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What can You do in Alaska?

Chris Pirillo — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:32:28 +0000

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Violist is a chat room regular who has lived all his life in Alaska. Many people think there is nothing to do in this frozen land. Violist has submitted this list of things to do while in Alaska, to help dispel this myth.

Camping Alaska is one of the most beautiful places to camp, because of the mass population of wildlife. I love the mountains, and in Alaska there are a lot mountains. On special nights, you can see an Aurora… also known as the Northern lights. The Northern Lights are so beautiful, but it only happens when it is really cold out.
Cruise Alaska has a lot of things to see, and a cruise is one of the best things to do if you are visiting us. The cruise lines know when all the wildlife comes out, and they know where the best places to visit are. They also know the history of Alaska, and it is pretty interesting.
Kayaking This is a perfect way to explore Alaska’s coves and all the different islands that Alaska has. Popular destinations are Kachemk Bay, Resurrection bay, Glacier Bay National Park, and Kenai Fjords National Park. These are just to name a few.
Alaska’s State Parks Alaska has about 100 state parks across Southeastern and Western parts of the state. Denali State Park, to name one, is about 320,000 acres, and has a lot of wildlife. There are also a lot of things to do there, including visiting largest mountain in the U.S… Mount McKinley.
River Rafting This is very fun, because you can see Caribou, bears grazing, and a lot of other wildlife. The rivers in Alaska flow pretty fast, so it is kind of dangerous because there are a lot of sharp rocks on the rivers.

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What can You do in Alaska?

How to Go Whale Watching in Hawaii

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:33:25 +0000

How to Go Whale Watching in Hawaii

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You are seeing the Island of Kona in Hawaii, during our recent cruise. We just finished a whale watching expedition. I thought I’d pass along some tips, in case you ever get the chance to do this. If you do, I definitely recommend it.

Bring a pair of binoculars. Pack them at home, so you don’t have to waste time and extra money buying them during the trip. Having them is a good idea in Hawaii, anyway.
Take low-dosage Dramamine. You really may need it, even if you think you’re used to the water.
Always keep your eyes open, and pay attention. Scan the horizon, etc. You never know when one will “pop up” out of the ocean.
Take a digital camera or a camcorder. You really won’t be able to get a good picture. You can, however, get amazing digital movies of these beautiful creatures. Bring multiple memory cards and multiple batteries, as well
Note the time of year. If you’re not going to be going to a place where they’re “in season”, don’t waste your time and money.

If you have any other whale watching tips or sites/experiences to share, please pass them on to me!

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How to Go Whale Watching in Hawaii

Hawaii To Do List

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:31:45 +0000

Hawaii To Do List

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Ponzi and I just returned from our cruise to Hawaii. We were fortunate to stream live from the ship, thanks to a mobile broadband connection. We wanted to share with you the things we want to make sure you remember to see or do if you ever visit Hawaii.

If you visit Maui, make sure you make time to eat at Mama’s Fish House. This is an amazing restraunt. I love raw fish, and theirs was excellent.
If you have a chance, take a helicoptor tour. It was unbelievably gorgeous, and an experience we’ll never forget.
We haven’t gotten to do this, but it was recommended to us… go to a Luau. My friend says the one at the Polynesian Cultural Center is fun, exciting and educational.
Whale watching and snorkeling with the turtles are both truly humbling, and a lot of fun. Try to do anything you can with sea life, even if it’s just watching them, like with the whales.
Try a “Discover Scuba” class. You pay a one-time fee, and you don’t have to buy the equipment. They teach you the basics, and you’ll get to go as deep as 40 feet with an instructor.

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Hawaii To Do List

Vacation Credit Card Tips

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:45:50 +0000

Vacation Credit Card Tips

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Ponzi and I just returned from a vacation in Hawaii. Credit cards can be a blessing… or a curse. Here are some tips we came up with when going on vacation, and using your credit card.

Check with your Credit Card company for any discounts for travel and accomodations during your planning stages. Many CC companies offer discounts and help with the planning.
Bring as few cards as possible. Only bring what you need and know you’ll have to use. We usually bring both MasterCard and American Express… in case one or the other isn’t taken somewhere.
Designate a single place for all paperwork and receipts you might have. Everything that you sign or buy, put in that place. At the end of the trip, you have all the paperwork in one place, and it’s easier to reconcile.
If you’re traveling out of the country, it’s best to notify your card company ahead of time. They may automatically assume your card is stolen or lost.
Write down important numbers, or make copies of the front and back of your credit card… along with your ID and passport. It will have numbers and important information on the copies, in case you lose your credit card.

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Vacation Credit Card Tips

Reasons I Might Never Move to Hawaii

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:57:21 +0000

Reasons I Might Never Move to Hawaii

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It’s absolutely beautiful here in Hawaii. The weather is great. The scenery is amazing. However, I just don’t think I could live here. Let me tell you why…

It’s too touristy. I’m sure there are probably places on the islands that aren’t as touristy. However, much of Hawaii’s economy is supported by tourism. I can’t imagine having to put up with that year-round.
I’m not really a water lover. I’m not a sporty kind of guy. Many people are parasailing, kayaking, mountain biking… I just don’t get it.
It’s an island here in the middle of the Ocean. There’s virtually no escape route. That just freaks me out.
There are limited broadband options here. Being a Geek who makes my living online… I sincerely have to have good Internet connections. That’s just not going to happen in Hawaii.
I really don’t like hot weather. I love the weather in Seattle, honestly! I’m not a fan of sun and beaches and heat. It’s just not for me.

I’m actually hoping someone will reply to this video with reasons they WOULD remove to Hawaii. Or, you can list reasons you agree with me, and wouldn’t want to live here. This is a wonderful place to visit, but for me… it’s just not a place to live.

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Reasons I Might Never Move to Hawaii

Cruise Ship Internet

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:41:44 +0000

Cruise Ship Internet

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I’m sorry about the bad image and sound quality. We are on a cruise ship in Hawaii right now. I’m using the Internet via a connection provided to me from Ustream.tv. This is, of course, a mobile broadband connection. I came up with some tips to help you deal with this type of connection, if you ever happen to be on a cruise.

Buy larger packages of time. Most cruise ships have Internet available. The company will have packages available for sale. Always go with more minutes.
Find a friendly cruise ship. All companies work differently with their connectivity. This company was pricey, so I’m not using their connection.
Get a sponsor if you can. I was lucky to have Ustream.tv sponsor me for this connection.
Turn it into a business expense. This will minimize the impact of the out-of-pocket cost. So long as I stream live from the ship and do some videos like always… it’s a business expense.
Do what you can do offline. Write the blog post out offline, then post it once you get online. Or… get your emails ready to send, then get online. This will save you a lot of time and expense.
If you can, rely on your existing phone for your connectivity. Some devices do work as a modem, and will work very well.

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Cruise Ship Internet

Packing Tips

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:06:31 +0000

Packing Tips

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As you know by now, Ponzi and I are on our cruise through Hawaii this week. Since we’ve taken so many trips and cruises together, we have become pros at packing. We thought we’d share some tips with you all.

Make a list It sounds simple, but in the weeks leading up to your departure date you should write up a list. This way you don’t forget things on the fly… and can make sure you pack everything to take home at the end of the vacation. Also, if your luggage gets lost, you’ll have a list of everything you had packed.
Ziplock baggies If you have anything that could possibly leak, such as shampoo or soap, place them into a Ziplock baggie. This will help keep any liquids from spilling out all over your other items.
Tape your toiletries Anything with a lid or cap on it, tape the lids shut to prevent leakage. Don’t forget to tape the hairspray lid, as well.
Tags inside the bag, not just outside If you place a luggage tag on the inside also, you’ll have that extra identification if your outside tag falls off.
Put something unique on your bag Everyone is using ribbons on the handle now. Try putting a unique sticker on it, buying a unique color, or even adding some paint to the luggage. This will keep yours easily identifiable from everyone else’s!

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Packing Tips

Hawaii

Chris Pirillo — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:46:08 +0000

Hawaii

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Yes, it’s true. Ponzi and I are on vacation in Hawaii this week, via a cruise ship. Check out this view! How amazing is that? Don’t you wish you were here?

I know I’m dark in the foreground, but that’s because in the background is the amazing Pacific Ocean. I apologize for the audio and video quality. I’m using a Spring broadband
modem. I plan to try and do some live streaming, as well as record some videos, each day of this cruise. It will depend on my connection.

The view you are looking at is from our small private deck, off of our room. You can see our deck chairs and table. This gives us extra privacy, and allows me to stream to you easier. We’d better head out now, or we’ll be late for our Ring of Fire Helicopter Tour. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some video during it, or at least some photos!

E ya later!

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Hawaii

Cruise Tips

Chris Pirillo — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Cruise Tips

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Ponzi and I are on a Hawaii Cruise this week. We both truly love to go on a cruise. We love it because it’s so flexible. You can be leisurely or adventurous. You can go enjoy things on the Mainlands or on the ship itself… and return to your room with ease. Here are some tips we came up with to help you enjoy your next cruise.

Dine late or early if you can. If you go during peak hours, it’s going to be insanely busy on the ship. On this particular cruise, if you dine late you don’t pay the normal rate. You can find specials that they normally won’t have.
Casual vs Formal: There’s usually a formal night in most restraunts on the cruise. They require you to dress up, and I’m just not comfortable with that. Be prepared, and bring at least one dressy outfit with you. Check to see how the particular cruise you are going on handles dining before you sign up.
Book excursions early. The whole idea of cruises is to go many different places. Booking early guarantees that you get the trips and times you want. We’ve learned over time not to over-book. We’re taking things nice and casual this time. In the past we’ve over-booked… and it made things hectic.
If you can, get a room with a view! Rooms on the interior are cheaper, yes. However, if you’re going to go… save the extra money to get a room with a deck with an amazing view. It’s definitely worth the extra expenditure. We eat our breakfast on our private patio, while watching the ocean.
I’m not wearing the band on my wrist because I need it… I wanted to show you. It’s a band that sends out electrical pulses at timed intervals that will keep you from being seasick. If you know you may suffer from motion sickness, you should think about picking one of these up. The power and settings are adjustable. If you don’t want one of these, at least pick up some Dramamine or motion-sickness patches. Even if you normally don’t get motion sickness symptoms, it’s still a good idea to be prepared with the Dramamine.

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Cruise Tips

Macworld or Hawaii?

Chris Pirillo — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:02:05 +0000

Macworld or Hawaii?

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Yes, I’m in Hawaii right now, enjoying the sunny weather. I thought I’d share with everyone the five reasons I’d rather be here in Hawaii, instead of at Macworld.

If I need to update my iPhone, I can do that from anywhere. I don’t need to be at Macworld to upgrade something. I’m sitting here using my wireless broadband connection right from the cruise ship. So, I’ll be able to download any updates!
In Hawaii, there are no smelly Mac geeks. This is true! I’ve read it in Wikipedia! Mac and PC Geeks alike have a “bouquet” about them. Have you ever left eggs out too long? Well, that’s the Mac geek smell. That’s not here in Hawaii.
A Mac Pro wouldn’t fit inside my luggage. I’m planning to get one, but don’t want to buy it from Macworld. I wouldn’t be able to take it with me.
There are no Pina Coladas at Macworld. Pina Coladas… or Macworld? You decide.
You can’t beat the view here in Hawaii. It’s amazing, and absolutely gorgeous. Later today, I’ll be climbing a mountain… or not.

Would you rather be at Macworld with the other geeks… or here in Hawaii with Ponzi and me?

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Macworld or Hawaii?

Greek Cruise Crash?

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:36:37 +0000

Greek Cruise Crash?

Ponzi and I “do” cruise ships, booking most of our travel through Vacations to Go (although, we’re probably going to skip any kind of travel agency next time, since they’re relatively useless anymore). This morning, four days after something happened, we received this note from VtG:

At 4:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, April 5, Louis Cruise Lines’ Sea Diamond struck underwater rocks near the coast of Santorini, Greece, and began taking on water. Passengers and crew abandoned ship, and 15 hours after the collision, the vessel sank into the Aegean Sea.

All but two of the ship’s 1,156 passengers and 391 crew members were safely evacuated by military and commercial ships and local fishermen. A 45-year-old Frenchman and his 16-year-old daughter are still missing. Divers have been searching for the missing passengers and at press time a remote-controlled undersea probe was being readied to search the sunken ship, resting in approximately 300 feet of water.

The ship was in the midst of a 4-night Greek Islands cruise and was minutes from anchoring in the harbor when it sailed into rocks marked with warning lights and clearly indicated on navigation charts. The captain of the Sea Diamond and five other officers and crew members have been charged with causing a shipwreck through negligence, breaching international shipping safety regulations and polluting the environment. The captain has said the ship was on a normal course when a strong current caused it to move suddenly to the right, and although the order was given to turn the ship to the left, the ship could not be turned in time. The investigation is continuing.

Oh, wow. I don’t know what I’d do if that were to happen while we were aboard. I’m glad that most of the passengers are safe, though. I’d never heard of Louis before, but we’re not quite cruise aficionados (not enough grey hairs). Been on Royal Caribbean long enough to know we probably won’t be on Royal Caribbean again – and been on Holland America long enough to know that it probably suits us best.

Greek Cruise Crash?

Honeymoon Photos

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 22:15:41 +0000

Honeymoon Photos

We’re back! I’ve taken the liberty to upload most of our honeymoon photos (leaving some duplicates out). I have a few favorites, largely involving tropical landscapes. There are some great ones of Ponzi peppered in the mix as well. I’d probably have a few hundred more snapshots if we weren’t sick for four days – which would have included more trips to Mayan ruins. Check out the turtles from Honduras, the Belize sunset, and the warm farewell from Guatemalans. Of course, please ignore the fact that I completely misspelled the word “Caribbean!” Nevertheless, we had a fantastic time – and would certainly recommend Regent cruises for anybody. I think we were the youngest couple aboard (by a complete generation, easily).

Honeymoon Photos

Guatemala Coffee and Shopping

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 01:36:52 +0000

Guatemala Coffee and Shopping

We had a flightseeing tour over Guatemala scheduled for the day – but early this morning, Ponzi’s body forced us to change our plans. She slept her way through most of the morning hours while I watched Pirates of the Carribean (Dead Man’s Chest) for the first time. No pirates in these Carribean waters now (that I can find)! Today’s excursion would have taken us to Tikal:

Although this region was home to Maya communities as early as 600 BC, Tikal wasn’t established until around 200 BC. By 500 AD, it’s estimated that the city covered more than 18 square miles and had a population of close to 100,000. The great temples that still tower above the jungle were at that time covered with stucco and painted with bright reds and greens. By the 6th century, Tikal governed a large part of the Mayan world, thanks to a leader called Caan Chac (Stormy Sky).

I’m disappointed that we weren’t able to view more of Guatemala’s amazing landscape. After lunch on the Regent Seven seas Voyager, we ventured down into the port’s shopping pavilion. Ponzi and I walked up and down the aisles, seeing thousands of trinkets and unique crafts alike. My dad would be proud of my vastly improved bargaining and negociation skills; as a child, I couldn’t bid a merchant lower to save my wallet. Price on the coffee grounds was set in stone (so to speak), but I found $6.00 more than fair for a pound of pure Guatemalan coffee.

I think the biggest gift we received today was from the population of Santo Tomas de Castillo. As we were preparing to set sail, dozens of local taxis and shopkeeps lined themselves parallel to our ship – to the tune of hundreds of vehicles and random Guatemalans. The cars started to flash their lights and sirens, dancing ensued, and everybody was waving us good-bye. It was an awesome sight – very heartwarming, and quite memorable. I can’t wait to share the video!

Guatemala Coffee and Shopping

Rotan Island in Honduras

Chris Pirillo — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:24:42 +0000

Rotan Island in Honduras

Initially, we planned on kayaking in Honduras this afternoon. Tour tickets for this port of call were secured earlier this week, but this morning we found ourselves wanting to take a leisurely approach to the day. We lay by the top deck pool for an hour in between breakfast and lunch (without actually swimming). I sucked down an icy, rum-based beverage – par for the course. “Chris P” started to get crispy, so we knew it was time to head indoors. From there, we decided to take a tender ashore for a short while – if only to take a few photographs and make a few memories. Maybe I’ve become fully Seattlized, but I’m already sunned out for the week!

During the Maya reign in Central America (between the 4th and 10th centuries), the Paya Indians populated the Bay Islands. The Payas were a smaller and less advanced group than the Mayans. Their civilization was characterized by simpler housing and tools. Payan artifacts (pottery, jade, and shells) are often found in Island burial and ceremonial sites and are referred to by the locals as “yaba ding dings.”

According to reports, in the village of Punta Gorda (on Rotan), the locals still make their own homes. I’m guessing there’s not a single Home Depot within a hundred-mile radius of our current location. No matter, we didn’t really get to explore the Island; Ponzi and I hit a single gift shop, strolled along the edge of the beach, circumnavigated the pier, and loitered around a couple of turtle pools before heading back to the cruise ship (less than an hour after leaving it). I think I’m sunburnt.

Rotan Island in Honduras

Blogger Honeymoons

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 08:14:45 +0000

Blogger Honeymoons

There’s quite an ecclectic mix of couples aboard the Regent Seven Seas voyager this week. Few of them have discovered the blogosphere, judging from the size of today’s word processing class. I gotta know what other bloggers have done – or plan on doing – for their honeymoon? I probably should have asked this before booking (and then taking) our own Carribean cruise, but I can’t help but wonder just how many options are out there? I’m sure we’re not the only newlyweds going to the Carribean this week. It’d be cool to meet another newlywed blogger on this cruise! Bloggymooners? Honeybloggers? Moonboogers?

Blogger Honeymoons