Fran West

3 Tips To Increase Traffic To Your Website Digitally

2012-01-24T14:15:00.001+10:30

Increase traffic to your website or blog not only by posting good content often and by submitting articles to article directories but also by using digital methods.

Not everyone likes to read a lot of words. Some people relate more to photos or visual presentations, so why not make the most of the photos that you have. Direct people digitally to your blog or website.

I’m a relative newcomer to blogging, so I’ve learnt a lot from making mistakes. Photos tell a story much better than words sometimes and in nearly every post I use an image or two. I discovered that in a couple of my blogs (like this one), the traffic sources were mostly from people’s searches on images.

So here are three digital ways of increasing traffic that I’ve been learning to use.

1. Photos in blogs
I used to insert an image into my blog without actually naming it e.g. leaving it with the original upload identifier like “IMG_1234”. However, search engines also search on images, so imagine how many images there would be with “IMG_1234”.

Go to any blog or website with a photo on it, right mouse click on the photo, click on “Save Picture As” and you’ll see the title of the image, be it “IMG” or something else. When I first started, I just used the original photo identifier, but now I actually name the photo and add my name to it as well e.g. “Lake Powell, Arizona & Utah, USA – Fran West” (I still have a lot of photos to go back to and name properly).

Another thing that I do to the photo is put my name and website on it so that when people save onto their computer, my details are visible.

2. Slideshare
This is one of the free sites where you can upload various format files of your work e.g.
• Presentations: pdf, ppt, pps, pptx, ppsx, pot, potx (Powerpoint); odp (OpenOffice); key, zip (Apple Keynote),
• Documents: pdf, doc, docx, rtf (MSOffice); odt, ods(OpenOffice); Apple iWork Pages
• Videos: mp4, m4v, wmv, mpeg, avi, mov, mpg, mkv, ogg , asf , vob , 3gp, rm, rmvb, flv

People search in this site but you can also copy the embed code and paste it into your blog. The transcript of the document is printed below your upload and you can also copy this and paste it into your own blog. Make sure that you include your name and/or blog URL somewhere in the presentation.

Here's my Slideshare page - http://www.slideshare.net/AdventurerFran

Utah Parks

View more presentations from Fran West

3. Flickr
I’ve just started uploading some of my blog photos onto Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/franwest. The photos have my name and also my website on them. In the actual description of the photos I include “This photo appears in (the URL of my blogs)” so if people like my photos they might want to read the blog posts which contain the photos. As a newcomer to Flickr, I still have a lot to learn but putting the photos into sets and joining groups related to the photos can lead to more people searching on your website.

These are just three ways to increase traffic to your site but in the end it does depend on how often you blog and what you blog about.

To prove a point, however, I stopped blogging on two of my websites to see if traffic was still coming to the sites and in what form. In both this blog and http://utahparks.blogspot.com, the traffic sources have continued to be image searches, so imagine how much more traffic I could have had if I’d kept posting regularly to the blogs and inserting more photos.

If you enjoyed this blog post then please share it with others.

Natural Bridges Naturally Bridge the Gap

2012-01-22T08:57:00.000+10:30

Natural Bridges National Monument, in southeastern Utah, is another fine example of nature's architectural design. The entrance to the park is at the end of Highway 275, approximately 35 miles west of Blanding, Utah, on Highway 95. Driving time from Blanding is roughly 45 minutes.

The entrance sign to the park really accentuates the natural bridge theme.

The next place to stop of course is the Visitor Centre to view the interesting displays and pick up a brochure highlighting the park's features. The Visitor Center is up at about 6,500 feet (about 2,000 metres) but it's still set in desert country and on a sunny day it's hot, hot, hot!

A day or two need to be set aside for this park but as usual for me it was just a quick trip by car around the one way circuit. The lookouts are well marked but parking on a busy day can be a problem. You can see the highlights of the park from the lookouts but this is a park that you need to spend time walking around. The bridges definitely need to be viewed from beneath as well as from above. The different perspective can only be obtained by walking on the trails not just glimpsing from the lookout. Remember to wear a big hat (like my trusty Akubra), put on the sunscreen and take plenty of water. This is very thirsty country.

There are three famous bridges, Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo (pictured) but I just loved the desert country (maybe because I'm Australian). As well as the natural architecture, the vegetation is worth investigating too. Not just the trees but also the flowers. Reminds me a bit of Australia.

Here's more information about Natural Bridges National Monument.

I've found a few books which might be worth looking into.

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Fran's Backpack - Travel Photography

2011-12-21T13:07:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Travel Photography, by Steve Davey.

Many of the visitors to this site come via clicking on "images" in the search engines. For those who want to know more about taking their own images check out this book.

Travel Photography

"Footprint Travel Photography" is going to change the way that you travel. Written by acclaimed author and photographer of 'Unforgettable Places to see Before you Die' Steve Davey, it covers everything that you need to know about travel photography including preparation, exploring with a camera, all of the technical stuff as well as hints and tips about virtually every travel photography scenario. There is even a comprehensive section on post-processing your pictures using some of the most popular computer software, and tips on making money from your photography.Whatever camera you use and whatever your level this book is packed with information for you. There are Pro-Tips, information about shooting in RAW format, as well as specific information for users of film SLRs, digital compacts as well as Digital SLRs. Broken down by technique and photography style, rather than destination, the layout of this book makes it easy for you to decide what kind of picture you're trying to take and find, at a glance, the right techniques for you. As well as taking pictures, this book will inspire you to head out and see the world. Packed with inspirational pictures and anecdotes from Steve's years on the road, this book is a call to get out and explore.

Fran's Backpack - When Giants Roamed: The Golden Age of Steam DVD

2011-12-17T21:45:00.002+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is When Giants Roamed: The Golden Age of Steam DVD.

I love my train journeys and while in the USA a couple of years ago I travelled on the Grand Canyon and Verde Canyon Railways in Arizona and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad in Colorado. This DVD does look rather interesting with a 4.5 star rating by customers.

Editorial Reviews
In the first half of the 20th century, America's railroads were transformed by the coming of giants. Pushed by the need to haul ever longer and heavier trains, the nation's locomotive works responded with the awe-inspiring articulated engines. Delivering up to 7,500 horsepower, these steel giants could haul trains a mile long and weighing over 15,000 tons. WHEN GIANTS ROAMED journeys back to the golden age of steam for an up-close look at these legendary locos. See the Union Pacific's famed Big Boy in action and ride the rails of the Chesapeake & Ohio and Norfolk & Western, eastern coal-hauling railroads with an unquenchable thirst for power. Meet the men who drove engines like the Allegheny and Yellowstone, and visit the museums and yards where the largest steamers ever built are preserved today. It's a historic excursion sure to set any railfan's heart pounding.

"Float Planes of Alaska" DVD: a Great Christmas Gift

2011-12-04T18:00:00.001+10:30

For people who live in North America, especially mainland USA and Canada, I've produced a DVD devoted entirely to float planes in Alaska.

This would certainly bring back memories for so many who have flown as a part of life and an easy way to travel from place to place.

It's great to watch for relaxation and armchair travel by people of all ages. No commentary or captions, just look, listen and enjoy. It runs for about 26 minutes.

While I was in Alaska a couple of years ago, I spent a day and a half walking around Lake Hood, near the main Anchorage Airport. I also did some float plane training from Lake Hood and Trail Lake at Moose Pass, south of Anchorage.

The planes are colourful and the background shows the beauty of the mountains, the lakes and their surroundings. Reflections in the water abound. There's nothing quite like float planes. You have to be a sailor and a pilot at the same time. You need a life jacket, rope and a paddle and in some cases a rifle case attached to the wing strut.

I've also done an "Alfred Hitchcock" in this DVD. Two of the planes I flew in are well represented. And by the way, you'll never guess what my favourite colour is!

Many of the photos have appeared in "Awesome Aviation" but there are quite a lot which are new. The soundtrack is also the same. As usual this is available in NTSC and PAL format and the price is the same at $25.00 plus postage.

In future videos you may also see the scenery which I photographed from the plane but buy this one first.

View Larger Map

Be Passionate About What You Do

2011-12-03T12:51:00.000+10:30

"Be Passionate About What You Do" is the February issue of the "Pilot Your Life" newsletter. Just email me at fran@franwest.com if you'd like to subscribe to the free monthly email newsletter (or use the "Subscribe by email" link at the bottom of this post). The newsletters usually have photos to illustrate the point and often a free destop wallpaper is offered when emailing a comment back to me.

Pilot your life newsletter no. 20

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Pilot your life newsletter no. 20

If you’re going to succeed in life, or business, you have to believe in what you’re doing and do it with gusto. Half-hearted attempts just aren’t good enough. Passion is what’s required.

I love my country, Australia.

I love travel, taking photos, doing adventurous activities, meeting new people and I particularly love flying.

All these things that I have a passion for I managed to combine in the goal that I had set myself, flying around Australia’s coast in a light aircraft.

During my trip, Oz Flight ’99, people could sense that I was passionate about and committed to the journey that I was undertaking.

They wanted to be a part of it too by helping me, giving me good information and advice, providing new experiences and having a lot of fun together.

If you aren’t enthusiastic about or don’t believe in what you’re doing, then other people won’t waste their time with you either.

When people read my book, Plane Reflections, or hear me speak about my flight, they can relate to what happened to me because of my enthusiasm. I can make them feel that they're in the plane with me experiencing the same highs and lows.

And with the photos, they can see what my eyes saw.

But best of all they realise that I'm just an ordinary person who made a dream reality and that they can also do that for themselves.

They too can achieve their full potential.

It’s truly amazing that we have the power within us to motivate other people and to change lives merely because of what we do.

So, my next tip for how to pilot your life (personal or business) is:

Be passionate about what you do.
Your passion and enthusiasm will also inspire others,
not only for your benefit but also for theirs.

Two of my presentation topics are:

Follow your dreams (at any age)
Success

Australia From The Air: Lighthouses

2011-10-13T20:54:00.000+10:30

Some of my most popular posts have been about lighthouses when I was photographing Australia from the air. Here are just three posts about lighthouses in New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria. Check out the other posts by clicking on "lighthouses" on the left in the Topics list. Be sure to check out my DVD "Australia's Coast from the Air" in which two of these appear.

Lighthouse articles from Fran West

View more documents from Fran West

Australia's Coast from the Air DVD (available in NTSC and PAL).

Isle of Wight's Needles Lighthouse Makes a Point off the Coast of England

2011-10-01T09:19:00.001+09:30

The Needles Lighthouse, off the Isle of Wight, England, was one of the "must see" lighthouses that I had to visit when in the United Kingdom.

It was built in 1859 by Trinity House to safeguard not only shipping travelling to Portsmouth and Southampton along the Solent but also shipping in the English Channel.

The present Needles Lighthouse is situated in the western corner of the island, off the south coast of the English mainland. It’s impressive, not only because of its location at the end of the rugged Needles rock formations jutting out of the sea, but also because of the helipad (built in 1987) on top of it.

Here's the link to the rest of the article on HubPages. It has more photos, videos, maps and information for you to enjoy.

Have a Go: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

2011-09-10T09:53:00.001+09:30

"Have a go" is the August issue of the "Pilot Your Life" newsletter. Just email me at fran@franwest.com if you'd like to subscribe to the free monthly email newsletter (or use the "Subscribe by email" link at the bottom of this post). The newsletters usually have photos to illustrate the point and often a free destop wallpaper is offered when emailing a comment back to me. My own desktop wallpaper for this month has been of course the horse and rider "flying" over the jump.

Pilot your life newsletter no. 26

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Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah, has the Seal of Approval

2011-09-03T18:00:00.001+09:30

Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, has got the "Seal of Approval"! However, you do have to use your imagination a bit.

At Wahweap, I managed to take two boat trips on Lake Powell, exploring the canyons, visiting Rainbow Bridge and cruising around this vast and magnificent lake. Perhaps the attraction isn't so much Lake Powell itself but the rock formations around the edge.

This particular rock formation is really only visible from water level whereas many of the others are more obvious from the air when gaining a bird's eye view.

You will have to zoom in on the photo to enlarge the "seal" on the right hand side of the picture just above the water's edge.

Cruising on Lake Powell and manoeuvring through the canyons is one activity you have to put on your list of "must do" tours. The boat captains are very skilled and well versed in the history, culture and geology of their patch. They also have a great imagination, a wicked sense of humour and an eye for the unique beauty of the area.

Looking up at these great hunks of rock really brings home the fact that we're just tiny specks compared to the vastness of nature. Quite a humbling experience.

Here's more information on Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Take Every Opportunity That Comes Your Way

2011-08-31T18:00:00.001+09:30

"Take Every Opportunity That Comes Your Way" is the July issue of the "Pilot Your Life" newsletter. Just email me at fran@franwest.com if you'd like to subscribe to the free monthly email newsletter (or use the "Subscribe by email" link at the bottom of this post). July's issue has just been published in www.ezinearticles.com. The newsletters usually have photos to illustrate the point and often a free destop wallpaper is offered when emailing a comment back to me. My own desktop wallpaper for this month has been of course Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Pilot your life newsletter no. 25

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How to Pilot Your Business and Navigate Your Way to Success - Ebook

2011-08-30T22:06:00.000+09:30

"How to Pilot Your Business and Navigate Your Way to Success" is now available as a downloadable ebook.

Here's some information.

"In this guide you will find ten pointers for piloting your business and navigating your way to success. These pointers are based on Fran’s flying experiences both as a pilot and as a passenger.

Fran West has certainly achieved success following her dreams and reaching her goals. She is an award-winning pilot, adventurer, author, photographer and motivational speaker.

After a radical career change in 1999, Fran became the first woman pilot to fly a light aircraft around the coast of mainland Australia and Tasmania during Oz Flight ’99.

With a background in management, local and state government, and small business, she’s observed that there are many parallels between flying and business. Fran’s lived the adventures, learnt lessons from them and put those lessons into practice.

Now she wants others to share in and benefit from her knowledge and experience. So, use these pointers to help you to be successful and your business to soar."

Review:
"Fran West has used the metaphor of flying a plane around Australia as a beautiful way of illustrating how to achieve your goals in life; whether business or personal.
Her photos are stunning and her dedication to achieving her own goals is admirable. We need more role models in this world like Fran."
Hilary Thompson
The Out and About Therapist
http://www.theoutandabouttherapist.comOnce payment is received, "How to pilot your business and navigate your way to success" will be emailed to you.

Father's Day Gifts: Blokey DVDs and Photo Downloads

2011-08-27T10:36:00.000+09:30

Father's Day (Australia and New Zealand) is almost here and if you're looking for a great gift for Dad consider these.

"Outback Adventure", "Australia's Coast from the Air", "Awesome Aviation", Float Planes of Alaska", "Maritime Mix", "Marvellous Machinery", "Tasmania's Overland Track" and "Wonderful Wheels" DVDs are ideal (very blokey!). They're also very good to relax with and reminisce.

Have a look at snippets of the DVDs here.

Maybe a photo download would be more suitable or even complement one of the DVDs. Check out the Photo Downloads page.

If you order as soon as possible via the website you may be able to receive the DVDs before Father's Day. Downloads are easier because they're sent via email.

So, order now to avoid dissapointment!

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Really is Captivating

2011-08-02T17:42:00.000+09:30

Capitol Reef National Park, one of the Utah parks in the south, really is captivating. It's a long skinny national park accessible between Torrey and Hanksville. Or if you're doing a clockwise trip around the national parks like I did, it's between Bryce Canyon National Park to the west and Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park to the east.

I love photographing different signs. The national parks, in particular, have a clear welcoming sign that lets you know that you're in for something spectacular. Photographing signs also indicates where the next photographs have been taken.

It's also not a bad idea to photograph the sign when you leave a place (for obvious reasons).

The Visitor Center very fittingly blends in well with its surroundings. It's well worth a visit to pick up maps and information, look at the exhibits, watch a short video, buy souvenirs and use the rest rooms. The location is at the junction of the Scenic Drive and Route 24.

I really only had time to travel along the Scenic Drive and back and then continue east along the main road. However, the park really needs a couple of days to explore.

Looking at the photos, you can see that Capitol Reef National Park is one of those really rocky Utah parks. It's comprised of 378 square miles of towering landforms, canyons, mesas and folded rock layers and it's a photographer's Paradise (most of my photos of Utah are rocks, rocks and more rocks!). Stay tuned for more posts later.

Here's more information about Capitol Reef National Park.

How to Pilot Your Business and Navigate Your Way to Success - Ebook

2011-07-15T16:11:00.002+09:30

"How to Pilot Your Business and Navigate Your Way to Success" is now available as a downloadable ebook.

Here's some information.

"In this guide you will find ten pointers for piloting your business and navigating your way to success. These pointers are based on Fran’s flying experiences both as a pilot and as a passenger.

Fran West has certainly achieved success following her dreams and reaching her goals. She is an award-winning pilot, adventurer, author, photographer and motivational speaker.

After a radical career change in 1999, Fran became the first woman pilot to fly a light aircraft around the coast of mainland Australia and Tasmania during Oz Flight ’99.

With a background in management, local and state government, and small business, she’s observed that there are many parallels between flying and business. Fran’s lived the adventures, learnt lessons from them and put those lessons into practice.

Now she wants others to share in and benefit from her knowledge and experience. So, use these pointers to help you to be successful and your business to soar." Once payment is received, "How to pilot your business and navigate your way to success" will be emailed to you.

Review:
“Fran West is an inspiration! In this e-book she takes you on a journey that few people would dare to make in their lifetime – and from it, draws out ten valuable lessons for achieving success in business and life. Fran encourages you to set goals beyond what you think is possible, and to work towards them step by step. When you see what Fran accomplished, just by having the ambition, setting her goals and persevering, it makes you realize that you too can achieve much more in life. It’s worth reading the book simply for the story and the beautiful photos – it’s a remarkable adventure. But it’s not just about Fran’s journey – the principles that she’s extracted from the experience constitute wise advice for anyone who wants to make the most of what life has to offer.”

Shelley Dunstone
Win in a world without precedent
Web: www.shelleydunstone.com
Web: www.legalcircles.com

Fran's Backpack - British Heritage Magazine

2011-07-09T18:00:00.004+09:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is British Heritage magazine.

Having just returned from a month in the United Kingdom, this magazine looks like a good read for those who want to find out more about the places visited. It's impossible to take in everything during a trip, so leisurely reading a magazine afterwards is ideal. Also good for catching a glimpse before you travel. I do believe I actually visited the castle on the cover of the magazine too. So much heritage, so little time.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
The magazine of travel, culture and adventure, especially written for those who love England, Scotland and Wales. A must-read for Anglophiles, British Heritage shows a broad spectrum of British life, including popular culture, travel, historic aspects and best places to stay.

Positive Police Presence on Magnificent Mount in London, England

2011-07-06T18:12:00.000+09:30

Our South Australian Mounted Police do an incredible job. However, they don't have to deal with the hundreds of thousands of people like the Mounted Police in London do.

For a person from a city of about a million people, Adelaide, South Australia, the millions of people in London are overwhelming. Nevertheless, in all that seeming chaos, there is order, British order, and outside Buckingham Palace, crowd management is essential. Obviously, the Mounted Police play an important role in controlling tourists and locals alike.

As with our South Australian Mounted Police, this officer looks as though he loves his job and his horse. It must be a great feeling to have a job where you get the best view overlooking the crowd, particularly when it's changing the guard at Buckingham Palace.

If you zoom in on the photo, you'll see the horse is looking right at the woman with the camera. I'm sure it's saying "Hurry up, lady, I've got a job to do. I can't stand around posing all day for tourists you know!"

Here's some more information about the City of London Mounted Police.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - 12th Anniversary, 3rd July

2011-07-03T21:04:00.000+09:30

It's hard to believe that it's 12 years since I set off from Naracoorte, in South Australia's South East, to fly around the coast of Australia. I was two days behind schedule because of the dreadful wintry weather. Even one of the flight briefing officers said the weather was so bad that I should go back to bed and not bother flying in the Cessna 172!

Nevertheless, I did set off around Australia's coast, flying over the ocean about a mile out to sea and at about 1,000 to 1,500 feet above the water. This provided an excellent oblique angle for the photographs and the Cessna 172 was the right speed aircraft for photographing under the high wing.

Reflecting back on the flight and the past 12 years has been good for my own reminiscence therapy. Life certainly has changed for me.

Even though I had no team, partner, manager or thousands of dollars of sponsorship behind me, I still achieved my goal. However, I did receive help from people along the way. Members of the Australian Women Pilots' Association and members of Soroptimist International Service Organisation, in particular, provided me with accommodation and local knowledge when possible. I'd also like to thank again the series of friends and strangers who flew with me on different parts of my journey. From them I learnt a lot about flying, myself and life in general.

I had a dream to fly around Australia's coast and photograph while I was flying and I actually did it. The best advice I can give to people is that if you have a burning desire to do something, no matter how big or small, then just do it! Stop stuffing around and get on with it! You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't at least have a go.

Because I had a dream and did something about it, I set in motion a sequence of events which has led me to where I am now. On the return from my flight, I started speaking to people about my experiences. People then wanted me to write a book, which I did, Plane Reflections, and that led to collaboration in several academic publications. After that, I put my photos on CD and then progressed to movie presentations of the photos on DVDs. That in turn led me to producing DVDs for aged care and dementia patients as reminiscence therapy.

It hasn't been an easy path. In between times I suffered injuries in a head on collision in a car which further forced me in the direction that I'm now heading. Strange how my dream has now turned from me doing something solely for myself to me helping others.

Life is an adventure, so make the most of it.

If you want to hear or read more about my philosophy of life and business you can contact me at fran@franwest.com.

My websites are www.franwest.com and www.alzheimersproducts.blogspot.com.

Amazing Arches is Absolutely Awesome

2011-07-02T19:13:00.000+09:30

Arches National Park, in southern Utah, USA, is absolutely awe inspiring. So much so that the state has actually put an image of Delicate Arch, located in the park, on vehicle number plates. I'm obviously not the only one gobsmacked by this national park!

It's easy to get to being not that far out of Moab, action capital of Utah. Just take US 191 and travel for about 5 miles north of Moab - a national park situated so close to a major town. How good is that?

After you've picked up your information at the Arches Visitor Center, you then head up the winding road to really enter the park.

Obviously there are many arches in the park to give it its name. You may think a dozen or so but you'd be wrong. Apparently there are over 2,000 arches and they vary considerably in size from something a few feet across to the largest, which is Landscape Arch. This one is 306 feet wide and so skinny too!

Check out the Arches National Park website for further information.

Fran's Backpack - Allen Brown's English Castles [Paperback]

2011-06-22T20:08:00.000+09:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Allen Brown's English Castles [Paperback].

I've just returned from a trip to the UK and on the list of things to see were of course castles. This book looks interesting.

Click on the ad for more information.

Review
Anyone with any interest in castles should own and read this book. CASEMATEA good solid book, full of interesting information, which has to be a must for anyone writing or researching the subject of castles. MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Product Description
Castle studies have been shaped and defined over the past half-century by the work of R. Allen Brown. His classic English Castles, renamed here to acknowledge its definitive approach to the subject, has never been superseded by other more recent studies, and is still the foundation study of the English, and Welsh, castles built between the Norman Conquest and the mid 1500s. As the subject evolved, so too did this book, and for the most recent edition a considerable amount of French comparative material was added, though it remains essentially a study of English castles. For Allen Brown, castles were fortified residences (or residential fortresses), and developed, from European precursors, to support political and social realities as the Norman and Angevin kings secured their realm. Once these political ends had been largely met, the castle and castle-building entered a period of decline, and domestic and military interests went in opposite directions. This book, with numerous photographs and plans, remains the outstanding guide to the origins, purpose and identity of the great castles of England and Wales.

How to Pilot Your Business and Navigate Your Way to Success - Ebook

2011-04-30T21:00:00.002+09:30

"How to Pilot Your Business and Navigate Your Way to Success" is now available as a downloadable ebook.

Here's the information from www.lulu.com.

"In this guide you will find ten pointers for piloting your business and navigating your way to success. These pointers are based on Fran’s flying experiences both as a pilot and as a passenger.

Fran West has certainly achieved success following her dreams and reaching her goals. She is an award-winning pilot, adventurer, author, photographer and motivational speaker.

After a radical career change in 1999, Fran became the first woman pilot to fly a light aircraft around the coast of mainland Australia and Tasmania during Oz Flight ’99.

With a background in management, local and state government, and small business, she’s observed that there are many parallels between flying and business. Fran’s lived the adventures, learnt lessons from them and put those lessons into practice.

Now she wants others to share in and benefit from her knowledge and experience. So, use these pointers to help you to be successful and your business to soar."

Click here to purchase a copy of "How to pilot your business and navigate your way to success" for only $9.95.

Review:

This ebook has a number of strong features:

The simplicity of its language and the avoidance of business jargon
It recognizes that when you bite off more than you can chew in business (as you will), success requires you to simply chew harder!
I like the analogy of the coastline being like business – ups and downs, smooth patches and constantly changing
The book reflects life experiences, rather than management textbooks
The importance of taking time out to reflect. Sometimes its necessary to slow down in order to go faster
The fact that negative experiences can be turned into positive outcomes
That life is what happens while you are making your plans

Dripping with life’s experiences and their relevance to business development.

Peter Nicholls
Australia’s People Gardener
Website: www.workleisure.com
Blog: http://www.workleisure.com/enjoy-being-you-blog.html
Twitter: @enjoybeingyou

Fran's Backpack - Bryce Canyon National Park, UT - Trails Illustrated Map # 219

2011-04-26T18:00:00.002+09:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Bryce Canyon National Park, UT - Trails Illustrated Map # 219 [Folded Map] from National Geographic.

To get the most enjoyment out of a national park, you need a good map. Check out this one.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
The map includes the entire national park area, with detailed trails and topographic information. Also included are portions of Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, Bryce Ampitheater, Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon Lodge, Black Birch Canyon, Rainbow Point, the Queens Garden Trail, and more. Includes UTM grids for use with your GPS unit.

Scale = 1:35,000 Size: 26'' x 38''

About the Author
Founded in 1915 as the Cartographic Group, the first division of the National Geographic Society, National Geographic Maps has been responsible for illustrating the world around us through the art and science of mapmaking.
Today, National Geographic Maps continues this mission by creating the world's best wall maps, recreation maps, atlases, and globes which inspire people to care about and explore their world. All proceeds from the sale of National Geographic maps go to support the Society's non-profit mission to increase global understanding and promote conservation of our planet through exploration, research, and education.

Squirrel Stands Up To Snake in Zion National Park, Utah

2011-04-22T14:09:00.000+09:30

A hike along the trail in Zion National Park, Utah, led to several discoveries of wildflowers and also wildlife.

Walking in a group may allow for socialising but the noise made by the group can often scare away wildlife and it sometimes drowns out the sounds of nature, like running rivers, bird songs and animal antics.

I'd just left the trail to escape the endless number of noisy hikers and have a closer look at the river and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. On my way back to join the trail I heard this commotion in a fenced off clearing. I thought it sounded like a rattle (I may have been mistaken though).

However, when I looked closer I saw a squirrel and a snake having a go at each other.

The snake definitely didn't like the squirrel in its patch and there was dust flying everywhere with the squirrel artfully dodging the snake's strike. However, it didn't matter how angry the snake was (click on the photo to zoom in on it), that squirrel was determined to stand its ground even if it meant being bitten.

I took several photos (without tele lens unfortunately) before the snake gave up and retreated from the dust bath created by the squirrel. I've always thought squirrels were cute and quick but this particular one was a feisty little critter as well!

A couple of observations:

if you're going to enjoy nature en masse, then keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut
watch where you're walking (as an Aussie, part of bushwalking is watching out for snakes on the trail anyway)
cute and cuddly doesn't necessarily mean weak and lacking courage (perceptions can often be wrong)
even if you think you're facing insurmountable odds you can sometimes achieve success through sheer determination

Flyabout in Alaska - "Float Planes of Alaska" DVD Out Now!

2011-04-18T20:21:00.001+09:30

For people who live in North America, especially mainland USA and Canada, I've produced a DVD devoted entirely to float planes in Alaska.

This would certainly bring back memories for so many who have flown as a part of life and an easy way to travel from place to place.

Although my videos are mostly designed for aged care, they're still great to watch for relaxation and armchair travel by people of all ages.

While I was in Alaska a couple of years ago, I spent a day and a half walking around Lake Hood, near the main Anchorage Airport. I also did some float plane training from Lake Hood and Trail Lake at Moose Pass, south of Anchorage.

The planes are colourful and the background shows the beauty of the mountains, the lakes and their surroundings. Reflections in the water abound. There's nothing quite like float planes. You have to be a sailor and a pilot at the same time. You need a life jacket, rope and a paddle and in some cases a rifle case attached to the wing strut.

I've also done an "Alfred Hitchcock" in this DVD. Two of the planes I flew in are well represented. And by the way, you'll never guess what my favourite colour is!

Giant Worms Found on King Island, Bass Strait, Australia

2011-04-13T23:18:00.002+09:30

I thought I'd found giant worms on King Island, Bass Strait, Australia.

A couple of years ago I visited King Island, located between northwest Tasmania, to the south, and the Victorian coast on mainland Australia, to the north. Although there are some spectacular spots around King Island, the island doesn't feature any high mountains. It's mostly beef and dairy cattle (grazing on gently rolling hills), kelp and fishing.

Three days were spent on the island, with a flight around the coast and the rest of the time touring by car. On one of the days, I headed towards the southern end of the island, and saw these long green things in the distance.

With my weird sense of humour, I immediately thought of the Giant Worm Museum at Bass in Victoria. It's a structure which depicts a giant earth worm. Gippsland is apparently the only place in the world where these creatures can grow to about 3 metres in length (good food for nightmares I think).

Or, they could be giant wichetty grubs. In reality, they are only big round bales of hay covered in plastic (silage or haylage bales which begin to ferment with the moisture). Still, it makes for an interesting picture and a very tall tale.

The track that I was driving on was very windy and narrow and fortunately I didn't encounter a kelp truck which would have been around earlier in the day. I'll post about the kelp later on.

Check out the penguins on King Island too.

View Larger Map

"Float Planes of Alaska" DVD coming soon

2011-04-12T15:31:00.000+09:30

For people who live in North America especially, I've decided to produce a DVD devoted entirely to float planes in Alaska.

This would certainly bring back memories for so many who have flown as a part of life and an easy way to travel from place to place. There are over 200 float planes in this DVD but as you'll see red is my favourite colour!

While I was in Alaska a couple of years ago, I spent a day and a half walking around Lake Hood, near the main Anchorage Airport. I also did some float plane training from Lake Hood and Trail Lake at Moose Pass, south of Anchorage.

Many of the photos have appeared in "Awesome Aviation" but there are quite a lot which are new. As usual I'll be producing in NTSC and PAL format and the price will be the same at $25.00 plus postage.

If you'd like to reserve a copy, email me at fran@franwest.com.

Fran's Backpack - Zion National Park , UT - Trails Illustrated Map # 214

2011-04-10T09:27:00.002+09:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Zion National Park , UT - Trails Illustrated Map # 214 [Folded Map]

To get the most enjoyment out of a national park, you need a good map. Check out this one.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Covering all of Zion National Park, our Trails Illustrated map contains detailed topography with shaded relief, up-to-date trails, roads, and points of interest, plus trail summaries and useful information to get the most from your visit.

The North side of the map covers the popular Zion Narrows with a companion hiking timetable, plus Kolob Canyons, La Verkin Creek Trail, Hop Valley Trail, Wildcat Canyon, the West Rim Trail, and more. The South side of the map details the park headquarters, Floor of the Valley Road, East Rim Trail, Telephone Canyon Trail, and the Virgin River.

Printed on durable, waterproof, tear-resistant and environmentally friendly material that will stand up to any outdoor condition. Both sides feature a UTM and Latitude/Longitude grid for use with a GPS, plus compass rose, scale bar and legend for easy interpretation.

Approximately 4 1/4" x 9 1/4" folded; 26" x 38" fully opened
Scale = 1:37,700

About the Author
Founded in 1915 as the Cartographic Group, the first division of the National Geographic Society, National Geographic Maps has been responsible for illustrating the world around us through the art and science of mapmaking.
Today, National Geographic Maps continues this mission by creating the world's best wall maps, recreation maps, atlases, and globes which inspire people to care about and explore their world. All proceeds from the sale of National Geographic maps go to support the Society s non-profit mission to increase global understanding and promote conservation of our planet through exploration, research, and education.

Fran's Backpack - Locomotives of Australia: 1850s to 2010

2011-04-01T18:00:00.001+10:30

Product Description
The first edition of this book appeared as a 272 page work three decades ago, its main aim being to provide a potted examination of the multiplicity of steam, diesel and electric locomotives that have graced this country from 1854. Since this first humble appearance, the book has grown in content, photography and style, and examining in some detail the massive technological changes that have swept onto the Australian locomotive scene. With an up-to-date map of the nations rail system and photographs provided by some of the nations more dedicated photographers, this book continues to provide a concise profile of the country's diversified motive power in what is the largest railway book yet produced in this country.

Pichi Richi Railway on Track Again near Quorn, South Australia

2011-03-30T18:00:00.001+10:30

The Pichi Richi Railway, based at Quorn, in the southern Flinders Ranges, is one of the favourite train journeys in South Australia.

The line extends from the historic little township of Quorn to Woolshed Flat. When I was on "Off the Beaten Track", photographing for the "Outback Adventure" DVD, it was in the spring after such a lot of rain. The grass was green, instead of brown, making everything look especially lush and the wattles were also in bloom adding splashes of yellow to the countryside.

From the train we could see rolling hills, dams, huge gnarled gum trees and fast flowing creeks. Just a pleasant view of the country including the Devil's Peak.

After we'd been on our train journey, we continued on to Wilpena Pound, in the Flinders Ranges, and also to the Gammon Ranges. On the way back we were fortunate to have a roadside view of the Pichi Richi Railway again.

We saw a group of cars parked near the railway crossing and knew that the train was bound to be along shortly. A great photo of the train crossing the road appears in "Outback Adventure" DVD. However, I like to photograph more than just the engine at the front.

Here's a photo of the guard's van at the back of the train. Note the old lamps at the rear of the van.

Modern technology is here to stay with the solar panel in the background providing the power for the railway crossing signals.

More views of the Pichi Richi Railway are on the "Outback Adventure" DVD.

Fran's Backpack - Digital Exposure Handbook

2011-03-28T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Digital Exposure Handbook [Paperback].

You can never have too many photography books. Even if you think you know it all, seeing someone else's view of the world through a lens can still be an eye opener if not a pleasure.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
“Exposure is the heartbeat of photography… If you try to overlook this key fundamental, your photography will never realize its full creative potential.” That’s the compelling message of this extraordinary tutorial. It explains why automatic settings limit the digital camera’s artistic possibilities, and shows with a gallery of spectacular examples how technically “incorrect” exposures achieve dramatic effects—creating bold silhouettes or blazing highlights, manipulating depth of field, blurring to give the sense of motion, or freezing fast action. This exhaustive state-of-the-art manual covers all aspects of its subject, from the basics of metering and the use of flash and filters, to the four-thirds system and exposure in the digital darkroom.

About the Author
Ross Hoddinott (www.rosshoddinott.co.uk) is a professional photographer specialising in nature photography. He regularly contributes to photography magazines including Outdoor Photography. Ross's previous books for Photographer's Institute Press include Digital Macro Photography (9781861085306) and he lives in Bude, Cornwall

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Useless Loop Salt Pans, Western Australia

2011-03-26T20:54:00.001+10:30

During my flight around Australia's coast, I flew past several salt pans. Some were located at Useless Loop, in the Shark Bay area of Western Australia, not far from Monkey Mia where the dolphins come to visit.

Each of the salt pans around the coast vary in colour - blues, greens, pink/purple. From the air they reveal a patchwork of colour and different shapes.

The solar salt operation is run by Shark Bay Salt and the town itself is closed to the public. The table salt from the ponds is reputed to be among the purest in the world.

Useless Loop was named by one of the French de Freycinet brothers on the Baudin sailing ship expedition.

Flying around Australia's coast became for me a real history lesson. Many of the names on the map originated with the early English, French and Dutch maritime explorers.

A different photo of Useless Loop appears in my DVD "Australia's Coast from the Air".

View Useless Loop salt pans, Western Australia in a larger map

Australia's Coast from the Air DVD.

Fran's Backpack - The Fearless Flier's Handbook: Learning to Beat the Fear of Flying with the Experts from the Qantas Clinic

2011-03-24T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is The Fearless Flier's Handbook: Learning to Beat the Fear of Flying with the Experts from the Qantas Clinic [Paperback].

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
As many as one in five people is afraid of flying. For some, the fear is so paralyzing that they have never boarded a plane. For others, flying is a necessary evil-they'll do it because they have to, but it's torture. They white-knuckle their way through the flights they have to take or avoid air travel and miss out on promotions, business opportunities, and the thrill of visiting new places with friends and family. This book provides a sensible, tested alternative, with proven strategies that have helped hundreds of people overcome their fears and head happily skyward.Based on the Australian airline Qantas's world-renowned "Fearless Fliers" course, THE FEARLESS FLIER'S HANDBOOK is filled with soothing facts and step-by-step exercises for turning fear into calm and confidence.

About the Author
Debbie Seaman is a freelance journalist who writes about travel and the creative side of the advertising business. She currently contributes to People, the New York Times travel section, and Advertising Age's Creativity magazine. She first wrote about her recovery in the Fearless Flyers program in an article in the New York Times.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Cape Otway Lighthouse, Victoria

2011-03-22T19:59:00.000+10:30

On the first day of my flight around Australia's coast, I flew past the Cape Otway Lighthouse, Victoria.

The day was overcast, the cloud base was low and in July it was quite chilly even with the heater on in the plane. I was flying about 1,500 feet (500 metres) above the ocean.

As you can see from the photo the spray from the ocean created a mist effect to the right side of the lighthouse and other buildings.

The lighthouse, built in 1848 not far from Apollo Bay and the Great Ocean Road, overlooks the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait. There was also a telegraph station built there in 1859.

The coast is dramatic and treacherous and the winds fierce. Many ships were wrecked before the lighthouse was built.

Cape Otway was named by the English maritime explorer, Lieutenant James Grant, after his friend Captain Albany Otway.

For more information check out http://www.lightstation.com/
and http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=86.

Fran's Backpack - Reader's Digest - Great Wonders & Splendors of the World DVD Set

2011-03-21T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Reader's Digest - Great Wonders & Splendors of the World DVD Set.

This set reminds me of my bucket list because I've been to 11 of the places listed but I obviously have to keep going to visit the rest. These DVDs just whet the appetite for more travel.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Explore the world’s greatest creations, from the natural to the man-made, that have left indelible impressions on countless generations with their beauty, scale and style. From Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to China’s Forbidden City, the Great Pyramids of Giza to the Grand Canyon of the United States–travel to the world’s most breathtaking sights, monuments, palaces and natural wonders.

Disc 1: Wonders of Nature - Although nature’s many miracles evoke a sense of wonder, specific examples of magnificence are revealed to us in many different and special ways. The Grand Canyon, The Serengeti, The Sahara Desert, Iguazi Falls, The Amazon River, Ayers Rock, and The Himalayas.

Disc 2: Wonders Sacred & Mysterious - Experience six supreme examples of man’s attempt to honor the mysteries of life by creating monuments of astonishing beauty. Stonehenge, The Great Pyramids, Hagia Sophia, Borobudur, St. Peter’s Basilica, and The Taj Mahal.

Disc 3: Wonders of Man’s Creation - When the urge to build is combined with a vision of beauty, man leaves behind an enduring mark on an ever-changing world. The Colosseum, Machu Picchu, The Great Wall, The Kremlin, Versailles, The Statue of Liberty, The Eiffel Tower, and Mount Rushmore.

Disc 4: Splendors of Nature - Travel the world to experience splendors unknown to past generations. Witness the incomparable beauty of the natural world: Bengal Tigers of Autumn, Snow Monkeys of Winter, The Great Barrier Reef in Spring, Caribou of Summer, and Victoria Falls.

Disc 5: Ancient Splendors - Take a world tour of the wonders, mysteries and achievements wrought by long-ago civilizations. Temples of Egypt, Lost City of the Maya, Acropolis of Ancient Greece, and Angkor Wat.

Disc 6: Imperial Splendors - See rare and beautiful monuments of powerful empires and splendid courts. Ponder the bittersweet reminders of those who once conquered, ruled and flourished. Xanadu, The Forbidden City, Alhambra, Summer Palace, and Neuschwanstein.

Fran's Backpack - Digital SLR Expert: Landscapes: Essential Advice from the Pros

2011-03-17T09:14:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Digital SLR Expert: Landscapes: Essential Advice from the Pros [Hardcover].

Even though I'm a photographer I always want to find ways of improving my skills in taking landscape photos. You can never stop learning, no matter what level you are.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
The first title in a new photography series presents a comprehensive guide to taking fantastic landscape photographs using the digital SLR.This guide provides subject-specific advice from five leading professional landscape photographers.It features beautifully displayed, breathtaking photography from Darwin Wiggett, David Noton, William Neill, Tom Mackie and Tony Worobiec.Covering both in-camera and photoshop techniques in-depth, "Digital SLR Expert: Landscapes" is as practical as it is stunning.

Flyabout to Rainbow Bridge over Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona

2011-03-15T18:00:00.002+10:30

Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Utah, can be reached by boat, on foot or on horseback but my preferred method of viewing is from the air.

I got up very early to go on a scenic flight at 6am while the sun was rising. We took off from Page Airport and headed over Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. It's better to go flying early in the morning when it's cooler and generally calmer. The light is quite intriguing as well.

Rainbow Bridge is the largest natural bridge in the world at 290 feet tall and 270 feet across (about 90 metres) and is considered sacred by the Navajo Indians.

When viewed from the ground Rainbow Bridge looks as though it's in the open but from the air you can see that it's tucked away amongst the rocks. Zoom in on the photo so you can see the top part of the bridge in the bottom right foreground.

Fortunately there's no visitor centre on the ground to degrade the spirituality of the place.

After my flight I headed back to Wahweap to catch a day cruise which took us over the large expanse of the lake, into some of the canyons, and to Rainbow Bridge itself. It was a short hike from the jetty but on such a hot day a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water were essential.

This is one place to put on your bucket list but see it from both the ground and the air like I did.

For further information check out Rainbow Bridge National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreational Area.

Fran's Backpack - Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds

2011-03-13T17:27:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds [Hardcover].

I've picked this book because it's about war time flying.

My interest in aviation was sparked by reading my cousin John's books about fliers during World War II, not the Vietnam War. It was his collection that inspired me to take up flying later on.

Unfortunately, John never lived to see me become a pilot because he died at age 23 when I was only 3 years old. He flew with the Citizen's Air Force out of Parafield Airport near Adelaide. I also now use this airport sometimes when I fly.

John died in a car accident, not a plane accident. It must run in the family that pilots have car accidents (I've had two which haven't been caused by me) not plane accidents. So flying is safer than driving!

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
The widely anticipated memoir of legendary ace American fighter pilot, Robin Olds

Robin Olds was a larger-than-life hero with a towering personality. A graduate of West Point and an inductee in the National College Football Hall of Fame for his All-American performance for Army, Olds was one of the toughest college football players at the time. In WWII, Olds quickly became a top fighter pilot and squadron commander by the age of 22—and an ace with 12 aerial victories.
But it was in Vietnam where the man became a legend. He arrived in 1966 to find a dejected group of pilots and motivated them by placing himself on the flight schedule under officers junior to himself, then challenging them to train him properly because he would soon be leading them. Proving he wasn’t a WWII retread, he led the wing with aggressiveness, scoring another four confirmed kills, becoming a rare triple ace.
Olds (who retired a brigadier general and died in 2007) was a unique individual whose personal story is one of the most eagerly anticipated military books of the year.

Positive Police Presence With Those Gorgeous Greys Again

2011-03-10T20:31:00.000+10:30

Due to popular demand here's a follow up to "Positive Police Presence on Magnificent Mounts".

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is fortunate to have a mounted police unit which happens to be extremely photogenic even when not in parade attire. Here are two more photos for you to enjoy.

The police officers obviously love their job and I'm sure the "gorgeous greys" do too. However, with my wacky sense of humour, I just have to put a different slant on things. The following comments are coming straight from the horse's mouth (so to speak).

"Hey, lady, I know you think I'm adorable but don't touch my mane. I've just had it washed and brushed this morning and you're messing it up!"

"Could you just scratch my neck a little higher please? That's oh so good. I don't suppose you could scratch that itch on my nose as well could you?"

Fran's Backpack - Lonely Planet Fiji

2011-03-05T11:23:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Lonely Planet Fiji (Country Guide) [Paperback].

I've been to Fiji twice. Both times have been different but beautiful in their own ways.

The first time was touring by hire car and this way gave freedom to go to the villages in the countryside and not just sightsee, or shop, around the main towns. The people are just so friendly and that's part of the attraction. The hotel offered heaps of different activities - tennis, golf, deep sea fishing, shore fishing (caught a few poor souls and threw them back), and had my first try at a Fun Tiger catamaran. Not bad for a person that's more at home in the air than on the water.

The second time was to go on a cruise through the Yasawa Islands. Now that's a tropical Paradise. The ship cruised at night mostly and then stopped off at the various islands to explore, meet the people, go for walks, do activities like snorkelling and wind surfing, or just laze around on the beaches with picture post card views. The water is crystal clear and stunning shades of blue and green. Keeping track of the days was a bit hard though because the cruise took people away from their everyday hustle and bustle. Food for the soul.

Fiji - another recommended place to travel to.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Nobody knows Fiji like Lonely Planet, and our 8th edition offers the best of these island paradises. Whether that's surfing world-class breaks in the Mamanucas, island hopping in search of your perfect Yasawa beach, exploring the lush interior of Taveuni or discovering Suva's best nightspots - you decide.

Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip.

In This Guide:
Sailing information for yachties and tips on how to join as crew
Color highlights help you plan your trip
Green Index to help make your travels ecofriendly

Fran's Backpack - Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe [Hardcover]

2011-03-02T20:41:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe [Hardcover].

This is another National Geographic book and there's even a video clip on the product page - yum! Travel isn't just about the scenery but also the food - look, taste, smell and texture.

Click on the ad for more information.

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
For pure pleasure, few experiences are as satisfying as a chance to explore the world’s great culinary traditions and landmarks—and here, in the latest title of our popular series of illustrated travel gift books, you’ll find a fabulous itinerary of foods, dishes, markets, and restaurants worth traveling far and wide to savor.

On the menu is the best of the best from all over the globe: Tokyo’s freshest sushi; the spiciest Creole favorites in New Orleans; the finest vintages of the great French wineries; the juiciest cuts of beef in Argentina; and much, much more. You’ll sample the sophisticated dishes of fabled chefs and five-star restaurants, of course, but you’ll also discover the simpler pleasures of the side-street cafés that cater to local people and the classic specialties that give each region a distinctive flavor.

Every cuisine tells a unique story about its countryside, climate, and culture, and in these pages you’ll meet the men and women who transform nature’s bounty into a thousand gustatory delights. Hundreds of appetizing full-color illustrations evoke an extraordinary range of tastes and cooking techniques; a wide selection of recipes invites you to create as well as consume; sidebars give a wealth of entertaining information about additional sites to visit as well as the cultural importance of the featured food; while lively top ten lists cover topics from chocolate factories to champagne bars, from historic food markets to wedding feasts, harvest celebrations, and festive occasions of every kind. In addition, detailed practical travel information provides all the ingredients you’ll need to cook up a truly delicious experience for even the most demanding of traveling gourmets.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Top Ten New Year's Celebratory Feasts Around the World

Forget-the-Year Parties, Japan
Bonenkai, or forget-the-year, parties are occasions for workmates or groups of friends to celebrate the previous year’s successes and drown its failures. They usually take place in izakaya, taverns serving smallish Japanese dishes alongside drinks, or restaurants. Rigid protocol applies, at least until everyone is drunk; empty glasses are taboo.
Planning: Bonenkai parties take place throughout December; many people attend several. www.jnto.go.jp

New Year, or Spring Festival, China
On the eve of this 4,000-year-old lunar festival, families gather for a lavish reunion dinner. Common components are a chicken, symbolizing wholeness; black moss, indicating wealth; sticky cake, boding a sweet new year; and “longevity” noodles, eaten uncut. Dinner usually ends with a whole steamed fish, which is left unfinished to augur a new year of plenty.
Planning: Chinese New Year falls on varying dates in January and February. Wear red: it’s a lucky color. www.chinaodysseytours.com

Feast of the First Morning, Vietnam
An ancestor-worship festival, Tet Nguyen Dan (Feast of the First Morning) is also an occasion to entertain friends and family—and start the year auspiciously. Since even cooks relax for Tet, dishes are prepared ahead and include kho (a tangy stew flavored with caramel and fish sauce), banh chung (sticky pork and mung-bean rice cakes), and cu kieu (pickled spring onions).
Planning: Tet usually corresponds with Chinese New Year. Shops and markets close for up to three weeks. www.footprintsvietnam.com

White Month, Mongolia
Mongolia’s three-day lunar New Year festival, Tsagaan Sar (White Month), is celebrated at the junction of winter and spring. Bituuleg (New Year’s Eve dinner) stars a cooked sheep’s rump, accompanied by steamed meat dumplings, lamb patties, and flat biscuits, washed down with fermented mare’s milk and milk vodka.
Planning: The date varies from year to year. Mongolians prepare enough food for all-comers. Guests should bring presents. Packaged tours are available. www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn

New Year’s Eve, Russia
Feasting lavishly is at the core of Russia’s biggest festival as many Russians believe the new year will continue as it started. The evening proceeds with a succession of toasts made with vodka or Sovetskoye Shampanskoye (Soviet champagne). Typical dishes include caviar, smoked salmon, goose, and suckling pig. Many Russians also celebrate the Julian Old New Year on January 13-14.
Planning: Many restaurants arrange package tours. www.russia-travel.com

New Day, Iran
The 3,000-year-old Noruz (New Day) is a Zoroastrian, pre- Islamic festival that remains Iranians’ top holiday. Core to the rituals is the haft sin (seven s’s) spread—usually chosen from sabze (green shoots), samanu (wheat pudding), sib (apples), sohan (honey-and-nut brittle), senjed (jujube), sangak (flatbread), siyahdane (sesame seeds), sir (garlic), somaq (sumac), and serke (vinegar). But it is all display. On the eve itself, Iranians usually eat sabzi polo mahi, steamed rice with green herbs and fish.
Planning: Noruz corresponds with the vernal equinox (usually March 21).www.itto.org

New Year’s Eve, Piedmont, Italy
A large dinner (cenone) is common throughout northern Italy for New Year’s Eve, but few places take it to the same extremes as Piedmont, birthplace of the Slow Food movement. Expect a dozen antipasti, boiled homemade sausages with lentils, at least three other main courses, and several desserts, including panettone and hazelnut cake.
Planning: For an authentic rural experience, enjoy home-cooked food in a family atmosphere at a farmhouse. www.piedmont.worldweb.com

New Year’s Eve, Spain
Spaniards devour a grape with each midnight chime. Most people celebrate at home, but large public festivities in Barcelona’s Plaza Catalunya see people assemble with grapes and cava (sparkling white wine) before a night’s clubbing.
Planning: Peeled, unseeded grapes are easier to swallow rapidly. www.barcelonaturisme.com

New Year’s Eve, the Netherlands
Although restrained in their consumption of pastries for most of the year, Netherlanders abandon all prudence on New Year’s Eve, when dinner ends with deep-fried appelflappen (apple turnovers), appelbeignets (battered apple rings), and oliebollen (doughnuts). They usually toast the new year with champagne.
Planning: Some restaurants and hotels organize special dinners as part of a package, often including accomodation. www.holland.com

Hogmanay, Scotland
On New Year’s Eve, called Hogmanay in Scotland, most rituals, such as first-footing (visiting) friends and neighbors after midnight, are home-based. Key among the food traditions is a Scottish steak pie, often ordered in advance from butchers, alongside black bun and clootie dumpling—both rich fruitcakes—and shortbread.
Planning: In Edinburgh, the Hogmanay Food Fair or upscale butchers, such as John Saunderson, are good places to stock up on goodies. www.edinburgh.org, www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk

Adelaide Abounds in Beautiful Buildings

2011-02-28T22:36:00.000+10:30

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, abounds in beautiful buildings, particularly along North Terrace.

One of the many buildings is the South Australian Museum. I've taken the photo below but I've also included an edited description taken from the Museum's website - www.samuseum.sa.gov.au.

"The concept for the South Australian Museum originated in London with the Foundation of the South Australian Literary Association on 29 August 1834. The object of the society was to satisfy intellectual pursuits such as literature, arts, history and natural science.

In June 1856, 20 years after Governor Hindmarsh proclaimed South Australia a province and in the same year South Australia established its constitution, an Act to provide for an institution that would incorporate a public library and museum was assented to.

The Act promoted "the general study and cultivation of all or any of the branches or departments of art, science, literature, and philosophy" through lectures, classes and united cultural societies under one institution.

In June 1859, shortly after his arrival in the South Australian Colony, Frederick George Waterhouse offered his services as Curator of the South Australian Institute Museum. Waterhouse brought with him valuable experience following his work at the British Museum. Consequently, the Board appointed him as the first Curator (Director).

Eighty years later, legislation giving the South Australian Museum autonomy from the Art Gallery and Library was finally passed. This Act became operational in 1940.

The South Australian Museum is a custodian for the State’s cultural and
natural heritage. The specialised data generated by collection managers,
curators and scientists over the last 150 years and its interpretation are made available to the international community through publication, promotion,
education and exhibitions. This specialised knowledge contributes to the
protection of endangered species, protection of fossils, meteorites and
minerals, environmental impact statements, native title and Indigenous family
history.

Today the South Australian Museum boasts the largest Australian
Aboriginal Cultures collection in the world making Adelaide the gateway to
and from the Outback."

And yet there's more. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am - 5.00pm (except Christmas and Good Friday) and it's FREE admission. Check the Museum website for current information.

Fran's Backpack - National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States

2011-02-27T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States [Bargain Price] [Hardcover].

I'm still working my way through USA national parks and National Geographic books are excellent.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Year after year, hundreds of millions of visitors spend more than a billion hours enjoying the magnificent, astonishingly diverse realm overseen by America’s National Park Service. And the National Geographic Society has been involved with this forward-looking, environmentally-minded department from the very beginning.

This extensive travel planner covers not just the 58 official National Parks but also the nearly 350 additional properties in the Park Service’s domain. The premier Parks are described in detail, but equal attention is given to the National Monuments, Memorials, Preserves, Historic Sites, Battlefields, Cemeteries, and Seashores, not to mention a network of "National Trails" and even the intriguingly referred to "Affiliated Areas." From Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty, from the hallowed ground of Gettysburg National Military Park to the Pacific waters shrouding Hawaii’s U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, this catalog spans American history and territory both, with practical advice on how to reach each park, when to go, and what to do there.

About the Author
Mel White has written or contributed to more than 15 National Geographic books, including the two-volume Guide to Birdwatching Sites and the Guide to America’s Outdoors: Southwest, and has contributed more than 50 articles to the Society’s magazines, National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Buccaneer Archipelago, Western Australia

2011-02-26T22:01:00.000+10:30

The Buccaneer Archipelago, Western Australia, is one of the best stretches of coast around the Australian mainland.

As the name suggests, it's a sea of islands, with the most incredible shaped coastal landforms. It's situated northeast of Derby in the northern part of Western Australia, stretching from about Collier Bay to King Sound. This is outback Outback with the easiest access by water and air rather than by road.

William Dampier, the English buccaneer, visited the area on the "Cygnet" in 1688, but the archipelago was named after his buccaneering ways much later on. Phillip Parker King was charting the area in 1821 and named it in his honour.

This is one of Australia's remotest areas and I'm glad I had all the survival gear in the plane just in case something went wrong on my flight around Australia's coast.

If you want to see the area by plane, then take a scenic flight from Derby or Broome. You won't be sorry that you did. Spectacular with a capital "S"!

Fran's Backpack - Australia (Eyewitness Travel Guides) [Paperback]

2011-02-25T09:04:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Australia (Eyewitness Travel Guides) [Paperback].

This guide is great for visitors to Australia but it's also very handy for Australians too.

Click on the ad for more information.

Amazon.com Review
As the name implies, the Eyewitness Travel Guides bring you the world in full living color. In the Australia edition, each information-packed page is splashed with enticing photographs of the people, animals, plants, rock formations, deserts, and ocean vistas that make the country Down Under famous the world over. On the practical side, there are thousands of details to help you find your way to the must-see spots, plus full-color maps and useful at-a-glance tables that make it easy to sort through and locate food and accommodation choices.
The introduction offers an overview of Australia's world-heritage sites, aboriginal culture and art, artists and writers, wines, surfing and beach culture, climate, annual events, flora and fauna, landscape, as well as a detailed history section. --Kathryn True --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review
...You feel, looking at them, as if you could close the book and step into the street. -- Contra Costa Times

...considered to be the world's best travel resource to over 30 destinations around the world, make it easier to plan a splendid vacation. -- North American Press Syndication

A new breed of guidebook. -- Travel & Leisure

Both novice and experienced travelers will be captivated. -- US News & World Report

Each book is a visual as well as informational feast about a particular place. -- The New York Times

Easily the best city guides available today. -- PLAYBOY

Encyclopedic in scope, it's meant to be used before, during, and after your stay. -- Travel & Leisure

It has an authority and clarity that make it indispensable on the road. But the illustrations are so good that it could also provide hours of armchair diversions. -- The New York Times New Service

The best travel guides ever. -- Sky Magazine -Delta In flight Magazine

The most graphically exciting and visually pleasing series on the market. -- Chicago Tribune

Want to know where to get a great espresso on your way to the Uffizi? Or how much to tip a hotel maid in New York City? Try these travel guides, each an intricate trove of 3-D aerial views, landmark floor plans, color photos and essential eating, shopping and entertainment info. With titles covering Paris, Prague, and London, these pocket-sized guides are like a Michelangelo fresco: deliriously rich in detail. -- People Magazine

Fran's Backpack - National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs [Hardcover]

2011-02-23T22:50:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs [Hardcover].

Click on the ad for more information.

National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs takes readers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in National Geographic's famed Image Collection. Award-winning photographer Annie Griffiths culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty. Chapters are organized around the aesthetic concepts that create beauty in a photograph: Light, Composition, Moment (Gesture and Emotion), Motion, Palette, and Wonder.

Beyond the introduction and brief essays about each featured concept, the text is light. The photographs speak for themselves, enhanced by lyrical quotes from scholars and poets. In the chapter on Light, for example, we read these words of whimsical wisdom from songwriter Leonard Cohen: "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the lights get in." And then the images flow, of light entering scenes via windows, clouds, and spotlights, from above, alongside, and behind, casting radiance upon young ballerinas and weathered men, into groves of autumn trees and island-dotted seas, revealing everything it touches to be beautiful beyond expectation.

To illuminate the theme of Wonder, Griffiths chose a wish from Andre Bazin: "If I had influence with the good fairy...I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life." This thought is juxtaposed with an exquisite vision in white, a frame filled with the snowy-pure dots and rays of a bird's fan tail. And on it goes, picture after tantalizing picture, alive with wondrous beauty.

When she created National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs, Annie Griffiths set two goals: to maximize visual delight, and to create a book unique in the world of publishing--one in which many of the photographs could be purchased as prints. She has succeeded on both counts. Many of these stunning images are available for order, and there can be no doubt as to the visual delight. You must open this book for yourself, and take in its radiant beauty.

Sensational Sailing from City's Sands

2011-02-21T23:38:00.000+10:30

When some people think of Australia's sandy beaches, they immediately think of Queensland, our northern most state.

However, Adelaide's white sandy beaches, in South Australia , are just superb, and they're not that far from the CBD.

As you can see from the photo, it's an ideal day for the sailing club to get out on the water. These craft are for one person and offer young sailors the opportunity to enjoy flying through the water.

On a weekend, the beach is teeming with life.

There are people in the water swimming, sailing or kayaking. People are walking their dogs, or their families, and generally soaking up the seaside atmosphere.

Close to the jetty there's the local pub and the cafe has the smell of fish and chips wafting down to the shore enticing walkers to stop and take a break.

Sometimes there are even kite surfers out on the water adding colour to the mix of sail boats and speed boats. It's so relaxing to sit on one of the benches and munch on fish and chips while watching the little flotilla in the distance.

Just South Australia being sensational again!

Check out "Maritime Mix" DVD for more snippets of South Australian waters.

Fran's Backpack - In a Sunburned Country [Paperback]

2011-02-21T20:42:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is In a Sunburned Country [Paperback].

Always interesting to find what other people think about your own country. Bill is a humourist and I agree that Australia is an interesting place too.

Click on the ad for more information.

Amazon.com Review
Bill Bryson follows his Appalachian amble, A Walk in the Woods, with the story of his exploits in Australia, where A-bombs go off unnoticed, prime ministers disappear into the surf, and cheery citizens coexist with the world's deadliest creatures: toxic caterpillars, aggressive seashells, crocodiles, sharks, snakes, and the deadliest of them all, the dreaded box jellyfish. And that's just the beginning, as Bryson treks through sunbaked deserts and up endless coastlines, crisscrossing the "under-discovered" Down Under in search of all things interesting.
Bryson, who could make a pile of dirt compelling--and yes, Australia is mostly dirt--finds no shortage of curiosities. When he isn't dodging Portuguese man-of-wars or considering the virtues of the remarkable platypus, he visits southwest Gippsland, home of the world's largest earthworms (up to 12 feet in length). He discovers that Australia, which began nationhood as a prison, contains the longest straight stretch of railroad track in the world (297 miles), as well as the world's largest monolith (the majestic Uluru) and largest living thing (the Great Barrier Reef). He finds ridiculous place names: "Mullumbimby Ewylamartup, Jiggalong, and the supremely satisfying Tittybong," and manages to catch a cricket game on the radio, which is like

listening to two men sitting in a rowboat on a large, placid lake on a day when the fish aren't biting; it's like having a nap without losing consciousness. It actually helps not to know quite what's going on. In such a rarefied world of contentment and inactivity, comprehension would become a distraction.
"You see," Bryson observes, "Australia is an interesting place. It truly is. And that really is all I'm saying." Of course, Bryson--who is as much a travel writer here as a humorist, naturalist, and historian--says much more, and does so with generous amounts of wit and hilarity. Australia may be "mostly empty and a long way away," but it's a little closer now. --Rob McDonald --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
With the Olympics approaching, books on Australia abound. Still, Bryson's lively take is a welcome recess from packaged, staid guides. The author of A Walk in the Woods draws readers in campfire-style, relating wacky anecdotes and random facts gathered on multiple trips down under, all the while lightening the statistics with infusions of whimsical humor. Arranged loosely by region, the book bounces between Canberra and Melbourne, the Outback and the Gold Coast, showing Bryson alone and with partners in tow. His unrelenting insistence that Australia is the most dangerous place on earth ("If you are not stung or pronged to death in some unexpected manner, you may be fatally chomped by sharks or crocodiles, or carried helplessly out to sea by irresistible currents, or left to stagger to an unhappy death in the baking outback") spins off dozens of tales involving jellyfish, spiders and the world's 10 most poisonous snakes. Pitfalls aside, Bryson revels in the beauty of this country, home to ravishing beaches and countless unique species ("80% of all that lives in Australia, plant and animal, lives nowhere else"). He glorifies the country, alternating between awe, reverence and fear, and he expresses these sentiments with frankness and candor, via truly funny prose and a conversational pace that is at once unhurried and captivating. Peppered with seemingly irrelevant (albeit amusing) yarns, this work is a delight to read, whether or not a trip to the continent is planned. First serial to Outside magazine; BOMC selection. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Fran's Backpack - Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes (Walking) [Paperback]

2011-02-19T20:00:00.002+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes (Walking) [Paperback].

Just over a year ago now, I was trekking in the Patagonian Andes - Torres del Paine, in Chile, and Fitzroy National Park, in Argentina. Spectacular rocky outcrops, wildflowers, wildlife and lakes. This was another one to cross off my bucket list.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Lonely Planet knows the Patagonian Andes

This vast, varied region is home to some of the world's great treks, with trails that take you through pristine forests to the rims of glaciers, under granite monoliths and over rickety suspension bridges, well beyond the crowds. Our expert author has chosen the best of Patagonia's trekking, from the luxuriant rainforests of the Lakes District to the spectacular wildernesses of Tierra del Fuego. Whether you are an experienced trekker or a first-timer, you're sure to find the ultimate trekking experience here.

In This Guide:

Everything you need to know to get prepared
Comprehensive listings for sleeping, eating and facilities along the way
Advice on equipment, health and safety.

Parks Pass Provides Plenty of Access to Wilderness Wonders

2011-02-18T18:00:00.001+10:30

If you love the environment, nature, wilderness, wildlife, the Great Outdoors (sometimes known as national parks), then it would pay you to buy a national parks pass. Many countries have a national body which issues annual passes to their national parks.

Some states also have their own state pass. When I went "Off the Beaten Track" to film for my DVD, "Outback Adventure", I bought a South Australian National Parks pass. That will allow me access to my state's parks for a year.

When I toured America's Southwest in 2009, I bought an "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass for $80. I kept it and when I visited Florida last year I was still able to use it.

"This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (children under 16 are admitted free) The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass and http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm."

Some state parks will also let you use this pass, so it's really good value and encourages you to visit as many places as possible.

Sensational Signs Keep Track of Your Travels

2011-02-17T17:41:00.000+10:30

One very important tip I've learned from my travels is to photograph signs along the way as a means of keeping track of where the photos are taken.

They essentially jog the memory when writing the travel diary. You don't necessarily have to use the photos but they're like chapter headings.

They give an insight into the places visited, they often provide humour, and they definitely let you know where they are and what you can get.

No prizes for guessing that this place is in Virgin, Utah, and it's a native American trading post.

Very colourful, and the background isn't bad either!

Check out my other posts on "signs".

Fran's Backpack - Flying South: A Pilot's Inner Journey [Paperback]

2011-02-17T16:48:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Flying South: A Pilot's Inner Journey [Bargain Price] [Paperback].

This combines both flying and travel. What a combination!

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Flying South A Pilot’s Inner Journey by Barbara Cushman Rowell Photographs by Barbara and Galen Rowell
Call it love at first flight. Barbara Cushman Rowell was already a powerhouse by anyone’s measure, but it wasn’t until she tried flying that she found the inner fulfillment and sense of self she’d longed for all her life. As the driving force behind husband Galen Rowell’s business success, Barbara’s adventures and accomplishments had always been the byproduct of her husband’s career. Until, that is, she took off and sailed into a strata all her own. FLYING SOUTH is the hair-raising, reflective, and ultimately inspiring story of Barbara’s trip of a lifetime—a 25,000-mile, 57-leg journey through Latin America and the recesses of her soul, discovering unrealized self-confidence, irrepressible resourcefulness, and vast reserves of emotional and physical strength she never knew she had. And what a journey it was. She recounts landing in the middle of a coup in Panama, narrowly escaping disaster when key flight instruments failed over Peru, flying herself to an oral surgeon after a mouth-smashing rafting accident on the Bio Bio River in Chile, fighting plane-shredding winds over the Andes, and surviving a life-threatening and disorienting tropical storm off the coast of Brazil—all while navigating the pervasive and demoralizing chauvinism of the aviation world. But much more than a harrowing page-turner, Barbara’s tale of finding herself through flight inspires us all to go after the experiences we long for, and to live the lives we only wish for. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher
•Includes over 100 stunning photographs, principally by GalenRowell.
•Adventure travel doubles as inspirational manifesto for women trying to find their own direction in life.

•Rowell is a role model for every woman who longs to nurture her own aspirations. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Fran's Backpack - Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips [Hardcover]

2011-02-14T23:35:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips [Hardcover].

As you've probably gathered, I'm a big fan of National Geographic, so here's one of its travel books.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
No one knows the world like National Geographic—and in this lavish volume, we reveal our picks for the world's most fabulous journeys, along with helpful information for readers who want to try them out.

Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic's travel writers, Journeys of a Lifetime spans the globe to highlight the best of the world's most famous and lesser known sojourns. It presents an incredible diversity of possibilities, from ocean cruises around Antarctica to horse treks in the Andes. Every continent and every possible form of transport is covered.

A timely resource for the burgeoning ranks of active travelers who crave adventurous and far-flung trips, Journeys of a Lifetime provides scores of creative ideas: trekking the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania... mountain biking in Transylvania... driving through the scenic highlands of Scotland... or rolling through the outback on Australia's famous Ghan train... and dozens of other intriguing options all over the world.

Journeys of a Lifetime also features 22 fun Top 10 lists in all sorts of categories. What are the world's top 10 elevator rides, bridges to walk across, trolley rides, ancient highways, or underground walking adventures? Readers will love evaluating and debating the selections.

Each chapter showcases stunning photography, full-color maps, evocative text, and expert advice—including how to get there, when to visit, and how to make the most of the journey—all packaged in a luxurious oversize volume to treasure for years to come.

Fran's Backpack - Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia [Paperback]

2011-02-11T18:00:00.002+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia [Paperback].

Click on the ad for more information.

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Gilbert (The Last American Man) grafts the structure of romantic fiction upon the inquiries of reporting in this sprawling yet methodical travelogue of soul-searching and self-discovery. Plagued with despair after a nasty divorce, the author, in her early 30s, divides a year equally among three dissimilar countries, exploring her competing urges for earthly delights and divine transcendence. First, pleasure: savoring Italy's buffet of delights - the world's best pizza, free-flowing wine and dashing conversation partners - Gilbert consumes la dolce vita as spiritual succor. "I came to Italy pinched and thin," she writes, but soon fills out in waist and soul. Then, prayer and ascetic rigor: seeking communion with the divine at a sacred ashram in India, Gilbert emulates the ways of yogis in grueling hours of meditation, struggling to still her churning mind. Finally, a balancing act in Bali, where Gilbert tries for equipoise "betwixt and between" realms, studies with a merry medicine man and plunges into a charged love affair. Sustaining a chatty, conspiratorial tone, Gilbert fully engages readers in the year's cultural and emotional tapestry - conveying rapture with infectious brio, recalling anguish with touching candor - as she details her exotic tableau with history, anecdote and impression.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From The New Yorker
At the age of thirty-one, Gilbert moved with her husband to the suburbs of New York and began trying to get pregnant, only to realize that she wanted neither a child nor a husband. Three years later, after a protracted divorce, she embarked on a yearlong trip of recovery, with three main stops: Rome, for pleasure (mostly gustatory, with a special emphasis on gelato); an ashram outside of Mumbai, for spiritual searching; and Bali, for "balancing." These destinations are all on the beaten track, but Gilbert's exuberance and her self-deprecating humor enliven the proceedings: recalling the first time she attempted to speak directly to God, she says, "It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, 'I've always been a big fan of your work.'"
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Fran's Backpack - Nifty Netbook Light and Compact for Travelling

2011-02-09T20:00:00.003+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is ASUS Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)

During my Outback adventure, "Off the Beaten Track", I took a netbook with me. It enabled me to load my photos and videos for the day, type my diary and connect to the internet when possible. Very light and easy to work with. I don't get on too well with the touch pad so I took an external mouse and used the cover as the mouse pad. Check out this netbook here because it's great when you travel.

Click on the ad for more information.

Amazon.com Product Description
All-New Dual-Core Netbook: Revamped for Mobility

Everything you could ask of a netbook, the new 10-inch 1015PEM-P Seashell answers. Powered by the new Intel Atom N550 dual-core processor, the new addition to the Eee PC Seashell series delivers more responsive performance to speed up your applications without compromising battery life. Thanks to the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine, you can take this mobile phenom wherever you choose and enjoy up to an incredible 13 hours of unplugged freedom.1 The Eee PC 1015PEM-P is encased in a smooth matte-finished shell that captivates onlookers and features the Intel Atom N550 processor with energy-efficient DDR3 memory support that's specifically designed for netbooks for more responsive multitasking.

Plus, it boasts outstanding comfort with a chiclet keyboard, multi-touch trackpad, and convenient hot keys – granting you quick access to Express Gate, the mini-operating system, and control of the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine that instantly optimizes system performance. Throw in a generous 250GB hard drive with 500GB of ASUS WebStorage2 and you get the ability to store, share, and access your important data anytime, anywhere.
Key Features
Intel Atom N550 dual-core processor that’s specially designed for a netbook to deliver responsive multitasking performance on the go (Learn more)
Up to 13 hours of battery life1 for all-day, unplugged freedom (Learn more)
Matte finish cover for stylish and smudge-resistant protection (Learn more)
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine boosts performance and saves battery life (Learn more)
Chiclet keyboard and large, multi-touch trackpad for comfortable, intuitive navigation (Learn more)
High-speed wireless N and Bluetooth v3.0 for fast Web surfing and enhanced Bluetooth peripheral connectivity (Learn more)
750GB Hybrid Storage: 250GB hard drive and 500GB of ASUS WebStorage2 that easily backs up and shares your data anywhere you have Internet access (Learn more)
0.3 megapixel webcam with security lens adds additional protection
Express Gatestarts up in seconds for quick access to the Internet, music, games, and more

Colossal Canyonlands Totally Awes Visitors in Unsurpassed Utah

2011-02-08T22:48:00.000+10:30

The title says it all. Canyonlands National Park is Utah's largest national park and it's colossal. There's mile upon mile of canyons and rockscapes and the state's slogan "Utah Rocks" is a very apt description.

This national park isn't that far from Moab, adventure capital of Utah (it reminds me a bit of New Zealand's Queenstown). There are two sections to the park, Island in the Sky, the northermost area of the park, and the Needles District, in the southernmost section, closer to Monticello.

I didn't have enough time in the southern part but the drive in was absolutely beautiful.

More time was spent in the Island in the Sky section with quite a few different landforms to stop and explore. For a quick visit to the park, you can get to the main attractions by paved road. Then there's the really rugged off road stuff for 4 wheel drives. Hiking, climbing, mountain biking and rafting are other activities to do if you plan to stay a while.

The main paved road ends at the Grand View Point Overlook. That name is an understatement, much like saying the Grand Canyon is grand. You can see canyon after canyon fading into the distance.

I took this photo more for the actual lookout with the piles of wood bordering the path than the scenery. However, if you zoom in on the photo you'll still get some idea of the canyons in the distance. I'll do more posts later to show some of the park's other beauty spots.

When I was in the park it was very hot, so I had on my trusty Akubra hat, sunscreen on my face and arms, and lots of water in the backpack. All essential when you go hiking in the Outback or Utah's desert country.

Check out Canyonlands National Park site for more information.

This might interest you too. Click on the ad for more information.

Fran's Backpack - Flight Simulator Fun

2011-02-07T18:00:00.003+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is ProFlightSimulator's Flight Simulator.

This is a great way to experience flying without the cost of hiring an aircraft. For me to hire a Cessna 172 to fly it's a lot more, so using a flight simulator can be cheaper and almost as much fun as the real thing. You can also fly aircraft which you probably would never have the opportunity or money to fly. And if you crash you don't burn!

Click Here! for more information and price.

Experience flying as realistic as it can get with ProFlightSimulator's Flight Simulator Full Scenery Set, one of the most incredible flight sims ever created.

The entire purpose of ProFlightSim is to be as close to real life as possible with real world scenery based on military mapping and full realistic pilot control with hundreds of aircraft & helicopters to fly from.

Choose an airplane and fly over the world- LITERALLY. You can fly your chosen plane over The Great Wall of China, Europe, Africa, even your own house!

Why Did You Turn Off the Plane's Engine?

2011-02-06T22:27:00.000+10:30

As a pilot I like to see the humorous side of flying a light aircraft.

Here's a joke about a student pilot who was sent on the first solo flight without the instructor.

Instructor to student pilot (who just crashed the aircraft): "What happened, you were doing so well on your first solo?"

Student pilot to instructor: "Well, I was doing fine at a thousand feet so I thought I'd climb a little higher. Then I climbed to two thousand feet and that felt OK too. But then as I was climbing higher and higher to three thousand feet, it was getting colder and colder, so I turned off the big fan at the front!"

Here's the big fan at the front - the propeller!

Fran's Backpack - 5th February 2011

2011-02-05T20:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is the Kensington 33117 International All-in-One Travel Plug Adapter.

If you have any equipment that needs the battery recharged e.g. camera, mobile phone, camcorder etc. and you're heading to a country that has a different voltage system then you need one of these. It doesn't take up much room either.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Features
Color: Black, Dimensions: 2" Height x 1.87" Width x 2.25" Depth, Input Voltage: 220V AC,
Sold as 1 each
Input Voltage: 110V AC, Input Voltage Range: 110 V AC to 220 V AC
Shipping Dimensions: 2" Height x 6" Width x 9" Depth, Standard Warranty: 1 Year
Technical Details
Brand Name: Kensington
Model: 33117

Do You Speak Spanish? No, But I Can Take a Wild Guess

2011-02-04T23:54:00.002+10:30

When you travel to Spanish-speaking places in South America, like Buenos Aires, Argentina, there's a great opportunity to try out your language skills. It's great to brush up on South American Spanish but if all else fails, take a wild guess and you could be right. (Zoom in on the picture now).

I'm sure that you could guess from the mouth watering pictures on the side of this truck that it's carrying cold cuts or smallgoods, "fiambres". They're prepared by Riosma, "una empresa argentina con garantia de Calidad", an Argentinian firm that guarantees the quality of its products.

Are you speaking Spanish by now?

Even if you don't speak a foreign language, when you travel you can teach yourself by looking at the pictures and the words next to them. You get a much better reception with the locals if you have a go at speaking their language. It can be a lot of fun and it can also make the travel experience much more enjoyable. Just have a go.

So finish your taco and nachos and get up and tango under the light of the luna. Adios amigos.

Fran's Backpack - 3rd February 2011

2011-02-03T20:00:00.001+10:30

Amazon.com
In this engaging and often surprising travelogue, architectural historian Dan Cruickshank traverses the planet in five months, visiting 34 countries to see 80 of the world’s greatest treasures. Cruickshank’s quest is really to go far beyond the intrinsic value of each profiled treasure to unearth the stories behind them, to see what they have to say about the cultures that created them, and ultimately how they define human civilization. It is a fascinating--and frequently surprising--journey. Some of Cruickshank’s choices are very unexpected, and maybe even controversial (the 1876 Colt revolver pistol, the Volkswagen Beetle), others you’d expect to see here (Machu Picchu). But the treasures themselves are just a starting point. From there Cruickshank enthusiastically advances like a modern day Indiana-Jones-meets-Rick-Steves to learn what it says about the society that created it, whether it’s an ancient stone statue on Easter Island, or a chair designed by a 20th century Bauhaus artist. The breadth and diversity of the achievements is astounding to see, and Cruickshank’s infectious sense of wonder and curiosity makes this a fun watch. For anyone interested in travel, adventures, world history, art, Around the World in 80 Treasures is a must-see. --Daniel Vancini

Fran's Backpack - 1st February 2011

2011-02-01T22:04:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Australian Geographic magazine.

I used this magazine extensively during the planning of my flight around Australia's coast. Great for stories on Australia's Outback and coast and the photography is superb. I'm even in a couple of issues in 1999 and 2001.

Click on the ad for more information.

Australia's premier geographic magazine covering wildlife, adventure, destinations, industry, science and technology. Its positive editorial stance aims at increasing the world's knowledge of Australia. Packed with brilliant photography, illustrations, maps and a beautiful wall poster/map free!

I'm Just Train Loco

2011-01-31T08:03:00.000+10:30

I just love train journeys and the Grand Canyon Railway, originating in Williams, Arizona, offered a great opportunity to indulge my passion.

When I was in America's Southwest in 2009, I made sure I reserved 3 trips with my internet bookings. The Verde Canyon, Arizona, through desert country, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad, Colorado, through mountains, and the Grand Canyon Railway, Arizona, to that famous canyon. All very different trips.

Some journeys are about the train itself, others are about the country travelled through, or about the destination. The Grand Canyon Railway is more about the destination than the countryside en route. However, what happens on the train during its journey is quite memorable.

Before boarding the train, there's a bit of a cowboy shootout in an outdoor theatre. The characters board the train with the passengers and the comedy carries on during the journey. Our conductor was a very talented and funny woman who kept us entertained with stories about the scenery and the railway. On the way back from the canyon, we were even entertained by guitar playing cowboys.

The main attraction really is the time spent at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (engine pictured below). If you plan it properly you can go on some of the walks to the scenic spots and then catch the free buses to the lookouts. Just make sure that you're back in time to catch the train because it's a long and expensive process to return to Williams if you miss the train. We were well and truly warned!

Having modern carriages meant that the large glass windows couldn't be opened and so reflections marred many of the photos I took during the journey. However, it's still one of the great scenic railways that you must go on.

Check out the product below if you're into train journeys.

Fran's Backpack - 30th January 2011

2011-01-30T20:00:00.000+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, 2nd (Regional Hiking Series) [Paperback] for $11.53.

Two beautiful national parks worth exploring and you get even more out of them with an excellent guide.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Thoroughly updated and revised, this guide covers fifty-six hikes in the two featured parks as well as the surrounding areas--Cedar Breaks National Monument, the Markagunt high country, and the Paunsaugunt area.

From the Back Cover
For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuide® has set the standard for outdoor recreation guidebooks. Written by top outdoors experts and enthusiasts, each guide invites you to experience the endless adventure and rugged beauty of the great outdoors.
Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks features fifty-nine of the finest trails in southwestern Utah-from day hikes to backcountry treks. With this comprehensive guide, veteran hikers Erik Molvar and Tamara Martin provide all the information you need about two of Utah's most prized parks-as well as Cedar Breaks National Monument, the Markagunt Plateau, and the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

Look inside to find:
Hikes suited for every ability
Accurate directions to the trailhead
Comprehensive trail descriptions, trail maps, and route profiles
Difficulty ratings, recommended hiking seasons, and park contacts
Invaluable trip-planning information, including a checklist of essential
equipment and supplies

Awesome Alaskan Sunset Stirs the Soul

2011-01-28T22:41:00.001+10:30

Sunsets in Alaska are awesome (as is just about everything else about the place). However, this one was at the end of a superb day for me.

In the morning I left Anchorage and headed down to Trail Lake and Moose Pass to do some refresher float plane flying. I'd gained a float plane rating in Seattle years ago and wanted to try some more float flying in a mountainous region that had lakes, rivers, glaciers and ice fields.

Spectacular is an understatement for the scenery. The flying wasn't bad either. You can see some of the photos on my main website www.franwest.com.

Just a wonderful day with the long drive back to Anchorage accompanied by a setting sun.

The sunset seemed to seep into my soul and remind me just how fortunate I've been to live my dreams of travel, flying and photography.

Enjoy the photo.

Fran's Backpack - 28th January 2011

2011-01-28T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is a magazine Outdoor Photographer (1-year auto-renewal) for $10.98.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
The editorial emphasis of this magazine is on the practical use of the cameras in the field. It looks at the modern photographic world by encouraging photography as part of a lifestyle. It motivates readers to make use of equipment and their talents in conjunction with recreational activities. In addition, its articles intend to inspire readers to seek new equipment, try new techniques and travel to new destinations.

Fran's Backpack - 26th January 2011

2011-01-26T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Digital Landscape Photography [Paperback]
for $16.47.

I'm always learning with my photography so any help I can get from books, magazines or videos is gratefully received. The main advantage with a digital camera is if you don't like a photo just delete it.

Click on the ad for more information.

Product Description
Photographing landscape with a film camera is different than with a digital camera. There are several books on the market that cover landscape photography but few of them are specifically for the digital photographer. This book is what you are looking for!

Digital Landscape Photography covers:
* equipment such as accessories and lenses
* exposure from shutter speed and other common mistakes
* shooting
* light and its importance
* composing your perfect photo
* printing
* and a special section on specific subjects such as waterfalls and sunrises

Digital Landscape Photography, written by experts that have been shooting outdoors for decades, is a fresh look at current ways to shoot landscapes by making the most of digital format.

* the only photo book on landscape photography in a landscape format * both beautifully illustrated and instructive at the same time * Authors are well known photographers in the field: Pictures have been published in National Wildlife, Sierra, Natural History, Outdoor Photographer, and many other major publications

From the Back Cover
Digital Landscape Photography offers a fresh look at shooting landscapes by making the most of the digital format.

*Showcases beautiful landscape photographs *Offers pros and cons of different equipment choices *Includes special sections on waterfalls, snowy landscapes and panoramas *Teaches how to work with the natural surroundings and the weather conditions to capture exquisite images in the field

This book provides professional insight on everything the digital landscape photographer needs--from equipment and exposure to light and composition with a bonus section on special subjects such as sunrises and autumn color. Chapters on composition, high dynamic range images, and techniques for capturing high quality images make this the most complete reference you will need on field techniques for landscape photography.

Fran's Backpack - 24th January 2011

2011-01-24T20:00:00.002+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is an Akubra Packable Hat for $119.00.

I now have my second Akubra hat in thirty years and thoroughly recommend the product. I would still have my original Akubra if I hadn't had an accident while trekking in Patagonia last year.

My original Akubra had a forehead strap but the second one has a leather strap to secure under the chin in windy conditions. The packable hat is a great idea and can be alternated with a baseball cap to suit the day.

Click on the ad for more information.

"Akubra hats are an Australian icon that have shaded the heads of ranchers and working Aussies since 1874. Now being managed by the fourth generation, Akubra hats are the Australian cultural equivalent of America's Stetson. This Traveller model felt Akubra hat is designed to be packed and unpacked. The unique brim design has a memory insert that brings it right back to shape. Made from Pliofelt, Akubra's new pliable pure fur felt, the crown is 4 3⁄8" high and the brim is 3" for great sun protection. Ornamental band has a brass buckle and the inside hatband is fabric, allowing it to be folded and packed. Packable felt Akubra hat in fawn. 100% Pliofelt. Imported from Australia. Sizes: 6¾, 6 7/8, 7, 7 1/8, 7¼, 7 3/8, 7½, 7 5/8." Amazon.com.

When is a Hat not a Hat? When it's a Bucket

2011-01-23T20:00:00.001+10:30

When travelling, it's good to be very sun smart and wear a hat to protect the face and neck. My choice is an Akubra hat, being an Aussie. Our beautiful sunshine does have a sting to it though, so it pays to be protected, particularly in the Outback. Here's my first Akubra on Tasmania's Overland Track (it's in the DVD too).

As a photographer, there's an added bonus. I take the hat off and hold it over the camera to get rid of sun glare when taking photos - very versatile.

It's versatile in other ways too. In the Outback, sometimes stockmen fill the hat with water and let their horses drink from it.

As long as the water's not kept too long in the hat and it's given a chance to dry out, the hat will be OK. I'm so glad I remembered that fact.

Last year I took my trusty hat with me on the Torres del Paine trek in Chile, South America. It shielded me from the sun and the rain and everything was going smoothly until we had almost reached the refugio (refuge/hostel) at Grey Lake. A few of us started feeling a bit queazy and then ended up being sick in the bushes (oh, that felt better, for a while only though). We'd probably caught an airborne tummy bug.

By the time we arrived at the refugio and sorted out our upstairs rooms and bunks we started feeling sick again. The guide gave us each a big black plastic garbage bag but I never managed to use mine.

The vomiting came on so suddenly that the first thing I grabbed was my Akubra, turned it upside down and used it as a bucket. When I felt a bit better I gingerly crept down the stairs to the bathroom and tipped the contents of the hat in the toilet, thoroughly rinsed it out and dried it as best I could.

I dragged myself up the stairs and lay down on the bunk again. The guide kindly brought us some rice tea to settle the stomach but that didn't last long. Once more I made a grab for my still damp hat and used it as my felt bucket. (I don't know about you but writing about this is making me feel a bit queazy)

I did the same as before and emptied my hat in the bathroom down stairs and fortunately the vomiting stopped. The anti-gastro pills worked wonders - never leave home without them. (There's more to the tale but believe me you don't want to read about it)

So, the moral of this story is
(a) no matter how hygienic you are the bugs are still going to get you and
(b) on your bucket list make sure you have an Akubra hat which can double as a bucket!

P.S. I did wear it the rest of the trip but because the hat was wet for too long (and smelt a bit) I've had to buy another Akubra.

Fran's Backpack - 22nd January 2011

2011-01-22T20:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is The Great American Wilderness: Touring America's National Parks [Kindle Edition] for $9.99.

Click on the ad for more information.

Describes 53 parks in depth, giving advice on planning your time - vital when it comes to setting priorities. Invaluable. -- Physician's Travel & Meeting Guide

Product Description

Maps are shown for every park. The print edition is 506 pages.

This is a straight-talking author who reminds me of a smart, blunt friend... no pussyfooting around. -- The Armchair Traveler, Daily Herald

Although it does not include every site administered by the NPS, this book is very thorough in its treatment of the 50 parks it covers. The author also describes 13 suggested driving trips of five to 12 days each, incorporating nearby attractions. Includes detailed information on accommodations/campgrounds, activities available in each park, handy tips and tidbits, maps and photos. A great travel reference book! -- Amazon customer

Touring America's national parks has become a passtime for me. I've been from Acadia to the North Cascades to the Grand Canyon and this book is an excellent reference. With an emphasis on travelling via automobile, it also has several suggested hiking trips in each park as well as other points of interest. They say that most people never get more than 100 feet from their cars in parks. Well, this is the book to help get you there, and point out the best routes outside of your car. It covers more territory than anyone could possibly see in a lifetime...but it's sure fun to try. -- Amazon customer

This text provides a practical guide to the great American national parks, how to avoid the crowds, walking tours, facilities and how to get there. This edition has been expanded to include 49 parks, information on accommodation and dining, camping and tours. Parks detailed in this third edition include Acadia, Badlands, Capital Reef, Crater Lake, Everglades, Devils Tower, Grand Canyon, Hawaii Volcanoes, Mammoth Cave, Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Denali, Hells Canyon, Saguaro, White Sands and Dinosaur.

Unlike other guides, this explains in detail how to tour the parks: how much time to allow, how to avoid the crowds, what each place is really like, what you can safely skip and what you must not miss. It offers advice on planning if you have only a few hours, or if you have a few days to explore.

Complete directions on getting to and from the parks are included, as well as how to get around once you're there, whether you want to tour independently or prefer to join a group excursion. It also profiles places to stay and eat in and near each park, with options to suit all budgets. Maps show each park's features, along with all surrounding access routes.

Are you wondering when to visit? The author tells all about the climate and the crowds (or lack of them) in all seasons and recommends the ideal times to explore our nation's treasures.

A unique section, Suggested Trips, contains customized itineraries, describing ways to combine visits to one or more parks with tours of nearby attractions. These routes are designed to last from four to 10 days and include complete directions and recommended places to stay each night.

Overcome Fear with Focus

2011-01-22T08:47:00.000+10:30

During a recent trip to Arizona, in America's Southwest, I visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

On the trail to Bright Angel Point I came across two couples. I couldn't help but hear their conversation as I passed them and continued along the path.

Three of the people were trying to comfort the fourth person, Paul, and cajole him to keep on going to the lookout. But Paul was petrified of heights and was reluctant to move.

Minding my own business wasn't an option because I knew just how crippling fear can be. So, I went back to the group and told Paul that I was a pilot who doesn't like heights and I could understand how he felt.

However, when I fly I'm strapped in with my seat belt, I'm safe and secure in the cockpit, and I'm concentrating on flying the aircraft. All those things help dissipate the fear of heights because I'm focusing on something other than my fear.

Trekking in Nepal was at times quite nerve racking because sometimes the paths were only two feet wide (the width of two feet, not twenty-four inches) with a drop down the mountain slope on one side. Not good for a person who doesn't like heights.

The only thing to do was to keep on going and focus on the path ahead and make sure that I didn't put a foot wrong.

The trail to Bright Angel Point was nowhere near as narrow as the path in Nepal, but the drop down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon was still significant. I told Paul to focus on the path rather than focus on his fear of heights.

I then left the group and walked the rest of the way to Bright Angel Point. In a while, the four turned up at the view point with Paul looking quite pale. However, he had made it.

Later on, when I was checking out of my cabin and heading across to my car, Paul saw me and came over and thanked me. He told me that what I had said to him had actually helped.

If Paul had let his fear take control then he would have missed out on one of the world's great natural wonders.

So, two great tips for how to pilot your life (personal or business) are:

If you see that someone needs help and can benefit from your experiences and knowledge, go ahead and help.
One day it might be your turn to be on the receiving end.

Learn to overcome fear with focus.
Why let your fears stop you from enjoying some of life's wonderful experiences. Focus on something positive not the fear.

Two of my presentation topics are:

Follow your dreams (at any age)
How to pilot your life and navigate your way to success

This article is taken from my "Pilot Your Life" newsletter #2. Full colour versions of the newsletter are available by emailing me at fran@franwest.com.

Fran's Backpack - 20th January 2011

2011-01-20T18:00:00.002+10:30

I've visited both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon National Park and walked some of the trails. To really enjoy the park, you need to spend time hiking. With this kindle edition you can put it on the kindle reader and keep it handy in the backpack.

This comprehensive guide features detailed descriptions all of the park's developed trails, which number fifteen hikes on the South Rim and thirteen hikes on the North Rim.

From the Back Cover
For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuide® has set the standard for outdoor recreation guidebooks. Written by top outdoors experts and enthusiasts, each guide invites you to experience the endless adventure and rugged beauty of the great outdoors.

Hiking Grand Canyon National Park provides firsthand descriptions and detailed maps for all the developed trails in the Park. Veteran hiker and guidebook author Ron Adkison recommends his favorite routes, from easy day hikes suitable for novices and children to extended backpack trips for intrepid wilderness travelers. He also provides tips on safety, hiking with children, access, and services, as well as indispensable information about backcountry regulations, permits, and water sources.

Look inside to find:
Accurate directions to the trailheads
GPS-compatible maps
Difficulty ratings, trail contacts, fees/permits, best hiking seasons,
and much more

Click on the ad for even more information.

I'm Just a Total Wreck!

2011-01-20T17:24:00.000+10:30

The Port Adelaide Ships' Graveyards, near Adelaide, South Australia, are the setting for a good adventure on the water.

There are five abandonment sites within the Port Adelaide area but the largest is at Garden Island, in the North Arm of the Port River, with other sites located at Jervois Basin, Mutton Cove, Broad Creek and Angas Inlet.

I've been exploring around the Garden Island area twice. Once in my nephew's boat and another time in a kayaking group (kayaking enables people to go into the mangroves but the mosquitoes can be very annoying).

There are heaps of vessel remains in the area and their maritime history covers more than a century. One thing that makes this area unique is the fact that these shipwrecks are accessible to people on the top of the water, not just divers.

You can get right amongst the wrecks but be safety conscious at the same time. Because of this ability to get up close in a boat or kayak, it's apparently the largest and most diverse shipwreck site in Australia that can be explored by people who aren't necessarily divers.

The added bonus, if you're lucky, is to have the Port River dolphins swimming beside you. Another recommended adventure in sensational South Australia!

Check out the Ships' Graveyards site.

Photos of the shipwrecks and other vessels on the water here appear in my DVD, "Maritime Mix".

Fran's Backpack - 18th January 2011

2011-01-18T18:00:00.003+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is a Rick Steves Silk Money Belt, Natural for $11.58.

When I travel I always wear a money belt. I have a mixture of credit cards, money (notes), traveller's cheques, airline tickets and passport in it. I also have a piece of paper with credit card, passport and other necessary numbers on it.
Having most of your valuables in a money belt means you don't have to worry about a bag or purse being stolen, it gives more freedom.

When we were shooting the rapids on the way to the Pagsanjan Falls, Philippines, we got drenched and my passport in my old money belt was soaked as well. So, from then on, passport, traveller's cheques and anything else that's paper based now goes in a sealable plastic bag in the money belt.

Click on the ad for more information.

Positive Police Presence on Magnificent Mounts

2011-01-17T23:32:00.001+10:30

At the Australian International 3 Day Equestrian Event held in Adelaide, South Australia, last year, I came across two mounted police officers.

They were supposed to be on patrol on the Cross Country day which was the Saturday.

However, their patrol was probably done at snail's pace, certainly not at a canter or a gallop. They would have been continually stopping to chat and allowing the public to pat their mounts.

Such is the reputation of our South Australian Mounted Police that people of all ages are drawn to them and their horses like a magnet.

The police "greys" are all geldings of German warmblood breeding. As well as carrying out their police duties, both riders and horses provide a positive side to policing. You only have to look at the smiles on the faces of both officers to see that they love their job. I have a sneaking suspicion that the horses love the attention too.

Here are a couple of websites for more information:
http://www.horsesinuniform.com/index.php?set_albumName=album04&name=gallery&include=view_album.php
and
http://www.police.sa.gov.au/sapol/about_us/structure/operations_support_service/special_tasks_rescue_group.jsp

The stables for the police horses are located near the old Adelaide Gaol, where my grandfather was a warder.

Just a word of warning. In some countries you have to be very careful when photographing police. Sometimes it isn't allowed and you can get yourself into trouble, particularly in some Asian, South American or African countries.

However, it doesn't just happen there. While I was waiting for my flight home to Australia in 2009, I was photographing traffic outside Los Angeles Airport Terminal. Some of the traffic included, by chance, police cars and motorcycles. I suddenly found myself being approached by a security guard. He wasn't very amused and asked why I was taking so many photos at the airport. I handed over my business card and promptly explained that it was all quite innocent and I had no ulterior motive other than to take photos for my "Getting Around" DVD for aged care and dementia patients.

So, having had that experience, I asked the mounted policewoman if it was OK to photograph them and post the photos on the internet. Not a problem!

What a great way to promote the police and South Australia with such a positive attitude. Go Greys!

Fran's Backpack - 16th January 2011

2011-01-16T18:00:00.003+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die [Paperback] for $13.57.

After six visits to North America I've still got hundreds of places to see before I die. My bucket list just keeps growing.

Click on the ad for more information.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Tacking Point Lighthouse, New South Wales

2011-01-15T18:00:00.001+10:30

Lighthouses are a feature of the coastal landscape and Australia certainly has its share of life saving beacons which warn mariners of dangerous coast. Tacking Point Lighthouse, New South Wales, is one of them.

It's not far from Port Macquarie, north of Sydney, about 10 minutes by car or about one hour's walk.

Built in 1879, it's classed as a small navigational lighthouse so there's no huge tower.

The lighthouse is a heritage site and is classified by the National Trust of Australia (New South Wales).

As far as navigation goes, lighthouses are also good beacons for pilots (a bit similar to the huge white grain silos inland). They're clearly marked on the map and there's no question about position.

One thing I do regret about my flight around Australia's coast is that I didn't fly lower to photograph the lighthouses. So my photos really only capture the shape and colour of the coast rather than the actual lighthouses themselves. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Here's a bit more about the Tacking Point Lighthouse.

If you're interested in lighthouses, I came across this book on Amazon.com. Tacking Point Lighthouse is listed in the contents, so hopefully it's the Australian lighthouse that's depicted. Click on the ad if you want more information.

Fran's Backpack - 14th January 2011

2011-01-14T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is a Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator
for $199.99.

This has use for marine and outdoor. Great for using when hiking, in a big city and also as a backup if hiring a car in a different city (not all hire cars have GPS units yet).

Click on the ad for more information.

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory or "There are No Accidents"

2011-01-13T17:53:00.071+10:30

Nhulunbuy (or Gove) in Arnhemland, Northern Territory, is one of the places I had to spend some time on the ground during my flight around Australia's coast.

The weather was extremely windy and not good for flying and successfully photographing. Sometimes it's better to stay on the ground and rest or do other things.

I caught up on writing my diary, did my laundry and a bit more planning and rescheduling.

I was also put in contact with a local military historian.

Apart from the tremendous hospitality (especially the meals at the canteen) from Nabalco (now Alcan Gove) this was a highlight of my stay.

According to a character in "Kung Fu Panda", "There are no accidents" and I believe this to be the case here. My father was stationed at Gove during the Second World War. He was in the Royal Australian Air Force in signals, not as pilot crew, and he never liked to talk much about his war time experiences.

Phil, the military historian, told me a little bit about Gove during the war and even showed me an old map. Everything has changed and the building where my father would have been stationed is now under the bauxite mine (the bright orange/yellow colour).

So, I had to do my flight around the coast of Australia to discover something about my own father. No accident indeed!

Check out Nhulunbuy http://www.theterritory.com.au/index.php?menuID=140

Fran's Backpack - 12th January 2011

2011-01-12T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Easy French Step-by-Step [Kindle Edition]
for $8.39.

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in French and German (and Latin) so I love languages. I've spoken French in Canada, Europe and Asia and it's spoken in the Pacific, Africa and South America making it a good choice to learn for travelling. Even if you're not fluent in a language it does show the locals that you're making an effort and that counts for a lot.

Having a kindle reader means you can take heaps of language phrase books all for the weight of a reader. How good is that?

Click on the ad for more information.

Floods in Queensland and Northern New South Wales Just Devastating

2011-01-11T23:39:00.001+10:30

The floods in Queensland and northern New South Wales are just devastating. One of the worst natural disasters Australia has had.

So far, 10 people have died with over 60 more unaccounted for and thousands have watched their homes flooded or swept away from them. One peak of the flood water is reportedly going to reach 19 metres. That's about 57 feet or 10 tall blokes standing on top of each other, totally mind boggling.

Australians are very quick to come to the aid of other Australians and people all around the world. Now Australians need some assistance.

Would you like to help?

On my flight around Australia's coast I received a lot of assistance and hospitality from Queenslanders. Now it's my turn to give back.

I've just finished production of my DVD, "Outback Adventure". You can see more details about it by clicking here. It costs AUD$25.00 plus postage & handling.

For every DVD that's sold via this web page, I'll donate 10% to the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.

Now it's up to you. Queensland and New South Wales are great travel destinations (amongst other things) but after this will take a long time to recover.

Disney World Fireworks Finish the Day with a Flourish

2011-01-11T20:00:00.003+10:30

Disney World, Florida, deserves more than one day but that's all I had. However, I was there before the gates opened in the morning and I stayed till dark for the fireworks.

Saying that the Disney World fireworks are spectacular is an understatement. They are one of the highlights of the day though and shouldn't be missed.

The weather was overcast to begin with but the skies cleared during the day and they remained so for the evening.

One big tip. Don't try and squeeze in that last ride for the day and then expect a good position for the fireworks show. Sort out during the day where would be a good position for your photographs, preferably where no-one can stand in front of you, and then go back to that spot early, in plenty of time for the fireworks.

As you can see from my photo, I could only manage the top part of the castle because I tried to squeeze in that last ride and just made it in time for the show but not a really good photo position. Learn from my experience.

Fran's Backpack - 10th January 2011

2011-01-10T18:00:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is a Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology, for $189.00.

I've chosen this because it really does fit easily in a backpack and has the potential to store all sorts of useful information for your next travels. You'll need to have one of these because future items in the backpack will be kindle books. It's also been rated 5 star by over 7,000 buyers on Amazon.

Click on the ad for more information.

Murray Magic is Mesmerising

2011-01-09T20:00:00.001+10:30

Australia's major river, the Murray, runs through three states - New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

It's the life blood of so many towns, enabling agriculture, horticulture and viticulture to thrive. Different eco systems along the river support a diversity of bird, animal and plant life.

But the river is widely used just for pleasure. There's something for everyone as the river weaves its magic. It draws people for water sports, boating, fishing, houseboating and of course paddle steaming.

The paddle steamers are a living piece of history bringing back memories of a bygone era, of hardship and of romance. Travelling along this river highway on a paddle steamer is an unforgettable experience. There's plenty of room to walk around on the decks while the boat's moving at a leisurely, relaxing pace. Getting up close to the local wildlife is a real treat with the only interruptions being the whooshing of the paddle wheel and the occasional tooting of the horn.

This paddle steamer, P.S. Marion, is based at the Mannum Dock Museum, South Australia. Check out the link http://www.psmarion.com/ It's also one of the stars of my "Maritime Mix" DVD and well worth a visit if you're touring out of Adelaide.

Fran's Backpack - 8th January 2011 (New Addition to the Blog)

2011-01-08T09:42:00.001+10:30

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is a magazine, National Geographic, for $15.00.

This magazine probably started off my love of travel. It brought the world to me - different places and people and the photography is stunning. I highly recommend it as a magazine to inspire people to travel and be adventurous.

Click on the ad for more information.

Penguins' Poor Navigation Skills

2011-01-07T00:00:00.001+10:30

In Australia, there are two main islands off the southern coast commonly referred to as KI - King Island and Kangaroo Island.

King Island, in Bass Strait, off the northwest coast of Tasmania, lies in the Roaring Forties and can be fairly windy at times. Many sailing ships and lives have been lost around the rocky coast due to the winds and inclement weather. However, the island still provides a welcome haven for a colony of Little Penguins near the small settlement of Grassy.

The other KI is Kangaroo Island, a bigger and more hilly island, off the southeast coast of South Australia, not that far from Adelaide, the capital. The main town on Kangaroo Island is Kingscote and Little Penguins also have a colony near there too.

Now, while I was on King Island, Angela, from the local fish & chip shop, took me to see the penguin rookery after dark. Penguins were everywhere and they didn't seem to have any fear of two mere humans, so we were able to sticky beak into their lives.

It was a great photo opportunity (being careful not to upset the little birds) and I'm positive that these two Little Penguins didn't quite know what was going on and seemed to be saying...

Mine's Bigger Than Yours! You're Not Wrong There!

2011-01-03T23:35:00.000+10:30

This mining truck at Leigh Creek Coal Field, South Australia, definitely dwarfs my four wheel drive. Tends to make one feel rather small by comparison. However, there are women in the mining industry who drive these mammoth trucks, so size doesn't really matter when it comes to the driver.

During "Off the Beaten Track" earlier in September last year, we visited the coal field which supplies coal for the electricity plant in Port Augusta. This then supplies power to a lot of areas in South Australia.

I thought everywhere in the coal field would be black but obviously the coal doesn't necessarily lie right near the surface.

We only had time to look around the observation area but apparently if there are enough people, a tour can be booked to go through the coal field. Several photos from this short visit are included in the DVD, "Outback Adventure".

More photos of the coal field will be posted later.

Outback Adventure DVD Out Now! Video Clip

2011-01-01T23:24:00.014+10:30

"Outback Adventure" DVD highlighting photos from "Off the Beaten Track", earlier in September, is now available. It can be purchased in both PAL format (for Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) and also NTSC format (for the USA, Canada, Europe and South America).

There are 270 photos (without captions), plus credits, featuring South Australia's Outback, Gammon Ranges and Flinders Ranges. Wildlife, windmills and wildflowers all make an appearance. Mini adventures like the Pichi Richi Railway journey and the Ridge Top Tour at Arkaroola are there too.

Visits to Alligator Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Leigh Creek Coal Field are included as well. Signs, buildings, vehicles and people make an appearance alongside trees, creeks and beautiful scenery.

Did I mention there are planes in it too?

What more could you want as a snapshot of the Australian Bush? These are the places Oprah didn't visit.

The DVD lasts for about 26.5 minutes and has an easy listening soundtrack.

Enjoy the video clip (short but great).

The DVDs are AUD$25.00 each. Postage & handling for Australia is AUD$2.50 and for outside Australia it's AUD$6.00. Contact me at fran@franwest.com for a bulk P&H cost if purchasing more than one copy.

Although primarily designed for aged care and dementia patients, the DVDs can be and are enjoyed by people of all ages.

P.S. the wildflowers on the DVD label are South Australia's floral emblem, the Sturt Desert Pea, (absolutely stunning in the Wearing Gorge). There are just a few on the actual DVD too.