Archive for the ‘Family Vacations’ Category
Monday, June 2nd, 2008
A man ran up to our table at the local farmers market, and boom, he and his camera were in my granddaughter’s face. No preamble, no “Hi. How are you?” No nothing. Just wham, bam . . . you get the picture (pardon the pun).
I was stunned. It was all I could do not to grab the guy by his camera cord and demand that he erase the picture. He stupidly bobbed his head, mumbling something about how he “hoped I didn’t mind,” but I knew he wasn’t asking permission. He was just reacting to the look on my face.
He scuttled away like the vermin he had proven himself to be.
Do you photograph people this way? If so, you are WRONG! And worse, you are a coward.
As a photographer, I am very opposed to this grab-and-run style of thievery. In my estimation, it is a type of violence, a rape, if you will. Without some form of permission, be it a slight nod of acceptance or a full model release, modern day shutterbugs should NOT be zooming in on people, and taking their photos.
Here are some suggestions to ensure you remain civilized when shooting photographs of strangers. Read on . . .
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Tags:how to photograph strangers, photographer safety when traveling, photographing people while traveling, taking pictures of children, travel photography tips
Posted in Adventure Travel, Celebrities, Cruise Ship Travel, Digital Cameras, Family Vacations, Photography tips, Ports of call, Travel - General Advice, Travel photography, Variety | No Comments »
Saturday, May 31st, 2008
Malaria?
It’s a word I have heard, but I never really spent much time thinking about it. That is until I began researching Belize (I am tripping there end of August).
I thought Malaria was prevalent only in far away countries like Africa and India, not the Americas. But I was wrong. Malaria is also common in South and Central America.
Yikes, I thought, what do I do? Read on . . .
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Tags:bednetting, Belize, central america, cure for malaria, deet, malaria drugs, malaria prevention, malaria vaccine, mosquito bites
Posted in Adventure Travel, Beach Vacations, Family Vacations, Travel - General Advice, Travel Destinations, Travel Products, Travel safety, Travel tips, Tropical Destinations, Variety | No Comments »
Monday, May 26th, 2008
Monster truck jumps cars
I am a huge fan of both monster trucks, and my new little Fuji F50 12MG compact digital camera.
I sat at the top of the stands, opted for the Top 3 shots instead of a single shot, set my ISO to 200, chose a medium aperture, pre-focused on the spot where I thought the truck would be, and fired away.
Great jobs done by both “Sheer Insanity” (the truck), and my wonderful tiny camera. Gotta love ’em.
Caught the monster truck show, recently, at the Rainmakers Rodeo held in St. Albert, a city just a few minutes drive from my home of Edmonton, Alberta.
Cheers,
Sheree Zielke
Tags:airborne, Alberta, edmonton, extreme sports, jumping cars, monster trucks, st. alberta rainmakers rodeo, tricks
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Digital Cameras, Family Vacations, New Technology, Photography tips, Sports | No Comments »
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
Look Ma, No Hands!
As Edmonton, Alberta prepares for its first Edmonton Indy this July 24-26, here’s a look back at some of the entertainment provided at the city’s last Grand Prix events.
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Tags:Alberta, dangerous tricks, dirt bikes, edmonton indy, extreme sports, grand prix, motorbike trick riding
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Family Vacations, Sports, Tourist attractions | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
Horses and Wagon
Alberta embraces the simpler life, and some farms (like Sprout Farms) offer wooden wagon rides pulled by draft horses. It’s one way to spend a summer day in Alberta, but the Edmonton area has so much more to offer. Here are some suggestions of things to do, when you travel to Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton.
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Tags:Alberta, alberta farms, edmonton, grain elevators, horse and wagons, international airport, north saskatchewan river, northlands, st. alberta, valley zoo
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Budget Travel, Canada, Family Vacations, Tourist attractions, Travel with kids, Variety, Zoos | Comments Closed
Monday, May 19th, 2008
Rocky Mountain Sheep
Alberta is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I should know. I live here. Yes, I travel to other parts of the world, and I do so frequently; I would go nuts if I didn’t. But I love traveling in Alberta, too.
Alberta is home to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Two of the most visited ski towns are located here, too: Jasper and Banff.
Travelers along the mountain highways will often be treated to the sight of flocks Rocky Mountain sheep (yes, they look like goats – but they are sheep).
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Tags:Alberta, calgary stampede, edmonton, rocky mountain sheep, things to do in alberta, traveling in alberta, west edmonton mall
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Family Vacations, Skiing Vacations, Tourist attractions, Travel - General Advice, Travel Destinations, Variety | Comments Closed
Thursday, May 15th, 2008
The stingray deaths at the Calgary Zoo have continued to baffle authorities. The cownosed rays began dying en masse this past Sunday in a new exhibit that opened just a few months ago, in mid-February. Toxins or poisons are suspected in the rays’ deaths although recent water tests have come up as clean. Zoo veterinarians have eliminated the possibility of moisture lotions or sunblock creams as the source of any contamination of the touch pools.
As sad as the stingray deaths are, the Calgary’s Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Prehistoric Park, with over 290 species of animals, has so much more to offer its patrons. Opened in 1929, The Calgary Zoo celebrates its 80th birthday next year.
If you’re planning a trip to western Canada, be sure to include the Calgary Zoo in your plans. And here’s why you should do that . . .
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Tags:best zoos in Canada, botanical garden, butterfly garden, Calgary Zoo, dinosaur exhibits, prehistoric park, stingray deaths, western lowland gorillas
Posted in Adventure Travel, Canada, Family Vacations, Tourist attractions, Travel - General Advice, Travel Destinations, Travel with kids, Variety, Zoos | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Guns, knives, hand grenades, alligators, and bottles of water — these things will be confiscated if you try to take them through American airport security. But what currently is allowed in your carry-on luggage?
Since the terrorist attacks of 9-11, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has changed its mind repeatedly on what is and what is not allowed onto a plane. Nail clippers, once taboo, are now okay. But what about foods? Can you take your lunch onto the plane? What about lithium batteries? A camcorder? What about a tube of face moisturizer?
The answer is “Yes,” to some things, and “No,” to others. If you are still unsure, here’s a quick checklist of some of the most common items allowed and those disallowed in airport security.
Read on . . .
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Tags:airport security regulations, cleaing airport security, tsa, what can't I take through airport security, what is not allowed in my carry-on baggage, what's allowed in my carry on baggage
Posted in Adventure Travel, Airline Travel, Budget Travel, Canada, Cruise Ship Travel, Family Vacations, Food and Wine, Travel - General Advice, Travel safety, Travel tips, Travel with kids, Variety | Comments Closed
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Airport layovers are seldom part of the travel experience we usually anticipate with joy. However, if you must be stuck in an airport, then make it the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
We recently spent several hours there while awaiting our connection to Houston. The time flew by in this bright and cheery place. But the designers need to give their heads a shake. There’s a feature in the women’s washroom that gives pause for thought. Especially if you are visually impaired.
Read on . . .
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Tags:airport washrooms, chicago ohare airport, finding power for your laptop in an airport, houston airport, major american airports
Posted in Adventure Travel, Airline Travel, Family Vacations, Travel - General Advice, Travel safety, Travel tips, Travel with kids, United States, Variety | Comments Closed
Monday, April 28th, 2008
“Why do you have to travel so much?” he asked.
“Why do you have to breathe?” I shot back.
For some, travel is an addiction to adventure; for others, travel is a way to survive, in the same way that breathing oxygen ensures our continued existence. The knowledge that an escape has been planned can make our daily routines — our weekly drudgery — that much easier to bear.
But what if you can’t afford to travel? That might be, but that shouldn’t stop you from having a rejuvenating adventure. Some of the best escapes are right in your own backyard. But like all travel, they’ll take a little planning.
Read on . . .
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Tags:can't afford to travel, games for kids, kids and travel, suggestions for traveling in city, traveling with children
Posted in Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Cemeteries, Family Vacations, Travel - General Advice, Travel tips, Travel with kids, Variety | 2 Comments »
