Did you know that Fairen Del hosts private parties?
Contact Event Coordinator Sue Bulicek (858) 259-1120 for details.
Old Gringo “Erin” boots. Leather upper & sole, Shaft: 13″ , Heel: 1 1/2″ , Made in Mexico
Found at Fairen Del, Del Mar & Carlsbad, CA
The lovely Ray and boots at Fairen Del, Del Mar, CA
We’ll have a guest book where you can enter-to-win one of over 25 terrific prizes. Fairen Del and The MADISON Suite are proud to be one of the coordinators of this event. It’s gonna be a blast, so call us at (858) 259-7622 to receive your free tickets (while supply lasts).
FINE cover girl actress Amanda Baker in apparel and jewelry from Fairen Del!
Sweater by Mur, tunic by Alpine Stars, and jewelry by Virgins, Saints, & Angels.
More Amanda Baker… Jewelry from Fairen Del. Nothing FINEr… 
Thank you to our guest writer, Iain for your insightful travel list!
Biography: Iain is an ex-military man, serving as a Warrant Officer in the Army Physical Training Corps. This enabled him to become highly qualified in a large number of adventurous activities. He participated in many expeditions to many parts of the World and this satisfied his wanderlust. For a short period of time after leaving the forces he tried his hand at running a public house in leafy Cheshire, but it was not too long before his love of travel got the better of him and he once again set off to discover more of the World. He now works freelance as a writer and photographer and enjoys finding adventure wherever he travels and whatever he does.
Everybody has their own personal list of ‘essentials’ that they would not dream of leaving the house without, let alone going on an extended trip. It is not by any means intended as a travel ‘bible’ of must take items, but a personal list, which will prove useful for anybody considering traveling, especially those who stray from the well trodden path!
Camera – this is a no brainer, I cannot imagine anybody would consider leaving without one. Even if you consider yourself to have a great memory, friends and family cannot see your memories. It is not necessary to choose the most expensive all singing, all dancing latest digital DSLR; great images have been taken on basic point and shoot cameras and even mobile phones! However I would recommend you purchase the best you can afford, as it is more likely to enhance your own photographic ability allowing you to take less snaps and more good quality images.
The Powermonkey-eXplorer is very capable, but will not be able to charge AAA or AA batteries and possibly not camera batteries either. A number of companies; Ansmann or Delkinhowever make good universal chargers that will charge most if not all of these, and if used in combination with the eXplorer should cover all your devices. This should save on having to carry a charger for every gadget you take.
Universal adapter – In today’s modern world even the most independent of us have the need to use a main socket now and then, possibly even more than a clean toilet for the really adventurous. This then is the secondno-brainer, knowledge is power, but a universal adapter will provide the source and keep our multitude of travel gadgets working wherever we may travel. An adapter that also includes a USB socket is even closer to traveling nirvana.
Universal charger – It may seem that there are quite a few items which are device related but the fact is most of us still wish to remain in contact with the outside world wherever we are. Camera, mobile phone, mp3 players all require to be kept charged and there is no escaping the need for devices to achieve this. The obvious problem is that they all seem to need a different charger, as every device has a different size and shape of battery.
Hammock – This may not be high on the list of those that only stay in five star hotels, but for the many that now enjoy straying from the resorts and finding the next best kept secret destination they are worth their weight in gold. Hammocks vary greatly in comfort and versatility, and whilst a simple string mesh hammock will be perfectly fine for very occasional use, a little more shelter and comfort can be provided for little additional cost or weight. My personal hammock has a tarp and mosquito net attached and still weighs a less around half a kilo, made from lightweight parachute silk. There are many manufacturers of quality personal sleeping systems, to give it a posh name, but Hennessy Hammocks are excellent and Hammock Bliss are a great budget choice. I used to serve in the military and often had to travel Hercules class or by Chinook helicopter, neither of which are renowned for the comfort and notoriously slow. On particularly long flights I would always ask the ‘cabin’ crew if I could strategically deploy my hammock. Trust me it is much more comfortable than the seating arrangements! It has also saved me and uncomfortable night on the ground when Bastia airport unexpectedly closed until the morning; I received many envious glances from my fellow travelers as I set-up that night, and even slept in the next morning!
First Aid Kit – This is an essential item, end of story. Sure you can usually buy bits and pieces in the local towns, but shops close and most of us head out of town occasionally. It is only for yourself and anybody you may be traveling with so does not need to be as comprehensive as the average paramedics kit. Scissors, assorted plasters and sterile dressings, antiseptic ointment, safety pins, paracetamol and possibly some eye wash are all that is needed. If the plan includes really heading out in the wilderness for any length of time consider a sterile ‘sharps’ kit, consisting of hypodermic needles and syringes as hygiene is unlikely to be high on the agenda in such places. A small dental kit is also useful as toothache in the middle of nowhere is not anybody’s idea of fun. A reliable supplier is LifeSystems.
PacSafe TravelSafe – PacSafe are renowned for making security items for travelers. Some items however are pretty heavy and exclude themselves from most packing lists; the travelsafes however are extremely useful. They come in three sizes; my personal preference is the TravelSafe 12l as this will even take an average size laptop and is probably the best compromise of size, weight and security.It can be secured to any fixed object in a room, vehicle or wherever, to leave it in full view is still unwise of course and I would recommend upgrading to a sturdier padlock than the one supplied.
Mosquito net/repellent – show of hands, who likes being bitten by mosquitoes, ah yeah strange guy at the back with the cigarette burn scars, wearing the thumbscrews, self piercings and the studded jockstrap ……. enough said!
Sewing/Repair kit – On any extended trip there are likely to be times when something will get damaged or just worn out. It may be more convenient to just purchase a new shirt or pair of shorts but replacing that super comfortable backpack may not be an option. A sewing kit, some strong breaking strain monofilament, duct tape, a small tube of super glue, paracord and a puncture repair kit will cover most eventualities.
Sleeping bag liner & mattress cover – Five star travelers look away now, but for those of us which regularly use words like “budget” and “shoestring” in our vocabulary these two items are pretty indispensable. If when you are looking for accommodation your usually use the drop down menu and enter “cheapest first” then you have probably stayed in more than your fair share of less than salubrious hostels. Hygiene is often not a consideration, checking out the reviews can often avoid this, but every once in awhile we all get caught out. Avoid using the supplied ‘bedding’ and sleep in your own cocoon, as sleeping bags are often too warm. Too avoid any nasty bed lice a specifically designed mattress cover will keep you smiling and feeling all smug and savvy for days afterwards, especially if you’re traveling companion is continually scratching themselves throughout!
All purpose soap – (that’s eleven) Bonus item, great for washing yourself and clothes, which hopefully is not a bonus. It is especially useful if it can be used without water for personal hygiene, evaporating to leave you feeling all fresh and dry.
Many of you probably feel a lot of this is excessive and probably weighs far too much, but most is surprisingly lightweight and can be packed easily. I am sure you have your own personal must haves, but at least this may stir some brain cells and provoke a little thought. It will be great to hear any of your suggestions. Safe travels and don’t forget your toothbrush!
I know. You’re thinking, “What a silly topic. “ Well, I’m writing this with the hopes of
helping you to avoid the silly feeling that comes from a lack of local know-how.
I pride myself on being a seasoned traveler; and I don’t mean doused in paprika! I’d
even been to Barcelona before taking my nephew Leon on this recent trip with the
sole intent to infuse him with a profound love for Spain (it worked, I’m pleased to
report).
We arrived at our hotel late in the afternoon, but in Spain, even in spring, you can
count on daylight into late evening, so we made a plan to freshen up and get down to
the beach walk. I perused the metro and bus maps and schedules and felt confident
in my plan to take the bus on the way down and the metro for the return. This way,
we could take advantage of orienting ourselves to the city and our hotel location
with a daytime view as the bus traveled through Barcelona. Nice planning, yes?
Well, a few things were missing.
Our bus stop was only one block from the hotel and our bus number ran every 15
minutes so within the span of about 7 minutes our coach had arrived. We had come
from Seville, so a supply of euros was in hand, and I presented a 20 euro bill. The
driver was happy to accept it, but – he shrugged – he did not have change.
No problem, we hopped off at the next stop, easily procured change from a corner
store and waited patiently for the next #3 to come and gather us. Like clockwork,
there was our bus heading quickly toward us and the stop we knew was the correct
one because we were deposited there so unceremoniously only 15 minutes prior.
We stood dutifully at the edge of the curb as he approached, and then, to my
astonishment and dismay– whoosh – a blast of warm diesel-tinged air swirled my
clothes and hair as this second bus #3 unapologetically sped past. My nephew and
I looked at each other half stunned. He lives in New York and I think even he was
impressed at the gall of these drivers!
We studied the locals’ tactics and watched as they literally had to hail down the
buses – even though it was a designated stop! – to indicate a desire to board the
barreling behemoths of public transportation. We were successful with #3 bus #3. I
think Leon’s New York taxi training helped.
Some tips you might want to take away with you:
•Talk to the concierge at your hotel or stop by an information booth about
public transportation. Tell them your general plan and they may make
suggestions to help you avoid high traffic, dangerous subway times or rogue
bus drivers.
•Carry smaller bills and change whenever possible and especially when
relying on public transport.
•Don’t rule out creative ways of getting around town. I absolutely love the on-
off boats in Paris that transport you elegantly to various points of interest
whilst offering a beautiful overview perspective of the city.
Normally, I take such travel setbacks in stride, but our evening striding along the
beach front walk was a bit diminished by a cool nip in the rapidly fading light.
Perhaps the 30 extra warmer and brighter minutes would have been worth the 15
extra euros!
If you’ve experienced any misadventures that may offer helpful caveats or
suggestions, we’d love for you to share. And as always, happy travels!
I just returned from Uganda, Africa and was so impressed with my new Briggs & Riley BRX luggage, I felt compelled to share my travel/packing story.
First of all, yes, the headline is correct. It took me 52 hours from the time I left my home in Solana Beach at seven AM two days before Christmas to get to the front door of my hosts house in Kmpala, Uganda at ten pm on Christmas night. I traveled with 5 pieces of BRX, two of which were filled with 50 pounds each of books and school supplies for the children of Imiri, a small remote village in Uganda, where I was headed to volunteer in a school. I traveled from the US to Europe, where I was diverted from Brussels due to a snow storm and laid over in England for thirteen hours, then on to Africa, continent number 3, where again I was laid over, this time for eight hours in Nairobi, Kenya before finally arriving in Entebbe, Uganda, where no one was at the airport to meet me because I was a whole day late. That run on trip deserved that run on sentence. But still after all of that I managed to hold myself and my luggage together. I think the fact that my luggage held itself together allowed me to stay in control. I have never been so calm standing for hours in line at Heathrow, sleeping on top of my duffle in Nairobi, or being held up by airport security in Entebbe.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with BRX, it is a new line of adventure luggage that Briggs & Riley came out with last year. And if you don’t think 4 weeks volunteering in a remote village in Africa is a whole lot of adventure, you should try it some time.
So, the tale of five bags and how I managed to handle them with just one hand. The cool thing about BRX is that it is as light as a feather and is designed to work together and actually links together to do so. Listed here are the five bags I took and how I put them together to make for an easy luggage handling experience when I needed it the most.
Bag 1 – Excursion backpack – Designed to hold a full size lap top and a change of clothing and your toiletries too, this bag was a lifesaver. And I packed it just like that, with a change of clothing, which came in handy in a small bathroom in Nairobi, where after forty hours in the same yoga outfit, I was able to change into new underwear, a sundress, and some sandals and my toiletry kit which allowed me to wash my face and brush my teeth in London and Nairobi. Throughout my entire time in Africa I used this bag daily to truck around the village with my camera, a water bottle, a couple of snacks, and my notepads. It even went on my three day safari with me. Almost every picture I have has this backpack on my back.
Bag 2 – Express toiletry kit – Unlike other toiletry kits, this one is made like a giant tootsie roll only sweeter. Like rolled clothing, it takes up very little room in your suitcase, which is essential when both of your checked bags are filled with school supplies. It is made to fit perfectly in the top of the inside of the excursion backpack as well, even with your computer and change of clothes in there. But the sweetest thing about this toiletry kit is that when unzipped it turns into two compartments one waterproofed for wet stuff and the other meshed for dry stuff. It also has the ability to hang up.
Bag 3 – Exchange 26” duffle – This awesome lightweight duffle, which just won a gear of the year award from National Geographic, has the ability to convert from a duffle into a backpack, expands to fit more, and can be linked together with a wheeled piece to form one piece. In this bag I packed a month’s worth of cloths and personal items.
Bags 4 and 5 — Explore 22” upright and Explore 25” upright – My two wheeled pieces, which when expanded held a combined 100 pounds of school supplies for Ugandan children.
Here’s how I did it…packed the toiletry kit into the excursion backpack then linked the them on to the 22” upright, which then linked to the 25” upright. The exchange duffle sat securely on top and voila, 5 bags – 1 hand. Hardest trip I ever took – Easiest luggage experience I ever had!
~Annslie Bigbee
