Author: Michael

Not a Router in Sight

Phoning it In, Part III: Using Wifi to Make Calls

Posted on by Michael
Using wifi for making calls
We explored the outback for the route, not the routers. Good thing, too, because the wifi was in short supply.

When it comes to using your cell phone while traveling abroad, it’s hard to escape the feeling that you can’t win, that the cellular deck is stacked against you. Somewhere along the way, no matter what your strategy is, you’re going to face some sort of fee that makes you scratch your  head in wonder, amazement or just plain irritation. Is it the $18.95 per megabyte fee for international data? Is it the $4.99 per minute for international calls? Is it the one country not on your international calling plan that just happens to be the country to where you’re traveling? I’m looking at you Fiji. When I consider the machinations of international calling, I can’t help thinking of Joshua, the computer in the 1983 movie “Wargames.” “The only winning move is not to play.”

That’s not really an option. If you’re going to travel internationally, you are almost certainly Continue reading “Phoning it In, Part III: Using Wifi to Make Calls” →

King's Canyon

Good On Ya,’ Mate

Posted on by Michael
King's Canyon
No room for error out here

What was it like to tackle the  trail descending into, through and back out of King’s Canyon in the Australian outback? I’m going to get to that. First, though, I want to talk about this idea of being a traveler versus being a tourist.

Bear with me. I’m going somewhere with this.

I think the concept we carry with us when we define ourselves as travelers rather than tourists is of importance only Continue reading “Good On Ya,’ Mate” →

SIM City

Phoning It In, Part II: Using Cell Phones When Traveling Abroad

Posted on by Michael
Using cell phones when traveling abroad
Using cell phones when traveling abroad… it starts with your SIM card.

I love my phone number, but using cell phones when traveling abroad tests my loyalty. I’ve had it since I moved to San Francisco five years ago, and much like the pride some New Yorkers have when it comes to their beloved 212 numbers, I was embarrassingly proud to snag one of the few remaining 415 area codes when I moved here. It is, to date, my longest running relationship.  Now that this area code is officially filled up and there are no more 415 area codes to grab, I can go to sleep at night, secure in the knowledge that my treasured 415 is mine, all mine. I plan to will it to my children.)

So when traveling overseas, the idea of not having that phone number as my point of access is somewhat jarring. However, using cell phones when traveling abroad is not negotiable, and budget is a major factorWhile shooting in Australia and New Zealand, I took my 415 with me, and it served me well. However, there were good reasons not to use this number, or even use my regular phone. When heading overseas, you as a traveler need to think about when the best option is not to use your own phone or your own number. Insisting on using your own phone in all circumstances can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In the prior post, I made the case for when to use your own phone… and now it’s time to talk about the flip side.

What this often means in terms of using cell phones when traveling abroad, of course, is Continue reading “Phoning It In, Part II: Using Cell Phones When Traveling Abroad” →

KingsCanyon
Red Center Way
Sunset Viewing Deck
Heart Attack Hill
Garden of Eden
Way point marker at King's Canyon

King’s Canyon and Miss Congeniality

Posted on by Michael

I feel sorry for King’s Canyon. Sitting all alone in the back of the Northern Territory of Australia. In the class rankings of Australian travel must-sees, it’s never as popular as the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, or even the less visited but comparatively better known sites like Uluru and Kakadu National Park. King’s Canyon is the Miss Congeniality of Australian travel. In the mix but… you know.

A Miss Congeniality, though, with a wicked temper.

King's Canyon
King’s Canyon is an isolated spot, even for Australia, but well worth the trip.

You don’t take the area lightly. Much like Uluru, where we had just wrapped production for that part of The Palette Project, you have to really want to get there. Actually, you have to want to get there even more than you want Continue reading “King’s Canyon and Miss Congeniality” →

Using Cellphones Overseas
Yes on Spectacular Scenery, No on Cellphone Service

Using Cell Phones Overseas: Phoning It In, Part I

Posted on by Michael

Using cell phones overseas is much more complicated than it seems. The production itinerary for our current documentary

calls for us to be shooting in a total of six countries outside the United States. This is, by far, the most ambitious schedule I’ve ever put together. As of this writing, we’ve completed production in two of those countries – Australia and New Zealand – and I can tell you the most volatile line item on our budget was the cost of using cell phones overseas. However, I can also tell you this volatility did not have to be the case. Two  examples immediately spring to mind when it came to mistakes I made.

Using cell phones overseas
Choosing whether or not you will be using cell phones overseas, especially if it will be your own phone, is a big decision.

 

The first stumbling block hit us in the Australian outback at our hotel near King’s Canyon. If you’re heading into this part of the Northern Territory, you should be aware that Continue reading “Using Cell Phones Overseas: Phoning It In, Part I” →