics so that you can enjoy your tour. If you already have your certification, they can still take you out to some of the most popular dive spots.

Hawaii also offers the chance for you to get your certification while you are there. Most of the tour companies will help you get your certification while you are there.

Thanks to the warm waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, scuba diving is wonderful there. Some of the popular items you will be able to see are arches, lava tubes, and caverns. If you like to go on adventures, you can look for pygmy killer whales, whale sharks, and even spotted dolphins. But be sure to have a guide with you at all times.

Scuba diving can be a great experience for everyone. You can also take your kids on the scuba diving tours, the instructors will make sure everybody will enjoy the tour and be safe. Make sure you don’t forget your water proof camera to take pictures of the many fish.

Scuba diving tours are designed for a small group of people. The reason for this is so the instructors can have as much one on one time as possible, to make sure the tour is fun for everyone. There is no doubt that you will have a great time. Hawaii scuba diving is something that should be high on your do list, many of the things you will see you won’t have the chance to see them anywhere else.

Want to find out more about Hawaiian vacation reviews, then visitHawaii scuba diving tour reviews to help you choose the perfect scuba diving tour for your Hawaiian vacation.

How To Have A Smooth Flowing Australian Holiday

Guest Post

When you are looking to have the most wonderful holiday experience then you should make plans to visit the Gold Coast region of Australia. No matter where you are traveling from to visit there are many reasons that you will find the Gold Coast as a wonderful region. There are three main factors to having the best possible experience while visiting the Gold Coast, and they will be outlined in the latter part of this article.

Proper Time Management- The Gold Coast makes up a captivating region, beautiful and constructed with numerous activities for you to savor. Having the best imaginable holiday experience means balancing your inactive days by the beach with days filled up with activities. It\’s a challenging counterbalance, but the one and only that will contribute to the most salutary and fantastic experience to your holiday. Make sure that the day you arrive and the one right before you set out for home, are slothful beach days. Attempting to accomplish too many activities is a large mistake when visiting this region. Flip-flopping activity days with beach days and will bring about the best of both worlds.

Plan In Advance- Try to lay out the important aspects of your travel well in advance. Use the web to gain the information you need and to make reservations. The more you lay out in advance, the less you will leave to chance, and this will make for a most successful holiday.

Knowing Right From Wrong In The Region- When ever you are traveling to an unfamiliar location it is important that you make your self aware of all the rules, traffic laws, and even beach rules of the area. It is also a wise idea to learn about the different terminology of things as well as the language that is spoken. By learning all this before you leave on your trip you will make for a much smoother holiday experience.

Whether you are looking for an adventurous holiday or a lazy, laid back beach holiday, the Gold Coast will not disappoint!

When you are looking for gold coast hotels the best place to log onto is www.goldcoastinformation.com.au. They have all the information that you need to plan a fabulous vacation.