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Thursday, September 3, 2015
Re: Google Blogger's popularity score is in the top 6%
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Rocking at Mammoth with The Bravery
The Bravery are in town for a free concert at the 2010 Roxy Chicken Jam- Mammoth. We got a 5 minute interview with the alternative rockers from NY to talk about travel and music.
What’s it like coming to a small town to perform?
[Laugh] They consider this to be a small town! No, small towns are what we drove through for 12 hours to get here! [Death Valley region, Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine]
How do you connect with your audience?
We rock their faces off!
Have you had any on stage phopars?
Yeah, we were performing in Scotland and yelled “Hello England!” from the stage- not good.
Do you have the time, or are you inspired to compose when you travel?
Most of our last album [“Stir The Blood”]was written while on tour in Eastern Europe. We were really impacted by the darkness of their winter and the cold- which explains why the album is a little dark.
So you are able to compose while traveling?
Yes. We have a small computer recording set-up in the back of the bus. Nearly all our music starts that way. It is really easy for us to lay down some tracks.
What other cities or countries have been really interesting for you to perform?
Well last time I checked I had 42 immigration stamps in my passport! But Asia is really different, especially Tokyo.
In Tokyo the audience is really organized… they all applause and stop together… but they are really enthusiastic. They really appreciate US musicians.
How important is touring versus promotions on the internet?
Well, there is no money in selling records, so touring is really important, especially in attracting new fans.
How important is touring versus promotions on the internet?
Well, there is no money in selling records, so touring is really important, especially in attracting new fans.
Which one of your songs should the Roxy Jam DJ be playing for snowboarders?
“Hate Fuck”. Yeah, it’s best suited to extreme sports.
Sam Endicott
John Conway
Anthony Burulcich
Michael Zakarin
Writer: Kelsey Bray, Earhart Adventures
Monday, March 22, 2010
Earhart Adventures Creates Snow Joy!
You can help put a big smile on a kids face by contributing towards sending them to snowboarding camp. Just click the 'ChipIn!' button below. Thanks!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Modern English Village, King's Road
Like most of London, it takes a locals knowledge to be able to expose King’s Road’s little gems.
Upon stepping out of Sloane Square tube station you encounter the Sloane Square, Hotel, Tiffany’s, Royal Court Theatre, Boggi Milano, Hugo Boss and a tree filled Square with the 1951 Royal Academy winning Venus Statue. From Sloane Square to Oakley Street, King’s Road offers a wide variety of award winning boutique luxury fashion and dining establishments to indulge; starting with the department store Peter Jones, to veteran British designer, Vivienne Westwood’s, ‘World’s End’, and trendy high-fashion shoe store Kate Kuba.
Since Henry VIII acquired the manor of Chelsea (1536), it has always been a popular location for the wealthy. But it is a wonderfully diverse community- the local elderly residents from Chelsea Barracks/ Royal Hospital in their regal uniforms, are always up for a chat on the sidewalks of Kings Road. If you are looking to rest on a London ‘green’, you can walk through the Barracks grounds and their extensive gardens (where the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is held each May).
The Duke of York Square runs parallel to King’s Road and as such, will remove you from King’s Road busy thoroughfare. Lovely restaurants, coffee shop, patisserie, bread store, bookstore, beauticians, and luxury fashion boutique stores all open on to the large sandstone paved courtyard. There is a terrific year round Saturday market encompassing fine specialty food producers. Speaking of fine food markets, the Royal Household’s favorite market Partridges, is at the end of the Square (next to the fashion store Jig Saw in the restored Chapel of the Duke of York’s Barracks). Opposite Partridges the very modern Saatchi Gallery (ironically in the old Duke of York’s Barracks) hosts many sculptural as well as art exhibitions.
If you have children, there is a fantastic playground on the grounds of St. Lukes, (corner of Sydney and Cale Street) then you can eat at Tom’s Kitchen, The Builders Arms or get a cheaper pie lunch at Chelsea Green’s/Triangle pub Album.
King’s Road is the complete modern village for those who like to shop without the crowds and mass retailers of Regent Street.
Where to eat…
Tom’s Kitchen $$$ ph 0207 349 0202. Couple of streets back from the bustle of Kings Road , Tom’s Kitchen is housed in a lovely terrace house- each level offering a different dining and social experience. The ground floor Brasserie serves B,L,D (they have a sumptuous slow roast lamb meal). The second floor is a wonderful, elegantly decorated cocktail bar, also serving dessert and champagne. Finally upstairs offers a private dining room.
Manicomio $$$ ph 0207 730 3366
Relaxed Italian dining. On warmer days you can sit outside and enjoy the passing activity.
Where to stay… luxury accommodation (this is the Burrow of Chelsea Knightsbridge after all!)
The hotel’s ground floor restaurant, Chelsea Brasserie $$$, presents consistently great food (always love the duck) and snappy French servers, hence a popular and noisy environment.
Logistics
Nearest Tube Station: Sloane Square, Circle Line
Street Sensation has created a terrific, detailed map with street level pictures of the area. Well worth the cost of downloading.
King’s Road fashion stores listing.
Final note…
After strolling Kings Road, if your shopaholics tendencies have been heightened, and your wallets still full, the row of luxury global brands walk up Sloane Street to Knightsbridge and Harrods should more than satisfy your addiction (@ 15 minute walk from Sloane Square to Knightsbridge).
Kelsey Bray, tour operator, travel writer & photographer
Quick guide to enjoying Mammoth Mountain's snow
Getting there
* Air-from the middle of December until mid April, Horizon Air offers 1hour flights from L.A., Reno, Seattle and Portland to Mammoth. There is a complimentary shuttle if you stay at a Mammoth Mountain Property or call Mammoth Dial-A-Ride ph 760-924-3184
* Drive from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Las Vegas is an easy 6 hours.
Where to stay
* The ski area operators of Mammoth Mountain offer 4 types of lodging properties- luxury to family suitable.
* If you are spending more time on the mountain than in your room, I like Motel 6. Great location, clean and cheap.
FYI Bishop is only 40 minutes away from Mammoth and a good alternative for cheaper accommodation.
Lift tickets
* Mammoth Mountain Lift Tickets
* For Mammoth regulars you may want to explore the skiing/boarding at June Lake (@ 30min drive north). Mammoth tickets and passes can be used
Where to eat
* Hot Chicks Rotisserie $ 452 Old Mammoth Rd ph (760) 934-4900
* Old New York Deli & Bagel $ (good burgers too!)
6201 Minaret Rd #105, ph 760-934-DELI
* Coffee- friendly local spot Stella-Brew (FYI they serve wheat-free food). There is a Starbuck’s inside VONS (481 Old Mammoth Rd 760-934-4536)
* Yamatani $$ (Bishop and Mammoth)
635 N. Main St, Bishop, CA 93514 760-872-4801
* Sushi Rei $$ 6201 Minaret Rd #101 760-924-8140
* Chart House $$$ 106 Old Mammoth Rd 760-934-4536
* The Stove
is considered the best of the breakfast restaurants in Mammoth 644 Old Mammoth Road 760-934-2821
* Grumpy’s Sport Restaurant $ meals under $10
361 Old Mammoth Rd, 93546 760-934-8587
* Thai’d Up $ basic Thai restaurant dine in or take away. 587 Old Mammoth Rd
760-934-7355 (also do take-out)
more Mammoth restaurant links…
Equipment
3325 Main St #1 ph 760-934-9500
3218 Main Street, 93546 ph 760-934-7566
* Also like Mammoth Adventures for snowshoes through to X-country skis @ Mammoth Mountaineering Supplies
3189 Main Street ph 760-934-4191
* Snowmobile Rentals ph 760-709-1648 (pricing starts @ $125/day), Tom Greenstein
Aches* Rite Aid 26 Old Mammoth Road ph 760-934-8561
Dog supplies
Tail Waggers @ Minaret Village, 437 Old Mammoth Rd 760-924-3400
Stock CANDID dog food and also make their own healthy dog treats on-site.
Ask a local
* To take you to the hot springs!
Reference sites
* This is the most important one ;-) Snow report, lift status
* More images of Mammoth
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Kelsey Bray, Earhart Adventures
Tour operator, travel writer & photographer
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Stay in touch while traveling
Time zones alone can make keeping in contact challenging, so what is the best way to stay in touch while traveling internationally?INTERNATIONAL CALL PLAN
Most US carriers offer an international calling plan that provides you with a discounted rate for incoming, outgoing calls and text messaging. For example, ATT's international calling plans costs @ US$5.99/mth which would reduce a call from Argentina to the US from $2.29 to $1.99 a minute. Frankly there are better deals... read on...
RENT A CELL PHONE
You can rent a mobile (cell) phone that has a local phone number for the country you are visiting. If you are visiting multiple countries, or traveling there often, this may not be a good option (as you may want a more permanent phone number). Also signing a contract in a foreign language is not recommended! HOWEVER, there are companies where you can rent or buy the phones and plan in advance of your travels, and receive your phone prior to your departure. This is a good option... check out Telestial.
VOIP
Companies like Skype.com allow you to make and receive phone calls and text message via the internet (technically called voice over internet protocol or VOIP).
If you have internet access and are going away for a long time or travel frequently, a service like Skype may be the most cost effective, and offers continual service with the same phone number (especially important for business).
How it works... you buy a Skype online number (SkypeIn) in your home country, and download the Skype application to your computer (iPhone app also available- super cool!). When people in your home country dial that number they only pay for a standard call; you can pick up the call at no cost to you wherever in the world you are logged into Skype (or it goes to Skype voicemail). In turn you can make a phone call to anywhere in the world at very low rates @$0.02/minute! Skype to skype calls are free.
Drawback... you need internet service (on computer or iPhone) for it to operate.
PHONE CALLING CARD
Most phone cards have access numbers in nearly every country, which make them a great option for travelers. They can be used from nearly any phone, you can easily keep track of how much you have spent, and recharge without too much difficulty. Some phone card companies also have a VOIP service too (you log in to their web site to make a call). Note: some cruise ships, hotels and cell phone carriers block phone card use- check before buying. Just don't lose the card/number- treat it like cash! A prepaid calling card is always good to have as a backup to other options mentioned herein.
SIM CARD
That's the little removable rectangle card in your cell phone. Think of it like a phone card (with a lot of info on it) inside your mobile phone. You can purchase prepaid SIM cards that work in a specific country at their local phone rates, or a regional sim cards. Simply replace your existing sim with the one for the country you purchased.
SATELLITE PHONE
If you are traveling to a remote location where cell phone or land line service is not available, you can rent a satellite phone and be connected anywhere on the planet!
Your communication device decision boils down to -
a) how much you want to spend
b) is internet readily available
c) how long and frequently do you travel
d) frequency/length of communication
e) do you need easy incoming AND outgoing call access
... at the very least, you should always carry a prepaid calling card as a backup.
For more information and to purchase prepaid phone or SIM cards, rent international cell and satellite phones Click here
Happy trails!
kelsey@earhartadventures.com
Earhart Adventures LLC
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