Rules Regarding Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols on Aircraft

Posted December 13, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under News

The ban on liquids, gels, and aerosols aboard aircraft is now called the 311 Rule

Each container of liquids, gels and aerosols must be three ounces or smaller containers. Larger containers or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed.

Liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top,clear plastic bag. Lager bags or bags that are such as fold-over sandwich bags are not permitted. Only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag allowed per passenger.

To allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the items, you must remove your quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from your carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening.

Our advice: Pack your toothpaste in your suitcase and carry Oral B Brush Ups instead. And ladies, forget the hairspray… really, no one needs to breathe the stuff in anyway.

Technorati Tags: 311 Rule, TSA, X-ray screening

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9 Essentials for Winter Warmth

Posted December 11, 2006 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Adventures, Clothing

Winter Clothing I call this my ‘birthday suit’ … seeing that the picture was taken on my birthday (December 11th).

Being a December baby, I love winter and oddly enough, we’re actually getting winter early this year in the Okanagan. Hurray!

OK, you’ll only say ‘Hurray’ about winter if you know how to dress for it, so here are the 9 essentials if you too want to enjoy winter weather.

Scarf - I didn’t start wearing scarves until just recently and man, what a difference you feel when you keep your neck warm! I now have a collection of scarves, including a North Face Plaid Scarf.

Jacket - Your coat needs to be wind-proof, waterproof yet breathable, especially if you plan to use it for sweat-producing activities like cross-country skiing and hill hiking. The jacket I wear is an older version of this
North Face Helicon Jacket
which unfortunately wasn’t available for shipment to Canada.

Coffee - Absolutely critical, especially the Starbucks Christmas Blend.

Gloves or Mitts - Having really poor circulation, my hands freeze easily, so I especially appreciate these Liza Lamb gloves
available from Roots.

Thermal Underwear - I prefer to wear silk tops and bottoms.

Fleece Pants - I basically live in these Patagonia Plush Synchilla Fleece Pants
from October through to the end of February. Worth every penny and then some.

Warm Socks - Warm, dry feet are essential to one’s happiness outdoors in winter. Check out these
Wigwam Ingenius Snowsport Socks from Outdoor.com.

Boots - Forget wearing your Uggs if you want to go for a walk on snow. They’re lovely and warm, but they are awful on snow, unless you don’t mind slipping and sliding all over the place. In the picture, I am wearing a pair of Rohde boots, which are almost as warm as a pair of heavy-duty Sorels — and MUCH less slippery on snow. The latter are available at Zappos.

Smile - It’s free!

Technorati Tags: North Face, gloves, Thermal Underwear, Fleece, Socks, Boots

South America Pictures Uploaded

Posted December 11, 2006 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Adventures

I uploaded a few pictures from our trip to South America (2001) to Flickr.

Included are pics from the Galapagos, Quito, Agua Calientes and Machu Picchu.

There are pictures of sea lions, iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, cormorants, people, places, parade, pots of coca tea and general scenery shots.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: South America, pictures

Compare Airfares at OneTravel.com

Posted December 10, 2006 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Travel Deals

We’ve just partnered with OneTravel.com at which you can compare fares from different airlines all on one site.

I just checked OneTravel.com for a trip from Vancouver to Toronto for mid-January. By doing so, I found fares ranging all the way from $525 on HMY Airlines to $647 on Air Canada.

Hmmm… it PAYS to do your homework!

New Passport Requirements

Posted December 10, 2006 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under News

I made a decision a few years ago that I would never again travel abroad with anyone who did not have a passport, regardless of the requirements. My companions were always being detained and almost missing flights and that was always such an unecessary hassle!

Fortunately, the rules are changing so I no longer have to concern myself with passport related hassles.

As of January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via air, to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean (with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and Bermuda WILL need a passport.

Then, as of January 1, 2008, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via land and sea, as well as air, regardless of destination.

It takes approximately 6 weeks to process a passport application. If you need to travel urgently and require a passport sooner, please visit http://travel.state.gov for additional information on expedited processing.

For more information, visit the State Department’s web site or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: (877) 4USA-PPT.

So, do you have your passport yet?

Technorati Tags: passport

Earn 50% More Aeroplan Miles with CIBC Visa

Posted December 9, 2006 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Points & Rewards

Ed and I have both used CIBC Aerogold® Visa cards for years to earn Aeroplan miles on Air Canada. Collecting mailes has paid off BIG time as we take a least one major trip per year on our cards.

In fact, I was one of those really irritating people who would pay for a $1.50 coffee (when coffee used to be $1.50) with my credit card. It’s good to see that lots more people are earning mileage on the ‘little’ items too.

Today we learned that the Aerogold program has been enhanced with Read more

Technorati Tags: CIBC Aerogold, Visa, Aeroplan miles, Air Canada

Winterlude - Ottawa

Posted December 8, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures

For some wintertime fun visit Ottawa and take in the Winterlude festivities.

I joined the crowd and skated on the Rideau Canal. For the novice skater The Canal is 7.8 kilometers of ice, so turning and stopping are not immediate problems.

The Crystal Garden in Confederation park is the site of the ice sculpting competition. Ice slides and snow sculpting at Snowflake Kingdom, the world’s biggest snow playground is in Jacques Cartier Park in, Gatineau.

Other activities include The Snowbowl concerts and fireworks displays.

Winterlude is a fun way for the whole family to enjoy the Canadian winter. This great party takes place in February from the 2nd to the 18th.

Need tickets to Ottawa attractions Click Here

Technorati Tags: Ottawa, Winterlude, Rideau Canal., ice sculpting

Extend your iPod video’s battery life up to 55 hours!

Posted December 7, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Electronics

iLuv extends your iPod video’s battery life up to 55 hours! High-capacity rechargeable lithium polymer battery secures to the back of the iPod video with an easy-grip, scratchproof silicon skin. Extends the playback time of the iPod video up to 55 hours! Extended dock connector lets you charge without removing the protective skin. Included AC adapter with USB power output lets you charge your iPod anywhere no computer necessary!