Travel Insurance

While I was traveling during the Christmas break I was offered traveler's insurance by my airline. I declined since I had insurance in Canada and the US (I'm lucky in that regard) but it made me think a little bit. Having traveled to China, Europe and other far off places, I know that the need for insurance is great, but how many people really pick up the option to get traveler's insurance when they buy their tickets?

That's why grabbing a small insurance policy, even one that's as little as $1 a day while you're away, can be a lifesaver. It can cover things like medical emergencies in a country, emergency evacuation, a doctor's visit, and etc. Click here for a FREE Quote and check how much it is for you, I'm sure it's worth it to save yourself from the medical bills in the end.

Enjoy the new year guys, happy trails!

-Steve

Very good video on Africa

I saw this video on Africa, specifically on Lagos, Nigeria, and since I haven't posted anything on my blogs in a while I figured someone might enjoy it. Not to spoil the video but it's on one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the world, it's really worth the 15 mins to take a look.



Enjoy and hopefully post a comment,

-Steve

Tags: Africa, Travel, Lagos, Cities

Things needed when travelling

I was speaking to my friend Carter last night trying to figure out details for our trip to China and the things I'm going to need to step before leaving. One of the key aspects is having a bank account that's a) accessible worldwide and b) accessible from the Internet. I may not be traveling to the UK this time so I'll be using one of my local bank accounts but those living in the United Kingdom should check out The Co-Operative Bank for it's range of products, including it's online banking accounts, which could be great for reaching overseas. I wouldn't hesitate to check it out, since their accounts can be managed online from anywhere in the world it seems like a good option for travelers.

Other things I have been working on are travel tickets and VISA's, but those are stories for another time when I get more info to share with you guys. Enjoy the tips,

-Steve

Tags: Bank Accounts, Online Banking

Exhausted from travelling

Just got back in today from Duke, and lucky for me I got to fly back early. My flight at was 7am from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which wasn't big but not that small either, however I didn't expect to have to walk to my plane outside. I'm just not used to flying these regional jets yet I guess. I was exhausted from getting up at 5:30am to get there and i didn't get much time to eat or settle in before going to Wagner for my Men's Lacrosse game.

Wagner lost the game 12-6 to Providence, but they made some strides, hopefully they can come back strong for the rest of their games this season. As for me I got the night to relax, no sports or anything, however I am pissed off the Canadiens lost tonight, they're out of the playoffs, the f-ing bums.

Oh well another day, more later

-Steve

Tags: Wagner, Canadiens, Montreal, Hockey

Photo's from Miami and others

Since I've been lazy, I haven't moved nor blogged on my personal site, yet I did upload pictures on facebook.

Here's the Full Album on Facebook, not everything is on there so if you want to see pictures my other friends posted sign up and add me as a friend :)

Here's my favorite picture, me and the boys, just cuz I look good :p

Tags: Miami, Beach

Track results roundup for the last couple of weeks

It's the end of my 3rd week of outdoors and I haven't been keeping you guys up to date on my track results lately so I thought I'd change that and list you some meet by meet results.

In Miami, a couple weeks back, I only ran the 1500m, and unfortunately, I didn't run well since my hip was bothering me. I ran a 4:14 in the slow heat, which was 7th in that heat but far from a great time, wasn't too please but I really shouldn't have run it.

The next week however I atoned for my bad races in Wake Forest. I ran 2 races, the 400m on the first day and a 1500m on the second day. I opened up with a 52.4 with was good for a distance runner running the 400m and followed it up with a 4:08 in the 1500m, which wasn't bad since I was getting back into my form in that race. I did identify some weaknesses in that race but hopefully I'll be able to shape up and fix my mistakes.

This last weekend I was at the University of Maryland, in College Park, where I ran the 800m and the 4x400m. The relay was just for a workout, nothing serious or demanding, and I ran a 52.6, not fast but it was cold and late. I did run better in the 800m, where I ran a 1:58.3, but it wasn't that great since I had a slow heat, strong wind on the back stretch, and the race took out way too slow for some really good times.

That's the roundup for now, I'm running at Duke University this weekend, more details soon,

-Steve

Tags: Track, Times

Pingo phone cards for the road.

I'm on the road again and unfortunately when you're on the road a lot you need to have some calling cards to call home, which in my place is Canada, or for my friend who needs calling cards for haiti phone calls I've always gone with Pingo. Pingo has great rates, like 2 cents to Canada, instead of my phone with Tmobile. Whenever I don't have my Pingo calling cards with me, I have to use Tmobile's international rates, which is 20cents a minute to Canada, so that's 10 times more per minute. Yep it's not great, which is why Pingo is a great option for me. If you need to keep in touch with people in foreign lands or just need a great option for calling cards check out Pingo.




Enjoy,

-Steve

Up in North Carolina

Yep I didn't get around to posting pics of Miami (due to time constraints this) so instead I'm at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, relaxing in my hotel room. It's weird because I'm staying at a really nice hotel, well it's a Hotel and Spa, with free Wifi and Continental breakfast, so it's a definite step up from the Ramada we stayed in for a week.

We're playing the new Video Game, Soul Calibur 3, in the hotel. Yes I know very interesting but hey it's all I have for today. Maybe I'll able to explore Winston-Salem more, since it seems to be a happening place.

Alright more later,

P.S. Karen I would have pics but I'm on a borrow laptop, I'll get some up soon I swear!

-Steve

Lack of posts from vacation

I feel I've totally neglected my infant blog while I was away in Florida. Sure I've posted on my other blog a couple of times, posted some pictures on facebook, but I haven't really gotten the chance to post here.

I think I'm going to make a giant post tomorrow (or later tonight, lol) with some funny pictures and sights from the trip, why not, you people read my travel blog, maybe I should post some travelling pictures.

Once again I apologize for missing a week, but hey, when you're training and having fun time flies!

-Steve

Tags: Miami, Spring Break

Can't wait until Miami, well, just for the time off

The ETA until my Miami trip is one week, and I'm excited. It'll mean the end of a tough week at work, school and track, and some REALLY nice weather. We're not going to be staying downtown or anywhere near South Beach, my coaches have taken care of that. Hopefully however it won't be the dirty Ramada Inn in Hialeah, which is right next to Miami International and in the middle of nowhere. Supposedly we're staying in a Marriott, but I'm not 100% sure yet.

Anything I should try to do in Miami apart from the whole South Beach thing? I'm looking for suggestions, since last time wasn't too fun as far as locations and sight seeing goes.

-Steve

When travelling to Europe, think about getting a Eurail Pass

When me and Carter went to Europe in the summer of 2004, we had 10 days to travel around and we had to choose the best and most economical option of getting around since we had such a short time. Being that we wanted to get around the most countries without the logistics, costs and hassles of an airport, we bought a Eurail student pass, which is similar to the eurail global pass but it's for those under 26. It allowed us 5 days of unlimited travel around Europe, minus a few fees for extras such as our Hotel Car which gave us a good nights sleep from Milan to Barcelona. It's a great way to travel and it's cheap, we only paid 150 pound, and it saved us easily double that. Check out the RailShopper.com for more information on all the Eurail pass types, it really could save you a lot of time and money, and make your travel much easier.

Enjoy the free tip!

-Steve

Tags: Eurail Pass, Trains, Europe

Trip to China, planning has begun

Yep for those who don't know I'm hoping to take a trip to China in the 2nd half of August until the 1st week of September. The dates aren't 100% certain yet since and my friend, Carter, who has a house down there, haven't figured out the details but we've begun to undertake the details and logistics of taking the trip down there.

So far a flight to Beijing from New York is around $1000, which isn't too bad, but then we gotta figure out how to get from Beijing to my friends house, then what we're going to do, and all those little things. So far we want to visit Tibet, Great Wall, and many other things. It should be a great way to start off my post-university life.

More news later, but anyone with any suggestions/tips for airfare or travel to China is welcome.

-Steve

Tags: Travelling to China, China

Place I want to visit for today - Bulgaria

Since Bulgaria just joined the EU I've heard a lot of good things about the country. They got some nice beaches, great ski resorts and tons of nice sites and places to visit. I haven't been to any former communist countries yet but I think I'd make Bulgaria one of the first countries I visit in Eastern Europe. I'm guessing property in Bulgaria has to be cheap to, and if it's on the rise then maybe it might be a good investment. What you guys think?

More later,

-Steve

Random places I want to visit

When I travelled to Europe in the Summer of 2004, I had a blast and visit many countries, including Italy. I found Italy had the most history, it seemed everywhere in Rome and it was beautiful. I wonder how expensive Italian property must be, can't be too cheap in Rome, even more in Venice, another place I was fortunate enough to visit. I just found out George Clooney has a house there too, must be nice.

Alright that's my random travel thought for the day.

Enjoy,

-Steve

Stuck at the Armory, waiting to go to Boston

Hey I'm just bored at the Armory, if you've read my other blog you'll see I have to wait here all day before going to Boston with my coach. I'm going to be taking the Amtrak, which should be fun since I've never taken it before. I wanted to take it back from Montreal but it would've been too slow and it was already booked. I'm glad I didn't since it allowed me to be there for the installation of the Bell Express Vu I ordered for my parents.

It's going to be weird being on a train in the US. I'm so used to the Coach Bus or flying in the US I'm not accustommed to it. We'll just have to see how it is.

More from when I get there, and it's FREEZING in New York, don't think of coming down here, lol.

-Steve