Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaii Islands, and is the fourth largest of the islands, and is about a 100 miles from Oahu.

Often referred to as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai is one of the wettest spot in the world, with an annual rainfall of 460 inches. 

I’m most familiar with the town of Lihue, on the southeast coast of Kauai.   Most visitors, however, may be more familiar with Waimea, once the capital of the island, and the first place in Hawaii visited by Captain James Cook. 

While there’s still beaches and sand, the lushness of Kauai lends itself to lots of other outdoor activities.

To learn more about Kauai, and all the other Hawaiian Islands, head over to The Hawaii Traveler, and read what Jody has to say about one of the top vacation spots in the United States.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Head to Las Vegas with all the “cool kids” of blogging for the 2008 BlogWorld & New Media Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 20th-21st.  An exclusive “Executive & Entrepreneur” conference will be held the day before on September 19th.

Now in its second year, the only industry-wide trade show, conference, and media event promotes blogging and new media with its seminars, panel discussions, keynotes, and exhibitor booths.  Not only that, it’s a heck of a lot of fun!

If you are already a blogger, vlogger, or podcaster, or maybe you just want to know more about them all, this conference is sure to give you a chance to learn, network, and party with some of the stars of the blogosphere.

BWE conference pricing starts at $75 for exhibits only, $300 for full access, and $750 for the Executive & Entrepreneur conference.  If you want to go, register by August 22nd when the prices go up. 

The conference will be held in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas.  The convention center is conveniently located on the monorail system, providing easy access to and from major strip hotels.

One more reason to go to BlogWorld Expo – I’ll be there.  If you’re going, be sure to leave a comment so that we can meet up!

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When we travel we often forget that things are not always as they are back “home.”  Here’s one difference that international visitors may find when they visit the United States:

Unlike many countries, the United States has no national sales tax that is comparable to the GST (goods and services tax) or the VAT (value added tax) that is found in many other countries.  Instead, each state, county and/or municipality sets their own tax rate.

This means that what you pay in tax in one location may be different from what you’d pay in another location.

Additionally, in some locations certain goods are tax exempt, most typically food, and some things are taxed at different rates.

Prices quoted on a sales tag or by sales personnel do not include tax, so be sure to take that additional charge into consideration when evaluating a purchase price.

Confused?  Just ask what the sales tax is.  We don’t try to keep track of what it is from one place to another, and not knowing isn’t a big deal.

One way that you may avoid paying sales tax is to have your purchase shipped out of state.  Since a shipping charge will likely apply, you need to make sure that any savings outweighs the additional cost.  If you’re making a rather large purchase, ask your sales clerk about this option and decide if it’s the way to go.

And if you’re visiting Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon, you’re really in luck.  Those states have no state sales tax at all.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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No, it’s not Venice.  It’s the Gondola ride at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Okay, it’s a little touristy, and it’s definitely NOT Venice, but it’s still a bit of romantic fun away from the flashing lights and noise of the casinos.  You need to take a break from the fast paced action some time, and this isn’t a bad choice.

The gondolas have been fashioned after authentic Venetian ones, each seating four, and operate rides both indoors and out.  If your party doesn’t fill the gondola, you’ll likely be paired up with others.

The indoor gondolas float their way through the Grand Canal Shoppes, beneath bridges, shops, and cafes that have been created to give the feel of Venice.  The ride lasts about 15 minutes.

The outdoor gondolas offer a more “authentic” feel (since you really are outdoors), but are a few minutes shorter.  On a nice day I’d choose outdoors.

Same day reservations can be made in person, starting at 9 am for the indoor ride, and 10 am for the outdoor ride.  The gondolas operate Sunday – Thursday 10 am – 11 pm, and weekends till midnight.

The ride costs $16 per person.  A private two person gondola ride can be arranged, and is often used for special celebrations.

The Venetian Hotel is located at 3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard (map it).

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Today’s matchbook of Bateaux Parisiens comes from Jon at Travel Photo Daily.  He said that he just came across it, but that is was at least five or more years old.  It brought back lots of great memories of my trip to Paris last fall, so a very big THANKS for the contribution.

Bateaux Parisiens is a cruise company that conducts sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises on the Seine, along with operating a river-boat shuttle called Batobus.

I opted for an evening sightseeing cruise, and for an hour we cruised the Seine while the hostess pointed out a number of attractions.  The commentary was pleasant and informative, and not filled with the typical puns and drivel that you so often get on tours.

Schedules vary, but details and information can easily be found in the city.  At the time I was there the sightseeing cruise operated every half hour until 10 pm, and cost €11.  It was easy to walk up and get a seat.  Reservations required, however, for lunch and dinner cruises.

Thanks for the contribution, Jon. 

Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti

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Go directly to jail.  Do not pass go.  Do not collect $200.

It turns out that you don’t have to commit a crime or play Monopoly in order to find yourself in jail.  At least if you’re in Boise, Idaho.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site was used as Idaho’s prison between 1870-1973.  Originally the prison was a single building, but grew to several buildings surrounded by a high sandstone wall.  Additions to the prison complex were constructed with sandstone that the prisoners quarried and cut, and then used in the construction.

As happened at many prisons in the 1970’s, the over-crowded conditions led to a prison riot, occurring here in both 1971 and again in 1973.  The result was moving the prison population and closing the old prison in 1973.  That same year the prison was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Prison exhibits include a video detailing the history of the prison, along with some of its notorious inmates, and some of the conditions of prison life.  You’ll also see an array of weapons (some very cool old swords), and an explanation of the history of prison tattoos.  You can also visit Siberia (solitary confinement) as well as Death Row.

Among all the stone and bars, however, the prisoners also maintained the grounds and a rose garden.  Today you’ll find both in the same condition as they were maintained my inmates in the early 1900’s.  There is beauty, even in prison.

The prison is located at 2445 Old Penitentiary Road in Boise, Idaho (map it).  It is open all year long (closed on holidays).  Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) are 10 am – 5 pm.  The balance of the year, hours are noon – 5 pm.

Admission is $5 adults; $4 seniors; $3 children ages 6-12.

NOTE:  You’re going to be doing a lot of walking over uneven territory, so good walking shoes are recommended.

Photo credit:  Peter Wollheim

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With the upcoming winter Olympics, all eyes seem to turn east, as the world focuses on Beijing specifically, and China more generally.

I’ve never been totally enthusiastic about visiting China, due in large part, I think, to the era that I grew up in.

So I’m fascinated about the special programing that the Travel Channel has coming up:  China Week.  Regular Travel Channel hosts will present shows dedicated to Chinese history, culture and food.  The programming will be broadcast in Hi-Def, so you’ll really get the feeling of being there.

Here’s a little teaser of what you can expect from one of my favorite Travel Channel hosts, Samantha Brown:

That sure makes me want to visit the Great Wall.  Sam always seems to have a great time, and I’d love to go on a getaway with her pretty much anywhere!

Other programming includes two new specials, Seven Wonders of China and Wild China, an encore episode from Anthony Bourdain, and Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.  That last one sounds both interesting AND scary.

This is a great prelude to the Olympics!

China Week starts Sunday, July 27th.  Since air dates and time will vary depending on your location, check the Travel Channel’s schedule for detailed broadcast information.

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Here’s a question that I hoped never to have to address.

Q.  Are you worried about your job security in light of the rising fuel costs?

A.  Worry probably isn’t the right word.  Since I can’t control any piece of this, worrying is probably the wrong term.  But I am definitely concerned.

My seniority is such that my airline would have to go through a major reduction before I would be in danger of being furloughed (laid off).  I’m talking about a reduction in excess of 50-60%.

However, rising fuel costs without corresponding rise fares, means that airlines will continue to lose money.  Continued financial losses will mean decreases in service, which will involve furloughs.  Furloughs will mean that the quality of my schedule, the type of flying I do, my days off, etc., will likely be adversely impacted.

Hopefully, any reductions in force can be managed through a variety of voluntary leaves (most airlines have these types of programs), but my quality of life will definitely change.

Have a question you’d like answered?  I’m open to nearly any topic from questions about the job of a Flight Attendant to travel in general.  Just email me!

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Carrying a back pack is an easy way to travel light; with everything literally on your back. 

I see a lot of packs, in varying sizes and design, on the airplane every day.  Without exception, I see passengers with packs forget that what’s on their back can go crashing into someone else.

Here are FIVE suggestions to make sure that your pack doesn’t wind up taking someone else out.

1. Abrupt turning from side-to-side can result in your pack going crashing into someone sitting or standing on the aisle.  (I saw someone today get whacked on the head by someone walking down the aisle and turning to talk with someone behind them.)
2. Use care when stepping back.  Your pack will ram into the person behind you before they realize you’re backing up.
3. Loose straps and buckles can hurt people if they are allowed to go flying. 
4. If you are carrying your pack by one strap, use extra care in how it flops behind you.  It can hit people.
5. If you are having a tough time stowing your pack in the overhead bin, trying removing something.  Many times when they don’t fit, it’s because there’s something that you added at the last minute that makes it to large.  (Usually it’s a coat or sweatshirt that’s been stuffed in at the last minute that’s the culprit.)

Use your backpack wisely and carefully and it will be a useful packing tool.

Photo credit:  flickr

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For the first time since I started blogging, I took a long weekend off.  Did you miss me?

The reason for my absence was a long weekend away – to attend BlogHer ‘08, held this year in San Francisco.

What great fun to see Christina, Kelly and Elizabeth again.  We all met last year at BlogHer ‘07 in Chicago, and we had even more fun this year.  And to meet Jody, Tracee and Kristen.

There were informative sessions, my favorite probably the one about photography.  I learned a lot, and while I’ll struggle to put much of it into practice, I think I got a few good tips that will a good place to start.

In addition to the sessions, there was also plenty of opportunity for extra-curricular activities, including shopping in the Union Square area of the city (Macy’s, Gucci, Louis Vuitton), a walk down to the Nordstrom Center, and looking for a computer store located in the city (my laptop died).

Evenings were spent singing and carrying on at the nearby Irish pub, Lefty’s O’Doul’s.  

Great people, great friends, great times!

Now I’m back – and back to blogging!

Photo credit:  flickr

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