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

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

Fran's Backpack - 5th February 2011

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

Fran's Backpack - 24th January 2011

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

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 - 18th January 2011

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.

Fran's Backpack - 14th January 2011

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.