Ken Burn's Epic Documentary of National Parks

I don't know if you have ever watched any of Ken Burn's documentaries before, but they contain an insane amount of information. They are so well researched and put together, you will learn more than you ever thought you needed to know on a subject (some of his previous documentaries range on subjects from the Civil War to Jazz).

Ken Burn's latest project, a 12-hour documentary entitled "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" airs this Sunday (September 27th) and will be shown consecutively for the next 6 nights on the PBS Channel.

Burns spent the last 6 years compiling footage (interviews, archival photographs, first hand experience, etc) for this documentary, travelling to parks from the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska to the Everglades in Florida. The narrative traces the birth of the idea of the National Park in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for the last 150 years. Along the way, Burn's interviewed people from all backgrounds learning about the importance of the park system, land preservation and democracy and what it means to them. The documentary is "a story of struggle and conflict, high ideals and crass opportunism, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration — set against breathtaking backdrops".

Hopefully the series will help instill the love of nature back into the mindset of our fast paced, technology-crazed world. The series covers an array of themes including American history, nature and the outdoors, and I'm sure the breathtaking scenery and cinematography will want to make us all pack up a car and road trip to all 58 of the National Parks.

On a side note, one of our travellers Mike Oswald, is trying to do just that. View his fun website at http://www.mypinkyup.com/ to see pictures and stories on his travels through some of North America's most treasured parks.

Enjoy,
BikeHike

Crashing in Airports: The Best and the Worst

Have a long layover but not quite enough time to rationalize spending money on an airport hotel? or maybe you have to be at the airport at some ridiculous time in the morning, and it makes more sense to leave early and spend the night? Check out the website sleepinginairports.com (http://www.sleepinginairports.com/) for advice on which airports are worth spending a night in, which ones to avoid, etc. There is a bunch of information on the website including reviews by past travellers, amusing photos of people sleeping in interesting positions/places, and tips on how to successfully sleep in airports. When selecting a place to sleep, take into consideration the seats (arm rests or not), temperature, announcements, position of TV's and people traffic. Explore the airport. The best place might not necessarily be at your departure gate or even in the same terminal where you are departing from.

The top 3 rated airports on the website are: Singapore, Seoul and Amsterdam.
Worst 3 airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Moscow and New York JFK.

Some of the more entertaining tips they suggest:
1) Vick's Vapour Rub - place a dab under your nose to block out unpleasant terminal odours.
2) Entertain yourself with the game Twister. It is light and easy to pack.
3) Act innocent in case you are woken up by someone who insists the airport is closing, start crying and pretend you really have nowhere else to go.

Even if you plan on never spending a night in the airport, it's a fun site to look at. Lots of entertaining information and pictures.

Lastly, the most important thing to remember if you decide to rest your head at the airport is to protect your belongings at all times!

Cheers,
BikeHike

World's Oddest Laws

Chewing gum in public, forgetting to flush the toilet, or naming a pig Napolean: Here are 10 random and strange laws that can land you in trouble when travelling. Make sure you do your research before leaving home (even though most of these laws are pretty near impossible to break)

1. When in France, if for some reason you find yourself purchasing a pig, don't name it Napoleon. It's illegal.

2. Don't chew gum in public in Singapore.

3. Ignore the pesky pigeons in Venice. It's illegal to feed them.

4. In Thailand, don't ride a motorcycle or car while shirtless.

5. Driving in Denmark? No matter the time of day, the headlights must be on.

6. In Singapore, don't even think of leaving a public toilet without flushing. The fine is $100.

7. If you encounter a Sasquatch in British Columbia (not very likely), don't kill it. I can see how this is a problem.

8. Don't flush the toilet after 10:00pm in Switzerland. Apparently it makes too much noise?

9. Thinking of packing your armour suit? Think again...In England, it's illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour.

10. In Russia, it's illegal to drive a dirty car. I hope it rains a lot there.

Cheers,
BikeHike

Music Festivals Around the World

Love music and travelling? Why not combine your two passions and plan your next adventure around a music festival. Here is a list of some of the more renowned music festivals to check out.

Carnaval - Brazil
Annual festival held throughout Brazil 4 days before Ash Wednesday . The biggest one is in Rio, with over 500,000 foreign visitors a year. The 4-day party involves dancing, singing, parades, elaborate costumes, etc. The main type of music is Samba.

Montreux Jazz Festival - Switzerland
This 2-week festival is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. It originated in 1967 as primarily a jazz festival, but now artists of almost every imaginable music style are invited to play.

Glastonbury Festival - England
Glastonbury is the largest music and performing arts festival in the world that is held in a field. It's best known for its contemporary music (rock, hip hop, electronica, folk, etc), but also features dance, theatre, comedy and many other varied acts.

Festival in the Desert - Mali
This 3-day annual concert is held in Essakane, Mali (near Timbuktu). It showcases traditional Tuareg music, as well as music from around the world.

Rainforest World Music Festival - Malaysia
This annual 3-day festival is held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The festival celebrates the diversity of world music and includes cultural and craft displays, food stalls, evening concerts, and music workshops. The music ranges from traditional music to contemporary world music and world fusion, and emphasizes the use of traditional acoustic instruments.

Blues and Roots Music Festival -Australia
Also known as the Byron Bay Bluesfest, this annual outdoor music festival is held for 5 days over the Easter long weekend. It features a large selection of blues and roots performers from around the world.

Montreal International Jazz Festival - Quebec
This is the largest jazz festival in the world. It's held annually for 10 days in the summer months of June and July. Shows are held in a wide variety of venues including small jazz clubs, outdoor parks and large concert venues. Many of the shows are free.

Buenos Aires Tango Festival - Argentina
This 10-day festival is held in February celebrating the world's best tango musicians. Concerts are performed in parks, street corners and theaters. Tickets to several of the events are free and include dance lessons, art exhibits, music concerts, etc.

Austin City Limits - Texas
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is held over 3-days in early October. The line-up of approximately 130 bands includes a variety of music from folk and bluegrass to reggae and hip hop.

Salzburg Festival - Austria
Held each summer for 5 weeks starting in July, this festival showcases both music (mainly classical and opera) and theatre.

Happy Listening,
BikeHike

Top 10 Travel Settings in a Movie

Ever watched a movie and afterwards were inspired to jump on a plane and travel to that place? Its happened to me more than once. Below are some of our favourite settings for movies.

1) Amélie (Montmartre, Paris)

2) Lord of the Rings (New Zealand)

3) Lost in Translation (Tokyo)

4) Motorcycle Diaries (South America)

5) The Painted Veil (China)

6) The International (Berlin, Germany; Istanbul, Turkey and New York, NY)

7) Vertigo (San Francisco, California)

8) In Bruges (Bruges, Belgium)

9) Don't Look Now (Venice, Italy)

10) Before Sunrise (Vienna, Austria)

Happy Viewing,
BikeHike Travel

10 Ways to Save Money when Travelling

1) Plan ahead. This is important when booking flights, especially if using airline miles. Many flights booked through points sell out well in advance and options will be limited. It also gives you time to monitor seat sales, fluctuating prices, etc.

2) Pick up the local newspaper and see what is going on around town. Chances are there are several free events such as outdoor concerts, festivals, markets, etc.

3) When booking accommodation, try to find a place with a small kitchen so you don't have to eat all your meals out. Even just a fridge is useful for cereal and juice in the morning.

4) Several museums offer free or discounted admissions once a week. Research accordingly and plan your itinerary around this. However, keep in mind these days could also be the busiest.

5) Research if there are special transportation passes. If you know you are going to be taking the train 2-3 times in a day, it might be cheaper to buy a day pass as opposed to individual tickets.

6) Grab some food at the local market, bakery, delicatessen, etc and plan yourself a picnic. For example, some of my more memorable and favorite meals in Paris were picnics with a baguette, brie and tomatoes (and of course some red wine).

7) Set a budget to help you stay on track. It's okay to go over at times, as some days you will most likely be under your budget. You don't want to save to the point that you avoid doing all the things you originally planned to do.

8) Walk, walk, walk...one of the best ways to explore a city is by foot. Several guidebooks suggest walking routes such as Frommers, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, etc.

9) Travel to a destination during the off season. Several hotels and airlines offer deals in the low season.

10) Buy your souvenirs at a local market as opposed to the markets that are set up strictly for tourists. Prices will most likely be cheaper and the selection better. Avoid procrastinating and buying your souvenirs at the airport upon departure.

Happy Travels,
BikeHike

Tips on Travel Photography

One of the best ways to remember a recent adventure, besides all the life long memories, is by taking pictures. Here are some tips to keep in mind when taking photos in a foreign country regarding customs, shooting techniques, etc . It's sure to make your friends and family envious of your recent travels.

1) Research the culture before hand and learn the appropriate customs and values.
2) Be considerate when taking photos and always ask the person beforehand. A smile can go a long way.
3) Fill your frame. Some of the best shots are close ups that tightly frame your subject.
4) Try to choose a background that is not too distracting.
5) Interact with the locals and engage them. Show them the pictures you have taken and tell them something about yourself.
6) If shooting a vast landscape, try to put a distant person in the frame to show the grandeur of the place.
7) Take photos of mundane things that might remind you of something special (your dinner plate, signs, market stalls, etc)
8) Make sure you bring extra memory cards, batteries, film, etc. Depending where you are it can be difficult or expensive to replace these items.

And most of all, don't spend your entire trip with your camera to your face. Trying to get that one perfect shot could mean missing everything else going on around you. Enjoy the moment and if it means no pictures, so be it. After all, you can also bring your memories home.

Happy picture taking,
BikeHike

Cleaning and Storing your Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags can get smelly. Just admit it! Imagine what your feet must smell like after an arduous hike through mud and swampy waters. Not pretty (or at least if you are me). And then these said feet are stripped bare and cocooned in a mummy sleeping bag for 8 straight hours. All I can say is at least feet are positioned as far away from the nose as possible! But seriously, all jokes aside, it's definitely a smart move to clean your sleeping bag of all odors before storing it away for the season. Here are some useful tips for cleaning and storing your sleeping bag:

1) To clean your sleeping bag, fill a bathtub with warm water and mild soap. Fully submerge the bag in water and wash by hand (especially the area where your feet lay). Rinse the bag well. There are 2 options for drying. Option 1 is to hang the bag outside. As the bag is drying, shake it out several times to avoid clumps in the filling. Option 2 is to allow the bag to drip dry and then place in the dryer on an extremely low setting with some tennis balls (read the label first to make sure this is okay). This sounds weird, but tennis balls help distribute the filling. This option might be better suited for those who play tennis and already have balls in the house. Up to you...

2) Make sure the sleeping bag is completely dry before storing. You want to maintain the sleeping bag's original shape and loft as much as possible, so storing it out of the compression sack is ideal (some places to do this are under you bed or hanging in a closet).

After completing the above steps, relax and think happy thoughts of just how nice and fresh your first sleep of the camping season will be next year.
BikeHike Adventures