The Silent "I"

Planning a Trip to Easter Island

If you're interested in visiting Easter Island aka Isla de Pascua aka Rapa Nui aka "The Navel of the World," be forewarned that it is far, far away from any main airport hub and it will take a while to get there.  Lan Chile flights out of Santiago, Chile leave twice weekly, stopping off in Easter Island en route to Tahiti.  Your choices for direct flights are either out of Santiago or Papeete, Tahiti.  Be sure to book your flights well in advance. 

Further, there are limited hotel rooms on the island, and no major American or European chains.  The hotels are locally owned due to laws preserving the rights of native Rapa Nui people in landownership.  When we were there, there was a big debate among the Rapa Nui elders as to whether or not to allow Club Med to build a resort there.  As far as I know, they didn't allow it.  Part of the island's charm is the vast expanses of unspoiled land and the ability to see moai around nearly every bend in the road. Most hotels would be classified as "motels" by American standards, or large bed-and-breakfast style guest houses.

Carnival of Cities Blog Carnival: November 4, 2009 Edition

We have great group of travel bloggers providing their expert tips and advice on traveling in this week's Carnival of Cities! Join our intrepid travelers as they scour the globe for interesting, fun, and just plain cool places to go and things to see.  I'll be your tour guide this week.

USA

Starting out on the East Coast, for all you baseball fans, Christian Carollo presents Back to Back: Philadelphia Phillies posted at Christian Carollo Photography. Christian documents last year's World Series winners and hopes for a repeat performance.  Will they or won't they? Yankee fans might beg to diffah (as we used to say when I lived in the Bronx), but the Phillies fans in Christian's photos look like they are ready to bring it home again.

Moving down to Maryland, Jennifer takes us down on the farm with Homestead Farm – Poolesville, MD – You Capture Autumn posted at Two Kids and a Map. You can feel the fall nip in the air with her photos of a lovely pumpkin patch and cute kids.

Traveling on south to Florida, Amy at The Q Family takes us on a tour of one of her family's favorite destinations with Disney's Animal Kingdom: The Condense Version posted at The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog. Amy also has some great tips for families traveling to Disney parks at the end of her post that you won't want to miss.

Moving on to the midwest, and my former home in Chicago, Illinois, Dominique King takes us Inside the Chicago Cultural Center at Midwest Guest. I never got to see this when I lived in Chicago in the 1980's, and it's definitely a must-see next time I visit.

Jack Norell reminded me of one of my favorite Chicago haunts in his post, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago over at Eyeflare Travel Articles and Tips. He has a gorgeous shot of kids meeting a polar bear that you just have to see to believe.  I'd love to take my son there.

Easter Island: Where to Play

 

February 2004

When traveling with kids to any destination, it's always good to know what kid-friendly activities there are for the time when you're not touring interesting landmarks or watching locals run around recreating ancient rituals.  I think our son would be happy anyplace in the world where we could find a playground, a swimming pool, and a soccer field.  It seems as though wherever you are in the world, and wherever you find kids, you can find opportunities to play.  It's also a great way to meet local people and see how kids in other cultures are so much like kids in the US.

Our hotel, the Tahatai, had a small swimming pool, but Alex was entranced with the idea of swimming in the ocean after our day at Anakena Beach, one of the most gorgeous spots on the island.  We forgot his swimsuit that day, but swimming au naturel (for a three year old, at least) was not a problem.

We were able to satisfy his wish by going to a walled-off swimming hole near the hotel, right along the coastline.  There were retaining walls around the area, keeping the waves to a minimum and the water fairly shallow.  Alexander loved splashing around in the cold Pacific waters. Local kids took swimming lessons in this spot, so it definitely had the local stamp of approval for kids.

Iguazu Falls: 5 Fun Things to Do with Kids

If you're fortunate enough to visit Iguazu Falls with your kids like we were, there are some things that are not-to-be missed.  Here's my list of five things to do with kids at Iguazu Falls:

1. Hike the trails in Iguazu National Park, Argentina: Most of the main trails on the Argentina side are well marked and paved. There are three main trails, or Circuits to walk. The Upper Circuit offers panoramic views of the falls, and takes about 30-35 minutes. It is easily accessed by people with mobility impairments, and kids should have no trouble keeping up.  The Lower Circuit takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to complete, and includes stairs and catwalks.  The Green Trail is a quick 10-15 minute walk to the beginning of the Upper and Lower Circuits.  Be sure to stay on the trails, since there are snakes lurking, and you don't want to come face to face with an anaconda without being prepared!  Many of the trails have brick pavement that you could push a rugged stroller over.  Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent along for the journey.

Brazil: Iguassu National Park (Cataratas de Iguassu)

February 1, 2004

After making it through the fingerprinting and mug shots at the Brazilian Customs Office, we hopped in the car with our tour guide from Iguassu Falls Tours, Edson, at the wheel.  We drove through the beautiful countryside with farms and thick rainforest on either side, with a few buildings and houses punctuating the deep green landscape. 

As Edson drove us through the scenic farmland and rainforest and spoke lovingly of growing up in the area, moving away for his education, then coming back to the place he knew best.  He taught us to say "obligado" instead of "gracias" for "thank you" while in Brazil. We pulled up in front of the entrance to the Brazil Iguassu Falls National Park, where there was a terrific visitor's center and gift shop.  Alex liked the map of Brazil showing where all the National Parks were.  Who knew there were so many?

We paid the park entrance fee, and did a little browsing in the shop. Edson told us he would bring us back on the way out of the park, so we didn't buy anything, just looked at all the nicely made knick-knacks, masks, and t-shirts with colorful embroidery on them.

We drove deeper into the park, where there are several lovely hotels, and parked at the Tropical Cataratas Hotel, and got out for a walk.  At the entrance to the trail down to the main viewing platform, we spotted another coati (called a quaxti in Brazil), walking around, probably looking for snacks.   He seemed unruffled by the busload of tourists around snapping pictures, and fairly tame.  At times, he looked annoyed, looking at people with a glare that said, "If you're not going to feed me, get the heck away from me."

I don't think it would be a good idea to try to pet one of these critters, but it did seem like they weren't particularly ferocious.

Brazil: Getting Through Customs (or Up Against the Wall, Mother)

February 1, 2004

February 1, 2004

After a glorious day at the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls, we decided to check out the Brazilian side. Since we don't speak Spanish or Portuguese, Frank arranged for a private car and tour guide from Iguassu Falls Tours  to pick us up at the hotel and take us over.  Our guide, a friendly young man named Edson, picked us up right on time in a small white car, and we were off to visit Brazil.

The best advice I can give to families with small kids traveling in a country where you don't know the language is to hire a private guide.  Often, it's as cost-effective as a bus tour for four or five people and less nerve-wracking than trying to rent a car and navigate on your own.  You have control over your schedule, and if your kids melt down 2 hours into it, you can change your course quickly. Native guides can often get the "inside scoop" on places and people that you won't get from a packaged tour, help you find a store that sells diapers or toys or whatever else you might need, or help you navigate a tricky situation.  We've had great luck finding guides on-line and through recommendations of other travelers.  This time was no exception.

Napa Valley for Kids: What to Do (and Not Do)

The Napa Valley Wine Country isn't really known for kid-friendly venues, since the emphasis there is primarily on adult beverages. Nonetheless, for Labor Day weekend, we decided to do a day-trip to Napa Valley, which is about a two hour drive from our house.   Even though it's not that far from where we live, we rarely go up to the Wine Country unless we have visitors who want to see it, mainly because I didn't think there would be much appeal for our nine year old son.  We decided to spend Saturday up in the wine country, exploring fun activities for kids in Napa Valley.

Castello di Amorosa Winery

Several on-line guides recommended the Castello di Amorosa, a re-creation of the 12th century Tuscan castle on the hillside near Calistoga.  The guides said that this would be fun for kids, since there is a tour that includes a dungeon and castle turrets to run around on.  We made our way down the Silverado trail and pulled up in front of the castle, which from the outside, did not disappoint.  Alex exclaimed, "Where there battles here, Mom?"

I had to tell him that it was highly unlikely any battles were fought here, except maybe the Great Chardonnay Wars of '07, which resulted in casualties. Unfortunately, many grapes were crushed in the incursion.  He rolled his eyes, because he's smart like that and knows when I'm pulling his leg.

Two things the guides failed to mention: 1) On the weekends, it costs $15 per adult/$5 per child aged 5-20 to go into the castle, and the guided tour is $30 per adult/$20 per child; and 2) the wine is not good. Kids under 5 get in free, and the entrance fees are slightly less during the week.  The only way to see the dungeon is to pay for the full tour. I didn't think was worth $80 to see a fake dungeon, when we'd seen real ones in Scotland, plus the next available tour was four hours after we arrived.

We plunked down our $35 for the three of us, and proceeded to look at the Great Hall, which was a recreation of a medieval banquet hall.  The walls were painted from floor to ceiling in scenes that looked like they could have been on some 12th century tapestry or another, and large metal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.  There was nothing going on in the Great Hall, and it was a little dark and foreboding.  Alex peeked in, and promptly ran away. 

Seeing Polar Bears in Churchill: Tips for Families with Kids

If you're interested in seeing the famous polar bears of Churchill yourself, there are a number of ways to get there.  You can do what we did, and arrive by train, which takes about two days from Winnipeg, or fly into the tiny Churchill airport. The flight takes about 2 1/2 hours from Winnipeg, but you don't get the excitement of being pitched onto the floor from your train berth in the middle of the night, or late night poker games in the dining car with native Canadians.  Polar Bears International has a list of eco-tour companies that operate tours and give a portion of their proceeds to polar bear conservation efforts.  One of our favorite eco-tour companies, Lindblad Expeditions, does not go to Churchill, but has cruises to Svalbard, Norway, another known stomping ground of polar bears.

Most hotel rooms are booked up by tour groups from October through the end of November, which is the season for the bears to start heading out to sea to hunt for ringed seals.  The timing of the bay freeze varies from  year to year, so it's hard to predict exactly how many you might encounter. When we were there, the bay froze early, so most of the bears had already headed out to sea during the second week of November. 

Be sure to book your tour in advance; they often sell out and there are limited hotel rooms in Churchill.  Be sure that your tour can accommodate kids, and find out what is available for different aged children.  A nine-hour tour on a Tundra Buggy might be fine for teens, but your 2 year old might not find it quite so charming.  Inquire about babysitting services if you might need them, or plan the trip when the kids are older.

We never felt that we were in any danger, but polar bears are wild animals and can be somewhat unpredictable.  Be sure that your kids understand that they are visiting the bears in their home turf, and need to be respectful of them and their environment. 

Travel Gear Review: Callpod FuelTank

Before our Solar Eclipse Trip, I was offered a cool new travel gadget called a Callpod FuelTank to try out.  Unfortunately, it didn't arrive before the trip, so I used it last weekend on my trip to Pittsburgh for Netroots Nation.  I have to say, I wish I'd had it for the solar eclipse trip, because it really came in handy.

Our family is, like many families, a little gadget-crazy.  We have cellphones and portable gameplayers galore, and when we take them on the road with us, the inevitable always occurs: we lose power at the most inopportune times.  This can be particularly frustrating on a 12 hour flight, when the Nintendo DSi battery decides to fail just as your kid is about to achieve global Pokemon domination. Enter: the Callpod FuelTank, part back-up battery, part sanity-saver.

The Callpod FuelTank is a lightweight, portable back-up battery recharger specifically made for cellphones and portable gaming systems.  It can simultaneously charge two small electronic devices at a time, so you don't have to carry around two different back-up batteries. You need to purchase adaptors for each of your devices, but it comes with one.  I received adaptors for the G1, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and Treo. Sorry, but it won't help your laptop (hey, Callpod, when is THAT coming?).  It comes with a carrying case and it's lightweight so it easily fits in your purse.  When your battery runs out in the middle of a flight or a meeting or some other place you don't have access to an outlet, you plug in your device and recharge.

I have a Google G1 Smartphone, and as much as I love the functionality of the phone, the battery life sucks. The phone battery died in the middle of dinner one evening in Pittsburgh, so I whipped out the FuelTank, plugged it in, and was set for the rest of the night, until I could get back to the hotel and recharge both.  It came in handy for a compulsive Twitter addict like myself.

Overall, I thought this product was a winner, and I recommend it.

Disclosure: I received a Callpod FuelTank and several adaptors to try out at no charge. I did not receive any additional compensation or incentive for this review.

Family-Friendly Airport Report: Pittsburgh (PGH)

Last weekend, I traveled to Pittsburgh for a conference, and noticed that the Pittsburgh Airport (PGH) had several family-friendly features that would make travel a bit easier for families traveling with small children. 

First, at the security entrance, there is a separate line marked "family friendly" specifically for families traveling with youngsters.  For anyone traveling with an infant and toddler, getting all the gear through security can be a daunting task.  If you have a stroller or car seat, getting everything up on the security belt to go through screening can take additional time and be met with anything from glares to outright tantrums from other passengers (not to mention your own kids).  Having a family-friendly line allows those with little gear who want to get to the gate faster a chance to avoid avoid the Baby on Board set.

Inside security, I discovered a play area called "Kidsport" at the entrance to Terminal C.  This was a large, open play area, equipped with a TV.  The play area was surrounded by a low wall, so the kids are contained, but have some freedom to run around. It seemed to be geared for the 5 and under set, with a few small rocking airplanes facing out the windows so that kids could watch the real airplanes take off and land.  One feature of this play area that I thought was terrific were two adjacent bathrooms marked "boys" and "girls", so you didn't have to traipse off in search of a bathroom in case of an emergency.  Next to the play area was a family restroom that could be used for anyone needing assistance, regardless of age.