TCD Traveler: Insider update

This week we answer a question from a beloved reader, recommend a particularly sweet piece of travel gear, recommend a terrific festival, and kill time between interesting travel stories with idle chatter. Uh… did we just say that last part out loud? Never mind.

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Traveling @ Home

Dorian Greeks, as seen in last year's Holiday Folk Fair at State Fair Park.

If last weekend’s Milwaukee Turkish Film Festival only whet your appetite for the exotic, relax, there is some relief in sight.

The Turkish American Association of Wisconsin is once again holding their International Holiday Folk Fair from November 19- 21 at the Wisconsin Exposition Center of State Fair Park in West Allis. This three-day festival—the largest indoor international festival in America—seeks to encourage intercultural understanding through traditional art forms. Don’t miss it!

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Gadget Goodies for Travelers: flipSYNC

New from Scosche Industries, the tiny flipSYNC was named the 2010 Best iPhone & iPod Accessory by Macworld UK. The keychain/USB charge and sync cable is about the size of a car alarm remote control, fits comfortably on any keychain and ensures that you will never again be without the electronic umbilical that resuscitates your precious iPhone when batteries run low. The flipSYNC comes in two models; IPUSBM, which features an iPhone/IPod connection, and USBMM, which features both Mini and Micro USB connections for use with Blackberries, digital cameras and more. Both models sport USB 2.0 for fast transfer speeds, and you’ll never have to remember to pack it for your trip, because you’ll always be carrying it with you. Available online for $19.99.

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Oh, and One More Thing…

Galapagos life is fascinating underwater as well as on land.

We got lots of great feedback about Kevin Revolinski’s essay on travel to the Galapagos Islands, and this good follow-up question:

Since the Galapagos are at the equator, are all the seasons the same? Is one time better to visit there than another, or is it pretty much always the same?

-J.C.

Ocean currents affect the weather conditions so it is in fact different at different times of the year. However, no time is ‘bad.’ High tourist seasons are June to September and around the Christmas/New Years holidays; it’s not crowded, but you’ll see other travelers more often. From December to May it drizzles a bit each day but the air and water are warmer and there’s still lots of sun. Birds and sea lions breed, turtles and tortoises lay eggs. June to November, on the other hand, means colder air and water, more wind and waves. Less fun for snorkeling, but you’ll see more fish and birds, and though a bit cloudier, it rarely rains. Blue-footed boobies do the mating dance at this time.

-Kevin Revolinski
AKA The Mad Traveler

(Editor’s Note: ThirdCoast Digest is secretly delighted to be able to have the word “boobies” in two consecutive travel columns.)

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