Apple's iPad = Travel Companion

Yesterday, Apple announced the newest addition to its army of world-altering technologies: the Apple iPad.  The touch-screen technology popularized by the iTouch and iPhone is also shared by the iPad.  Smaller than a magazine, Steve Job's proclaims "it is the best browsing experience you've ever had." I'm not sure how I would categorize the iPad: a tablet, a hybrid iphone or a netbook?  Likely, it is all.

The iPad will start to ship worldwide late march, be available in the US early April and available in Canada (hopefully) sometime this summer.  The cost for an entry-level ipad will be $499usd.

Why the iPad is Great for Traveling

• Size.  At 9.6"h x 7.5"w x 0.5"d the iPad is bigger than an iPhone and smaller than a lap top.  It will be able to fit in an oversized purse or regular carry-on.
• Weight.  With many airlines instituting carry-on weight requirements, every pound counts, so horay for its 1.5 pound weight.
• Apps.  The apps offered for the iPhone/Touch blow my mind.  There are currently 140,000 of them--a number which will seem scant one day.  The same apps will be offered for the iPad.  This will be invaluable while on-the-road.
• Photos.  With the ability to act like a photo frame, you'll be able to flip through and share the pics you snap right away.
• Battery.  The iPad's battery life is refreshing.  With an estimated run-time of 10 hours, you'll be able to compute on an international flight.
• Storage.  If you're a photographer or on a year-long trip, the 3 size categories (16, 32 and 64GB) would be helpful.
• 3G Wi-Fi.  Find out what's going on in THE world and YOUR world while you're away.
• TV.  Don't worry about missing the shows you follow while away, watch them on the ipad.
• eReader.  Look out Kindle, the iPad is the next competitor.  Figures that Apple would partner with Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan and Hachette Book Group to offer iBooks, an eBook distributor.
• Phone.  Apple iPad 3G models will be sold with an unlocked SIM card.
• Listen.  Make your hotel room feel like home (kinda) blasting your playlist (at a low decibel of course) through its built-in speakers.  The device will ship with itunes installed.

Questions

• Because the iPad's is flat, and the keyboard integrated, typing a slew of emails may give one some neck pains.  Maybe they'll come out with a solution for this...I know they are coming out with a docking station, but this is not practical to bring traveling.
• Typing while holding the device.  Will we only be able to type one-handed?
• Requiring an additional 3G data contract with your cell provider?  Will providers consolidate contracts to account for multiple devices?

I'm kind of over my 8" netbook.  It has accompanied me on a few epic trips, but it's about as slow as my blackberry bold, so I'm thinking of selling it in anticipation of the ipad's spring release.

Disney Adventures + Holidays

[trip style = adventure + sun + beach] It appears Disney is playing on their 'family fun' and 'adventure' pillars to expand their business beyond theme parks and cruising, and into the adventure travel and resort sector with the announcement of their first family resort.

Disney Vacations' Newest Property Now you can hang out with Mickey and Mini Mouse in Paradise. The upcoming Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii just got a name: "Aulani" or "the place that speaks with deep messages." Located 20-miles outside of Waikiki, Oahu, Disney's $800-million resort is expected to open in 2011. This mega-property will include 350 hotel rooms in two 15-story hotels, two restaurants, a Disney kids' club, a lazy river where guests can weave their way through volcanic rockwork and a caldera, a saltwater lagoon for snorkeling, an 18,000-square-foot spa and an 8,000-square-foot conference center. Sales are expected to start in summer 2010.

Adventures by Disney Another major Disney undertaking is their foray into guided family travel with 'Adventures by Disney.'  Offering a multitude of trip options (over 24) spanning the globe, the tours promise families "expertly planned" opportunities to become "active participants in incredible stories, experiences and cultures."

Rates are not cheap. You're paying for: Disney's Name; a targeted, itemized itinerary; an adventure you don't have to plan; food and accommodation. Flights are extra. In trying to choose the itineraries that looked most appealing, I gave up. They all look interesting and enriching. Commenting on the "Viva Italia" adventure, one Trip Advisor ddd said this: "It was fantastic and worth every penny. You get a lot for your money so be sure to compare apples to apples if you think it looks too expensive. Our kids are 13 and 11 and had an absolutely fantastic time. It was great for us 40-something adults, too."

In the future I'd be more likely to book an Adventure by Disney than a stay at Aulani.  The resort mock-ups look beautiful, but I'd prefer to have a more authentic Island experience elsewhere in Hawaii.

US-Bound Passengers from Canada Now Allowed Carry-On Luggage

Thank Goodness. In a rather surprising move, CATSA annouced carry-on luggage would be re-allowed on US-bound flights from Canada from January 20th. In addition to one carry-on bag (not to exceed 40cmx55cmx20cm), U.S.-bound passengers may also bring a purse, diaper bag, laptop, or camera bag. Books, iPods and medicine must be stored in the carry-on bag.

Here's a link to a video refresher on what's allowed on carry-ons and in what quantities.

Vancouver 2010: Free Activities

[trip style = urban]

As Vancouver and Whistler launch into their final preparations to welcome the world, the Olympic Games are just over 20 days away!  As a Vancouverite, I'm in the 'excited for the games' camp.  For the vast majority staying in town, the general buzz is one of  pride and anticipation for what's to come.  Overnight, our lifestyle-driven, sea and mountainside turf will go from modest Canadian city to budding metropolis.  Normally you have to travel to experience an overnight change this significant, but in this case, both locals and visitors can travel together!

If you don't have tickets to any events, no worries, there is a host of free 2010 activities going on in and around Vancouver and Whistler.  For a full list of free Olympic Activities, check out http://www.citycaucus.com/2010freevenues

My Top Picks: Free 2010 Activities

• Vectorial Elevation :: A giant consumer generated light show over the Burrard Inlet :: dusk to dawn :: English Bay/Kits
• Laser Waterworks Show :: Nightly :: David Lam Park Yaletown
• Ice Skate at the GE Plaza :: Robson Square :: open 12 - 9pm daily :: skate rentals $3
• Heineken House :: Celebrate Dutch athletes and drink beer :: Minoru Arenas 7551 Minoru Gate, Richmond
• LiveCity Downtown :: See demonstration sports, entertainment and on-screen programming :: Georgia & Beatty
• LiveCity Yaletown :: Live arts, entertainment, pavilions, sponsor tents, refreshment and on-screen sport highlights :: David Lam Park
• Nightly Medal Ceremonies in Vancouver and Whistler :: not free but reasonable - tickets from $22 :: featuring athletes and world-renown singers :: BC Place and the Whistler Celebration Centre
• O-Zone Richmond :: 60-acre celebration :: Ice art, outdoor skating, athletes, virtual reality, food, fireworks :: Canada Line Brighouse Station
• Vancouver Art Gallery :: BC, Canada Pavilion :: 9am - 9pm daily :: catch the Renoir exhibit too!

Mr. Firecracker and Travel Delays

Dear Mr. Firecracker.  I am glad your plan (or lackthereof) got botched on Christmas day, and the people on your flight were OK.  Couldn't you have chose another time of year to do this?  Holiday travel is congested at the best of times, notwithstanding a pat-down from security and the use of only ONE/no carry-on.  There was the shoe incident, then the liquid incident, now the firecracker incident (and later bathroom incident).  I don't even want to ask what's next and what the repercussions to travellers will be. Travelling in a bathing suit? Might be a little chilly...

Many of the temporary measures set in place after all the aforementioned threats were supposed to be just that, temporary, but many of these regulations have stayed in place.  I hope the no carry-on rule is short-lived.

Current Regulations - Post Christmas Day Firecracker Incident Because of the threat and responsive security measures (see below), many planes are significantly delayed, and in some cases, short-hauls have been outright cancelled.

Prior to Leaving Double-Check your - flight status - carrier's website - outbound airport for the most up-to-date regulations

Federal officials said there would be heightened security for both domestic and international flights at airports across the country, but the intensified levels would likely be "layered," differing from location to location depending on alerts, security concerns and other factors.

Passengers can expect to see heightened screening, more bomb-sniffing dog and officer units and behavioral-detection specialists at some airports, but there will also be unspecified less visible precautions as well, officials said.

Transport Canada Official Temporary Emergency Measure (Dec 2009) Temporary emergency measures include no carry-on bags to U.S.A.

Effective immediately, CATSA is implementing temporary emergency measures at security checkpoints under the direction of Transport Canada. These measures are in response to a failed terrorist attack on board an aircraft from Amsterdam to Detroit on December 25, 2009. These new measures will affect all flights from Canada to the United States.

U.S.A. bound passengers are permitted zero carry-on bags effective immediately and lasting until 9:00pm EST on December 29, 2009. Passengers travelling within Canada are still permitted two carry-on bags (although to make the screening process most efficient, no carry-on is preferred).

These rules will be strictly enforced during this period. There will be no flexibility.

Carry-on baggage means items to which a passenger has access to during a flight, but does NOT include small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, diplomatic or consular bags, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, medication or medical devices, musical instruments, or a special needs item.

The temporary emergency measures at the security checkpoints will be in effect until further notification from Transport Canada.

Jan 5th, 2010 US-Bound Passenger Security Measures Update Passengers traveling to the United States from Canada are banned from bringing carry-on luggage onto the plane, with the following exceptions: • laptop computers & cell phones • small purses • cameras • coats • canes, walkers and crutches • medication and medical devices • supplies for the care of infants • musical instruments • containers carrying life-sustaining items • Huh? No Books or Mags? Travelers also are advised to arrive at the airport three (3) hours before their flights. Transport Canada expects the measures to remain in place until further notice.

For international travellers to the US, according to the TSA: "every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights."