Eagle Creek – Exploration Systems Tarmac Wheeled 22″ Luggage

This is a bag for the multi-activity traveller and is suitable for in cabin use. The Tarmac 22 is perfect that we can use for the weekend getaway or a short business trip. With more room than its little brother the Tarmac 20 this is a seriously functional upright allowing you to be organised with pockets designed to fit Eagle Creek packet accessories if required. The Tarmac 22 is a slick solution for many travellers.

Features.

The perfect crossover between business and the adventure traveller.

Moulded pockets protect against abrasion, with sole patches protecting critical wear points.

The robust skid plate that protects the bag against obstacles such as stairs and curbs.

It has a built-in shoebox to keep dirty shoes away from your other belongings. In addition it has a small stash cage great for other small items.

Also the expandable main compartment on the tarmac 22 allows for an extra 15% more packing space.

It has a capacity of 46 L, with an expanded capacity of up to 52.4 L. It has a weight of 3.8 kg.

Its dimensions are 36 x 56 x 25 cm. Or imperial 14 x 22 x 9.5″. This makes the bag suitable as in cabin luggage.

And I thought it was pretty reliable! Seems that Man vs Wild is not as legit as many thought according to Banzai. Five Star Hotels and not under the stars? Its all a bit confusing.

Heres a rundown on some of the ’surviver experts’.

Bear Grylls, (Britain, Man vs. Wild)
In many cases Bear Grylls’ antics should be viewed as anything from highly inexperienced antics to stupidity, or just television hype entertainment – nothing more. Unfortunately Grylls continues on with little regard to real survival techniques, and with little to no respect of the animals or plants he uses as subjects. Some of his so-called survival bush foods also come under scrutiny and should not be tried by anyone, anytime, anywhere.

Les Hiddins (Australia, Bush Tucker Man)
The ‘Bush Tucker Man’ delivered genuine enthusiasm combined with his real Aussie character, which certainly suited television. Both his honesty and the fact that he gave credibility to the Aboriginal people who taught him much of what he knows about bush foods and their preparation skills made his series credible, interesting and educational.

Ray Mears (Britain, Survival with Ray Mears)
Another survival presenter who gives credit where it is due. He doesn’t claim to be an expert in every situation. On the contrary, he admits to still learning, as we all are. He also introduces the human interest aspect to his television programs by describing the background of the people whose knowledge he is relaying to us.

Les Stroud (Canada, Survivorman and the new Survive This)
Just try surviving this over-dramatised script and its set of orders that lack guidance, respect or teaching. Another television series that will cause the expected results of hardship and conflict, this time on a bunch of young junior survivors, with no prior instruction in the art of survival.

Cody Lundin and Dave Canterbury (US, Dual Survivor)
These two men are similar but different. Similar in instructing styles, since both have that upfront, matter-of-fact approach – the very American way. The difference is barefooted Cody has a lust for keeping everything natural and minimal versus Dave’s military approach and equipment-based solutions. Neither is wrong or right in their attitude – I believe a combination would best suit 21st Century survivalists and that is what their series provides to viewers.

Great article if your into that sort of thing. Go to Reality Bites for more.

This entry is a little out of left field for a Baby Boomer site, but cruising the world in my own catamaran is a dream of mine. I read quite a few blogs and logs on sailing and cruising the world and most of the stories I read involve Baby Boomers.

In a book I am reading at the moment the couple cruising the world come across a 78 year old solo round worlder. Now that’s impressive. Makes me believe I have time yet to cruise the world.

Anyway here are some pertinent tips for those on the high seas and for those who wish to follow. Although the article mentions the Caribbean the same considerations apply worldwide.

SECURITY PRECAUTIONS FOR CRUISERS

Though the Caribbean remains generally safe for cruisers, boarding and other incidents can happen anywhere.  Developing safety habits and contingency plans will contribute to a more enjoyable cruise.

The following recommendations to minimize the risk of theft, burglary and assault come from the experience of many cruisers in the Caribbean, some of whom have been directly affected by such incidents.  This list was first compiled at the beginning of the Caribbean Safety and Security Net through the efforts of Frank Zachar on Vagabond Tiger and Bob and Robin Jones on Elixir, now Buster.  The intent is not to frighten cruisers, but to identify steps that can be taken to prevent property loss or physical harm. To prevent a boarding incident from possible escalation to violence, emphasis is placed on scaring off rather than confronting intruders. Some of the recommendations seem obvious but if they do not become habits, they serve no purpose. On the other hand, if you habitually use these precautions, they become a not-burdensome routine.  The more difficult you make life for the criminal, the more likely he is to leave you and your property alone.  

1.  Avoid known high-risk anchorages; especially, do not anchor alone there.  If you do stop, use full security precautions and post a watch.  Introduce yourself to others in the harbor and decide on a VHF frequency for all to monitor.  When up at night, shine a flashlight on other boats to check for activity (only after mentioning this possibility to the other boaters earlier in the day).

2.  Whenever you leave the boat, lock/secure all access points, including hatches and ports, using good quality locks.  It’s amazing what size opening a skinny, motivated kid can get through!

3.  Don’t leave desirable items unlocked in the dinghy behind the boat, at the dinghy dock while you’re ashore, or unattended on the beach while swimming.  In addition to the obvious outboard, this includes gas tanks and diving/snorkeling gear. Don’t paint your yacht’s name on the dinghy: at dinghy docks, it broadcasts that at least one person is away from the yacht.

4.  Don’t leave anything valuable on deck or in the cockpit at night or when the boat is unoccupied.  Equipment that cannot be stowed below should be secured with the heaviest chain or wire cable practicable.  Pull up the boarding ladder, particularly on a catamaran or a monohull with a sugar scoop or boarding platform.

5.  Outboards are a major target: always lock them.  Lock dinghies to dock when ashore, using a long enough cable or chain so others can get their dinghies to the dock, too.  Hoist and chain the dinghy to the boat at night.  Chain the outboard separately to the rail or in the cockpit, or stow it below. Make your brand new clean shiny outboard less brand new clean and shiny, and therefore, less attractive.  Again, use good quality locks.

6.  Don’t announce on the VHF that you are leaving the boat for a day of shopping or sightseeing or an evening out on the town.  If someone is calling a neighboring boat on the VHF, don’t helpfully advise the caller that the neighbors are off the boat. If you call on the VHF for reservations at a restaurant or taxi, use your name, not your boat name.

7.  In high-risk areas, if asleep below during the day and especially at night, secure the companionway with barrel bolts and the hatches with screens or bars.  Use stainless steel hasps and fixings. Fix hinges internally so they cannot be pried off or unscrewed.

8.  Separate and hide valuables in multiple unpredictable areas onboard. In addition to hiding passports and boat papers, hide a copy of each in a different spot.  If possible, hide a spare GPS and handheld VHF radio.  Hide an extra set of passport photos with the passport copies to make it easier to get a replacement passport.  Hide a list of serial numbers for all equipment with the passport copies. When you purchase new equipment, register the purchase, along with the serial number, with the manufacturer: this is your proof of ownership, should the police ever request proof.

9.  Install and alarm system or use portable alarms to cover key access points.  A simple US$30 motion detector in the cockpit can do much to scare off thieves.  Be wary of using motion detectors like the car alarms, which can be set off at the least amount of motion; your neighbors will ignore the sound if there are too many false alarms.

10.  Have a response plan ready to use if boarded, whether at anchor or underway, with the emphasis on scaring away intruders.  For example, have an air horn, pepper spray, etc., next to your bunk.  If you have pepper spray, learn how to use it. Stay out of sight when the boat is approached, speaking from the companionway rather than cockpit in questionable circumstances.

11.  If you hear someone in the cockpit or on deck, DO NOT turn on any lights below - the light makes it possible for the intruders to see you.  Keep a flashlight next to your bunk for light. Turn on the spreader lights and any other exterior lights.

12.  Do not unlock a hatch or companionway to set off an alarm.  Install additional switches to set off the alarm from the cabins. 

13.  When going ashore, store valuables in a pouch that can be tucked inside clothes rather than in a wallet, purse, fanny pack or daypack. Do not carry your wallet in a daypack or backpack; a clever pickpocket can get a wallet from a pack without you feeling anything.

14.  Carry only the amount of money needed for the day; a sacrificial stash in a pocket can be helpful.

15.  Be aware of your environment and dress/act accordingly.  Avoid wearing flashy clothing and expensive looking jewelry.

16.  Use a taxi if transiting high-risk neighborhoods; use a bus only if you are knowledgeable about the location of your destination and use of the bus system, i.e. how to identify that a bus is going in the proper direction.

17.  If you are involved in an incident, report it to the local authorities (police, marina management, tourist office, yachting and marine trade organization) and to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net.  An incident unreported, for all practical purposes, never happened.

18.  Don’t discuss your departure plans (time and destination) with strangers on shore.  Don’t describe your boat to strangers:  location, name, number of people on board, whether you are armed.

19.  Make two copies of the contents of your wallet:  credit cards (both sides), licenses, etc.  Send one copy to a contact at home and hide one copy along with your passport copy.  Be sure to have telephone numbers for the credit card companies to report a loss from abroad: usually the tool-free numbers they provide will not work from outside your home country.

20.   Many thefts occur while the boat is on the hard.  Don’t forget about normal precautions when it is out of the water.

21.  If you call another boat on the VHF and they don’t answer, don’t keep calling.  They may be involved in a project and not be able to answer, or they may have the radio turned down or turned off, or they may be off the boat (you could be alerting someone listening in that they are off the boat).

22.  Do not let your credit cards out of your sight.  If a clerk in a store must take your card away from the counter to run it, go with the clerk.  Do not give anyone the opportunity to copy or clone your credit card information.  Check your credit card statements online occasionally to make sure that you are not the victim of credit card fraud, and if you find dubious charges, call the credit card company immediately.

23.  USUALLY, simply the presence of a dog on a boat is sufficient deterrent to boarders. However, if the dog barks at every passing dinghy and pirogue, it becomes like that motion detector in #9 and your neighbors will tend to ignore the dog.  On the other hand, if your dog has a different bark for friends than for strangers, that warning bark is your alarm, although your neighbors are not likely to hear the difference.

These precautions are not very different from the way you take care of your house or your car:  you lock your house when you are away and you lock your car when you leave it in a car park.  Your yacht is your house.

Jetlag – it can hit you hard whether your a travel hardened frequent flyer business man or a first time overseas tourist. Here are a few tips that may help you to deal with jetlag on your travels.

1.Get a good sleep/ rest before you head away. Travel can be a tiring ordeal at the best of times, and that is without the unforseen dalays etc. So at least start your journey well rested.

2.When on the plane, consider yourself already in your destinations time zone. By adjusting the time you sleep you can more quickly adopt on the time zone to where you are traveling. So adjust watch to the destination and work on that time.

3.There is much advice out there to drink a lot of water during the flight as it will help you stay hydrated, throughout out the trip. However for an adult…… as long as you don’t abuse things, the medicinal glass of red or whatever suits you can work wonders in relieving stress and maybe help you doze off.

4.During waking hours, take the opportunity to get up and stretch your legs. Just a little exercise will work wonders and also assist your body avoid DVT and such.

5.Don’t drink coffee and alcohol during the flight. I know I said otherwise in paragraph 3, but the point is don’t drink tea, coffee or alchohol to excess. They tend to dehydrate you and so make you more tired. So keep up the fluids ie water and soft drinks.

An important point – airlines have a much stricter ‘responsibility to serving alcohol policy’ these days as alchohol related incidents are on the rise.

6.Enjoy the trip. You on the plane for hours so relax, sit back and enjoy the time. Watch a movie, have a sleep. Leave your troubles behind.

7.When you arrive, even if feeling a little worse for wear, adjust your sleep schedule to the new time zone. By this I don’t mean forcing yourself to stay awake all day if you are shattered. But for example if you arrive in the morning, sure get your head down for a couple of hours to take the edge off. Hen get up and see the rest of the day out and go to bed at a similar time to what you do at home.

And finally ….. have a great holiday!

Cooma - Gateway to the Aussie Snow Country

That title might upset those south of the NSW - VIC border, but for those 
from NSW, Cooma is in fact just that.  

The once quiet country town has become a vibrant year round destination and launch point for those heading to the ’snowy’. Winter brings the skiers and 
snow borders and summer those wishing to see the high county to walk, horse ride,, fish or just relax. 

Few people realize that the Australian alpine/ snow region is in fact larger than the whole of 
Switzerland. Although the mountains aren’t as high as other ski regions of the world it remains a 
favorite winter time destination for skiers Australia wide. 

In recent years the alpine region has also become a popular summer time getaway destination.  And this increase in tourism has raised the profile of Cooma along with it. It has become the hub 
for the whole region and being just a four hour drive from Sydney and just over an hour from 
Canberra the weekends bring hordes from the north. 

So Cooma is worth a visit no matter what the season.