Top Topics:
Showing posts with label cruise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cruise. Show all posts

May 4, 2015

Cruise Travel: Digital Cameras and Photo Accessories

Travel Tips From Our Trips - Digital Cameras


Olympus TG-835 Tough Camera
This point-and-shoot can withstand a lot of the travel adventures. We always have it with us no matter the destination. With this camera we don't have to worry about it getting wet in the rain, so we can take pictures even if it is drizzling outside or we are on a boat. We also have it with us at the pool for some great shots. And as it is shock-proof from 5 feet, it can take some dings and keep on shooting. Panasonic Lumix is also freeze-proof to 14 degrees F, good thing for when we were sailing by Antarctica, and dust-proof.


Canon Rebel XSi DSLR Camera
This DSLR has also seen quite a bit of travel. It is not in as many locations as the point-and-shoot, but it has been used quite a bit on cruises and other trips for some picturesque shots. While DSLRs are heavier and less compact, they also result in more detail and better contrast images
Since you only want to carry one lens with you on your travels, you need a light and versatile lens, such as the Sigma 18-250mm with f3.5-6.3. This way you can get close shots and those in the distance with pretty good resolution without having to change up your lens.

Tripods and Selfie Sticks
Nowadays travel shots of yourself and your companions while in famous or interesting places does not need to involve giving out your pricey photo capturing device to some stranger. Tripods and the newest digital photography accessory, selfie sticks, help you take shots that proof you were there.


Joby GorillaPod Hybrid
We have used the GorillaPod quite a bit in our travels, it's great to quickly mount it on rails and poles for a couple selfie shot. It is small light and very easy to just through in a bag and go.

Our latest addition to our travel photography arsenal is the smartphone selfie stick


Selfie Stick QuickSnap Pro 3-In-1 Self-portrait Monopod




Related Content:
10 Ways to Improve Your Travel Photography via DPS
Travel Bags for Photographers on the Move
5 Reasons to Use Flash to Improve Your Travel Photography
Deliberations of a Traveling Photographer (aka my wife)

Sound-off: What do you think? Let us know below

If you found this page useful in your gadget search, please recommend us:

Follow us via RSS RSS Feed
Sign up for free blog updates

Apr 6, 2015

Cruise Travel: TTG in South America - chilling in Chile

Cruise Travel: 
TTG in South America and chilling in Chile

South America trip has been on our bucket list for awhile. We knew it had to be a longer trip to be worth it. So this year we took a cruise on Golden Princess from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile.

We flew to Santiago, Chile and then took a shuttle to Buenas Aires. By doing this, instead of direct flight, we saved $800 per person. And it was a cry pleasnt 2 hour flight.

Buenes Aires
In Buenes Aires we took a taxi. And asked the driver for recommendation for a local preferred not so touristy place with dinner and flamingo show. We were not disappointed. The guy took us to one place that was supposed to be good, but turned out to not have a show anymore. He walked is over to another local restaurant that had one. We had a great time, great dinner, and a good bottle of wine that we not only drank there but also bought a bottle on the spot. It was an Argentine Merlot Malbec, very good red wine.


This is also were we boarded our cruise.

What we packed:
1 suitcase and 2 carry-ons for 2 weeks for 2 people. It was tight. But also, as it turns out, too heavy per bag. That is at least according to the not so pleasant ticket agent and LAN airline rules. While we checked and double checked everything while packing, we did not think about checking the weight restriction for carry-ons. Some travel advice from that, always check regulations for each airline. They all vary.

More packing info and tips here

Montevideo, Uruguay (City Drive, Winery)
At this port of call we had a bus tour of the area as there were not that many excursions offered. The tour overall was interesting. Found out a lot of information about Uruguay that changed my perception of this country. One interesting and a bit funny part of the narration was that the guide was trying to sell his country as a senior retirement resort. He several times mentioned low crime rates, great free medical services, calm and serene atmosphere.
Part of the tour was a stop at one of the larger Uruguayan wineries. There, we got a tour of the place, sampling of the wines, as well as dinner and a show. The host, the wine maker, told us that they only make fine wines at the place, that all of his is high quality wine. I don't claim to be a wine connoisseur, though we have had our sampling of wines in many travels (California Tripping, Our Last Hoorah... For Now, Winter trip to summer home of the rich and the famous (Hamptons, LI)). And this wine did not taste good. And then the statistic came out that 80% of Uruguayan wine is drank by Uruguayans. That made a lot of sense.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina (Penguins at Punta Tombo Reserve)
In Puerto Madryn was our first trip to the penguins reservation. Here the Magellan penguin come to lay their eggs from fall to early spring. We were very excited to see some penguins in real life. We had no idea just how up close we will see them. As soon as we got there, there were penguins right off the people path. The further we want the more of them were lining the road. You had to look under bushes and into holes to find some of them. One of the things the guide told us is we should look up to them crossing the path and to make sure to stop way before to let them through safely. At that time they make their trip to the ocean to hunt for food. And if prevented from crossing they will miss their meal. We had just one like that crossing in front of us. Though instead of of just crossing he decided to walk up the human path. It was awesome how he was wobbling ahead with a crowd of people following behind. See it here ...
And more pictures here (link to album)

Port Stanley, FK - Bluff Cove (4x4 and penguins)
On this trip I learned quite a bit. Such as there are islands off of South America continent called Falkland Islands. In 1982, there was a war for these islands between Argentina and Great Britain. British won as they currently have the control. The official currency is pound and language is English.
This was our second excursion to see penguins. This time the inhabitants are Gentoo and King penguins. Instead of holes or bushes these ones were out on the rocks and on the beach. To get to the beach we took 4x4 vehicles, which were all Range Rovers. It was a fun ride through unpaved terrain with many ups and downs, rocks, ditches, and other 'obstacles'. It was a fun adventurous ride in addition to the penguins observation. When we got to the Bluff Cove we saw a sea of penguins. They were running and chirping everywhere. Off to the right there was a small, but not in statue, population of King penguins. Their hatchlings were next to them or under them.



Cape Horn, CL
One of the scenic swim bys on the cruise. It was a nice view of the ridges and peaceful nature. However, neither of us thought it was magnificent. It was nice. We got some great shots and took a look for a few minutes, but that was it. It also was freezing cold there. We were wearing 3-4 layers and it was chilly.
____________________
Quotes from the trip:

Q: What country you all from (to bus group)?
A: Ohio
Tour Guide: penguins swim out to feed and get food for their babies
Q: from bus passenger 2 min later - do penguins live near water?

On tender
P1: Who painted the Mona Lisa?
P2: umm
P1: O, you know, we went to his house to see the painting...
P2: O I think it was Galileo, (me - Michael...) I mean that guy, Michaelengelo
P1: they are all like spaghetti to me
____________________

Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) Argentina
End of the Earth. It is the most southern part of the continent. It was one of the most scenic stops on the trip. This place of dreary skies started out as a prisoners colony, but grew into residential area with skiing resorts and robust tourism.

Punta Arenas, CL
Originally, we were going to visit another penguins colony, though after seeing the last two it was a lot of penguins. And it would be Magellans once more. Instead, we did a tour of the city on own. It was interesting to see the town and we go to see more of it then most tourists. We did start of with very touristy portion, the Plaza Muñoz Gamero. It has many stalls with the local selling a ton of touristy chuchkies, "wool" clothing, magnets and so on. Around the square there were several museums. Originally we wanted to see Museo Palacio Braun Menendez, which we did. However, by a lucky mistake, we first ended up at the house of Braun Menendez, Casa Braun-Menéndez. It was a small mansion with some of the original furniture and other historic artifacts. The actual museum, is actually much smaller with less stuff in it. Right off the plaza is the restaurant, La Tasca, that is recommended, but not the easiest to find. When we came across it, we were not even sure if it was it. It is located on the second floor of a white building. And unless you can spot the small sign, you would walk right by it. When we went up their for lunch it looked like a 2 story walk up building in NY. But then on the right side is a full restaurant. There was no one there at the time. We were the first. We has a great selection of seafood and a pisco sour. As we dined, local patrons came in for lunch as well as other tourists.


We also got a great 360 degree view of Punta Arenas when we climbed up the steps in the middle of the town. The walk and the climb was well worth the view:



Amalia Glacier(scenic Cruising), CL
The weather and therefore the ocean were ruff at the time we were supposed to sail by that glacier. And captain made a call to bypass it and sail around it. While a few folks were disappointed, considering the number of green people walking around, it was the right call. Plus at dinner the night before we saw pretty awesome glaciers that looked even better from my view then the one we missed.

Puerto Montt, CL
This excursion was the most scenic and grandiose. First stop after a short bus ride was at the Emerald Lake. So named for the color of the water which looks bright green. Here we took a very scenic ride on a ferry. It lasted 45 minutes, though it seemed to go by much quicker. We sailed by the Osorno volcano. Seeing it from several sides. We later saw even more sides of it driving to next destination on the bus. The weather was crisp and sky clear, so we got a good view of its snowy top. The water was calm and just as green as the name suggested. We got a lot of great pictures:
Second stop of the tour was a lunch break on a local farm. They had great food and drinks, and we had great time chatting with other folks on the tour. They also had animals grazing near by and we got some up close shots of a bird that looked like Emu, saw sheep, hawk flying by, and goats.


Valparaiso, CL - Errazuriz Winery
Here it was a bus tour through out the area. We drove through the city making a few very short stops for pictures and stretching. One of the most scenic views was up high of the entire city.
The great part about this excursion, besides the tour, was that it also acted as our transfer from the cruise ship to the airport. At the end of the excursion, they dropped us off right in-front.




Sound-off: What do you think? Let us know below


If you found this page useful in your gadget search, please recommend us:










Follow us via RSS RSS Feed


Sign up for free blog updates


Jan 16, 2012

Cruising the Bahamas..in Parkas!

Article first published as Cruising the Bahamas...in Parkas! on Technorati:
As I eluded a couple of posts ago, we went on a week-long cruise to the Bahamas. While we sailed from the chilly East Coast, we were looking forward to some warm rays of sun on the Islands of the Bahamas. Well, we got about a day of warm sun. The rest of the time the temperatures were at around mid 50s.
The scene kind of looked like this when we got off the boat on the 2nd day in port in Nassau:

a bit of photo editing here as was 
not able to get the picture of actual cruisers ;)















Though we did get to enjoy a beautiful day in Port Canaveral, Florida and half a day in Nassau. My wife had her camera along of course and you can view some of the pictures in the Bahamas Cruise album.

photos by Svetik Photography

A new travel companion for this trip was the camera bag Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag. This bag fit the DSLR perfectly in it. Even with the new larger lens that wife just got. (For photo enthusiasts, the lense is Sigma 18-250mm). Moreover, it also fits cables, water bottle, snacks, keys, wallet, and a light shirt. It is versatile enough to use as a day bag when it’s not packed with camera and other travel gear. It looks like a regular over the shoulder bag. Which is great as it does not announce to all that there is a camera in there. Without opening it up and looking inside you would not even know its a camera bag. We also put in it while on the trip a collection of travel gadgets such as the point-and-shoot camera, watch, chargers, batteries, and flash memory cards. The camera compartment is a padded bucket that is removable and also comes with a small pocket for memory cards. The outside of the bag has pockets and dividers that will keep your cell phone, pens, sunglasses, and other useful travel accessories organized and easily accessible. And just in case you over stuff the bag with all this, there is a zipped up expansion to make the bag larger to accommodate.

The smartphone has become almost an obvious travel gadget. A lot of the folks had one with them, even though we did not have service most of the trip. They were sharing photos, making notes and contacts, and playing games. Both kids and adults.

While it is not exactly a tech gadget, though some of these are packed with quite a bit of latest manufacturing technology, I realized the sunglasses are definitely a must-have travel gadget. Especially, if you are traveling anywhere down south. On the first day on board of our cruise-liner we went to check out the ship and the deck before unpacking. It was a nice day outside and quite sunny. Since my sunglasses were packed away, I had to squint to enjoy the views. Avoid strange photos and crow's feet, and protect your eyes, bring and wear sunglasses.

The usual suspects that we had on the trip:
- Canon PowerShot SX120IS
- Canon DSLR
- Joby Gorillapod
- Eneloop rechargeable batteries and charger
- newest must-bring gadget - iPhone

Did You Know?: 
Average (regular) temperature in Nassau, Bahamas in January is around 75 degrees.

 What do you think? Let us know below

Travel Gadgets