tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72556638957246540592024-03-13T23:55:48.635-07:00Take off with TerryTerry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-53891675749220058702013-02-14T18:21:00.000-08:002013-02-15T18:27:08.489-08:00Qantas celebrates love year round with "From the Heart"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q0xtteX7H5Q/UR2O0nJoprI/AAAAAAAAAX0/yHd_Xr-tUtA/s1600/Qantas+plane-IMG_1874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q0xtteX7H5Q/UR2O0nJoprI/AAAAAAAAAX0/yHd_Xr-tUtA/s400/Qantas+plane-IMG_1874.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In January, I was surprised to discover that Qantas, like many radio stations, plays love song requests on its "From the Heart" entertainment channel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Travelers heading to Australia can surprise a friend or loved one with a love song dedication on their flights by emailing a love song request to fromtheheart@qantas.com.au at least eight weeks before their month of travel. The show is taped monthly. The airline advises passengers that request a song dedication if their dedication has been chosen. If you are flying in mid-June, for example, you should probably email your song request sometime in early March so that your dedication might be taped in May.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A spokesperson for Qantas advised by email: "The most requested song is Michael Buble's "Everything". Runner up is Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately". "From the Heart" has been on the air, in the air, with Qantas for ten years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Approximately 2,000 dedications have been delivered. Isn't it nice to know that romance can fly year round?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
</div>
Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-14081998638338907092012-11-14T11:25:00.002-08:002012-11-14T11:46:20.709-08:00Gogo's ATG-4 takes off<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06PQhBHtwMY/UKPhecPIXII/AAAAAAAAAWk/AuTMgbJX-rA/s1600/blog-Gogo+test+plane-close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06PQhBHtwMY/UKPhecPIXII/AAAAAAAAAWk/AuTMgbJX-rA/s400/blog-Gogo+test+plane-close+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gogo Plane Lab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On November 12th, Gogo unveiled its new and improved in-flight Wi-Fi system, ATG-4 (ATG stands for Air-to-Ground) which is currently onboard 40 of the 1,683 commercial airplanes in the U.S. that are currently equipped with Gogo in-flight internet systems. Virgin America, US Airways and Delta Airlines are the launch partners for ATG-4.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3u4volT4xs/UKPhcOa68rI/AAAAAAAAAWM/tsU0qEL6zdM/s1600/11blog-VA-wifiredshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3u4volT4xs/UKPhcOa68rI/AAAAAAAAAWM/tsU0qEL6zdM/s400/11blog-VA-wifiredshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Passenger using Gogo in-flight on Virgin America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Travelers may only notice the improved speed and connectivity on a cross-country flight where in-flight Wi-Fi usage tends to be higher. Key improvements with ATG-4 are two modems rather than one and four antennas (two on the side and two underneath the plane). The positioning of the four antennae enable the aircraft to search for ground-based cellular towers in all directions of the plane. This allows ATG-4 to deliver a peak speed of 9.8 megabytes per second rather than ATG-3's 3.1 Mbps speed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeThf7YwxSE/UKPhdnUNU4I/AAAAAAAAAWc/5u1oPY_RmYE/s1600/blog-ATG+antennae+underneath+Gogo+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeThf7YwxSE/UKPhdnUNU4I/AAAAAAAAAWc/5u1oPY_RmYE/s400/blog-ATG+antennae+underneath+Gogo+plane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gogo test plane: ATG-3 antenna (left) and larger ATG-4 antenna (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
ATG-4 should allow about 65 passengers to comfortably connect whereas the current system can accommodate about 22 passengers comfortably. The system is designed for web surfing, e-mail, online chats, Facebook status updates and tweets rather than streaming video because of the amount of bandwidth video requires. If the system detects someone is trying to use Hulu or another video streaming service, their connectivity is automatically slowed down. Gogo Vision is the product offered by several airline partners where passengers can pay 99 cents to watch a TV show or $4.99 to watch a movie where the content is onboard the plane for seamless streaming.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7Xs7F1rrcs/UKPstQ6WIpI/AAAAAAAAAXA/dj5jC5GQesY/s1600/blog-small-vrd_7953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7Xs7F1rrcs/UKPstQ6WIpI/AAAAAAAAAXA/dj5jC5GQesY/s400/blog-small-vrd_7953.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Virgin America "screw it, let's do it" plane equipped with ATG-4 <br />(photos courtesy of Virgin America)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Virgin America was the first airline to begin offering ATG-4 on one of its planes, an airbus named "screw it, let's do it." Virgin America spokesperson, Abby Lunardini, says the name comes from a Richard Branson quote about being an entrepreneur. "We just installed, so don't yet have a great deal of guest feedback, however on testing we definitely saw improved speed and bandwidth," says Lunardini.<br />
<br />
<b>In-flight Experience on Gogo test plane</b><br />
<br />
When I had a chance to compare ATG-3 to ATG-4 on Gogo's Wi-Fi test lab plane, I noticed only a slight improvement in connectivity, but I was taxing the system tweeting photos. While testing ATG-4, one tweet actually got away from me before I could attach an image. It happened so quickly that I didn't realize I had prematurely tweeted, so I suspect sending emails would be greased lightning fast.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTh-tghn348/UKPhfHo3tqI/AAAAAAAAAWs/EY7sLpnmbFI/s1600/blog-Monitoring+connectivity+-+ATG-4+on+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTh-tghn348/UKPhfHo3tqI/AAAAAAAAAWs/EY7sLpnmbFI/s400/blog-Monitoring+connectivity+-+ATG-4+on+right.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Live monitoring of connectivity on Gogo test flight. Right two graphs show both vertical and horizontal signal strength from the two ATG-4 modems onboard.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Gogo introduces holiday Wi-Fi packs</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
On November 14, Gogo rolled out <a href="http://content.gogoair.com/jetpacks/Gogo-1/?&WT.mc_id=gogo_email_holidayjetpackgcme1_pickcta_turkeyholiday_na&DCSext.channel=email" target="_blank">Gogo Holiday packs</a> with discounted prices for either two or three all day Wi-Fi passes good on any of Gogo's partner airlines (including Alaska, American, Delta, Virgin America and US Airways). <br />
<br />
One of the chief advantages to me of in-flight Wi-Fi is that it can allow me to complete work while traveling, so that I can truly disconnect when I reach my destination... unless I'm on deadline.<br />
<br />
<i>Additional detail for Aviation enthusiasts</i><br />
<br />
Gogo anticipates launching ATG-4 Wi-Fi service on American Airlines and United's p.s. fleet in 2013. An American Airlines spokesperson confirmed that American's new planes would be equipped with Gogo's ATG-4 system. Gogo's Chief Technology Officer, Anand Chari, says they expect 500 planes will be equipped with the new technology by the end of 2013.<br />
<br />
American Airlines was the launch customer for Gogo in July 2008. Shortly thereafter, Virgin America partnered with Gogo to install Wi-Fi systems on its entire fleet. <br />
<br />
Paul Skrbec of Delta Airlines says: "Delta has more than 560 domestic mainline aircraft and more than 250 Delta Connection 2-class regional jets equipped with Wi-Fi. More than 400,000 Delta customers on more than 3,400 flights daily experience in-flight connectivity on the world's largest fleet of Wi-Fi enabled aircraft. Delta will install Wi-Fi on all of its international wide body fleet by the end of 2015."<br />
<br />
"US Airways is installing the Gogo's new ATG-4 technology on our fleet of Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. We are excited to improve the inflight Wi-Fi experience for our customers with the upgraded ATG-4 technology. Once the installation is complete, US Airways customers traveling on our Airbus A320 family aircraft will see enhanced Wi-Fi capacity aboard the plane as well as increased data speeds for a more consistent browsing experience," says US Airways spokesperson, Davien Anderson.<br />
<br />
At the moment, Gogo's statistics show an average of one to seven passengers connecting in flight with the highest usage on cross-country flights. Virgin America's statistics are higher. In a survey the airline conducted, they found that between 30-40% of its passengers regularly use in-flight Wi-Fi.<br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All photographs by Terry Gardner, except the two noted which Virgin America contributed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-43275181438660900182012-06-21T23:00:00.001-07:002012-06-21T23:19:03.391-07:00American Airlines, apology accepted<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqXGAE4WF1s/T-QGy-orw7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/zKJ--Rt7bVM/s1600/AA+logo+on+hangar+at+DFW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqXGAE4WF1s/T-QGy-orw7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/zKJ--Rt7bVM/s320/AA+logo+on+hangar+at+DFW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American's logo on one of its hangars at DFW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After I blogged about my experience being delayed at the Miami airport for more than five hours on May 20, American Airlines customer service and social media representatives reached out to me within 24 hours. <br />
<br />
On May 22, American Airlines sent out an e-mail to all the passengers on Flight 231 apologizing for the delay and awarding each passenger a few thousand bonus Aadvantage miles.<br />
<br />
Having an American representative listen to what I thought were the miscommunications during my flight delay helped defuse any remaining anger. I was also happy to learn that American does take social media seriously and usually responds more effectively.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Annette Hernandez with American's Social Customer Service team called me, and said that they primarily receive positive comments for their responses via Twitter and Facebook. "When customers tweet about situations as you described on Sunday, our usual practice is to immediately contact personnel at the airport. Unfortunately, my team wasn’t responsive to your latter tweets to us and I’m truly sorry. The customer experience is very important to us and our goal is to respond to and help each customer who reaches out to us via Social. We’ve used your feedback to bring guidance to our team to ensure this doesn’t happen again," wrote Hernandez to me in a follow-up e-mail. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How could I not give American another chance after that response?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span><br />
Later when I checked out American's pages on Twitter and Facebook, the feedback did seem positive. And today, when I checked American's Twitter page prior to posting this, I noticed that the tweetbacks during a couple of flight delays seemed far more responsive than the tweets I received in May.<br />
<br />
Hernandez told me that the night my flight was delayed, Sunday, May 20, was the first Sunday that American had monitored social media. Prior to May 20, American only monitored social media Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">American Airlines now monitors social media from 6 a.m. to midnight daily. Its Twitter handle is @AmericanAir and the airline's Facebook page can be found at: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aa">https://www.facebook.com/aa</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><br />
Poor communication happens because we are all human after all. I do hope, however, that the next time there is a delay, communication will be straight forward with the passengers from the outset rather than giving us a line over and over again about "cleaning the plane." I told American that I had begun to think they were retrofitting the plane with shag carpeting or installing a jacuzzi. <br />
<br />
After I was over my pique with American, I was once again eager to embrace any mileage earning opportunity. And last week I learned how to score 100 bonus miles simply by visiting American's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aadvantage/app_292705677490552" target="_blank">"More Miles, More Smiles" campaign on Facebook</a>. By entering you earn miles and help the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #242c64; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px;">American Airlines Kids in Need<sup style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">SM</span></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> program, which benefits many children's organizations including </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children</span>. Each entry lead</span>s to a mileage donation from the airline to Kids in Need. More details are on American's Facebook page including the Summer Miles Sweepstakes in which Aadvantage members can win up to 100,000 miles.Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-9881653138331386492012-05-21T13:43:00.003-07:002012-05-21T15:32:23.116-07:00Flight 231 MIA to LAX - Is American trying to lose customers?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTnzcK4oaGA/T7qUtxhnY7I/AAAAAAAAATg/ZXAZtsF-KLE/s1600/Early+delay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTnzcK4oaGA/T7qUtxhnY7I/AAAAAAAAATg/ZXAZtsF-KLE/s400/Early+delay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">The initial delay of Flight 231 seemed reasonable</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If a guidebook exists on how to gracefully handle flight delays, American Airlines desperately needs a copy at its gates at Miami International Airport. Last night, the playbook used seemed designed to make passengers either give up on air travel entirely or never fly again or never again book a flight on American.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At our initial 5:35 p.m. boarding time for Flight 231, the gate agent at Gate D3 announced: "Your plane is here, but needs to be cleaned. We'll be boarding a few minutes later than scheduled." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fifteen minutes or more passed with no additional announcement. Then my iPhone received a text, followed by a voice call from American Airlines' automated system advising that our flight was delayed and would now be departing from Gate D25. Five or ten minutes thereafter, the gate agent confirmed this info but offered no reason for the move or delay. No equipment problems were mentioned. <br />
<br />
All the passengers agreeably made this initial schlep to a gate at least a six-minute walk away. But when we arrived at Gate D25, a new gate agent told us: "We are waiting on your flight to arrive from Los Angeles." At that point, we all wondered "what about the first plane?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2C72MQb5TFE/T7qK6BIxc3I/AAAAAAAAATM/uD6tUcSCh8g/s1600/Patient+passengers+wait+after+first+gate+change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2C72MQb5TFE/T7qK6BIxc3I/AAAAAAAAATM/uD6tUcSCh8g/s400/Patient+passengers+wait+after+first+gate+change.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After first gate change passengers wait patiently at Gate D25 for AA Flight 231</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At this point, if American Airlines had told us there was an equipment problem with our first plane rather than acting as if we never had a first plane, a lot of frustration, anxiety and the need for airport police could have been avoided. <br />
<br />
I began tweeting about our flight delay in the hope that social media would help. When I tweeted @AmericanAir that my flight was delayed, @AmericanAir responded: "Have a nice flight." (What?!) When my next tweet was a complaint, I received an apology but no information. So unlike JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, apparently American Airlines doesn't actually address customer service issues via Twitter.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
When the second plane arrived, we were told it would be cleaned and then we'd be leaving. At that point, our flight was due to leave sometime after 8 p.m. As more than 15 minutes passed, I began wondering if the plane was receiving its spring cleaning or getting a facelift. While we sat wondering what was happening, passengers who had deplaned began telling other passengers that their plane left LAX two hours later than scheduled due to a problem with the plane's air conditioning. Thereafter, the gate agent advised that they were no longer "cleaning the plane," maintenance was actually trying to repair something. <br />
<br />
At least 20 more minutes passed before the gate agent announced that we would be getting another aircraft, and we would probably be boarding it at Gate E9. He asked us to standby until he confirmed the info. At that point, I believe passengers remained calm, apparently grateful to receive any information - even if the news was bad and meant a gate change to another terminal. <br />
<br />
Numerous times throughout our five-plus hour delay, I heard passengers express their desire for safety. Even though passengers had begun missing connections, everyone wanted to fly in a safe aircraft. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ArudYAOTX8/T7qqEsDOHtI/AAAAAAAAAUI/veXm1J_WQPw/s1600/Last+delay+board+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ArudYAOTX8/T7qqEsDOHtI/AAAAAAAAAUI/veXm1J_WQPw/s400/Last+delay+board+shot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People began photographing this board as our delay grew longer and longer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the time we arrived at our third gate, nerves were beginning to fray. Our flight seemed an international mix of Americans, Asians, Latin Americans, Australians and others with the international passengers appearing to be the most agitated.<br />
<br />
Although the American Airlines agents at Gate E9 were the most communicative all night, many passengers seemed to have run out of patience, even though the gate agents seemed to be diligently rerouting people.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the Gate E9 agents told us twice that our plane was being cleaned before finally telling us that there was an equipment issue with yet another 767. I honestly believe the gate agents imparted info as they received it, so I was grateful for at least receiving reliable information.<br />
<br />
As passengers began surrounding the gate desk after it was announced that maintenance was working on something, I became worried about the safety of the two female gate agents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xam5AJLFW0A/T7qcTIws2SI/AAAAAAAAAT0/yj4oCStUu3Q/s1600/Man+in+cap+is+later+forced+to+sit+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xam5AJLFW0A/T7qcTIws2SI/AAAAAAAAAT0/yj4oCStUu3Q/s400/Man+in+cap+is+later+forced+to+sit+down.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passengers begin surrounding the gate counter, and I began worrying <br />
about the safety of the gate agents. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
An Asian man in a white cap (center of the above picture) began pounding on the counter and other passengers were raising their voices. Since I saw no security personnel in sight, I called 911 and asked for the non-emergency department. I explained my concern for the safety of the two female gate agents and requested security come to Gate E9 right away.</div>
<br />
When no one came within five minutes, and the situation continued to escalate, I used my phone's browser to find a number for the Miami International Airport Police. I was told help was on the way.<br />
<br />
The two Airport Police Officers initially on the scene were Officer Julio Nolasco and Officer Montrial (whose last name I didn't get because he was quite agitated). Julio seemed very calming, but Montrial demanded immediate obedience. He asked the man in the white cap three times to go sit down, but the man refused to budge. So Montrial began pushing him from the gate podium into a seat in the passenger area. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzmO8enOJbc/T7qcRYu_zTI/AAAAAAAAATs/yVoqUr-nD4Y/s1600/Passengers+react+to+police+sitting+another+passenger+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzmO8enOJbc/T7qcRYu_zTI/AAAAAAAAATs/yVoqUr-nD4Y/s400/Passengers+react+to+police+sitting+another+passenger+down.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montrial is to the left towering over the man (unseen). <br />
Two passengers seem to be videotaping the incident. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As Montrial demanded the man calm down, at least four other passengers seemed to start using their cell phones to videotape the police officers and the man in the white cap. (Video may surface on YouTube.) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nDLx0ZNiEA/T7qcUfqrwGI/AAAAAAAAAT8/-0nXEAtC6tY/s1600/Passengers+protective+of+man+in+cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nDLx0ZNiEA/T7qcUfqrwGI/AAAAAAAAAT8/-0nXEAtC6tY/s400/Passengers+protective+of+man+in+cap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many passengers became protective of the man in the white cap as if the officer was too <br />
aggressive in removing the man from the gate podium. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I asked Montrial for his name and badge number, he asked me for my name and said that the FAA gave him the authority to arrest anyone at the podium, who didn't immediately sit down. I gave him my card and sat down. I had already told both officers that I was the passenger who had called them.<br />
<br />
A supervisor with American Airlines (Luz) appeared after more police officers arrived, and she offered passengers $12 meal vouchers to go get something to eat. We would have to go back to Terminal D and needed to be back in approximately 20 minutes, so very few passengers accepted the voucher. It would have been more sensible to give us vouchers to use for food on the plane, but that didn't occur to anyone.<br />
<br />
When Flight 231 finally left at approximately 11:45 p.m. last night, the flight crew seemed embarrassed. The pilot apologized for the delay and said he would dim the lights and not make many announcements in the hope that we could get some sleep. If our wait could have been as pleasant as our flight, American wouldn't have lost customers last night. When our flight landed, our pilot thanked us for flying with him and said he hoped that someday we'd give American Airlines another chance. In Miami, many passengers were saying they would never fly American again.<br />
<br />
As a frequent flyer with American Airlines, I hoped the airline would redeem itself when we landed at LAX. But instead of several gate agents to greet all the passengers with missed connections who would need a hotel for the night, there was one lone gate agent when our flight landed after 1:30 a.m., who was directing all passengers needing rerouting to the Customer Relations office next to Gate 42A.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKAdNu2i9Aw/T7qyPKeLm6I/AAAAAAAAAUU/YzNkpUpy4Lg/s1600/one+gate+agent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKAdNu2i9Aw/T7qyPKeLm6I/AAAAAAAAAUU/YzNkpUpy4Lg/s400/one+gate+agent.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lone gate agent when Flight 231 landed at LAX</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When a flight has a weather or equipment issue, passengers want to be kept informed and told the truth, preferably every 15 or 20 minutes so that they can determine if they have time to grab food or go to the bathroom. If a gate agent doesn't have an update, announcing "no news" is better than feeling trapped at the gate, dependent on an automated text or voicemail for a flight update. <br />
<br />
<i>SuperShuttle then leaves passengers stranded</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Nothing is worse than repeatedly that a plane is being cleaned, when that is not the fact or the issue -- except relying on SuperShuttle. When it became clear our flight would land after midnight, I couldn't take the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus home as planned, so I used my SuperShuttle app to book transportation home. I attempted to email SuperShuttle about the additional two-hour delay from Miami because I held for eight minutes without getting a human to answer the phone.<br />
<br />
I checked in with SuperShuttle at 2:00 a.m., the girl clocked me in and said my shuttle to Santa Monica would arrive in ten minutes. When my shuttle didn't come, she told me to go sit down, that it was coming. Then she told three of us our shuttle numbers and said she was leaving for another terminal. My shuttle was number 820. It never came. At 3:00 a.m., a kind American Airlines employee named Carlos in American's baggage claim office wrote up the scenario in my flight record to help me get reimbursed by American for a taxi. At that point, SuperShuttle even had told me to take a taxi.<br />
<br />
At 3:15 a.m., I caught a taxi home. I called and a Yellow Cab actually arrived within minutes. Maybe if Yellow Cab bought out American, we'd all arrive on time and in a good mood.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-29013480315895522682012-05-15T17:43:00.002-07:002012-05-17T09:54:49.735-07:00American Airlines & DFW welcome the Boeing Dreamliner Test Plane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dDha-6jk6U/T7MFgGIAFJI/AAAAAAAAARY/Jl58STGfrpg/s1600/low-Dreamliner+test+plane+DFW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dDha-6jk6U/T7MFgGIAFJI/AAAAAAAAARY/Jl58STGfrpg/s400/low-Dreamliner+test+plane+DFW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boeing 787 Dreamliner test plane heads to American Airlines'<br />
Hangar 15 for the May 11 press conference.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner test plane landed at
Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) to “Wow” a group of journalists
and American Airlines employees.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">American Airlines is reinvigorating its brand with new, more fuel efficient airplanes including Boeing 777-300ERs,
737-800s along with the 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft as it reorganizes and
streamlines its business in Bankruptcy Court. American’s fleet renewal
includes retrofitting some of its Boeing 738-800s and its 757s. The airline says that over the next
five years this fleet renewal will give American Airlines the youngest fleet of
any major U.S. carrier. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2008, American Airlines ordered 42 Boeing 787-9
Dreamliners. The first 787-9
Dreamliner is due at the end of 2014. The Boeing Dreamliner is a long haul aircraft (routes haven't been determined yet). This year and next American will take delivery of 10 Boeing
777-300ERs, and it continues to receive the fuel-efficient 737-800 airplanes
that will replace American’s MD-80 fleet.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In May 2011, American began receiving new 737-800s with the
Boeing Sky Interior that adds LED lighting and a roomier interior with larger
overhead bins for carry-on luggage. I was a bit disappointed to see that the coach seats looked the same as on current 737-800s, and there is no back of seat entertainment.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvmq1vBO8F8/T7MFFO1Rb3I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ShIk6E_bwjs/s1600/New+AA+737-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvmq1vBO8F8/T7MFFO1Rb3I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ShIk6E_bwjs/s400/New+AA+737-800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new 737-800 landed on Friday too. Although this plane features LED lighting, <br />
it wasn't turned on when I checked out the plane. Notice the additional head room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2013, American expects to begin receiving 130 current
generation Airbus 319 and 321 aircraft.
In 2017, American is set to begin receiving Airbus planes with the “Neo” next- generation engine
technology.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Highlights of the press conference and </i><i>Dreamliner tour</i></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">American Airlines CEO, Tom Horton welcomed employees and
media to the press conference saying: “This good looking airplane is going to
look a lot better in silver.”
Welcoming the Dreamliner to DFW was aimed at showing what “the new
American looks like.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-7y8BE5IAw/T7MFeWfLcyI/AAAAAAAAARI/orqJQ_Zhmmg/s1600/low-AA+CEO+Tom+Horton+at+DFW+press+conf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-7y8BE5IAw/T7MFeWfLcyI/AAAAAAAAARI/orqJQ_Zhmmg/s400/low-AA+CEO+Tom+Horton+at+DFW+press+conf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">American Airlines CEO, Tom Horton</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During a tour of the test plane,
787 Brand Manager, Katherine Overby said that the plane has state of the
art engine technology and reduced maintenance features. Last December, the Dreamliner set the speed and
distance record by flying around the World in 42 hours (22 hours from Seattle
to Dhaka, Bangladash and 20 hours from Dhaka back to Seattle). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the test Dreamliner that visited DFW had a Rolls
Royce engine, Vice President of Sales for Boeing North America, John Wojick, says
that the Dreamliners American has ordered will have General Electric engines. All the 787 engines are tested to
withstand bird strikes. I asked
how airplane engines are tested to “ingest birds” and he said that
frozen chickens are used.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5wka0z5H_g/T7MFcozo7tI/AAAAAAAAARA/d6oZNOdjnm8/s1600/VP+John+Wojick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5wka0z5H_g/T7MFcozo7tI/AAAAAAAAARA/d6oZNOdjnm8/s400/VP+John+Wojick.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Wojick, V.P. Sales for Boeing North America in the Dreamliner's economy cabin </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wojick says that ANA and Japan Airlines currently have the
11 Boeing Dreamliners currently in service. Since Continental was the first U.S. carrier to order a
Dreamliner back in 2007, I asked when United (which completed its merger with
Continental earlier this year) should get its first 787, and Wojick anticipates
it will be delivered sometime this Fall.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rzwiw4hgOY/T7RtrlxrjuI/AAAAAAAAAR4/valRi6rz50M/s1600/small-Biz+class+on+test+Dreamliner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rzwiw4hgOY/T7RtrlxrjuI/AAAAAAAAAR4/valRi6rz50M/s320/small-Biz+class+on+test+Dreamliner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class seats on the test plane. Six different vendors <br />
supply seats for the Dreamliner, so American's may look a bit different.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mo3dMKekuWw/T7MFfWtPhPI/AAAAAAAAARQ/9yjvHVnRSQE/s1600/low-AA+employees+Jim+and+Rick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mo3dMKekuWw/T7MFfWtPhPI/AAAAAAAAARQ/9yjvHVnRSQE/s320/low-AA+employees+Jim+and+Rick.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American employees (L to R) Jim Lorentsen and Rick Briggs <br />
check out Biz class. The test plane didn't display First Class,<br />
but both Business and First will have seats that fully recline.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_38Z7R2tgI/T7RwBctWPKI/AAAAAAAAASI/PegNYeK7Flg/s1600/small-2Comfy+daughters+in+biz+class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_38Z7R2tgI/T7RwBctWPKI/AAAAAAAAASI/PegNYeK7Flg/s320/small-2Comfy+daughters+in+biz+class.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Brooke and Paige (L to R), whose Dad works for<br />
American Airlines, appear very comfy in Biz class </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wojick loves the 787’s sleek wing and raked wing tip. Overby
loves the fact the airplane improves passenger comfort and that the windows are up higher to allow passengers to see the
horizon. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rIQzn8KYqDI/T7RtZNT4yEI/AAAAAAAAARw/cKF7gx7YWB8/s1600/Small-Sleek+Dreamliner+wing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rIQzn8KYqDI/T7RtZNT4yEI/AAAAAAAAARw/cKF7gx7YWB8/s320/Small-Sleek+Dreamliner+wing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleek wing of the Dreamliner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overby highlighted some of
the window features for me in this
video tour.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lQKcEm88tQY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite features were </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the LED lighting, the window tint adjustments and the large screens on the back of seat entertainment modules on all the coach seats. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Signs of
Eco-Friendliness – quieter and more fuel efficient</span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dreamliner burns approximately
20% less fuel than similarly sized aircraft due to its new engines, increased
use of lightweight composite materials, more-efficient systems applications and
modern aerodynamics. Reducing fuel
consumption lowers the aircraft’s carbon emissions and the engines of the Dreamliner
have been designed to also emit less nitrogen oxide (NOx), which further
reduces the plane’s environmental impact.
And Boeing reports that the noise footprint of the 787 Dreamliner is 60%
smaller than similarly sized planes currently flying our environmentally
challenged skies.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain Randy Neville showed off the cockpit of the Boeing Test Dreamliner.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oovT4gwj7i4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my flight home from Dallas, I flew on an older American 737. We were packed in the plane like sardines and the shade for my window was cracked and difficult to raise or lower. The sooner American Airlines gets new planes, the better flying should be for passengers. And the Boeing Dreamliner with its fuel efficiency and smaller carbon footprint is this eco-nut's dream airplane.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ-oegiyAs4/T7RuQ_E22SI/AAAAAAAAASA/eFyDCwna5xQ/s1600/small-Test+Boeing+Dreamliner+at+DFW-1st+Dreamliner+to+land+there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ-oegiyAs4/T7RuQ_E22SI/AAAAAAAAASA/eFyDCwna5xQ/s400/small-Test+Boeing+Dreamliner+at+DFW-1st+Dreamliner+to+land+there.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to land at DFW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-62499483238364288452012-05-14T21:43:00.003-07:002012-05-14T21:55:27.563-07:00Woman plus baby equals miserable flight<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YF70yAwbyZ0/T7HYu4oVavI/AAAAAAAAAQg/nJSwieP-vf0/s1600/Mom+and+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YF70yAwbyZ0/T7HYu4oVavI/AAAAAAAAAQg/nJSwieP-vf0/s400/Mom+and+baby.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother and baby that create seat turbulence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No flight is pleasant when babies are crying. The same can be said about being kicked in the back for almost three hours between Dallas and Los Angeles. This woman looks nice and attractive, but she is the mother to avoid on a plane.<br />
<br />
I should have tried to switch seats with her when she arrived at the end of my row, looked at a man by the window and announced: "I think you want to switch seats with me - unless you want to babysit my daughter." I was pinned against the window. The passenger next to me (in the middle seat) had already commandeered both armrests. As I pondered whether a packed flight can cause claustrophobia, the man in the window seat in row 17, moved up to our row, and the mother sat in his seat, directly behind me. <br />
<br />
At times it seemed like her toddler was grabbing my seat, but most discomfort was caused by the baby. I repositioned my seat without any recline to see if that would help, but I still felt like my back was being constantly kicked. I attempted to sit without my back against the seat, but that didn't help. I kept praying that I would slip into a three hour coma. No luck.<br />
<br />
After at least 30 minutes of continuous kicking, I looked back at the mother and even asked twice that she please do something so my seat wasn't being constantly kicked. She shrugged her shoulders. (I can't remember if she denied being about to do anything, but that's how I read her look.) It felt like she, her baby and her toddler kicked my seat nonstop for two hours and 50 minutes - mainly because the Mom kept putting her baby on the tray table where the creature wiggled and kicked nonstop. (Had the baby been seated elsewhere, I would have thought she was precious rather than a creature from the Kung Fu Lagoon.) After I asked the Mother twice to please make the constant kicking stop, I realized that I should have insisted or asked a flight attendant to insist that she hold the dang baby on her lap.<br />
<br />
If you have ever been tortured by a Mom and a baby or a toddler on a plane, please comment and let me know if you had a better result. Flight attendants don't seem to ever intercede so I didn't ask for help on this flight. If any flight attendants read this and have a suggestion, please comment. I want to create self-defense tips for passengers who have been tortured by children and/or neglectful parents on a plane. On trips to Hawaii, I have regretted being in First Class, when the kids were positioned to kick my seat while their parents sat across the aisle, ignoring their children. In the future, I believe I will request parents change seats with me so that their kids can kick them in the back for five hours.<br />
<br />
Below is a second photo. This woman was so inconsiderate, and yet I didn't have the guts to boldly snap her photo and announce I planned to post it online -- as a warning to other passengers. Instead both pictures were snapped discreetly over my head as we deplaned at LAX. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5o4W2d2FWbw/T7HedIK57fI/AAAAAAAAAQs/ApjhlY9eToU/s1600/Mom-toddler+and+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5o4W2d2FWbw/T7HedIK57fI/AAAAAAAAAQs/ApjhlY9eToU/s400/Mom-toddler+and+baby.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toddler's arm is in front of the baby (directly behind the second seat). <br />
If you see this Mama sitting down behind you, BEG TO SWITCH SEATS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-74459222439517719112012-05-11T11:13:00.003-07:002012-05-11T11:57:42.719-07:00Dino Bones visit Santa Monica to whet appetites for Alberta<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDm7Dfy0nMM/T6045f4_c7I/AAAAAAAAAPs/LYPbzMB3bPI/s1600/Dino+bones+off+pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDm7Dfy0nMM/T6045f4_c7I/AAAAAAAAAPs/LYPbzMB3bPI/s400/Dino+bones+off+pier.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Tyrell Museum creates a dinosaur dig just off Santa Monica Pier on April 25</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"In Alberta, there's a location called Dinosaur Provincial Park, about two and a half hours east of Calgary, it's one of the richest places in the world. When you go on guided hikes, in places, it's impossible to take a step without crushing dinosaur bones under your feet," says Palaeontologist, Franciois Therrien, of the <a href="http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/" target="_blank">Royal Tyrrell Museum</a>. He says the bones are actually in bedrock, and you walk around them in a guided area, so the bones are protected. Dr. Therrien and a group from Travel Alberta visited Santa Monica on April 25 to highlight the Canadian Badlands in eastern Alberta along with the Alberta's outdoor adventures ranging from the Calgary Stampede to hiking in Banff.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Royal Tyrell has three T. Rex on display along with Albertosaurus, a 27 foot (nose to tail) replica of which was planted on the beach at the Santa Monica Pier in April to whet the appetite of locals for dino bones. Dr. Therrien says that visitors to Drumheller, Alberta, where the museum is located, get to see a treasure trove of dinosaur bones, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> kids (including those over 18 sometimes posing as adults) can spend 90 minutes in a <a href="http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/programs/public/the_dig_experience.htm" target="_blank">Dino Dig</a> for $15 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">during the summer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d1eeIRn1mes/T61WPL7uxEI/AAAAAAAAAQA/cE3bp-QnrDI/s1600/Palentologist+from+Royal+Tyrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d1eeIRn1mes/T61WPL7uxEI/AAAAAAAAAQA/cE3bp-QnrDI/s400/Palentologist+from+Royal+Tyrell.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palaeontologist Francois Thierren of the Royal Tyrrell Museum in <br />
Alberta, Canada shows off a dinosaur bone replica (the real bone is in Canada ).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I told Therrien I loved seeing Sue the Dinosaur on display at the Field Museum in Chicago. He said that Sue is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the largest, most complete T. Rex ever discovered. But he pointed out that Alberta's Badlands are chock full of dino bones. The closest thing to a dinosaur I might find on Chicago's Lakeshore Drive would be an overweight, trudging pedestrian.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Royal Tyrrell Museum is Canada's only museum dedicated to Palaeontology. With more than 130,000 specimens, the museum's galleries and exhibitions cover 3.9 billion years of life on earth from the dinosaurs to the Ice Age and the Age of Mammals. The cost for one-day admission at the Royal Tyrrell is $11 for adults (18+); $8 for seniors and $6 for kids (7-17) or $30 for a family (limit of 8). Two-day admission costs $16.50 for adults with discounts for seniors and kids.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnCeQDbJrkk/T605DLM9d8I/AAAAAAAAAP0/BJl0VWPdG9s/s1600/Class+from+West+Hollywood+checks+out+dinosaur+bones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnCeQDbJrkk/T605DLM9d8I/AAAAAAAAAP0/BJl0VWPdG9s/s400/Class+from+West+Hollywood+checks+out+dinosaur+bones.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students from a school in West Hollywood took a field trip to learn about dinosaurs </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Therrien studies and excavates real dinosaur fossils in Alberta and says: “Alberta is home to some of the world’s richest fossil beds and draws tourists from around the world to experience authentic dinosaur adventures."</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">TravelAlberta.com has put together <a href="http://travelalberta.com/us" target="_blank">several summer experience packages</a> that include horseback riding (from $175 per night in Jasper National Park), a Calgary Stampede Thrill Package (from $150 per night during the Centennial Stampede from ) and <a href="http://travelalberta.com/us/dinosauradventure" target="_blank">several dinosaur experiences</a>, including:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://www.dinosaurresearch.com/dinotour.htm#more_information" target="_blank">Dinotour 2012</a> (June 29-July 2) – from $325 per night—</b>A four day tour of the Canadian Badlands to dinosaur excavation sites and museums, guided by leading Canadian palaeontologists. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://www.canadatravelsolution.com/rockies-edmonton.html" target="_blank">Rockies, Edmonton and the Badlands</a> </b>- from $160 per night includes admission to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, a Seven Wonders of the Badlands walk in Drumheller and overnight accommodations in Banff, Jasper, Edmonton and Calgary.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Info: <span style="color: #0024f8;"><a href="http://travelalberta.com/us/" style="text-decoration: underline;">Travel Alberta</a>; </span>1-800-Alberta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-19430412407496988312012-04-28T20:23:00.003-07:002012-05-02T12:20:53.125-07:00Roseanne Cash writes USA a theme song (International Pow Wow 12 Report)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeJ20iJujaY/T5yfQ_bGs5I/AAAAAAAAAOo/ia9WKKdnKKs/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeJ20iJujaY/T5yfQ_bGs5I/AAAAAAAAAOo/ia9WKKdnKKs/s400/IMG_2174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association introduces the Vote Travel bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
International Pow Wow is a travel trade show where destinations across the USA get to promote themselves to international journalists, with a few domestic travel writers, like myself, thrown into the mix. <br />
<br />
<i>America gets a brand name, a theme song and a new tourism website</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
On Monday, Brand USA, unveiled <a href="http://www.discoveramerica.com/">DiscoverAmerica.com</a> (its new website) and "Land of Dreams," a theme song written by Roseanne Cash designed to evoke a feeling about what America represents. A free download of the song is available on the website's home page. (Brand USA was created by Congress in 2010 to promote travel to the United States, which had declined after September 11, 2001.)<br />
<br />
It's likely that DiscoverAmerica.com not only will attract foreign tourists but will also help Americans discover new destinations both across the country and in their own backyard. Visitors can "Explore" by clicking on pictures, searching by States, Territories or major cities as well as using filters (including Beaches, History, Natural Wonders, Shopping and Great Drives) to sort possibilities. For those that prefer to daydream by reading travel journals, there are reports of road trips made by three international visitors. (Hopefully, at some point some female travelers will be able to contribute and perhaps an American or two.) <br />
<br />
By providing an email address to the DiscoverAmerica.com site, users can save info into a "suitcase." I found several items on the website that I wanted to save into a suitcase but couldn't. I wanted to find out more about the Indianapolis Zoo and save that to my suitcase, but I could only save info about the Indianapolis 500. (Although Los Angeles, Honolulu, New York, Dallas and Las Vegas are listed under major cities, Indianapolis and Houston aren't.)<br />
<br />
The good news is that it's easy to click through to the website of a state such as <a href="http://www.discoveramerica.com/usa/states/indiana.aspx">Indiana</a>. When I reached the Indiana website, however, I had to hunt for a <a href="http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/tripplanner/LocalContactInfoSearch.aspx?options=62" target="_blank">page with a link</a> to the <a href="http://visitindy.com/">Indianapolis</a> Convention & Visitors Association website.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1knZYQMpw0/T5yz98_LD7I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/1tW5lddK2SY/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1knZYQMpw0/T5yz98_LD7I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/1tW5lddK2SY/s400/IMG_2133.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Obama addresses International Pow Wow attendees </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Good news for Chinese and Brazilian Visitors</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
President Barack Obama addressed the International Pow Wow delegates by videotape, stressing the importance of international tourism to America and the efforts we are making to expedite the Visa process while protecting our borders. Wait times for Visas for Chinese and Brazilian visitors that once took weeks is now often accomplished in days. And visitors from 36 countries, including Britain, France, Switzerland, Spain, New Zealand and Australia, <a href="http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#countries" target="_blank">aren't required to have a Visa</a>.<br />
<br />
Next year, International Pow Wow is set for Las Vegas. Presentations from Las Vegas made delegates eager to blow on some dice long before June 2013.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJSchNdZ6fw/T5yfpk-iCKI/AAAAAAAAAOw/KJXlcB9eIsQ/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJSchNdZ6fw/T5yfpk-iCKI/AAAAAAAAAOw/KJXlcB9eIsQ/s320/IMG_2163.JPG" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two showgirl ambassadors for Las Vegas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp660N1ZF6M/T5yuJX3HsbI/AAAAAAAAAO8/gECN2x6SqWs/s1600/IMG_3202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp660N1ZF6M/T5yuJX3HsbI/AAAAAAAAAO8/gECN2x6SqWs/s320/IMG_3202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elvis was alive and well and inspiring "Viva Las Vegas"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DQKswnhtzk/T5yxlv9qgrI/AAAAAAAAAPI/WzGHqTDZ7Hk/s1600/Low-Cirque+performers+from+Mystere+dazzle+at+Pow+Wow+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DQKswnhtzk/T5yxlv9qgrI/AAAAAAAAAPI/WzGHqTDZ7Hk/s400/Low-Cirque+performers+from+Mystere+dazzle+at+Pow+Wow+lunch.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performers from Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" <br />
dazzle at a luncheon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-35894673500358177742012-04-20T21:42:00.002-07:002012-04-21T09:35:43.381-07:00Celebrate the Earth with Music and Yoga in Santa Monica<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhc3G0zEbpY/T5Iky_DhEDI/AAAAAAAAANQ/Meki1YfGUts/s1600/IMG_2043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhc3G0zEbpY/T5Iky_DhEDI/AAAAAAAAANQ/Meki1YfGUts/s400/IMG_2043.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly demonstrate crab position using two Three Minute Eggs at <br />
Tadasana International Yoga & Music Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
When I stopped by the <a href="http://www.tadasanafestival.com/" target="_blank">Tadasana International Yoga & Music Festival</a> this afternoon, I expected to snap a few pictures and then take off. But I wound up spending a few hours there wandering through the eco marketplace and peering in various yoga classes. I foolishly arrived without my yoga mat, plus I learned that you are actually supposed to schedule your classes. Here are a few scenes from the first day of the festival.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgGYttlKMIY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
If you can make it to the festival on Saturday or Sunday, it will be well worth your time. I'd recommend spending the entire day because the admission is $99 per day. But there are slews of activities and a variety of vendors are there with interesting products. The <a href="http://theyogabeautybar.com/" target="_blank">Yoga Beauty Bar </a> had several paraben free body products on display including COOLA (a great locally made sunscreen) and Olie Biologique (which uses argan oil, rose hips and other natural ingredients to heal and moisturize skin). Founder, Linda Alixe Thompson, says that Olie Biologique facial products are used by both men and women.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ISC0dIbeao/T5JEKsBr9tI/AAAAAAAAAOA/vMl7eeenKBU/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ISC0dIbeao/T5JEKsBr9tI/AAAAAAAAAOA/vMl7eeenKBU/s400/IMG_2048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yoga beauty bar is a pop up store that carries organic body products</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Additional vendors include: <a href="http://threeminuteegg.com/" target="_blank">Three Minute Egg</a> (oval yoga props [rather than blocks]), Hard Tail (with 20-50% savings off their amazing yoga wear), Jade Yoga (yoga mats), Mamma Chia Vitality Beverages, EOS Earth Friendly Products (dish, laundry and hand soaps), Kevita, Whole Foods, <a href="http://www.ecovessel.com/" target="_blank">Eco Vessel</a>, <a href="http://www.yogahitch.com/" target="_blank">Yoga Hitch</a> (an innovative strap to carry your mat that can double as a yoga strap or towel) and <a href="http://simplystraws.com/" target="_blank">Simply Straws</a> (lose the plastic straws and carry your own sipper). Simply Straws has a promotion where you can earn a free straw by <a href="http://simplystraws.com/take-the-pledge" target="_blank">taking their pledge against plastic straws</a> (and sharing it via Facebook or Twitter). <a href="http://www.beyondo2water.com/" target="_blank">Beyond O2 Alkaline Water</a> was supplying free water in several areas.<br />
<br />
And for travelers looking for budget accommodations within the yoga community, <a href="http://www.omstays.com/" target="_blank">OmStays</a> is making its debut at TadasanaFest. People can join as a yoga student or yoga teacher, and OmStays helps connect you with a yogi where you're heading. Although men are welcome too, one of OmStay's goals is to help women travel on a shoestring. At a glance, it struck me as a cross between Airbnb (which acts as an intermediary) and couch surfing with a yoga component. Cost to stay at OmStay pad is $15 plus gratitude.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozd96TrNq-A/T5IpPdHHH7I/AAAAAAAAANw/NbWKlFmFNd0/s1600/IMG_2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozd96TrNq-A/T5IpPdHHH7I/AAAAAAAAANw/NbWKlFmFNd0/s400/IMG_2025.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Founder of Simply Straws, Cyndi Sladics<br />
A simply straw can help you sip at the San Diego Wild Animal Park <br />
where plastic straws are forbidden (dangerous to animals)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8fDJv8kl5ss/T5In2cK3RfI/AAAAAAAAANY/Sk4L1Ic4w74/s1600/IMG_2028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8fDJv8kl5ss/T5In2cK3RfI/AAAAAAAAANY/Sk4L1Ic4w74/s400/IMG_2028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve offers samples of Mamma Chia's vitality drink. <br />
Guests could buy bottles or a case for a discounted price.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zu5qCD7P9ng/T5IoaMXhR_I/AAAAAAAAANo/calKWLB_XcE/s1600/IMG_2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zu5qCD7P9ng/T5IoaMXhR_I/AAAAAAAAANo/calKWLB_XcE/s400/IMG_2030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alycia Monet Denham created Yoga Hitch to carry her own mat while she's also managing her toddler .<br />
Like its inventor, Yoga Hitch can multi-task by serving as a towel or a yoga strap when you're in class.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When: Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.<br />
<br />
Cost: $99 (minimum age 14)<br />
<br />
Where: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2600+Barnard+Way,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90405&hl=en&client=safari&hnear=2600+Barnard+Way,+Santa+Monica,+California+90405&gl=us&t=m&z=16" target="_blank">2600 Barnard Way</a> in Santa Monica<br />
<br />
Tadasana is even offering a <a href="http://community.yogitunes.com/tadasana" target="_blank">free 30 song downloa</a>d of the Music of Tadasana through YogiTunes (provided you give YogiTunes your name, email address and zipcode).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fwKcZD2mkzM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UR7u-duuiKU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-61997630567431955322012-04-10T08:20:00.000-07:002012-04-10T08:20:00.042-07:00Shell, Condoms break. Prove you can clean up a spill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qOtE1DBUmQ/T4RDUIQXk0I/AAAAAAAAAMI/p78rtYmzvTk/s1600/6083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qOtE1DBUmQ/T4RDUIQXk0I/AAAAAAAAAMI/p78rtYmzvTk/s1600/6083.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">All photos courtesy of NRDC</div><br />
<br />
That title may be unfair to condoms, because a broken condom can lead to new life whereas an oil spill leads to death and destruction for wildlife and people. If there's a problem when Shell drills in the Arctic Wildlife Reserve in Alaska, the Inuit Eskimos will suffer if Bowhead whales perish (because these whales are a food source for the Inuits).<br />
<br />
In 2000, the State of Alaska sponsored a test to see if a spill could be cleaned up in the Arctic. As you can see from Oceana's YouTube video clip below, the test was a total failure. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2dL3RGwpBaI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
The 2000 North Slope Broken Ice Trials proved that booms and skimmers do not work in ice. Booms and skimmers are among the tools Shell plans to deploy in the event of a spill.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil explosion occurred off the coast of Louisiana causing the BP oil spill in the much warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In Feb. 2011, <a href="http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/arctic/news/?199452/Norwegian-spill-shows-hazards-of-oil-on-ice" target="_blank">a Norwegian tanker spilled oil in the icy fjords off Oslo, Norway</a>. So why isn't the U.S. government isn't telling Shell "You can only drill in the Chukchi or Beaufort Seas if you prove you can clean up a spill." </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><br />
Chuck Clusen, Director of Alaska Project for the Natural Resources Defense Council (<a href="http://www.NRDC.org/" target="_blank">NRDC</a>) described for me the risks and ramifications for both humans and wildlife if Shell has a mishap in the Arctic.<br />
<br />
Although Shell has invested in equipment that can be immediately deployed if there's a spill, there is a very limited window of time to clean up a spill in the chilly Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, environments that are already showing stress from climate change (with incidents of polar bears drowning trying to swim from ice pack to shore and small young male Pacific Walruses being smothered by older male walruses due to the receding icepack and limited room on the beach. <br />
<br />
But the major problem with any spill is that the water is so cold and winds can be so powerful that there is a Response gap where you can't effectively clean up oil due to ice in the water or winds that cause waves to be too high. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrFkmfhJkXk/T4RPMV3QcSI/AAAAAAAAAMg/ehW1HdjM_CA/s1600/Bear+on+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrFkmfhJkXk/T4RPMV3QcSI/AAAAAAAAAMg/ehW1HdjM_CA/s400/Bear+on+ice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Between July 1 and Oct. 31 (the other eight months, the seas are frozen over), the so-called response gap is three to five days of each week. So at best you have four and on average as little as two days. Oil does break down to a degree fairly quickly when you can no longer skim or burn it. You can't skim oil a week or more after a spill. World Wildlife Fund did some calculations: it's impossible during those four summer months between 44-84% of the time. In Beaufort drilling, they can drill up to end of Oct. - if there's a blow out at end of work period - there's insufficient time to drill a cap relief well. Then oil freezes into/under the ice - ice moves hundreds of miles all around the arctic -Ice could drag liquid oil underneath it too-- could still be oozing," says Clusen. If oil is carried long distances in the ice, then next summer, when when the ice cap melts, oil is all over the place. <br />
<br />
If there is a spill, we better hope it happens in the Chukchi rather than the Beaufort. <br />
<br />
Clusen says that Shell must stop drilling 38 days before the Chukchi Sea freezes (where between 5500 and 25,000 barrels a day could spill). But there's no such limit in Beaufort where the risk in a spill is 5500 to 16,000 barrels. The Capping stack, Shell's principal strategy of controlling a leaking well is being built in Seattle, but Clusen says it won't be tested with real oil. "The real question is whether a capping stack can work as well in the Arctic. The drill rig in Gulf of Mexico had motors on all sides --no mooring lines with anchors. Two drill rigs that Shell would use in the Arctic would be moored," says Clusen, adding that trying to get around and through mooring lines without getting tangled up is pretty challenging because there's not a lot of room to maneuver.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZYYBo6p4BU/T4RNzC3NvII/AAAAAAAAAMQ/Sb1d-8AKnic/s1600/MedresAlaska_iStock_%23D7D146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZYYBo6p4BU/T4RNzC3NvII/AAAAAAAAAMQ/Sb1d-8AKnic/s400/MedresAlaska_iStock_%23D7D146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
"There's so much we don't understand about it how the ecosystem works, the niches for each animal, etc." says Clusen, adding that we also don't know how the noise from drilling and the vessels will affect the whales and other wildlife.<br />
<br />
In the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, "a lot of oil stayed in the water column, which means that cleaning up the surface (even if possible) does not prevent potential ecological damage," says Clusen. The Bowhead whales are a special concern because they feed in the shallow waters where Shell will be drilling. In the event of a spill, if there's oil in the water column it will gum up the baleen filters in the mouths of Bowhead whales. Even if there's no spill, if the drilling drives the Bowheads further out to sea, the Inuit Eskimos may lose a principle food and culture source. <br />
<br />
Shell's oil exploration will occur in a known denning area for female polar bears and within the migration route of the Bowhead whale. (Belugas and grays also pass through the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas). "A spill in this area could be deadly and oil the coastline of the Arctic Refuge Barrier Islands. This is key habitat for polar bears as well. The Arctic Refuge Coast is the highest density denning area for female polar bears on shore in the American Arctic. In Beaufort and Chukchi Sea - in fall they tend to come from Eastern Beaufort Sea in Canada - come in Camden Bay along the shore of the Artic national wildlife refuge - then they loop further out in north and west around the Chukchi lease area where Shell plans to drill four exploration wells in the next couple of years. Again, a spill as the result of this exploration could be deadly to Bowhead whales," says Clusen.<br />
<br />
<br />
So whether you are rooting for polar bears, whales, us or the earth, what's the harm in the U.S. government demanded that Shell prove it can clean up a spill? If there's a problem, any spill will make the Exxon Valdez or BP oil spills look like minor mishaps. The Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean. The Gulf of Mexico spill released 200 million gallons of oil. This means that every 5 days, an oil spill the size of Exxon Valdez was released into the Gulf of Mexico, and this spill is over 18 times the size of predecessor.<br />
<br />
Following the BP oil disaster, Oceana.org reported that 21 years after the Exxon Valdez spill, Alaskan waters are still recovering, and many beaches and coastal areas are still contaminated with oil. Many species (including sea otters, killer whales, clams, mussels) are still recovering, and some haven’t recovered at all (the Pacific herring and pigeon guillemot) (See: <a href="http://oceana.org/en/our-work/climate-energy/offshore-drilling/learn-act/exxon-valdez-and-long-term-recovery-after-a-spill" target="_blank">Exxon Valdez and Long-term Recovery after a Spill</a>).<br />
<br />
To urge the government to take action or to learn more, visit <a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2657" target="_blank">the NRDC website</a> (and watch a video message from Robert Redford about the wildlife imperiled by Shell's plans).Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-74001919551054105042012-02-09T10:18:00.000-08:002012-02-09T10:50:51.465-08:00San Francisco loves dogs!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z35ta_7ohd8/TzQMUrLoe6I/AAAAAAAAAKw/wuP4orJG2oE/s1600/IMG_0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z35ta_7ohd8/TzQMUrLoe6I/AAAAAAAAAKw/wuP4orJG2oE/s400/IMG_0623.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two visitors from Sacramento. (All photos by Terry Gardner)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last December I visited San Francisco because I had heard it may be the most dog-friendly city in America. I met a woman from Sacramento who was walking her dog along Market Street. She and her husband visit San Francisco every four weeks to get their hair cut, and their dog always comes along. She said most shops are dog-friendly, especially Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.<br />
<br />
Since I was dog-less in San Francisco, a friend from Oakland brought her pitbull Bob into town so we could all visit Chrissy Field together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5oPYR2rohQI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
For my story on the best dog parks in San Francisco, please visit: <a href="http://www.dogwonderful.com/2012/02/dog-friendly-san-francisco-sets-tails-wagging/" target="_blank">DogWonderful.com</a>. DogWonderful.com is a new website that launched last October. It's devoted to both helping dog lovers find dog-welcoming destinations and helping them snag deals on airfare, hotels and vacation packages. One reason I write for DogWonderful is that 10% of the commissions and fees earned through travel bookings on the site are donated to two non-profits that help dogs, <a href="http://neads.org/" target="_blank">NEADS</a> and <a href="http://redrover.org/" target="_blank">Red Rover</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wj-FonPPza0/TzQVWFK0kHI/AAAAAAAAAK4/WWHoHgJ_9TI/s1600/IMG_0664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wj-FonPPza0/TzQVWFK0kHI/AAAAAAAAAK4/WWHoHgJ_9TI/s320/IMG_0664.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This border collie mix also enjoys Chrissy Field.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-27811016160583687472012-02-07T15:34:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:39:01.453-08:00Pre-Grammy Slack Key Guitar Concert can add Aloha to your weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyd0Me6UjPc/TzGuJ-e5TNI/AAAAAAAAAKo/vIhmsVv-iVY/s1600/GeorgeKahumokuJr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyd0Me6UjPc/TzGuJ-e5TNI/AAAAAAAAAKo/vIhmsVv-iVY/s400/GeorgeKahumokuJr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Kahumoku, Jr. (photo: Shane Tegardent)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If hearing a ukelele or a slack key guitar strummed rekindles memories of Hawaii, on Sat. Feb. 11, you may find yourself transported to your favorite Hawaiian island. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Manhattan Beach, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2012 Grammy® Award nominees George Kahumoku Jr. and Daniel Ho will present a special pre-Grammy Slack Key concert.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The performance will be preceded by a morning guitar, ukele or social media workshop followed by lunch with the artists. Special musical guests will be</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Tia Carrere (who won a Grammy in 2011 with Ho for Best Hawaiian Music Album), Keoki Kahumoku and Kimo West (Weird Al's guitarist who contributed to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Apocalypse, </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Weird Al's 2012 nominated CD).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">George Kahumoku Jr.’s </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Wao Akua - Forest of the Gods </i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Regional Roots Nominee) and Daniel Ho’s <b><i>E Kahe Mālie </i></b>(Pop- Instrumental </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nominee) are the 2012 nominated CDs.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Three pre-concert workshops will be offered:</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Guitar instruction with George & Kimo</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Ukulele instruction with Daniel & </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Keoki; and</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Internet marketing 101 with George's social network specialist, Elliot Prestwich (because some musicians may need more tips on tweeting than strumming).</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMpB3m63TAA/TzGuDITLR_I/AAAAAAAAAKg/1u6pFvyFPfI/s1600/Tia+%2526+Dan+Ho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMpB3m63TAA/TzGuDITLR_I/AAAAAAAAAKg/1u6pFvyFPfI/s320/Tia+%2526+Dan+Ho.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere (photo: Shane Sato)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>When: Saturday, Feb 11, 2012</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Where: Manhattan Beach Community Church</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Address: 303 South Peck Ave, Manhattan Beach CA 90266<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Option 1: Ukelele, Guitar or Social Networking Workshops: 10:30-11:45 + Lunch with the artists noon-1pm + Concert Package ($47 adv/$55 door)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Option 2: Concert only 1:30-3:30 matinee ($22 adv/$25 door)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Tickets: <a href="http://www.Kahumoku.com/">www.Kahumoku.com</a> or 800-838-3006 ext 1 </b><b>(Brown Paper Tickets)</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-43090332198348891872011-12-23T08:08:00.000-08:002011-12-23T08:20:31.357-08:00Tips for flying next to a crying baby<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EuMRgDvz5Q/TvSkD3lSOWI/AAAAAAAAAKA/6xPGeHcRq9U/s1600/low-VX+882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EuMRgDvz5Q/TvSkD3lSOWI/AAAAAAAAAKA/6xPGeHcRq9U/s400/low-VX+882.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flight VX 882 - mood lighting doesn't help when a baby's crying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Happy Holidays. It's that time of year when adults without children find out how loud a crying baby can be. And passengers with grown children suffer wailing baby flashbacks. <br />
<br />
Last summer on a Virgin America flight to Dallas, I learned that mood lighting doesn't help if five babies are onboard, and three are crying. <br />
<br />
Last night on Flight 882 from LAX to DFW, I spent the first hour of the flight annoyed about the restless toddler who keep touching me and my belongings. His Mom kept failing to keep him out of "my space." Initially, I tried to block out his noise by cranking up the sound in my headphones, while praying the flight attendants would give him food, drink or a sedative to quiet him down.<br />
<br />
But the minute I engaged his Mom in conversation, my anger dissipated. Her two-year old son was named Landon. That morning her husband and young Landon's Daddy had shipped out to Afghanistan. She fought back tears as she told me that this was his first deployment since they had started their family. Although she blamed Landon for misbehaving, I think he was picking up on his Mom's distress about his Daddy.<br />
<br />
At that point I looked at little Landon and realized he was essentially spending the flight as a human carryon with no seat to call his own. He preferred the floor to his Mommy's lap. She paid $8 for him to watch "Cars" and ordered a meal hoping to get him to settle down.<br />
<br />
Our flight initially encountered turbulence, so in-flight service seemed to get a late start. When his Mom rang a flight attendant to ask about the meal she had ordered for her son, the flight attendant said they would get to him soon. Although she was pleasant, she didn't grasp the fact that the kid might calm down and stop making so much noise if he received food and drink. <br />
<br />
I finally got up, walked up the aisle and asked for some apple juice for the kid next to me. The flight attendant quickly poured it for me, and it seemed to settle Landon down a bit. It was another 10 to 15 minutes before his meal arrived.<br />
<br />
I wish Virgin America's RED entertainment system let parents note urgency for food. Since she ordered a kid's meal, you would think that the flight crew might realize the kid's meal might be for a noisy child.<br />
<br />
If you're flying over the holidays and sit next to a young child, I'd recommend engaging the kid or the parent so that you may feel compassion rather than annoyance if wails break out in flight.<br />
<br />
I hope all the airlines will consider serving kids food and drink first, so that all the passengers can have a more peaceful, quieter flight.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-UBQ0grbMQ/TvShKLlkSuI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/as8sBpiYxZE/s1600/Jamie+baby+born+in+July+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-UBQ0grbMQ/TvShKLlkSuI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/as8sBpiYxZE/s400/Jamie+baby+born+in+July+2011.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">My only baby pictures tend to be snapped at zoos, since I live with two quiet cats. <br />
Pictured: Jamie, a giraffe born at the Dallas Zoo last summer. (Photographs: Terry Gardner)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Disclosure: My flight to Dallas last night was complimentary. I'll be flying back on Southwest to write a comparison piece about flying both to/from Dallas. </i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><br />
</div></div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-22274849768518617792011-12-22T06:50:00.000-08:002011-12-22T07:55:47.654-08:00San Francisco: 49 Hours is not enough - Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;">Beyond seeing glorious drag queens, gingerbread houses and enjoying the San Francisco Symphony, I met a few animals in San Francisco: the furry kind at Macy's SF SPCA adoption, chocovores (and chocoholics) on a Gourmet Food Walk and merry makers on a caroling cable car. These are just a few of San Francisco Travel's <a href="http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/todo/49-Things-to-Do-in-San-Francisco-During-the-Holidays.html" style="color: #ff0066; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">49 holiday things to do</a>. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Macy's helps the SF SPCA find dogs and cats homes for the holiday</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrYjH9GoRJI/TvGClCtd3lI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/82NENqykZ_U/s1600/Macy+adoption+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrYjH9GoRJI/TvGClCtd3lI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/82NENqykZ_U/s400/Macy+adoption+window.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macy's SF SPCA Adoption window at its Market Street location<br />
As of Dec. 15, 195 cats and dogs had been adopted since Thanksgiving.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9g_8ijoCr0A/TvGB_T7StwI/AAAAAAAAAII/dgyvzAIjJ8M/s1600/Paisley+in+Macys+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9g_8ijoCr0A/TvGB_T7StwI/AAAAAAAAAII/dgyvzAIjJ8M/s400/Paisley+in+Macys+window.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Paisley is a puppy that is up for adoption.</div><div><br />
</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>As of Monday, Dec. 19, 224 dogs and cats have been adopted. This is the 25th year the SF SPCA has offered holiday pet adoptions from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Krista Maloney, a spokesperson for the SF SPCA, told me that it's the seventh or eighth year that Macy's has generously offered window and floor space to help pets find homes. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>If you're visiting San Francisco and don't have a home to offer, Maloney says that they are still looking for volunteers to help out -- especially between Dec. 26 and New Year's Day. "Volunteering involves collecting donations and greeting the public, and shifts are only about two hours each," says Maloney. For more info, visit: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://sfspca.org/holiday" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">sfspca.org/holiday</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zl9dLM9MJow/TvGC59jM0kI/AAAAAAAAAIY/3Jap7BoMixo/s1600/Kitty+up+for+adoption+at+Macys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zl9dLM9MJow/TvGC59jM0kI/AAAAAAAAAIY/3Jap7BoMixo/s400/Kitty+up+for+adoption+at+Macys.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This kitty needs a home in the Bay Area. (I encouraged my friend, Dick Jordan, <br />
to adopt a canine or feline, but his cat rules a one cat household.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Gourmet Food Walks or walking for chocolate (and other treats)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THkR3rK3at4/TvNAwocSroI/AAAAAAAAAJc/VoDK1_k3l0o/s1600/Recchiuti+chocolates+to+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THkR3rK3at4/TvNAwocSroI/AAAAAAAAAJc/VoDK1_k3l0o/s400/Recchiuti+chocolates+to+sample.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sampled three delicacies from Recchiuti Confections in the Ferry Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although I went on a <a href="http://www.gourmetwalks.com/chocolate-tour/" target="_blank">Gourmet Chocolate T</a>our during my holiday visit, the chocolate tour is available year round from <a href="http://www.gourmetwalks.com/index.html" target="_blank">Gourmet Walks</a>. Over the three hour tour, I learned about the painstaking labor involved in growing and harvesting the fruit of the cocoa tree and was offered more samples of chocolate than I could eat. You also have opportunities to buy chocolate during the tour, and many of the vendors offer Gourmet Walks guests a 10% discount. I bought some tasting samples to give my family a chance to have a chocolate experience over Christmas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until I took the tour with Nicole, I never had any idea that tasting chocolate could be as complex as wine tasting. . . without the hangover. (Since I was sampling chocolate confections that are at least 70% chocolate, I didn't experience any sugar hangover. In contrast, a Hershey's bar or common chocolate bar usually contains 10% chocolate and 90% sugar.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next time you unwrap a piece of gourmet chocolate, look at it, sniff it, snap it (unless it's a truffle) then taste it. It helps if you inhale as you are tasting the chocolate. I hope to edit and post video from my lesson soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the holidays, Gourmet Walks has a <a href="http://www.gourmetwalks.com/events-and-specials/" target="_blank">Holiday Lights and Chocolate Tour</a> that includes tea with macaroons. Throughout the year, Gourmet Walks not only offers chocolate tours but foodie tours in Japan Town and downtown Napa. My chocolate tour began at the Embarcadero and ended at Union Square. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A foodie tour is a great way to see the city while you educate your palate, delight your tastebuds and tighten your waistband. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKfhXKWRbac/TvGICrV45zI/AAAAAAAAAIw/IR1GyPzJy9Q/s1600/Low-Leonidas+chocolates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKfhXKWRbac/TvGICrV45zI/AAAAAAAAAIw/IR1GyPzJy9Q/s400/Low-Leonidas+chocolates.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Leonidas, we sipped Belgium hot chocolate followed by a tasty sample.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.classiccablecars.com/Holiday.aspx" target="_blank">Classic Cable Car Holiday Lights Tour</a></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Although I only had a chance to do an abbreviated version of this, it's great fun to hear Christmas carols while seeing the holiday lights of San Francisco from a cable car.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqdBjIi5c68/TvNCwo96CpI/AAAAAAAAAJo/Y9chigrjkk4/s1600/low-Merry+Carolers+on+a+cable+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqdBjIi5c68/TvNCwo96CpI/AAAAAAAAAJo/Y9chigrjkk4/s400/low-Merry+Carolers+on+a+cable+car.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carolers I met were very friendly. Happy Holidays!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div></div></div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-44857798445958354172011-12-19T22:05:00.000-08:002011-12-20T23:27:43.228-08:00Hey, San Francisco, 49 Hours isn't nearly enough - Part 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcbRbROu_uI/Tu_NTk7Da7I/AAAAAAAAAD8/9xV6nrWrSlw/s1600/Low-Ice+Skating+near+the+Ferry+Bldg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcbRbROu_uI/Tu_NTk7Da7I/AAAAAAAAAD8/9xV6nrWrSlw/s400/Low-Ice+Skating+near+the+Ferry+Bldg.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can be a good skate at the <a href="http://www.embarcaderocenter.com/ec/Holidays/2011%20rink.html" target="_blank">Holiday Ice Rink</a> Embarcadero Center<br />
(Activity #11 - open thru Jan. 8, 2012) (Photos: Terry Gardner)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
San Francisco is happening for the holidays. In a two and a half days last week, I barely scratched the surface of <a href="http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/todo/49-Things-to-Do-in-San-Francisco-During-the-Holidays.html" target="_blank">49 holiday things to do</a>. Here are highlights from several Activities I checked out during my brief visit. <br />
<br />
<i>Only in San Francisco - a night with drag queens followed by an evening at the Symphony</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GIRMsdseRw/TvAWioPY_BI/AAAAAAAAAGE/j5oBwvirVp0/s1600/Golden+Girls+tranny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GIRMsdseRw/TvAWioPY_BI/AAAAAAAAAGE/j5oBwvirVp0/s400/Golden+Girls+tranny.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Manuel Caneri (Diego), Pollo Del Mar (Rose), Cookie Dough (Sophia), <br />
Heklina (Dorothy), Matthew Martin (Blanche) & Laurie Bushman (Clayton)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"></span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Activity #13 - Revisit the "Golden Girls" as they are re-imagined in a high camp, "all drag" extravaganza at the Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street. Heklina plays Dorothy (the Bea Arthur role) in this special presentation of two "Golden Girls" episodes. Most of the audience had seen the "queens" present the Golden Girls last Christmas. And theatre is usually fun when you get to drink beer or wine during the show. On December 22, local San Francisco celebrity, Jan Wahl, will have a cameo appearance. Her hat has yet to be announced. The last two shows are Dec. 22 and 23 at 8:00 p.m. Advance tickets are sold out, but you may be able to get a last minute cash ticket at the door. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f4f4f; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'MS Trebuchet', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.trannyshack.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #ff5214; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.trannyshack.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jICiTISuWS4/TvAWf2I8BeI/AAAAAAAAAF8/YZo8NxA8WSY/s1600/low-Davis+Symphony+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jICiTISuWS4/TvAWf2I8BeI/AAAAAAAAAF8/YZo8NxA8WSY/s400/low-Davis+Symphony+hall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior of Davis Symphony Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Activity #18 - Davis Symphony Hall - After spending the previous night with men who are more comfortable in high heels than I am, Davis Symphony Hall was quite a contrast. Instead of seeing queens, visions of angels danced in my head. After trying to see as much of San Francisco as possible that day, it was soothing to listen to the strings of of the San Francisco Symphony accompanying the San Francisco Chorale as they performed Handel's "Messiah." The Symphony turned 100 this year, and a hearing a concert in Davis Hall was definitely a highlight of my trip.<br />
<br />
Although you'll have to wait until next year to hear Handel's "Messiah," there is a Christmas carol sing-a-long this week ("<a href="http://www.sfsymphony.org/season/Event.aspx?eventid=52392" target="_blank">Twas the Night</a>") and a <a href="http://www.sfsymphony.org/season/Event.aspx?eventid=50308" target="_blank">New Year's Eve Masquerade ball</a>.<br />
<div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp29eBB5PqA/TvAYE5raumI/AAAAAAAAAGM/sFEKDpcBzzw/s1600/Low-City+Hall+bathed+in+Christmas+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp29eBB5PqA/TvAYE5raumI/AAAAAAAAAGM/sFEKDpcBzzw/s320/Low-City+Hall+bathed+in+Christmas+lights.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We parked across from City Hall for the Symphony. <br />
The Ferry Building glows red at night during the holiday season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>San Francisco Hotels offer houses of Gingerbread, a Castle of Sugar or Snow Thrice daily </i><br />
<i>(</i><i>Activities 16, 29, 31 and 35)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<br />
Fairmont San Francisco<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3KDk7of6FM/Tu_Nb5qDWYI/AAAAAAAAAEM/Zs5-9Fjw_nI/s1600/Low-Full+size+gingerbread+house+at+Fairmont+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3KDk7of6FM/Tu_Nb5qDWYI/AAAAAAAAAEM/Zs5-9Fjw_nI/s400/Low-Full+size+gingerbread+house+at+Fairmont+SF.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Fairmont San Francisco boasts a full size <br />
Gingerbread House during the holidays (Activity #16)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The Palace San Francisco<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G004qaZQpU4/Tu_PZXSc92I/AAAAAAAAAEk/BYvE7UvSONk/s1600/low-Palace+gingerbread+house+competition+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G004qaZQpU4/Tu_PZXSc92I/AAAAAAAAAEk/BYvE7UvSONk/s400/low-Palace+gingerbread+house+competition+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palace Gingerbread competition included Gumps, the Four Sisters Houses, the Golden Gate Bridge, Elvis and Hound dogs, the Farmers Market and more (voting is activity #29)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx3eoMSvyns/Tu_NeU74MGI/AAAAAAAAAEU/NLfRCw46Rnc/s1600/low-Carolers+at+the+Palace+Garden+Court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx3eoMSvyns/Tu_NeU74MGI/AAAAAAAAAEU/NLfRCw46Rnc/s400/low-Carolers+at+the+Palace+Garden+Court.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolers may sing while you dine in the Garden Court at the Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div>For more details on the Palace, please visit my <a href="http://takeoffwithterry.blogspot.com/2011/12/san-francisco-sleeping-like-royalty-at.html" target="_blank">earlier post about my stay at the Palace</a> along with a <a href="http://talestoldfromtheroad.com/2011/12/20/san-franciscos-palatial-holidays/" target="_blank">Palatial holiday post</a> by my travel writing colleague, Dick Jordan, on his Tales Told from the Road blog.<br />
<br />
</div><div>The Westin St. Francis<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ7zWPJyvDQ/TvAfVWajAEI/AAAAAAAAAGU/cFQlBdZZtGI/s1600/low-Westin+St+Francis+Sugar+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ7zWPJyvDQ/TvAfVWajAEI/AAAAAAAAAGU/cFQlBdZZtGI/s400/low-Westin+St+Francis+Sugar+Castle.jpg" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Westin St. Francis boasts San Francisco's largest holiday sugar castle.<br />
It weighs over 1,200 pounds (Activity #31)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GK7_llTQ4-I/TvAjzMjdHrI/AAAAAAAAAGc/EnNytwDka4g/s1600/low-Hyatt+Regency+SF+holiday+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GK7_llTQ4-I/TvAjzMjdHrI/AAAAAAAAAGc/EnNytwDka4g/s400/low-Hyatt+Regency+SF+holiday+decor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font: 12.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Hyatt Regency San Francisco has snow fall three times a day during the holidays (Activity 35). </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I didn't get to see any snow while I was there learning about chocolate on a Gourmet Food Tour. </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Stay tuned for Part II - SF SPCA Pet adoptions, a gourmet chocolate tour and more.<br />
<br />
</div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-33680724343990383342011-12-19T19:06:00.000-08:002011-12-19T23:58:08.861-08:00Yosemite: Bracebridge Dinner, a spectacular feast and pageant<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTOCxe7HtgM/Tu_0nDjbiqI/AAAAAAAAAFU/MaCQb8YuA9o/s1600/5227973260_0bca2796da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTOCxe7HtgM/Tu_0nDjbiqI/AAAAAAAAAFU/MaCQb8YuA9o/s400/5227973260_0bca2796da.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing in the Peacock pie (actually a delicious pheasant dish). <br />
All photographs courtesy of LaniSpicer/Andrea Fulton Productions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Last Tuesday night, I attended opening night of the Bracebridge Dinner at the Ahwahnee. This year marks the 85th annual presentation of Bracebridge. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhq5ksOErjo/Tu_0pqTkP5I/AAAAAAAAAFc/rhfD0MoyJy8/s1600/6262051178_3377a29b1e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhq5ksOErjo/Tu_0pqTkP5I/AAAAAAAAAFc/rhfD0MoyJy8/s400/6262051178_3377a29b1e_z.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracebridge cast with Squire Bracebridge (Michael McCarty) center</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The beautiful and historic Ahwahnee hotel opened in 1927, and the Bracebridge dinner was created to attract visitors to Yosemite in Winter.<br />
<br />
The hotel's restaurant is transformed into a 17th Century manor in which Squire Bracebridge invites guests to celebrate a seven-course holiday feast with his family. From 1929 to 1973, famed photographer Ansel Adams directed the Bracebridge Dinner (most often appearing as the Major Domo or a mute jester). Eugene and Anna-Marie Fulton directed the show from 1973 to 1978, after which time their daughter, Andrea Fulton, inherited the mantle of director and producer. At age 5, she made her theatrical debut in Bracebridge, and it has been a part of her life ever since. 2011 marks her 29th year as Bracebridge's producer and director. Fulton also plays the leading role of the Housekeeper, the best dressed, most commanding housekeeper that I've ever seen. She kept the hilarious Jester (or Lord of Misrule) in check, which is challenging to do. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocKGGHboJ9g/Tu_10i8c1II/AAAAAAAAAFs/ObSb2HHl1ug/s1600/6262057096_5f15510552_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocKGGHboJ9g/Tu_10i8c1II/AAAAAAAAAFs/ObSb2HHl1ug/s400/6262057096_5f15510552_z.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Andrea Fulton as the Housekeeper singing with Chef Pierre (Pedro Rodelas)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The show is cast in May; rehearsals begin in the fall in the San Francisco Bay area and they assemble in December just prior to their first performance. Fulton said many of the cast members are professional opera singers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TahPK-lK3U/Tu_1n7L9QpI/AAAAAAAAAFk/knHYY4cVRMA/s1600/4872736045_1afba788b6_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TahPK-lK3U/Tu_1n7L9QpI/AAAAAAAAAFk/knHYY4cVRMA/s400/4872736045_1afba788b6_z.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the Jester (Johannes Mager) is not an easy task.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Several guests told me that they had attended Bracebridge more than once. Now that there are eight performances, there is no longer a ticket lottery. Prior to 2001, people often waited years for their number to come up. Everyone dresses up in their finest duds to attend the seven course feast and pageant.<br />
<br />
Remaining 2011 performances: December 20, 22, 24 and 25. Dinner seating begins at 6:00 p.m. and the performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Dinner only tickets (which include tax and tip) cost $425. Most people I met opt for a package that includes a one or two-night stay at the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls or the Wawona Hotel. The package also includes a group photo to commemorate the Bracebridge experience. (Photo sittings take place between 3-6 p.m. on the night you attend the dinner.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Info: <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/SpecialEventsPackages_SpecialEvents_BracebridgeDinners.aspx" target="_blank">Bracebridge dinner</a>, (801) 559-4884.<br />
<br />
And if you can't make it to Yosemite before Christmas, the Ahwahnee offers <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/SpecialEventsPackages_SpecialEvents_ChefsHolidays.aspx" target="_blank">Chef's Holidays sessions</a> in January.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6A-67qDWLg/Tu_7k0V3nmI/AAAAAAAAAF0/a5OIGrOZYm4/s1600/low-The+Ahwahnee+in+Winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6A-67qDWLg/Tu_7k0V3nmI/AAAAAAAAAF0/a5OIGrOZYm4/s400/low-The+Ahwahnee+in+Winter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ahwahnee in Winter (photo: Terry Gardner)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
[Disclosure: I attended the Bracebridge dinner and stayed at the Ahwahnee as a journalist on a press trip].<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-62693716590795870002011-12-19T17:08:00.000-08:002011-12-20T00:19:13.987-08:00San Francisco: Sleeping like a royal at the Palace HotelI went to San Francisco to absorb some holiday spirit San Francisco style. I slept like a queen at the <a href="http://www.sfpalace.com/" target="_blank">Palace Hotel</a> in a double bed that I hated to leave behind. My bed's allergy-free comforter and pillows were heavenly. (I wonder if Tony Bennett ever sang "I left my bed in San Francisco" following a stay here.)<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p17a2g9LnmA/Tu_PVC8FPwI/AAAAAAAAAEc/qNpnW3-TUtQ/s1600/low-Room+805+at+the+Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p17a2g9LnmA/Tu_PVC8FPwI/AAAAAAAAAEc/qNpnW3-TUtQ/s400/low-Room+805+at+the+Palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room 805 at the Palace Hotel<br />
(All photographs by Terry Gardner)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Opening in 1875, by the time the Palace turned 31, Oscar Wilde and presidents Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt and Ulysses S. Grant had slept there. Actress Sarah Bernhardt checked in with her baby tiger.</span> I had written about the Palace last December for the Los Angeles Times in a story about <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/05/travel/la-tr-happy100-20101205" target="_blank">Grand old California hotels</a>. (The original Palace burned in the San Francisco fire which followed the 1906 earthquake. The new Palace opened in 1909.)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Swimming at the Palace was my #1 San Francisco holiday activity. The Palace has an indoor heated lap pool on the fourth floor, which was added in 1989 when the hotel was restored and updated. Except for Saturday morning, I had the pool and jacuzzi to myself between 8 and 9 a.m. I may not have slept in the Presidential Suite, but I felt like a VIP enjoying an amenity that neither Winston Churchill or Mark Twain were able to enjoy.</div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhhPAA50mBg/Tu_NZAfzivI/AAAAAAAAAEE/g8x9ewy4Qek/s1600/Low-Lap+pool+at+the+Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhhPAA50mBg/Tu_NZAfzivI/AAAAAAAAAEE/g8x9ewy4Qek/s400/Low-Lap+pool+at+the+Palace.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The lap pool is heated at just the right temperature<br />
unlike some heated pools where it feels like you're swimming in bath water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Free <a href="http://www.sfpalace.com/tours" target="_blank">historic tours</a> of the Palace are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The tour can also be booked with a <a href="http://www.sfpalace.com/assets/u/HistoricMenuChandelier.pdf" target="_blank">prix fixe lunch</a> at the Garden Court for $25. (Reservations are required: (415) 546-5089.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are some photographic highlights from my stay at the Palace. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBlWG8ApIi0/Tu_cRyZ8GfI/AAAAAAAAAFE/aSHinNW77_Q/s1600/low-Palace+exterior-Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBlWG8ApIi0/Tu_cRyZ8GfI/AAAAAAAAAFE/aSHinNW77_Q/s400/low-Palace+exterior-Christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palace exterior, decked out for the holidays</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-baBvzXxwPgM/Tu_cNIe8BWI/AAAAAAAAAE8/CtaR-R5NHKQ/s1600/Low-Palace+gingerbread+competition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-baBvzXxwPgM/Tu_cNIe8BWI/AAAAAAAAAE8/CtaR-R5NHKQ/s400/Low-Palace+gingerbread+competition.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitors judging gingerbread competition</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9gDlrlSIfU/Tu_ZnkYsl9I/AAAAAAAAAEs/G9Kb-n9F7ms/s1600/low-Palace+gingerbread+house+competition+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9gDlrlSIfU/Tu_ZnkYsl9I/AAAAAAAAAEs/G9Kb-n9F7ms/s400/low-Palace+gingerbread+house+competition+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gumps gingerbread house pictured<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssZpFZm67jY/Tu_Zv0TJ7II/AAAAAAAAAE0/VA3XMus2E8U/s1600/3+Gingerbread+houses+at+the+Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssZpFZm67jY/Tu_Zv0TJ7II/AAAAAAAAAE0/VA3XMus2E8U/s400/3+Gingerbread+houses+at+the+Palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Hound dog Christmas, Farmers Market and <br />
Gingerbread House with Reindeer that bring vino.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> I not only voted for the Best Gingerbread House at the Palace, I fell hard for the Bloody Mary's served at both the Garden Court restaurant and the famed Pied Piper bar (noted for its "Mad Men" style Martinis). </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gZyD6wvUggI/Tu_eu5O4adI/AAAAAAAAAFM/GIK5eCm7LEs/s1600/low-Having+a+bloody+Mary+at+the+Pied+Piper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gZyD6wvUggI/Tu_eu5O4adI/AAAAAAAAAFM/GIK5eCm7LEs/s400/low-Having+a+bloody+Mary+at+the+Pied+Piper.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully, it was the flash and not the Bloody Mary that turned my eyes red! <br />
The Maxfield Parish "Pied Piper of Hamlin" painting is well worth a toast or two.<br />
My waitress snapped this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Next up, a look at my 49-plus hours in San Francisco. <br />
<br />
[Disclosure: my stay was complimentary at the Palace, but I was responsible for all meals, internet charges, etc.]</div><div><br />
</div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-20238704557800556382011-12-18T20:21:00.000-08:002012-02-19T18:16:30.953-08:00Three Stocking Stuffers for TravelersHere are three small gifts for travelers to keep screens clean, to make carry-on liquids a breeze and to protect electronics from water. All three products were developed in America to solve a problem. <br />
<br />
Toddy Cloth from <a href="https://www.toddygear.com/shop" target="_blank">ToddyGear.com</a> ($9.99)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw71iMIctB4/Tu6y8ckpXFI/AAAAAAAAADk/GHB99yhR5A8/s1600/Go-Go_rolled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw71iMIctB4/Tu6y8ckpXFI/AAAAAAAAADk/GHB99yhR5A8/s320/Go-Go_rolled.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go-Go Toddy Smart Cloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whether your traveler sports an iPhone or an Android, unless their fingers are oil-free, their smart phone is bound to sport fingerprints or smudges most of the time. The Toddy Cloth is designed to wipe those smudges off and keep touch screens clean. The cloth offers double-sided cleaning with a plush anti-microbial coating to clean and a silk side to polish. It's machine washable too. I tested a 5x7" Go-Go cloth that sells for $9.99. The larger 9x9" size costs three to five dollars more. ToddyGear.com has a holiday 3-for-2 special (buy two cloths and get the third one free). BestBuy, Amazon and Target also sell the Toddy Cloth.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.brincatti.com/shop/Travel-Kit%3A-4-3-oz-bottles-with-travel-bag_PT4.html" target="_blank">Brincatti Travel Kit</a> ($9.95)</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYAvjmBQYPE/Tu62txMBaQI/AAAAAAAAADs/_wRGxHq-aaA/s1600/brincatti+travelkit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYAvjmBQYPE/Tu62txMBaQI/AAAAAAAAADs/_wRGxHq-aaA/s320/brincatti+travelkit2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brincatti Travel Kit with wide-mouthed refillable bottles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Since I reviewed the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-0504-gear-20100504,0,7038485.story" target="_blank">Brincatti Travel Kit for the Chicago Tribune</a> in 2010, Los Angeles entrepreneur, Ken Brincatti has improved the plastic bag to make it more flexible and also redesigned the flip top on the refillable bottles. I typically use two of the bottles supplied then use the extra space to cram foundation, mascara, eyedrops and assorted small liquid containers into the Brincatti Travel Bag. The improved malleability of the plastic bag let me squeeze in more items without causing the bag to pop open during TSA screening. And I like having a reusable plastic bag so that I'm not creating plastic waste traveling with disposable baggies all over the world. If you need to stuff more than a stocking for a traveler, Brincatti has is currently bundling two travel kits and four spray bottles for $29.95 (plus shipping and handling).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.loksak.com/purchase/splashsak-tern.html" target="_blank">LOKSAK SPLASHSAK</a> $19.99<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rob1OyJEBnc/Tu66cnkQXuI/AAAAAAAAAD0/4j3Cb8Z_L1o/s1600/Tern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rob1OyJEBnc/Tu66cnkQXuI/AAAAAAAAAD0/4j3Cb8Z_L1o/s320/Tern.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPLASHSAK (comes with two plastic waterproof bags)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
This summer my iPhone 3GS bit the dust on a ferry between Saba and St. Maarten, so I learned the hard way to protect my phone in something waterproof when I'm on the water or out in pouring rain. I just had my phone in the pocket of my slicker. It was raining and I ended up soaked despite the slicker because I got seasick when I was inside the stuffy ferry cabin. Pelican and Otterbox make excellent protective cases too, but the LOKSAK allows you to still make a call with your phone or utilize its apps. Most waterproof cases limit you to listening to music. If you only want a plastic protective LOKSAK, a three pack <a href="http://www.loksak.com/purchase?product_type=10" target="_blank">aLOKSAK IT</a> may be your best bet (price varies based on size). LOKSAK products are also available from Amazon and REI.<br />
<br />
<br />
(Photos courtesy of manufacturers.)Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-87113552263945490222011-12-05T10:56:00.000-08:002011-12-05T10:56:10.800-08:00San Francisco: Hyatt holiday Symphony deal<div class="paragraph_style_1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><br />
</div><div class="paragraph_style_1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDkelr8Qv4w/Tt0RBW-b_DI/AAAAAAAAADQ/E1vsEO8JGz8/s1600/03+celebration_smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDkelr8Qv4w/Tt0RBW-b_DI/AAAAAAAAADQ/E1vsEO8JGz8/s320/03+celebration_smaller.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francisco Symphony turns 100. Photographer: Chris Wahlberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="paragraph_style_1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><br />
</div><div class="paragraph_style_1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6c5e5e;">Hyatt San Francisco is helping the San Francisco Symphony celebrate its 100th birthday with a special holiday package through Dec. 31.</span></div><div class="paragraph_style_1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><br />
</div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">The deal:<span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"> The </span><a class="style_1" href="http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/specials/offers/offer-details_hotels_20.jsp?offerId=42108957" style="color: #584d4d; font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/specials/offers/offer-details_hotels_20.jsp?offerId=42108957">San Francisco Hyatt for the Holidays at the Symphony “Amour Package”</a><span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"> includes a 25% discount on holiday season Symphony concert tickets; a reduced room rate and package amenities of breakfast for two, Champagne and strawberries and a 2:00 p.m. late checkout (valued at $78). If booking online, enter offer code: SYM100; by phone request the “Symphony Amour package.”</span></div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;">Although the deal is available at four Hyatts, I tested availability at the Hyatt Regency at Embarcadero Center, due to its proximity to Davies Symphony Hall at the Civic Center. The deal is also available at Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf, Grand Hyatt (on Stockton St.) and the Hyatt Regency at SFO. Davies Symphony Hall is easily accessible via BART trains and MUNI buses from all four Hyatts.</span></div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0bjMJ_xsKs/Tt0R5PfLjQI/AAAAAAAAADY/9jM5kXHNjtY/s1600/4594_HW_0058F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0bjMJ_xsKs/Tt0R5PfLjQI/AAAAAAAAADY/9jM5kXHNjtY/s320/4594_HW_0058F.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davies Symphony Hall decked out for the holidays. Photographer: Chris Wahl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">Tested: <span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"> The deal was not available on Dec. 13 and 14, but seemed widely available on other December dates. Friday through Sunday night stays seemed significantly less expensive, priced closer to $200 per night rather than $300+. On Dec. 17, the “SYM100” package cost $219 versus $169 for the Hyatt Daily Rate, so you are paying $40 for the package’s amenities. On December 17, the Symphony is performing Handel’s “Messiah” at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets cost $30-$135, so your 25% discount could save you about $31 on a $135 ticket.) </span></div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">Caveat: When I called Hyatt Central Reservations twice to test this deal, one reservation specialist couldn’t find it and the other could, so I’m recommending you book directly online or call the specific Hyatt where you want to stay. The phone number of the Hyatt Regency/Embarcadero is listed below.</div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><br />
</div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;">Info<span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;">: Hyatt Regency (Embarcadero), (415) 788-1234. Use code “SYM100” to book online or by phone. If calling, they also call the deal “Hyatt for the Holidays at the Symphony.”</span></div><div class="paragraph_style_2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #6c5e5e; font-family: Arial-BoldMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;"><span class="style_1" style="font-family: ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255663895724654059.post-72410065101395174742011-12-01T23:26:00.001-08:002011-12-01T23:39:10.989-08:00Iberia Airlines has great flight simulator facilities at its headquarters in Madrid. I was able to sit in the co-pilot seat of a simulator but they didn't let me press any buttons. Here are some photos from that visit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cn2IEJOlc0/Tth929uyp2I/AAAAAAAAADE/7Dk98cTqpM0/s1600/Small-Terry+in+a+flight+simulator+-+clearly+not+a+pilot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cn2IEJOlc0/Tth929uyp2I/AAAAAAAAADE/7Dk98cTqpM0/s400/Small-Terry+in+a+flight+simulator+-+clearly+not+a+pilot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, Ma, I'm flying hands-free.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-TKRgWsC7U/Tth914DBzbI/AAAAAAAAADA/QgCNCts2Pqg/s1600/small-runway+in+flight+simulator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-TKRgWsC7U/Tth914DBzbI/AAAAAAAAADA/QgCNCts2Pqg/s400/small-runway+in+flight+simulator.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the runway from the cockpit of the flight simulator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Terry Gardner Travels (aka terrytravels.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17486843473929638389noreply@blogger.com0