Tag: international travel

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 credit cards when traveling

Vegan Hamburgers and Grape Nuts (oh, and using credit cards overseas)

Posted on by Michael

Using credit cards overseas. You almost certainly will, but how you use credit cards overseas is not a decision to be taken lightly.

Traveling can be very counterintuitive. Habits and behaviors that work perfectly well in everyday life don’t always work when you’re on the road, especially if that road is not in your native country. At the very top of the list is how you should be using credit cards overseas, and how you should balance the use of your credit cards when traveling. I’ve written about using cash and using debit cards overseas, so it’s time to complete the trilogy by talking about using credit cards overseas.

using credit cards overseas
There are precautions you should take while using credit cards overseas, but it may be a good option for you

I want to start with the following assumption, which is a biggie, but it has to be the starting point. I’m assuming you have good credit, are not already maxed out or even close to it, and that you’re not further putting Continue reading “Vegan Hamburgers and Grape Nuts (oh, and using credit cards overseas)” →

The Debit Card Decision

Dealing with Debit Cards When Traveling Overseas

Posted on by Michael

Using debit cards when traveling overseas is not always the best option. In fact, I would go so far as to say using debit cards when traveling overseas is never the best option. While ATM’s are usually within hailing distance no matter where you are, there are plenty of factors you should take into account before using them to get cash, and you should definitely be wary about using them for purchases.

Using debit cards when traveling overseas
Using debit cards when traveling overseas might not be your best option

While shooting on location this spring in Australia and New Zealand, we seriously considered not taking Continue reading “Dealing with Debit Cards When Traveling Overseas” →

We’re Not In Kansas Anymore…

Posted on by Michael

…because even Kansas has widespread cell service. This is life in the real Australian outback.

Australian outback petition
More than attracting tourists, these are the real issues for the people who call the Australian outback home

I wanted to share this quick video hit from the road. It’s another example of what you do when a story opportunity presents itself. We didn’t have access to most of our gear, but we did have access to an interesting story. We had pulled over at this roadhouse on the Lassiter Highway, about two hours out of Alice Springs on the way to Uluru, and noticed a petition on the counter. They’re not going for access to Facebook or Twitter here. This is actually a matter of life and death. Here’s our conversation.

This brief conversation, in the heart of theAustralian outback, is yet another reminder that one person’s travel is another person’s real life. As travelers, we’re interlopers, and it’s best to remember that. Leave a light footprint, assume nothing, and take only expeience when you leave.

An Unintended Treasure Trove

Putting Scottsboro in Storage. How to Avoid Losing Your Luggage

Posted on by Michael

In a small Alabama town called Scottsboro, there is an enormous and very successful business built on the woes of travelers who have lost their luggage. Unclaimed and lost bags end up here, and the treasures inside are sold for fun and profit. You should check out their website, and then you should make it your ambition that your bags never see the inside of this place. Your goal as a traveler should be very simple – to put this business out of business.

Let’s talk about how to avoid losing your luggage, and keep your valuables out of pictures like this:

Lost luggage
The results of lost luggage. A thriving business built on misfortune.

Tempting fate is never wise, but I’m declaring in front of God, country and American Airlines it’s been almost thirty years since I’ve permanently lost a piece of luggage. For those of you keeping score at home, that dates back to when I was a teenager. My dad and I were Continue reading “Putting Scottsboro in Storage. How to Avoid Losing Your Luggage” →