By: Jessica Kamikaze
Folk on the Rocks, Yellowknife: Music Festival-slash-Best Time in the World
Northern Canada is not a super popular destination for people like me who don’t particularly enjoy nature or bugs or outdoor activities or going outside. And the temperatures! No one’s going to tell you that winter in the North isn’t remarkably long and unbelievably cold. But if you have the chance to get to Yellowknife in July you will be met with balmy, sun-filled days and friendly locals, all hopped-up on extended hours of daylight. And you’ll also get Folk on the Rocks – Yellowknife’s ultimate outdoor music festival and the place to learn innumerable life lessons.
On the first day of the festival, I headed out with a friend to check it out. We made a cursory inspection of some of the vendor stalls and activities, but then we headed over to the beer garden and pretty much stayed there all day. I saw a bunch of awesome local bands and made a bunch of new friends, and afterwards we all went and sat on lawn chairs in the gravel parking lot to continue drinking. Some guy brought a mandolin. How is THAT for a magical evening? Life advice: when you’re drinking in the parking lot of life and someone brings a mandolin, pretty much everyone’s going to have a good time. Was that even advice? Whatever, you’ll take what I give you.
The second day was a little harder to get up for, but after a hearty brunch we were back at the beer garden, listening to more bands and meeting more people! On this day we took a few more breaks to get out and see the bands playing on the other stages. Life advice: you can’t just hang out in the beer garden of life and expect all the best bands to come to you. On one of these little sojourns we saw Fred Penner! He was at Folk on the Rocks performing on the kids stage earlier in the day, then I guess he decided to just walk around delighting everyone with his presence for the rest of the day!
Near the end of the day I got an insider tip that cider was running out. How many were left? Only four. A couple of the people at our table were drinking cider, because the beer options were a little too unique for some (they were craft brews that were strong or bitter or both), so I knew this was going to be a problem. Then I did what any normal, enterprising individual would do: I bought the remaining cans of cider and returned to my table as a cider slum lord, intent on charging exorbitant prices for the last four ciders in the beer garden! Unfortunately, I wasn’t made for the rough and tumble world of the cider game, and I think I just ended up drinking two of my precious commodities and giving the other two away. Life advice: when you’re trying to make it big in the illicit alcohol trade of life, you will probably need to actually be tough; or hire enforcers.
By: Jessica Kamikaze
So I went to New Orleans for an academic conference. It was a fun trip and I met some nice people and we hung out and that’s awesome. Looking back, I should’ve checked online before frivolously choosing to book the first hotel I saw. Even if you’re on a budget, you can find a really cool place to stay in New Orleans for killer prices. Despite what happened during this trip, I’d still say that New Orleans is a great place overall, and would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t been there before. All you have to do is check the internet for good hotels (and a cheap flight if the city is too far away to drive to) and you’re pretty much all set.
On the last day I planned to go to Bourbon Street with some other grad students I had met, Norton and Maurice (names have been changed because I can’t remember them). Norton was a nice guy; I just thought he was a little socially awkward. He suggested that we go check out the French Market while Maurice had dinner with his family, then we could all go to Bourbon Street together.
Norton was totally freaked out that I ordered alligator for dinner, but I figured that was cuz he was from a small Colorado mountain town and he was just scared of new things. One our walk, Norton kept saying dumb things so, to change the subject, I asked Norton if he was excited to go to Bourbon Street. He said yes – for the jazz music and the experience though, not for the drinking. Norton said he didn’t drink at all. I asked him about it, in a way that I thought was pretty tactful, but then he started saying dumb things again, so I badgered him until he admitted the real reason he doesn’t drink: he’s Mormon.
Norton said he didn’t mind if I drank, in fact, he said, he was super good at watching out for the ladies and scaring away “bad dudes”. So I put Norton on creep-watch and strolled over to Jesters, the landmark daiquiri establishment, to get myself a gallon of their signature drink. For the experience, you know? Theeeen things started to get weird. Norton began expressing his opinion on things like the bathing suit I had been wearing earlier – which he said was sexualized because it was a two-piece – and having sex with strangers – which he said he had no problem with, as long as they had a chance to get to know each other a little and had a “connection”. I wanted to punch Norton in his stupid face, but I settled for yelling about how uncomfortable and weird it is to say those things. Then Maurice showed up and Norton stopped being a creep.
We went to the coolest bar – it was originally a blacksmith shop owned by Lafitte, the pirate king of New Orleans! It was here that I declared my commitment to finishing my gallon of daiquiri (which I had been carrying around for hours) and it was here that I fell asleep before Maurice herded me back to my hotel. What happened to Norton? Well Norton told Maurice that he wanted to “get wit” me, despite having a wife and children back in Colorado. Maurice, who is also married, threatened Norton with bodily harm if he didn’t leave immediately.
When I woke up I had missed my flight, but I had avoided the indecent advances of Norton the Mormon from Colorado.
As much as they may have to offer travelers, Smartphones are still no substitute for a good laptop when you are out on the road, but there are certain criteria you have to keep in mind to make it worth the extra space and weight. Carefully consider the type of conditions you will be encountering and look for a model that will best accommodate your situation. Obviously, the kind of laptop you need if you are attending meetings and staying in luxury hotels will have different features than a laptop heading out into the wilderness in a backpack to make a chronicle of your journey. However, regardless if you are using a PC or a Mac, you should use the Kanetix travel app – Canada’s first travel insurance app for smartphones – to compare travel insurance quotes from competing insurance companies to save money and protect yourself from any unforeseeable events during your travels.
PC or Mac? Click here for a comparison.
Macs
The first decision you must make is determining if you would be better served by the computing power of a Mac or if a simpler PC would better serve your needs. No doubt, Macs give you more creative options and great for playing games and manipulating video and images, but they do have some drawbacks:
- Macs tend to be heavier
- Macs are more expensive and tempting targets for thieves
- Finding Mac service and parts can be tricky in remote locations
- Mac cases are rather fragile and quickly show wear and tear
Given those considerations, it’s a good idea to only take a Mac if you are sure you can justify the downsides. There are two Mac models that are ideal for travelers:
- Mac Book Air
- Mac Book Pro
PCs
In contrast, PCs are traditionally cheaper, more durable and easier to get serviced, but they often fall short when it comes to processing video or manipulating data. You have many more choices with a PC, though, and can customize it to meet your needs. If a standard laptop is more than you need, you can consider the more portable subnotebooks, netbooks, ultrabooks and tablet computers. These highly portable computers are in a constant state of one-upmanship, so older models are often quite a bargain.
The favorites in the category of handheld laptop computers are:
- Asus Eee PC Netbook
- Acer Iconia Tablet
As far as full-sized PC laptops go, the choice is pretty endless, so you can customize your traveling laptop to fit your needs. For optimum performance, consider one of these heavy-duty, yet inexpensive, models:
- Toshiba Satellite
- ASUS Media Laptop
Size Matters
Obviously, you want to find a laptop that is lightweight and easy to fit into your daypack or briefcase, but just picking the smallest and the lightest model is not always the best plan. Many compact laptops sacrifice battery capacity to get their weight down, leaving you with a light laptop without enough reserve power for long rides or day trips when you want it most. Look for a model that can provide three to six hours of power without a recharge.
Check for integrated features that are included and avoid models needing add-ons to make them fully functional. Preferably, you don’t want to be responsible for keeping up with much but your battery charger, headphones and perhaps a spare battery. If you want to keep a backup copy of your pictures and documents, just purchase a 4GB Flash Drive, back up your work each evening and then store the drive in a separate bag so if your computer is lost or stolen you won’t lose everything.
Also, remember that screen size does not equal the amount of room a laptop can take up in your bag. The frame and thickness of the case also impacts its overall dimensions. Bring along your preferred day bag when you are testing out traveling laptops and make sure it is easy to access and doesn’t hang on pockets or zippers. Ideally, your laptop can be nestled snugly into a back flab so it is not jostled around or bumped against other items.
Cheap vs. Powerful
Wise travelers often seek out stripped down laptops that have the necessary functions but aren’t loaded down with the kind of extras you’ll probably never use while out on the road. If you want to watch media on your laptop while traveling, you’ll want to be sure and pick one with a sturdy DVD drive, the cheaper models often have flimsy DVD trays which break off or jam easily.
Keep in mind that any laptop can be easily lost while traveling and, quite frankly, the more expensive it looks the more temptation for petty crooks and professional thieves to lift your bags. It’s also a good idea to find a way to personalize the exterior of your laptop so it is easy to identify if it is lost or stolen. Since stickers or tape can be removed, it’s a good idea to engrave an identification mark somewhere on the case.
Although the choices seem endless these days, rest assured that with the proper investigation you can find the perfect laptop to accompany you on your journeys that will be a blessing instead of a hassle. Above all, let your intuition be your guide.
Whilst the British are not famed for their culinary prowess, the city of London is fortunate to host some of the world’s very best restaurants. The likes of Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal and Michael Roux Jr all have set-up eateries in the city. There is no doubting, however, that fish and chips remain a firm favourite for locals and visitors alike. Scott Wood from London boutique rentals business onefinestay guides us through his favourite fish restaurants in town, for a true taste of London life.
Rock & Sole Plaice, Covent Garden
Don’t be fooled by the shabby décor and rough-round-the-edges waiting staff as Covent Garden’s Rock & Sole Plaice serves up some of the finest fish and chips in the city.
(image: StylishLondonLiving)
Established in 1871, the restaurant is thought to be the third fish and chip restaurant set up in the city. A battered fish dinner would cost you around £13, but the quality of the produce makes it all worthwhile.
47 Endell St, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9A
www.rockandsoleplaice.com
Kennedys, Clerkenwell
In its humble East-Central location, Kennedy’s is thought to have some of the finest chips in town. Their battered fish isn’t half bad either.
(image: Tomeatsjencooks)
If you manage to secure a table at lunchtime, be prepared to rub shoulders with plenty of locals. The restaurant is extremely popular with local taxi drivers; their cabs can often be seen parked all down the road in front of the restaurant. A sure sign you are at a fantastic fish and chip restaurant.
184-186 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DT
www.kennedyslondon.co.uk
Poppies, Spitalfields
Popular with the East London hipster crowd, this new fish and chip restaurant in Spitalfields, by Brick Lane is a firm favourite with visitors to the area. Poppies were recently nominated as a national fish and chip champion finalist, so make a reservation for busier periods if you can.
Even the waiting staff are dressed in a 50’s kitsch style to recreate the atmosphere of a good ol’ traditional fish and chip shop.
6-8 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR
www.poppiesfishandchips.co.uk
While it wouldn’t be recommended to eat fish and chips on a regular basis, a trip to London simply isn’t complete with taking a trip to one of these restaurants. If you have travelled to London and experienced a great fish and chips, please leave it in the comments below!
Florida is one of the hottest destinations for holidaymakers right now, and that’s not just due to the state’s beautiful climate. With more and more cheap flights available across the Atlantic, Florida is becoming one of the most accessible holiday destinations for Brits in search of sun, sand and a touch of indulgence.
Forget the overcrowded European beaches, Florida offers a completely new luxury holiday experience and no sumptuous getaway is complete without booking the perfect luxury resort. With this in mind, here is a look at what to expect on a holiday to Florida and some tips on finding the perfect resort for your getaway.
What should I expect from Florida?
If luxury holidays are your sort of getaway, then the chances are you know which European destinations are right for you. If it’s your first time considering Florida as a destination then it can be tricky to decide whether it’s worth the risk to book somewhere completely new.
The good news is that your curiosity will certainly be rewarded, with luxury holidays to Florida offering a decadent and relaxed style of break and activities to suit every member of the family. Florida experiences balmy weather all year round, with hot, tropical conditions in the summer and mild winters with temperatures reaching the low 20s.
Attractions
Do the words deckchair, poolside and cocktail strike all the right chords for you? If relaxing and stress free breaks are what you’re searching for, then Florida has the climate and the facilities to accommodate your needs. But the good news is the sunshine state can also offer that little bit extra.
Florida is a heartland for thrill seekers, with the state being home to some of the best family-friendly entertainment and theme parks on the planet. The Walt Disney World Resort offers an endless choice of theme parks and rides, including Blizzard Beach, Animal Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon.
The fascinating Florida Everglades are also right on your doorstep and its well worth it to set some time aside for this fascinating ecosystem. There are hovercraft tours available that venture through the famous marshes and offer a chance to spot a few of the 1.25 million alligators that call Florida home.
If gators and wetlands aren’t really your thing then you could opt for a different, water-based activity. Diving, kayaking and water skiing are among the most popular of these.
Accommodation
If you’re visiting Florida then there’s only one style of accommodation that’s worth booking and that’s a luxury resort. If you think that sort of getaway is out of your budget then think again, because there’s an excellent range of luxurious breaks available that won’t break your budget.
Resort getaways like the luxury holidays to Sand Piper Bay allow guests excellent access to facilities and entertainment that would otherwise cost you an arm and leg. Some of the facilities available include access to private pools, hot tubs and water parks. There are also exercise classes like Zumba and Pilates, as well as sporting facilities like basketball and water polo.