|
Post by questa on Jun 30, 2015 8:42:40 GMT
flip flops in Oz are called thongs. In recent times this word also means a skimpy article worn by women in lieu of panties...as you can imagine confusion sometimes occurs, often amusing.
|
|
|
Post by onlyMark on Jun 30, 2015 9:45:14 GMT
There was a connection between Sundowners and my company through the originator of the company, Tony Jones. Some of our leader/drivers drove for Sundowners at times when I was working but I never did. So I didn't get to know any of their staff. If it was in the 60's then it was way before my time anyway. I did it in the 90's and the beginning of the 2000's.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jun 30, 2015 13:08:33 GMT
There was a re-union of drivers to celebrate 50 yrs of Sundowners held in Queensland last October. Can you imagine the stories and lies being told that weekend?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2015 17:13:50 GMT
New tiny little things (thank god for that): extra memory cards, extra camera battery cells
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jun 30, 2015 17:47:32 GMT
|
|
|
Post by madhatter on Jun 30, 2015 18:30:48 GMT
I bought a couple of power banks to deal with crappy power supplies.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jun 30, 2015 20:00:03 GMT
I am not quite sure how power banks work. Is it one source that you can charge, then plug various devices into so they can be charged? MadHatter, are yours solar or "regular"?
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jun 30, 2015 23:14:58 GMT
|
|
|
Post by madhatter on Jul 1, 2015 0:07:45 GMT
I am not quite sure how power banks work. Is it one source that you can charge, then plug various devices into so they can be charged? MadHatter, are yours solar or "regular"? I thought I'd replied but must have not pressed go. I've got a battery job but you can get solar. They are really just rechargeable batteries that out put at the right voltage and Amps to charge phones and tablets. You need 1amp out put for phones and 2amp for tablets. The bigger the milli am page storage the more you can refill the appliance with juice.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 1, 2015 1:01:38 GMT
Aaah ~ thanks! I'll keep it in mind for the next trip. As it is, even if one dropped in my lap right now, I don't think I'd have room for it. I keep all my electronic & camera stuff on me. I don't even put it in my carry-on, in case I have one of those "valet" flights. I've pre-packed my tote with the digital doo-hickeys minus the camera & 7"tablet & it's already really heavy. Re: cameras ~ does everyone/no one carry an extra along?
|
|
|
Post by mich64 on Jul 1, 2015 1:36:36 GMT
Bixa, I have never carried an extra camera but I have used our cell phone, the camera in that almost takes nicer photos than my camera!
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 1, 2015 2:58:50 GMT
Mich, that's not an option for me, but it's a really good idea. I really like my reliable little camera, but it doesn't have that much of a zoom. My old Panasonic's claim to fame is its zoom, but .... another item, another charger, more weight. *sigh*
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2015 4:13:37 GMT
Back in the days of film cameras, I would always have a couple of those disposable plastic cameras with me, and sometimes they took better photos than my good camera.
Now I actually do have a cheap 'emergency' camera for travel.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jul 1, 2015 4:22:30 GMT
I have a trusty Nikon that I can make do all the tricks in the book and gives good photos...bit big and clunky though. I bought a Canon...small, top of the line, more bells and whistles than a NASA rocket and I just can't get it to do what I want...only use flash, zoom and close up. Old trusty gets used and Canon is there for back-up.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 1, 2015 4:23:06 GMT
Did you get it specifically for that reason, Kerouac, or is it a "velveteen rabbit" camera?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2015 4:43:53 GMT
Actually, I did buy the cheap camera specifically as a backup -- or rather as a temporary replacement the last time my good camera had to go into the shop.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 1, 2015 15:05:58 GMT
I want to avoid that just-in-case packing bugaboo we're warned against, but the thought of being without a camera gives me cold sweats. I'd have to buy a replacement camera & that would be particularly galling knowing that I have a perfectly good one languishing at home. Then there's the thought that bringing the extra is cosmic insurance against losing the primary camera. And the other thought of the aforementioned use of space plus something else to keep track of. ditherditherditherdither
|
|
|
Post by htmb on Jul 1, 2015 15:39:10 GMT
To add to your dithering, I will tell you that my one camera has started being temperamental in the last week or so. While it will ultimately focus on an object, it takes longer than before and I'm having to baby it a good bit. However, my cell phone would also be my backup, like Mich.
I decided to leave my backup camera at home this trip because, a) it was a mistake to bring it last year, and b) I'm in a place that, if I really had to, I could purchase a new camera (though I would not be happy about it).
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jul 1, 2015 22:48:58 GMT
Over the years I have had 2 cameras stolen, 3 smashed and one partially damaged (no zoom). The Canon, until repaired, would only take 20 shots then the batteries would die. I showed up at Borobudur in Java at dawn to catch one of the world's great sights with canisters of exposed film, not the new canisters. Most places I visit have no photography shops and I will only ever be there once. That is why I carry 2 cameras now.
|
|
|
Post by breeze on Jul 7, 2015 15:59:52 GMT
Last year we took a long trip and left our old camera at home. My phone took better pictures than that camera did. This year I'll be taking a newish camera and the phone will be the backup camera.
Some things I always take along on a trip are big IKEA bags. The blue one is earmarked for dirty laundry. We leave the yellow one in the car for anything we won't need again on the trip.
At home I have a basket of big, colorful snack bag clips on my desk. I use them all the time--to hold notes together or keep today's mail from getting lost or serve as a bookmark. They come in very handy on trips.
Because my husband is sensitive to strong fragrances, I take a pillowcase from home.
I pack a headlamp to use in bed at night, a cheapie from Lowe's.
Now if I could just find a lightweight raincoat.
|
|
|
Post by htmb on Jul 7, 2015 16:04:05 GMT
Have you checked Amazon, Breeze? I bought an inexpensive raincoat (Marmot?) a couple of years ago and it's been great. It doesn't breathe like goretex because it's cheap, but it does a great job of keeping the rain out and has a wonderful hood.
|
|
|
Post by breeze on Jul 7, 2015 19:07:58 GMT
I took your advice and checked Amazon, and there's one for $13.99 that looks like a possibility. Thrift shops first, though.
|
|
|
Post by htmb on Jul 7, 2015 19:16:14 GMT
Oooooh. Love the price.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2015 19:47:21 GMT
I always try to imagine if it would be useful to put all sorts of information and images on a memory card or stick and sew (?) it into a safe place in my baggage. But really, I can think of so few things (passport, payment cards, health information....) that it seems pretty useless, especially since we can all put such things in the "cloud" now.
Basically, a lot of stuff would be totally superfluous unless the whole world suddenly goes offline. When I was robbed in Johannesburg, my office was able to send sufficient documents (by fax back in the last century) to the French consulate to get me a laissez-passer to get home, including a loan from the French government to cover basic expenses. In fact, the only rather uncomfortable part of the whole experience (apart from having been threatened with a gang with butcher knives) was going back to work where my colleagues had created a whole comic strip starring me and had sent it to all of the other departments.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jul 7, 2015 23:19:42 GMT
Now THAT is a comic strip I'd like to see!
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 7, 2015 23:33:38 GMT
Questa, have you ever seen the brilliant movies that Kerouac directed? anyportinastorm.proboards.com/thread/29/bombay-directors-lounge?page=1Re: raincoats ~ yesterday I took someones excellent advice to get a coat-length raincoat with hood that could be folded up & put into my purse. I acquired that object in a fetching olive green. In order to fit it into my carry-on, I had to take out my housecoat. The raincoat took up less space. Also, it cost >>>drumroll<<< 70 pesos! That is $4.425 USD; 4.02 Euros; 2.86 GBP; or 5.937 AUD. a good converter: www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
|
|
|
Post by htmb on Jul 8, 2015 3:56:45 GMT
So, instead of your housecoat you'll be wearing your raincoat in the mornings?
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 8, 2015 5:16:53 GMT
*rustle* *rustle* *rustle*
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Jul 8, 2015 5:36:58 GMT
I tend to pack light so have a hard time understanding why you would take a raincoat on vacation in mid-summer. At most, a little folding umbrella if you think it might rain. Or a housecoat for that matter. Will you be staying in youth hostels and want to be modest?
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 8, 2015 6:48:17 GMT
Housecoats aren't just for modesty. They are invaluable for people who must leave the warmth of their beds in the morning & want to retain a little of that blessed comfort for as long as possible. The raincoat is dual-usage. Besides keeping off any rain, it can double for this.
|
|