Traveling With Debe

Cool gift for the techie traveler in your life

Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger $99.95

This eco-friendly charger uses the energy of the sun to power cellphones, GPS, PDAs, iPods, and other electronic devices. Just slide open the Solio's three-panel unit, set it in the sun for an hour, and the lithium ion battery holds the charge until it is transferred to the device of choice, using the corresponding cable, tip, or adapter — all included with purchase. It even comes with suction cups for the window — no need to go outside.

iPod takes to the sky

From a recent article in Travel Weekly by Andrew Compart:

Apple is teaming up with 6 airlines to offer fliers seat connections that will power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on their seat back displays.  Participating airlines are: Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United beginning in mid-2007. 

My iPod competes with my passport for most valuable item to travel with.  (After January 8, the passport has a definite edge.)  Listening to an iPod is a great way to get through the throng of street vendors (and beggars) in Beijing.  I know, it sounds rude and elitist, but by day 7, I had been offered 1200 Mao watches, received 875 solicitations for money and had dozens of experiences in alternate personal space boundaries.  I earned my solitude. 

Concierge.com, a great site by Conde Nast Traveler, has a great article on traveling with the iPod.  I especially like the tip about Griffin's iTalk microphone attachment to capture voice recordings. On that same trip to Beijing, the guides were fantastic!  Very knowledgeable, funny and (mostly) young and hip.  I couldn't take notes fast enough.  Plus it's more fun to just enjoy the moment.  A digital recording would enable me to be present now and recap later.  I'll be checking that out at the Apple store later today...

 

At least the airport has Free WiFi...

Just when you thought it was safe to go through security....Day 2 of a 5 day trip to Phoenix brought the news of the newest restrictions to carry-on luggage. No gels, liquids, etc. Thankfully my conference was in Phoenix not London. A quick mental check reassured me that all those items were already residing in the “big” luggage. My next area of concern was for my most precious cargo-my new Mac book and omni-present iPod. Shampoo I can toss, but a Mac book, no dice. After scouring various sites, it was evident that the heaviest restrictions were for travel within and to/from Britain. My husband, who was joining me for the weekend, was still advised to arrive 2 hours early. He had lots of quality time with himself as he waited by the gate for 115 minutes. Granted, he was traveling at 10pm at night out of Minneapolis/St Paul.

We had 3 great days in Phoenix/Sedona before departing for the Twin Cities. Not wanting to tempt fate, we arrived at PHX 2 hours early. Another 115 minutes to kill. This is why the top item on my packing list (even before the aforementioned “fruits”) is a good book. Thankfully, the PHX airport has Free WiFi. Just find a seat near an outlet and plug-in. If you’re a movie buff, check out InMotion Pictures in Terminal Four of Phoenix Airport. They will “rent” DVDs that can be returned to participating airport locations or mailed back for a fee. Have entertainment, will travel.

By the way, for all you word game “fanatics”, Pop Cap offers a Mac version of Bespelled…its called Bookworm. Check it out.

If you want to know more about traveling to Phoenix or anywhere else on the planet, email me. I’m a travel consultant from Minneapolis that loves to travel and have been helping clients plan and book fun travel for over 12 years. I'm all about the details and providing great service.

P.S An iPod is an indispensable tool for getting through the gauntlet of beggars in Beijing and Shanghai.
We went to China in March...good stories to tell....even better tips to share!