Blind Man Flies From London to Sydney

In an amazing feat, Miles Hilton-Barber flew halfway around the world. Blind. The British pilot departed London on March and arrived in Sydney on Monday. The journey was a total of 13,500 miles.

"It's the fulfillment of an amazing dream," the 58-year-old adventurer said after touching down at Sydney's Bankstown airport. "I've been wanting to do this flight for about four years."

Hilton-Barber flies with a sighted co-pilot but relies on speech output from his navigation instruments to steer his course, directing the plane from a wireless keyboard.

"I've wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid. Now I'm totally blind and I've had the privilege of flying more than halfway around the world. The big deal is not me doing this, it's raising funds," he said.

Hilton-Barber, who has been blind for 25 years, hopes the trip will raise some two million US dollars for the charity Seeing is Believing, which works to cut the incidence of preventable blindness in developing countries.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Kenya: Africa's Newest Aviation Hub?

With the rehabilitation of 15 airstrips, the renovation of the Moi International Airport, and the expansion of the Kisumu Airport, Kenyan government is making bold strides to become the leading aviation hub in Africa.

Transport minister, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, said that the move was in tandem with the ongoing harmonisation of aviation sector in the East Africa Community and Comesa region.

He said the Government would continue to provide the necessary infrastructure and put in place appropriate policies to enable the aviation industry to thrive.

"Kenya will be one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of aviation," he said.
He added: "This year, 10 more airstrips are planned for upgrading while 14 more will be inspected for rehabilitation."

Among airports earmarked for upgrading is Moi International Airport in Mombasa, which is currently under going renovation, and Kisumu Airport whose run way will be extended at estimated cost of Sh2.6 billion.

At the Kisumu Airport, the terminal building will be expanded and the runway increased to 3.2km, from the current 2.1km, to accommodate bigger aircraft. A new control tower will also be built.

Other facilities to be upgraded are lighting and security systems. Another airport in the sights of KAA for expansion is the Malindi Airport, which locals want to be upgraded to an international airport. The Wajir Airport terminal building has been constructed and the control tower rehabilitated for the airport to serve both military and civilian aircraft.

Quote Source and entire article here.

________________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

U.S/EU Agreement Opens Transatlantic Skies

With one stroke of the pen, travel to Europe just got cheaper. In a landmark deal years in the making, the United States and the European Union signed an agreement to open up transatlantic markets, allowing airlines in the European Union to fly to any U.S city and vice versa. Which means, in March 2008, competition between airlines could equal lower fares for customers.

The "open skies" deal that removed World War II-era barriers to service appears initially weighted toward European carriers, some of whom have begun to recognize what they anticipate will be new business opportunities.

"Already, the European airline industry is feeling its effects in a positive way, with plans for new services and signs of a much more flexible and dynamic approach to airline investment among European carriers," Barrot said.

As a result, several overseas airlines have been active in pursuing new routes. European low-cost airline Ryanair is exploring the possibility of transatlantic service between Dublin, Frankfurt and Barcelona to New York, Dallas and San Francisco.

Virgin Atlantic plans to expand vigorously, possibly adding flights to the United States from Paris, Zurich and other cities within a couple of years. Ireland's Aer Lingus is also planning new routes.

For the quote source and the entire article, click here.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Outdoor Weblog is Live!

I just wanted to let everyone know my new blog, Outdoor Weblog, is now live at Creative Weblogging. Come on over and say hi!

______________________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Best Months for Travel

Question: I know this may seem like a simple question, but what is the best month for traveling?

Answer: This is actually a good question and a very important one. Depending on the month you travel, your budget could decrease or increase dramatically. If you're on a budget, ideally, you want to travel during shoulder season, which during the spring is the months of March, April, and May and September, October, and November for fall. The weather may not be as enjoyable, but with the extra money you save invest in a good umbrella or an insulated jacket.

In my opinion, the worse months for travel is during the summer. Gas prices are high. The weather is hot and humid. And hotels, highways, and airplanes are at capacity. If possible, avoid this time, especially if you're counting your pennies.

Hope this helps!

* Have a question? Please send an email to travelerspen@yahoo.com or leave a comment.

_________________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

New Blogging Gig

I know this blog has been silent lately, but I'm proud to announce that I'll be taking over Creative Weblogging's Outdoor Weblog! I know you're probably wondering about the outdoor-related posts, but they're samples for my new position. I don't have all the details about the job yet, but when I do I'll keep you posted!

In the meantime, I plan on getting Traveler's Pen back on track soon. I'm returning to the original format of answering and addressing travel-related questions. So, if you have one, please send an email to travelerspen@yahoo.com or leave a comment. I'm also lining up travelers for the Traveler Next Door, if anyone's interested.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Travel World: Leave No Trace

With peak hiking season upon us, the folks at Leave No Trace are reminding everyone to..well..leave no trace when hiking or camping in the outdoors. To curve environmental damage created by hikers and campers, seven principles were drafted as a form of outdoor ethics.

This summer, before you hit the trails, here are the principles to keep in mind:

1. Plan ahead and prepare

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

3. Dispose of waste properly

4. Leave what you find

5. Minimize campfire impacts

6. Respect wildlife

7. Be considerate of other visitors

For a detailed overview of the principles, check out the Leave No Trace website.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Travel World: How to Avoid Submersion Accidents

Summer is here. And with summer comes water sports: swimming, kayaking, diving, and boating. But, each year hundreds of people drown from submersion accidents.

According to Dr. Paul Auerbach of Wilderness Medicine, weak swimming skills, panic, and poor judgment are the leading factors to these incidents. To avoid being involved in an submersion accident, here are a few of his tips:

1. Learn to swim. This is most important for children and teenagers, who are frequently in the water and often place themselves in precarious situations. It is also important for adults, particularly those who may need to self-rescue, such as surf swimmers, scuba divers, and river rafters. However, do not let swimming lessons create a false sense of security, particularly with children.

2. Do not tolerate horseplay in or around the water. This includes diving from heights into shallow water or water of unknown depth.

3. Avoid solo swimming; use the buddy system, so that someone is always on the alert to help a companion in need.

4. It is never safe to cross thin ice; one should be particularly careful during the spring thaw.

5. Alcohol and recreational drugs have no place anywhere near the water. It takes only a brief lapse of common sense to ruin a person’s life forever.

6. Never place non-swimmers in high-risk situations: small sailboats, whitewater rafts, inflatable kayaks, and the like.

7. When boating or rafting, always wear a properly rated life vest (jacket) with a snug fit and a head flotation collar.

8. Know your limits. Feats of endurance and demonstrations of bravado in dangerous rapids or surf are foolhardy.

9. Learn how to properly cross flowing streams of natural water. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream where the water is above your knees.

Read the full article at Medicine at the Outdoors.

_________________________________________

Terah Shelton

www.terahs.com

Traveler. Writer. Ingenue.

Travel World: Top Outdoor Magazines

There are thousands of magazines dedicated to every conceivable genre and hobby. Peruse your local bookstore and you'll find crocheting magazines, pet magazines, political magazines and much more.

And outdoor and adventure topics are not any different. In fact, there are probably more outdoor and adventure magazines in existence when you factor in biking, hiking, boating, and kayaking topics.

But, with all of these choices, which ones cater toward the overall outdoor experience? Which ones feature in depth articles, interviews, and equipment reviews? Simply put, which ones are the best and, more importantly, for your area of outdoor interest?

Here are the top three outdoor/adventure magazines to gage your interest:

National Geographic Adventure - We've all heard of National Geographic. But, did you know it's sister publication is arguably one of the best outdoor/adventure travel magazine on newsstands? Last year, it took gold in the coveted Lowell Thomas Awards for best overall travel magazine. This month issue features twelve backdoor getaways for paddling, skiing, and hiking.

Men's Journal - Although they've recently shifted editorial focus from adventure travel, outdoor enthusiasts can still read insightful and informative articles on its pages. Check out this month's issue for two moving stories about Mount Everest's Ice Doctors and a journey to Africa in search of "lost waves".

Outside - For interviews with adventurer travelers, no one beats Outside. Regular contributors are outdoor connoisseurs Bill "A Walk in the Woods" Bryson, Sebastian "The Perfect Storm" Junger, and Tim "Lost in My Own Backyard" Cahill. An depth guide to National Parks, the best outdoor and adventure Jobs of 2007, and an engaging story about a little known American battalion in Papua New Guinea round out this month's edition.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Travel Question: Without Restrictions

Lately, I've been dying to go to Iceland. I want to see the countryside and soak in the famous springs. Iceland is not a cheap country and a trip there would definitely not be one on a budget. It's also an off the beaten path destination, which you know I love.

So, what about you? If you could travel anywhere in the world, without restrictions, where would you go? And why?

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

How to Travel the World

Editor note: I'm still here. Just finishing up a few assignments.

Do you dream of wandering the back alleys in Venice, climbing Machu Picchu, or taking an African safari? Don't think you can afford it? Well, you can! Learn to travel the world on a shoestring budget by using secret budget tips and methods from a veteran budget traveler and freelance travel writer. You'll learn to define your travel personality, establish your budget traveler status, and prepare a daily budget. By the end of class, armed with learned strategies, you'll be well on your way to Paris, Peru, or Phnom Penh!

Course Outline:

• Prepare, budget, and travel the world on a shoestring


• Learn and execute the five basic components to a successful budget


• Understand and avoid the biggest travel budget mistakes


• Use learned tips and strategies to getting inexpensive airfare and hotel rooms


• Stay on a budget while traveling


• Define and identify your travel personality

Next Class: May 17-31 @ 7:00-8:30pm, Emory University

Don't live in Atlanta? Online classes are available!

Interested? For more information or to register, please click here.

Class Testimonials:

"Excellent instructor, very knowledgeable and enthusiatic. Great class!"

"Very, very knowledgeable on the topic, waving years of international travel on her own budget."

"I highly recommend this class to others. I definitely saved a lot of money."

"I enjoyed this class! Terah was very enthusiatic about travel!"

"Terah was very friendly, great with questions and well prepared."

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Traveler Next Door: Michele Watson

This week's Traveler Next Door is Michele Watson, traveler, photographer, and writer. Learn more about Michele at her website, www.michelewatson.com. Check out some of her photography here.

What do you look for when traveling? I look for new passions. New insights and knowledge.

When was your last trip? May 2006 a short getaway to Barcelona, Spain.

Why do you travel? I want to discover everything that I possibly can about the world. Travel completes me. It makes me a better American and a better global citizen. Travel has a spill over effect on every aspect of my life.

How do you prepare for a trip? I spend months prior to a trip on research. Travel shows, travel magazines, travel books, movies, the internet.

If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go? Road trip the entire continent of Africa- the place of all our beginings.

Where to next? Taking the parents to Italy and France, also a birthday trip to do some more exploration of Turkey and Greece.

What's the one thing you regret about traveling? That we don't have family and friends with us to share the experience and wonders of the world.

* If you would like to be interviewed for the Traveler Next Door, please send an email to travelerspen@yahoo.com or leave a comment.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

For the Record

Note: To the coward from Nicholasville, Kentucky who tried to leave a comment, I know who you are. I sent you an email hoping we could work this out. I did not receive a response from you. If you don't want discuss this, then don't read my blog or attempt to leave anonymous comments. Move on!

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Travel World: Best and Worst Airports

On my way to the airport, I always consider what could go wrong or what could I have forgotten? Do I have my passport? Do I have my tickets? Did I pack the right clothes? Did I confirm my hotel reservations? Am I comfortable with my travel itinerary? But, after reading this article, I realized I need to make sure the airport I'm departing from could potentially cause problems.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation, the best airport for on-time arrivals is Cincinnati, with an 83%. The worst? Newark at 62%. Unfortunately, Atlanta is listed as one of the worst for one-time departures. Honestly, since I've moved here I haven't expected any problems. But, after learning this information, I'll make the necessary adjustments that could affect my trip, such as making sure connecting flights are not scheduled within an hour.

Do you see your airport on this list? If so, I suggest you take this information and plan your airport arrival time according.

I hope this helps!

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Thanks for your patience!

Happy Friday!

I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. Posts will resume on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

The REAL Traveler's Pen

It seems the name Traveler's Pen is catching on and not in a good way. Ironically, there's a new travel website called, The Traveler's Pen. Even more, they're advertising for travel writers on Craigslist. For the record, THIS IS NOT ME! I am not advertising for travel writers for my blog. While I'm Traveler's Pen (without The) and they're THE Traveler's Pen, I'm a little uncomfortable with the similarities. Since I'm a travel writer, this is a travel blog, and the website names are close, people assume I'm the one looking for writers. This bothers me because the ad says they pay in revenue (which I'm strongly against) and is riddled with spelling errors. As a writer, I pride myself on professionalism and I do not want my readers, editors, and anyone else thinking I'm associated with this project. I've been in contact with the editor requesting an distinction be made between the two. Until I hear from him, please note again: I'm not associated with THE Traveler's Pen nor am I looking for travel writers for this blog. Please do not send me your queries, clips, or resumes. I will not open them or respond and will delete them on receipt.

Thank you.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

The Traveler Next Door: Silvia Keller

This week's Traveler Next Door is Silvia Keller. She is the co-author of a book of “Twelve Steps to a Debt-Free Life” and former writer for Florida newspapers such as El Latino Semanal and Alma Hispana where she dealt with financial and legal issues. After visiting Spain’s beautiful Costa Blanca, Silvia became a U.S Representative for Deneb Properties and promotes the sale of homes on the Mediterranean. In addition, Silvia hopes to instill the joy of travel and achieve her goal of seeing the world by pursuing her second dream as travel writer and photographer. Her work has appeared in International Living’s new Magazine The European, Ex In the City, Passport Only and a few other publications.

What do you look for when traveling? When I travel I look to get the real feel for the place I visit; I like to meet the people, talk to them about their country, learn about their customs, what makes them happy and what problems do they have. I enjoy eating the different foods, visiting the local grocery stores, eating where the locals eat. For me, sitting at a café and meeting people is as educational as visiting museums.

When was your last trip? My last trip was to Austria. Visited Vienna for a second time and drove to Salzburg. Took a trip on the Danube to Slovakia.

Why do you travel? Travel is my passion. I travel because I want to see the world and learn about the different cultures. Now, as a travel writer, I want to transport readers to all the beautiful places around the world; I want them to feel the same excitement and feel an impulse to book that trip they have been postponing.

How do you prepare for a trip? When planning a trip I do a lot of research. I read about the place I am visiting; I look for accommodations based on what I wish to do and see. For example, when I visited Budapest, I found a great hotel located on a small island outside Budapest. My reason for staying so far from the city center was to enjoy a world famous spa located here. It was quite an experience.

I read about all the important places to visit and then I compare notes with the locals. I look for interesting places to visit, unusual places where to eat and create my own tour. I also try to learn the language of the place I am visiting. If this is not possible, I try to learn the basics.

If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go? I would love to visit the Middle East. There is so much to see, so much to experience and learn in these countries.

Where to next? My next adventure will either be to Russia or the Netherlands.

What's the one thing you regret about traveling? One regret I have about traveling is that I don’t have all the time in the world to stay and visit every small town, every little village. I would love to just travel and write, without time or money constraints.

* If you would like to be interviewed for the Traveler Next Door, please send an email to travelerspen@yahoo.com or leave a comment.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Thanks Goofy Girl!

By now, you've noticed the change to Traveler's Pen. And based on your responses, you love it. Guess what? So do I!!

I would like to thank Goofy Girl for the design and layout. She comes highly recommended and she did not disappoint. She's very responsive and helpful, often offering suggestions. What's more, she's does all of this and is a full-time medical student!

So, if you're interested in upgrading and personalizing your blog, learn more about her services at her website here.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Long Term Travel

Instead of a travel question today, I would like to recommend a recent article by my favorite travel writer, Rolf Potts. Over at his Yahoo! travel column, Traveling Light, Potts discusses how to stretch your travels. I love this article because I'm constantly asked how I'm able to travel all over the world on the crumbs from a freelance writer's salary. And this article gives you a few hints how.

Here's my favorite example:

1) Take out the middleman

Resist the temptation to purchase your travel specifics in advance. As wonderful as that Ugandan safari looks in the promotional literature of a Dallas-based travel company, shopping for the same experience when you arrive in Africa will be infinitely less expensive — and you'll have saved yourself the trouble of adhering to a fixed date. The same goes for air travel. A discounted "round-the-world" flight ticket might seem tempting but it's generally better to buy a one-way ticket to your first destination and plan your ongoing transportation as you go. Not only is it cheaper this way (thanks to frumpy local airlines such as Biman Bangladesh, Aerocaribbean, and SkyEurope), it allows you a more organic experience — since you'll have a much better feel for your travels en route than you will before they begin.

Read the rest of the article here.

Hope this helps!

* Have a question? Please send an email to travelerspen@yahoo.com or leave a comment.

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue

Travel Question: Favorite Place and Why?

People always ask me where's my favorite place and why. This is a question I can't always answer. It seems, my favorite place is always the last place I visited. Off the cuff, right now, I would have to say Montserrat. But after much thought, I would have to say, Lubec, Maine. Why? Because it's the easternmost point in the continental United States, home to the nation's first sunrise. I love raw, uncooked places, unseasoned by life. Where things may or may not make sense. And I found this in Lubec.

What about you? Where's your favorite place and why?

__________________________________
Terah Shelton
www.terahs.com
Traveler. Writer. Ingenue