Get Fit

There’s no reason to slack on fitness just because you’re on a business trip. On my last trip, I saw dozens of people get up early to use the hotel’s fitness room. If you’re lucky enough to have good weather, then walking or jogging are an option - and that’s where the Live-Lite comes in. From Perception Digital, this device measures steps and your heart rate, ensuring that you stay on top of your fitness regime.

Ergonomic Elegance

I don’t know about you, but I often travel with an external keyboard for my laptop to save my wrists. The trouble is that it takes up a lot of space. However, I may not have to do that for much longer, since Goldtouch has released a foldable ergonomic keyboard, the GoldTouch Go! It only weighs a pound and is supposed to be comfortable to use - $139 seems a small price to pay to avoid tendonitis.

Mouse Phone

For me, the Skype Travel Mouse comes under the category of ‘neat, but do you really need it?’ It’s a mouse that slides open to reveal a phone keypad. It also has a decent sized LCD display at 128×64 pixels, and is $35 plus shipping. The fact that you only need to use a single USB port for both mouse and phone is undoubtedly a plus, so it could be worth a look.

Charge It All - Or Almost

The Charge4All is yet another device that allows you to charge multiple devices from a single power connection. It won’t charge your laptop or anything else that needs high voltage, but it will charge MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras and the like. It’s $29.95.

Swiss Army Drive

You’ll need to pack these in your checked baggage, but the SwissFlash and Presentation Master Swiss Army Knives have all the usual array of gadgets as well as a flash drive with a maximum capacity of 32GB. There are also versions with built in laser pointers. Prices range from the low 60s to over $300.

New In Japan

We can’t wait for this one to hit our shores. It’s a credit card sized digital voice recorder - perfect for taking voice notes on the move (that’s if you haven’t already got it built into your phone). Rumor has it that you can record up to 30 hours of digital voice with this compact gadget.

• Would You Work For Free To Save Your Company? - it’s a tough question, but one many of us have had to answer
• Visiting Nottingham Castle - some of the best places to see are on your own doorstep
• Pack It Up! - Online Packing List Tools - exactly what it says - and I’m sure you can find a useful packing list generator among the ones listed here
• Travel Tips For A Great Summer - how to make the most of your summer vacation
• Six Travel Bloggers You Should Follow On Twitter - six of the best travel bloggers on Twitter, and a few more as well
• Wine And Wildlife - A Trip To Cancun - part two of my Cancun travelog

And here are six other favorites, one from each month:

• How To Get First Class Travel At Coach Prices - there’s no reason to fly coach with the savings you can make on these sites
• Nine Places To Plan Your Next Trip - exploring travel planning forums and sites
• The Roaring Sea - A Trip To Cancun - part one of my Cancun travelog
• How To Get Out Of Miami Airport In An Hour - some tips I’ve picked up in my many trips through Miami airport this year
• How To Save On Your Summer Vacation - there are many ways to cust the cost of travel; some of those are listed here.
• Traveling The Blogosphere - June 2009 - great posts from other travel blogs; well worth a read.

Enjoy! Maybe some of my offsite airport parking posts will make it into the next roundup.

1. Seat Allocation

The first step is to get a good seat. If you do your research before booking, you may be able to choose an airline that offers a couple extra inches of legroom. That makes a heck of a lot of difference after you’ve been sitting in a plane for hours. I once took a charter flight from the UK to the Caribbean and it took three days for my knees to recover.

Seven Long Haul Travel Tips

2. Check In Early

Check in early to stand the best chance of getting the seat you want. I always like to arrive at least an hour before the given check in time. The best seat depends on whether I don’t want to be disturbed by others getting in and out of their seats (window) or whether I want the freedom to move around (aisle). Once I’m checked in, I can make an early start on my in-flight reading in the departure lounge instead of standing in line with those who arrived at the stated time.

3. Enjoy The Lounge

When it’s time to board, there’s no need to rush unless you have unwieldy bags. If you are carrying a small laptop bag that will fit under the seat in front of you, then use the restroom and relax - the airplane seats aren’t that comfortable, so why sit in them before you need to? When you land, though, the quicker you are out, the fewer people there will be in front of you at the Customs and Immigration queues, so that’s when you need to dash.

4. Travel Essentials

Secure your comfort by packing some moisturizing wipes, as the air can be dry. Use pillows to support your back and neck to reduce the pain of staying in one position. Chew gum or suck sweets to reduce the effect of air pressure changes on your ears and make sure you have clothes that are suitable for the weather at both your departure and arrival. Clothes should be roomy and comfortable as you will be wearing them for a long time.

5. Health Matters

Look after your health. You can get dehydrated on a flight, so be sure to drink plenty of water. if you can, buy a bottle once you have cleared airport security to take with you - it will save waiting for air crew to top up your glass. They have hundreds of people to look after, so it can take a while. The other key thing is to move about. Rotate arms, wrists, legs and feet while in flight and get up and walk once in a while. Most airlines give you exercise tips to help you to avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

6. Food and Drink

Drinking water will also help you to avoid jet lag, and you should keep drinking it even after you land. Set your watch to the time at your destination as early as possible and try to do things at the right time. It will speed up the adjustment process. Don’t eat too much before takeoff as you will feel bloated and uncomfortable, but cut down on the waiting time for in-flight food by ordering a special meal. You usually get served first which gives you time to relax and enjoy the flight.

7. Entertainment

Take some entertainment. My preference is books, but music or games on your laptop will also work. As I’ve discovered to my cost, there are times when even the most sophisticated in-flight entertainment system fails - and long haul can feel extra long without something to while away the hours. Invest in some noise canceling headphones to drown out the drone of the engines.

Here are his first impressions of the job: ‘The clanging of my alarm clock awoke me from my slumber and the adrenalin for the day coarsed through my veins as I leapt from my pit in the knowledge that it was all about to commence, The Best Job in the World starts here….’

You can follow Ben’s adventures on the Island Caretaker blog and his Twitter stream.

Where would your dream job be? Are you already living your dream?

The airport is located 4.5 miles east of downtown Birmingham, making it a breeze to get to, as well as putting the city within easy reach of travelers on a layover. It’s well served for parking, including our Birmingham airport parking lot and a cell phone lot. If you’re not driving yourself, then the major car hire companies are all easy to get to from the main terminal. The airport is fully accessible for disabled travelers too. Last year, BHM carried more than three million passengers.

Other facilities in the airport include:

• a food court
• two ATMs between concourses B and C on the upper level
• free WiFi
• shops
• a business centre
• international medical assistance

Venturing out of the airport, there’s lots to see in and around Birmingham itself.

Birmingham, Alabama Attractions

See lions, gorillas, rhinos, geckos and more at the Birmingham Zoo. You can tour the zoo on the Zoo Express train and enjoy a range of educational activities. There’s even overnight camping if you choose to pass up a stay in a hotel.

It stays warm in Birmingham, which means that plants really thrive at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Check out the tropical plants in the huge glass greenhouse and visit themed gardens to enjoy the sight and aroma of thousands of plant species. There are more than 10,000 to view on this 67.5 acre site.

Get a taste of Birmingham’s industrial history by visiting the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. The furnaces date back to the 1880s when they were a major part of the city’s steel industry. There’s a park and sculpture garden to see as well and, unless there’s an event on, admission is free.

The McWane Science Center is an interactive science museum, where visitors can experiment with the laws of physics, explore space, construct machinery and more. Whether you’re interested in coral, dinosaurs or robots, you will find something of interest here.

Combine shopping with sightseeing by visiting the Riverchase Galleria, which boasts the western hemisphere’s largest skylight. The huge glass atrium adds to the appeal. You can shop, eat and enjoy indoor fountains and gardens.

Finally, find out about Alabama’s contributions to jazz history at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. It’s amazing how many jazz greats got their start here.

European Highlights

Gary talks about his visit to Amsterdam in Brussels, Amsterdam and the Green Fairy. I loved his description of drinking absinthe as ‘doing a shot with cough syrup mixed in’. Not too far away (well, on the same continent at least), there are great pictures of the Guggenheim Bilbao on the Soultravelers3 blog. I’ve seen this building from the outside and it is fabulous.

Rants And Weird Things

Thinking of booking travel insurance? Then maybe you should read The View From The Wing’s post on why it may not be such a good deal. (You might as well read the NY Times article that inspired the post too). On the lighter side of travel, check out the list of weird airport names on The Independent.

Galavanting points to the fees to be imposed by United and US Airways when paying baggage fees at the airport. I wonder if those airlines have been talking to Easyjet in the UK. That airline also has some interesting fee policies.

Wrapping Up

The Location Independent blog has a detailed post on the ultimate mobile office setup for that lifestyle. Even if you’re just a frequent traveler you will find something useful here. And finally, Nomadic Matt has a list of free things to do in Washington, DC, complete with great pictures.

“We know our customers are looking for great value, and that’s exactly what we’re offering,” says Amy Strohmeyer, Indy Park Ride & Fly’s General Manager. “We want to offer our airport parking clients a great experience. Our customers asked for valet parking – so, we brought it back. We’re doing our part to help the environment too, with complementary recharging for hybrid vehicles. Our new Speedy Rewards program is just another way we’re providing value to our customers.”

If you’re an Indy parking customer, all you have to do to get started is pick up a card from a participating Speedway convenience store. When you’re ready to make airport parking reservations online just quote your card number during the reservation process. Alternatively, present it in person at Indy Park Ride & Fly. Points will be credited to your account within 14 days of leaving the parking facility. Full details on the new Speedy Rewards program are available online. For more information on Indy Park Ride & Fly, visit Indy PRF or contact the location directly at 317-486-8000.

Camel Wrestling

I’ve always been fascinated by camels - they have a certain sort of lumpen elegance and the fact that they can survive in harsh conditions makes them worthy of respect. However, I certainly wouldn’t want to wrestle one. But that’s just what happens in the Aegean region of Turkey. It seems the camels spend a lot of time pushing and shoving before heading for the crowd, which is when it gets really exciting. I’d certainly pick up my heels to avoid a ton of overexcited camel, wouldn’t you?

UFO Festival

Cue the Twilight Zone music for the annual UFO festival in Roswell, New Mexico. The site of an alleged flying saucer crash in the 1940s, the town has since had a reputation for the weird and wonderful. The Alien Animal Pet Costume Contest is a particular highlight. This is a great place to dust off those theories about life on other planets.

Gotmar

All’s fair in love they say, but the annual Gotmar festival held on the banks of the River Jam on Madhya Pradesh is one of the strangest memorials I’ve ever come across. Supposedly it commemorates a failed elopement of a young man and his beloved when villagers from their respective villagers threw stones at them, causing their deaths. Injuries are still rife at the annual reenactment.

Tunarama

How far could you toss a tuna? Find out at Tunarama, held in Port Lincoln, South Australia. This festival, which pays homage to one of the region’s major industries, is now in its 49th year. As well as the tuna toss, there are cultural events, activities, stalls and other competitions.

Grannies Rule, OK?

First held in 1992, the Grandmother’s Festival, held in Bodo, Norway, near the Arctic Circle, is the perfect place for go-getting grannies. Attended by grandmothers from around the world, the event shatters the stereotype of old ladies knitting in a rocking chair. Over the years, participants have ridden motor bikes, gone scuba diving and bungee jumped.

Years ago, I remember getting quite irate when after delivering excellent work and being punctual and efficient for a whole month, I presented my paycheck at the bank and it bounced. That was just one month and the issue was sorted within a couple of days, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

With redundancy and job losses affecting people in the travel industry and beyond, BA’s move of asking people to volunteer for a pay cut is perhaps better than the alternative. However very few of us can afford to work for less than we already do and no one is likely to be happy about it, a point made strongly by the union which represents BA employees.

What’s your view? Would you work for free to save your employer’s company?

Model of Nottingham Castle

We’ve been reading the tales of Robin Hood at home, and once she knew we would be visiting Nottingham, she asked if she could see the castle. We agreed, and I have to say that it’s the best £3.50 I’ve ever spent. We approached from Castle Gate, one of the old entrances to the walled city. Outside the castle is a statue of Robin Hood, as well as plaques depicting scenes from the well known tales.

Once inside, there was plenty to look at. We bypassed the children’s play area, where kids could sit on tiny horses and pretend to joust or clamber over a wooden climbing frame. Instead, we headed to the top level, which gave a panoramic view of the city. You could see why that was a good location for a castle, as inhabitants would have been able to spot their enemies from any angle.

We then went into the castle itself, hopeful of going even higher, but alas, the top level was closed off as it was too unstable to permit visitors. Perfectly acceptable in a castle that dates back to the 1670s. The site itself has housed a castle at least since the Norman Conquest. Inside there were three art exhibitions, ornate decorations, including a stunning coat of arms mosaic on the ground floor, and an entertaining video showing some of the uses of the caves under the castle.

For me, though, the highlight was the history of Nottingham City exhibition, which starts with the earliest known information and works its way to the present. You can see armor, chain mail, spears, saddles, clothing and more which bring the different periods to life. There are also several good models of the city at different eras. This is one location that’s well worth a visit.