Gadling

The Carnival Dream laser show looks great in thick fog

Scott Carmichael — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cruises

We are currently about 100 miles off the coast of Long Island, in the middle of some really thick fog. Thick fog means two things - constant blowing of the ships horn, and a really neat effect up on the tenth deck for the laser show. The crew normally uses smoke generators, but the wind is so strong that it is blowing all their man made smoke away.

Tonight's laser show was accompanied by Pink Floyd music, and the effect is actually quite stunning. The weather has been pretty miserable, but we are all covered by nice warm blankets, though those obviously don't stop the damn ship from rocking and rolling all night long (though lots of booze does).

Later tonight the ship will be heading back to New York, ending its 2 night inaugural US voyage.

Disclaimer: this trip was paid for by Carnival Cruise Lines, but as with everything I write, my opinions are mine, and mine only. I am free to say whatever I want, which means I'll be telling you all about the dreadful boarding procedure in New York when I am back home on solid ground.

The Carnival Dream laser show looks great in thick fog originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the Day (11.14.09)

Brenda Yun — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Africa, Tunisia, Photo of the Day

Nothing makes a more beautiful photo than rolling sand dunes at sunset. Having recently experienced the tranquil oasis of Huacachina in Peru, I now fully appreciate the dry, natural beauty of the world's deserts.

This particular photo was taken in Tunisia but expert photographer kellinasf. The warm colors and grooved textures of the sand contrast so well with the cool blue sky. The grooved dune side in the left shadow also adds to the photo's richness, don't you think?

If you have some great travel shots you'd like to share, be sure to upload them to the Gadling pool on Flickr. We might just pick one as our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the Day (11.14.09) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free wi-fi in Times Square

Katie Hammel — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Internet Tools, News

It's been quite the week for free wi-fi announcements. Airlines and airports seem to be offering it up like mad, to much thanks from travelers who need to stay connected. The latest hotspot for free wi-fi: New York's Time Square.
Yahoo!, in cooperation with Times Square Alliance, is now offering free wi-fi in the pedestrian-only area of Times Square. Just get online and head to http://m.yahoo.com. Laptop users will see a welcome screen and can then select "Times Sq Free Wifi" to connect to the web (you can use any site to search the web, not just Yahoo!).

The contract for free wi-fi in the area will last at least one year, with the possibility of a three year extension.

Now, if only we could get hotels to take note. . . .

Free wi-fi in Times Square originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Low flying pelican and cell phone vs million dollar car: car loses

Jamie Rhein — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: United States, Transportation, News

Earlier this week, a pig on an airport runway in Zimbabwe wrecked a plane and panicked passengers as the plane was taking off. On Wednesday, it wasn't a pig that created a travel brouhaha. It was a low flying pelican--plus a cell phone.

Evidently, as the pelican made a low flying move in front of a million dollar sports car--a Bugatti Veyron, the man driving this expensive beauty became startled and dropped his cell phone.

Quick quiz:

What shouldn't you do if you drop your cell phone in your car?

Answer:

Don't do what this guy did. He bent down to pick up the phone.

Bad move.

If you've ever bent down to pick up anything when you drive, you know how easy it is for the car to swerve.

That's just what happened in this case. The man swerved the car right off the frontage road of Interstate 45 near Galveston, Texas and into a salt marsh. Luckily, the salt marsh wasn't so deep that the car disappeared entirely.

When the police showed up, it was easy to spot the car's silver grey shine where it waited for rescue 20 feet from shore---at least the part that wasn't under the briny water.

After the incident, along with gaining notoriety for being the owner of a salted, wet million dollar car, the man did get a call from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. [msnbc]

Low flying pelican and cell phone vs million dollar car: car loses originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Venice hosts its own funeral

Katie Hammel — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Europe, Italy, News

Venice is dying. At least, according to Newsweek it is. The population has been shrinking so rapidly (it dropped below 60,000 this year) that the mag predicts there won't be a single full-time resident in the city by 2030. A city that sees millions of visitors per year, an average of 55,000 per day, won't be home to a single person. Yeah, I'd call that a dead city.

To draw attention to the issue, residents of Venice have organized a mock funeral in which three gondolas will pull a red coffin through the city's canals on Saturday, November 14th.

In addition to the flood of tourists who make the city nearly unlivable during summer months, other factors such as increasing home prices and a shrinking tax base, have combined to result in the mass exodus of long-time Venetians.

One of the organizers of the "funeral" says this doesn't have to be the end though. He hopes that by drawing attention to the issue, some of the problems can be addressed and new citizens will be lured to Venice. "It might be the beginning; it could even spur a rebirth. Now we just have to create a Venice [people] will want to stay in. We have to give them a reason not to leave."

[via Budget Travel]

Venice hosts its own funeral originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Congress to investigate airline fees ... but not for your benefit

Tom Johansmeyer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, North America, United States, Airlines, Consumer Activism

Congress is digging into all those new airline fees. Extra bags, special check-in situations ... you name it. Before you start cheering on our lawmakers, though, you should know that they aren't doing this from a sense of consumer advocacy. Frankly, Congress doesn't give a damn how much you pay for air travel. But, it does care how you pay. Why? A cash-strapped government is wondering if it's leaving money on the table.

When you look at your receipt, the line with "taxes" has never been lost on you, right? Well, the add-ons aren't included in this number: Congress has a tax on airfare, not all the other stuff. So, for the airlines, this has been a tax-free revenue stream, one that's been crucial to helping the already bruised airlines survive the current recession.

Yet, is it really just airfare in another form? That's what Congress wants to know. Even if this is a different form of revenue, do you think it will be left untouched? Of course not! The government needs money, and there's nothing stopping it from passing a new bill to tax the extra services. How much resistance would be raised?

Continue reading Congress to investigate airline fees ... but not for your benefit

Congress to investigate airline fees ... but not for your benefit originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kids fly free to Vail this winter

Katie Hammel — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Skiing, North America, United States, Transportation, Budget Travel, News, Travel Deals

Skiing is not a cheap hobby. For those who don't live close to the slopes, just getting to their favorite ski resort can cost hundreds of dollars, especially for families. But those going to Vail may find it a little more affordable. . . well at least for the flights.

American Airlines, which operates several nonstop routes to Eagle Airport (30 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek), is offering free flights for kids traveling with adults this winter. Each paid adult can bring one child for free on flights departing Sunday through Wednesday and returning Monday through Friday, from December 1 to 17 and January 3 to February 10. Within the selected date ranges, there are no blackout dates.

The offer is good on connecting flights to Eagle Airport as well. Kids also ski free on the day of arrival and get free transport to Vail or Beaver Creek from the airport.

Kids fly free to Vail this winter originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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White House pushing for answers to airline industry woes

Tom Johansmeyer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines

The Obama Administration is taking a closer look at the airline industry with the hopes that something can be fixed. Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood is pulling together a panel that will investigate the problems the industry faces and hopefully come up with a solution. But, I don't think anyone's breath is being held.

The airlines are always swamped with criticism, with consumers unhappy about customer service levels, on-time arrivals and departures, the shrinking list of amenities and increasingly cramped conditions. Now, shareholders are speaking louder about declining revenues and profits. Employees are losing their jobs, and regulators and industry observers worry about continued safety violations, including drunk and distracted pilots.

Ultimately, LaHood's goal is for the panel to put together "a road map for the future of the aviation industry." The panel is being convened thanks in part to a push from the airline unions, the stakeholders worried most by the layoffs that have now become routine. According to The Associated Press, they believe the industry is "dysfunctional."

Of course, it didn't take the airlines to ~~offer their thoughts~~ ask for money -- lots of it. They claim that radar technology that dates back to World War II isn't as effective as a GPS-based alternative. The industry would love to see this upgrade ... as long as the government writes the check. The FAA is already prepared to spend $15 billion to $22 billion on this effort, but there is an additional $14 billion to $20 billion currently sent over to the airlines. The upside would be reductions in airport congestion, fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Continue reading White House pushing for answers to airline industry woes

White House pushing for answers to airline industry woes originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stripper truck stopped in Sin City

Tom Johansmeyer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, North America, United States

Commercials don't work any more, and print ads are all but dead. So, how do you get the word out? If you're Larry Beard, you have a couple of girls grind in the back of a truck with clear plastic sides while driving around Las Vegas. This isn't for everyone. After all, Beard is the marketing director at Deja Vu Showgirls -- which is exactly what you'd think it is.

Now, he has to stop.

Sin City authorities made him stop toting the strippers around, but the club is ready to fight. His vehicle rolled up and down the strip from 10 PM to 2 AM. Strippers inside gave a taste of what goes on inside the club. And yes, in case you were wondering, the truck had poles for the ladies to work.

Stripper truck stopped in Sin City originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patriot Hills Antarctic base opens for 2009 season

Kraig Becker — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Skiing, Antarctica, Chile

The only privately owned Antarctic base opened for the 2009 season a few days ago, allowing explorers, scientists, mountaineers, and adventure travelers, access to the frozen continent for the first time since January. Commonly known as Patriot Hills, the base is operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), a company that supports the adventurous men and women who are traveling to the South Pole or other locations on the Antarctic continent.

Traditionally, the base opens in November and remains open for approximately three months, allowing expeditions to come and go from Punta Arenas, Chile, a city found at the far tip of South America that is often used as the staging ground for adventurers heading to Antarctica. Patriot Hills sits at the edge of a rare, naturally occurring blue ice patch that serves as a runway for ALE's Twin Otter and Illushyn aircraft, which makes it the perfect place to shuttle visitors to and from the ice.

The travelers making the journey to Antarctica come for a number of reasons. Some will make the long, 500 mile journey to the South Pole on skis, while others will trek to nearby Vinson Massif to climb one of the seldom visited mountains there. Adventure travelers with enough money will also make a "last degree" journey to the Pole, beginning their journey at 89ºS and ending when the reach the bottom of the world.

Over the next few months, Patriot Hills will be a bustling community of explorers coming and going from a variety of places in Antarctica. The tent-city will serve as a base of operations for a number of interesting and unique expeditions, all coming to visit one of the last true frontiers on Earth.

Patriot Hills Antarctic base opens for 2009 season originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling's 13 stranger than strange sites for Friday the 13th

Jamie Rhein — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Stories, China, North Korea, Thailand, Croatia, United States

Happy Friday the 13th! Tributed to being an unlucky day thanks to wives tales, religion and mythology, this is a day when people might think about altering their travel plans. The thought is, why push your luck? Franklin D. Roosevelt was one such person. He never traveled on the 13th. He even died on April 12, 1945. That, my friends, was on a Thursday. That is kind of strange, no?

In honor of a day that's associated with strangeness, here is Gadling's list of 13 top stranger than strange sites from around the world. They are not in any order of strangeness. You decide which one ought to be number one. All of them are places we've either been to, written about or both.

Even though this is photo is of a Friday the 13th in February, it fits the theme.

Continue reading Gadling's 13 stranger than strange sites for Friday the 13th

Gadling's 13 stranger than strange sites for Friday the 13th originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadlinks for Friday 11.13.09

Brenda Yun — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Surfing, Blogs, North America, South America, Iran, Italy, United States, Peru, News, Middle East

It's Friday the 13th! I am hoping that makes it a lucky day for me. It's been yet another tough week on the home front for many non-travelers, so maybe some travel reads will help to lift our spirits. Have a look at these....

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is under way on the North Shore of Oahu, and Pupukea is right in the thick of things. [via Honolulu Magazine]
Speaking of surfing, Peru's hoping to find a way to make surf travel sustainable. [via Intelligent Travel]
It's surf season here in Hawaii, but in other parts of the northern hemisphere it's also that time of year to dust off your skis or snowboard! Here's a great guide to responsible skiing. [via Green Traveller]
It may be wintertime in Italy, but that shouldn't prevent you from dreaming of one of these beautiful Italian isles. [via BootsNAll]
The web has been abuzz on the latest espionage charges on the three American hikers that were caught within Iran's borders back in July. I hope they return home safely -- and soon, but could serve as a serious bargaining chip between the U.S. and Iran. Stay tuned... [via Peter Greenberg and Time]

'Til Monday, have a great weekend!

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Friday 11.13.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling coming to you live from the Carnival Dream

Scott Carmichael — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Cruises

Over the next couple of days, we'll be coming to you live from the Carnival Dream - the newest ship in the Carnival fleet. This ship sets sail from New York in one hour, but thanks to satellite Internet, we'll try and keep you updated with some of the cool new features on board this new "Dream Class" cruise ship.

Gadling coming to you live from the Carnival Dream originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the Day (11.13.09)

Aaron Hotfelder — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photo of the Day

Is there a better National Park in the United States than Yellowstone? This shot from flickr user SenzEnina makes the case that, no, there isn't. With wildlife like wolves, bears, mountain goats, and, of course, bison, as well as hundreds of geysers and hot springs, Yellowstone should definitely be on your Bucket List.

Want your photo considered for Gadling's Photo of the Day? Upload your best shots here.

Photo of the Day (11.13.09) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 ways to thwart homesickness

Annie Scott — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Travel Health

As every traveler knows, sacrificing the comforts of home can be difficult. Strange foods, inclement weather, and lying in bed at night without the one you miss the most (your dog) can all lead to the ruination of your vacation or trip. Particularly when you're somewhere very different from your usual surroundings, the pangs of craving the ease of your normal routine and the desire to share your new experiences with loved ones back home can be crippling.

It's a good idea to address the possibility that you may get homesick before you leave. Here are 5 ways to thwart homesickness -- things you can do before and during your trip to help stave off the blues.

1. Photographs. This may seem like a no-brainer, but in this digital age, many of us don't carry photographs with us anymore at all. It's nice to have something tactile with you that you can take out on the top of a mountain or on a boat in the middle of the sea. On the flip side, having a hard copy will keep you from sitting in your room stalking your loved ones' Facebook pages.

Continue reading 5 ways to thwart homesickness

5 ways to thwart homesickness originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tahiti Graffiti

Andrew Evans — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Photos, Oceania, France

You don't expect rampant urban culture in the sultry South Pacific, but it's there. That's because like it or not, Papeete is a relatively big city that's home to about half the population of French Polynesia, or about 130,000 people. Also, the city will never run out of reinforced concrete walls and frustrated youth.

Tourists are funny about graffiti-we like it in places like Berlin or in Banksy's latest coffee table book but tend to get uppity if it's the backdrop to our tropical honeymoon. But judge not. Graffiti is a fairly honest art form-the subjects and sayings that get sprayed across the blank walls of any city says a lot about the place. In Papeete you'll find a mix of adolescent tagging to bigger displays of initials and elaborate paintings with Polynesian motifs. Word on the street is that the Polynesian graffiti renaissance is on.

Some come one, come all! Pack up your stencils and spray cans, Tahiti's open for coloring . . . except that it's not. Anyone caught "vandalizing" anything bigger than a broken cinder block gets an automatic 4,000 Euro fine. Last year, 35 aspiring artists were charged en masse.

Better to enjoy the artwork of the risk-takers by day. A walk through the downtown backstreets of Papeete reveals the signs of many busy artists, as does the skate park and surrounding areas in the suburb of Faaa. But venture out into other islands and you'll find good and bad art scribbled everywhere. Even the abandoned swimming pools of Moorea are fair game for les graffitistes.

To get connected with the Tahitian street art scene, visit the island's Kreativ Concept Association, which is an innocent collective of "fresco and mural enthusiasts." They also happen to sell spray paint, stencils, and T-shirts that read "Graffiti is not a crime."

Gallery: Tahiti Graffiti

Tahiti Graffiti originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eat, drink and ski happy in Salt Lake this winter

Tom Johansmeyer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Skiing, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations

What's the happiest place on Earth? Well, Disney claims that title, but here's the problem: Utah does, too. If they were in different countries, no conflict would exist, but since they do, we have to sort this out.

A Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index recently released ranks Utah highest among all states in happiness. And, if that's not enough, Men's Fitness magazine ranked Salt Lake City fittest in America. So, the endorphins are firing, and Utah is thrilled. Want to get a little taste of this happiness?

The Gold Medial Podium Package celebrates Salt Lake's Olympic legacy. Skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes while taking advantage of some great deals. Book a four-night vacation by December 15, 2009 -- including a Ski Salt Lake Super Pass -- at any of the 22 participating hotels, and your fourth day on the slopes and your fourth night in the hotel are free.

Eat, drink and ski happy in Salt Lake this winter originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drunk pilot arrested in London

Tom Johansmeyer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, North America, United Kingdom, United States

After (another) pilot was found drunk in London this week, the issue of pilot inebriation has become a frequent discussion topic. Since 1997, 11 commercial pilots, on average, have tested positive for alcohol every year. According to FAA regulations, pilots can't fly with a blood alcohol content of above 0.04 percent (it's 0.02 percent in Great Britain). Last year, 13 pilots tested positive, making 2008 slightly above average.

The FAA conducts more than 10,000 random alcohol tests every year, says spokeswoman Laura Brown. This is approximately 10% of the total, as there are around 100,000 commercial pilots in the United States.

The latest culprit, Erwin Washington of United Airlines, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Monday, when he was suspected of being drunk in the cockpit -- members of his crew reported him to the authorities. Washington could lose his license as a result. Two other U.S. pilots have been arrested in England on charges involving alcohol in a little more than a year.

Though an intoxicated pilot is obviously a danger to the passengers, the National Transportation Safety Board says that no airline in the United States has crashed because the pilot was drunk.

[has video]

Drunk pilot arrested in London originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobile entertainment from FLO TV available today

Scott Carmichael — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

About a month ago I wrote about a new mobile entertainment device called FLO TV. The technology behind FLO has been around for some time, and has been available to AT&T and Verizon Wireless subscribers. Starting today, you can also get your entertainment fix on the portable FLO TV personal television.

With mobile TV like this, you'll be able to finally watch something decent when you are stuck at the airport, or use it to keep your kids entertained during those long road trips.

The 3.5" screen delivers programming from over 15 channels, and the TV itself costs $249, which includes a 6 month subscription.

We'll try and bring you a full review of this mobile entertainment device as soon as we can get our hands on a unit! If you don't want to wait on a review, you can order FLO TV today from Amazon, or pick one up on store at your local Best Buy.

Mobile entertainment from FLO TV available today originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An open letter to Kim Jong-Il of North Korea

Sean McLachlan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, North Korea, Transportation

Dear Leader,

I've heard that's how you like to be addressed by the people of North Korea, but since this is the beginning of a letter I guess I should say Dear Dear Leader.

My editor sent me this article claiming that while your people are starving you own six luxurious trains fitted with high-tech communications facilities, conference rooms, and even ballrooms. Since you're reportedly afraid of flying, I can understand you needing a train with all the communication equipment you'd find in, say, Air Force One, but do you really need the ballrooms? Do you like to invite your nuclear scientists to an evening of waltzing?

Perhaps this story isn't true. Not all stories about dictators are, after all. The rumor that Hitler only had one ball is highly debatable, for example, and while you did kidnap a South Korean director to start your own movie industry, that doesn't mean that you have 19 train stations around the country for your exclusive use. This report was in a South Korean newspaper and cited U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies. Not the most sympathetic observers, to be sure.

I'd like to get to the bottom of this, so here's a modest proposal. How about you set up a railway tour of North Korea? If you don't have any luxury trains, you can market it as "Adventure Travel" and bring in rugged backpackers accustomed to hard journeys on third-class trains. If you really do have some luxury trains, perhaps you could spare one of your six, ballroom included, and market it as "Luxury Travel". You'll attract a richer clientele and prove your generosity by opening up one of your moving ballrooms for public use.

Instead of paying money, the visitors could pay with food. The food could be pulled along in boxcars behind the ballroom and distributed to your needy people along the way. This would be a great propaganda coup. Your media could broadcast how the Dear Leader is giving up one of his trains to feed his people. Getting your people to actually believe your media is your problem.

I would, of course, be invited along to cover the event. I've always been curious about your country and this would be a good way to see it. I'd even bring along some food to give to hungry North Koreans, whom I would insist on interviewing privately and anonymously about life under your rule.

I know you're going to see this, because even a relatively unknown writer like me Googles himself on a regular basis, and I'm sure you have a whole team of secret police Googling you. So what do you think? Shall we prove those South Koreans wrong and make North Korea the newest destination for backpackers? Or perhaps prove them right and make North Korea the new Monaco? I promise that if you let me leave the country alive I'll publish a series of features right here on Gadling, and give you an idea of what your people say about you behind your back.

sincerely,

Sean McLachlan

PS: Don't kidnap me. I have no experience making nuclear weapons or movies.

An open letter to Kim Jong-Il of North Korea originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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