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.

Click here for more information

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

Catch and release your stress and the fish!

When a friend asked me to join them on a weekend of fly fishing I jumped like a hungry river trout at the opportunity - not only to try my hand at fly fishing, but to do so in the stunning Timpanogo's mountain region of Utah.

Utah is an easy escape from Southern California, only a 2 hour flight from LAX or SFO. Rent a car from the bank of agencies who are ready to negotiate (under $25/day), and head to the mountains! Within 45 minutes you will be in the historic ski resort town of Park City (PC). While I have enjoyed the infamous winter powder snow slopes of PC, it is also a thriving summer destination with a multitude of events, including the Park City Jazz Festival, and adventure activities at PC Resort ranging from mountain bike riding to the 110ft ZipRider (find out more @ PC activities here).

Park City and surrounds has an abundance of fine accommodation- all competing for your business- so be prepared to negotiate... it is worth it. We stayed at the acclaimed Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley which offered a fantastic summer promotion. The spacious room included a jetted tub, on-suite, fire place, deck and hot tub on the deck... and of course a beautiful mountain sunset view. You certainly don't need to leave your room, and with the added bonus of fine dining room service (try the halibut with lobster/parsnip mash) you will relish celebrating the finer things in life!

Saturday was spent at the PC Resort hiking (map), with the intention of hiking to Jupiter Peak (10,000ft). The hike is about a 3,oooft elevation gain, 16 mile round trip, so rather that push ourselves (after all we were there to fish!) we hiked to the top of the Bonaza chair lift summit. Lovely, expansive view of Jupiter Peak and the surrounding Park City valley, and still a hike that will get your heart pumping! There are many fantastic hikes in the Park City and Deer Valley mountain area to suit a range of hiking abilities. Also, check out the Heber and Provo area hikes here.

On Sunday we drove about 45 minutes through Heber in to Provo Canyon's Lower Deer Creek (near Robert Redford's Sundance Resort) and met our experienced fly fishing guide Jeremy, from Rocky Mountain Outfitters. With the Timpanogo's towering above you, this is one of the most spectacular mountain destinations you will visit. I have been traveling to this region for over 10 years and will never tire of this view- summer and winter. For those seeking a hiking challenge, the Timpanogo's make for a strenuous but awesome hike.

But back to the fishing... our prepared guide, Jeremy, fitted us with waterproof waders and boots that would keep us dry all day as we waded in the river. Clutching each others arms, he literally led us down the brisk moving river! No boat necessary- just a keen sense of adventure.

It certainly pays to hire a local guide to lead you to one of their favorite fishing holes. First cast... BINGO! A beautiful, large rainbow trout. A quick picture of our prize then the trout was released back in to the river (catch and release fishing). We continued to shout 'fish on!' as we had an abundant morning of nymph style fishing (flies below the water), catching some decent sized rainbow and brown trout. However, I quickly learnt that fly fishing is a highly skilled, technical activity that requires a lot of river and fish knowledge... and patience! There are the hand-made flies, which flies to choose based on location and the fish; the type of rigging, lines, knots, casting and reeling techniques ... but with an expert guide, you can certainly learn the basics of casting and enjoy a great day in the river catching fish! Jeremy made our fly fishing experience easy and fun as he rigged our lines, gave us simple casting lessons, and was 'chief netter' of the fish!

I must admit the idea of fishing as a sport was a new activity for me. But the types of hooks and technique used to fly fish minimizes any damage to the fish, enabling the fly fisher to release their catch back in to the water to live another day (game hunters take note). Another great 'advantage' of fly fishing is that you always come home with tales about the one that got away! In our case it was a large rainbow trout that my friend tried to hook 6 times! By the end of the day, the trout gleefully splashed away up the river, and we too headed home with a great day of introductory fly fishing behind us. Thanks Jeremy!

Note: you need a one day fishing permit which can be easily purchased online for $12.

Information/Contact-

kelsey@earhartadventures.com

ph 1-818-979-6412

Earhart Adventures tours

Earhart Adventures Launches With Great Tour Specials

On a warm, L.A. afternoon Earhart Adventures launched at Susan Feniger's STREET.

EA President, Kelsey Bray, announced special prices for EA tours to Peru and Patagonia, Chile, "to celebrate our launch, our advertised tour prices will also include domestic airfares. On some trips this adds up to savings of $900!" Additionally, Kelsey offered a FREE A2 flight jacket (replica of the flight jacket worn by Amelia Earhart) to anyone who placed a $500 non-refundable deposit on any of the tours this year by August 7th, 2009.

Many enjoyed the exotic cocktails and food from STREET, including our favorites- Moldavin Meatballs and the Panni Puri.

View EA 2009 tours (which now include domestic flights in the pricing) at Earhart Adventures

Click here for launch party photos