On travel photography (part two)

Panasonic DMC LX3

Luckily enough a 28 km trekking route on the Catalunyan Pyrenees helped me understand that carrying around my 350D is not a good idea. I used a belt-striped case and carried the 350D along with the Tokina 12-24. I thought that it would be a light choice but… I was really happy to leave it in the hotel for the second day.

So I had to go out and buy a compact. A good one. I finally ordered the Panasonic Lumix LX3. I wanted a light and capable camera and this one seems to do the trick. Its F2.0-F2.8 24-60mm (35mm equivalent) Leica lens it is exactly what I would like for the trip. My first thought was the Canon G9, but it was heavier and not so bright.

For the test drive and sample photos I will keep you posted.

PS: As a new camera marks a new era of uplaoding too, I created a second Flickr account. There I plan to upload only photos from the trip. The link is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/csm2mkrtw/sets/

Ciao for now!

Talking gear (part two)

OK so really close to finalising the gear too (not including clothing, medical/toiletries and electronic/other).
In the first part of the post I had bought an anti-mosquito net that could be hanged from one point. As I was told this was a big mistake. Monday I’ll go search for one that can be hanged from four points (more practical). Also it would be nice for it to be sprayed by a relevant liquid. If not I can do this later. Also I now know what exactly I need to complete my medical pack so stay tuned 😉

My Deuter 50+10 Act Lite (only that mine is red ;))

1 Deuter backpack 50+10 Act Lite – 146,50 euro
1 Sewing kit (compiled by me) – N/A
1 Pair of earplugs (gift for the subscription of the Wire magazine) – N/A
1 Lifeventure neck wallet – 11,85 euros
1 Eagle Creek inflatable pillow – 23,20 euros
1 Ferrino towel – 12,50 euros
1 Ferrino waterproof document bag – 3,95 euros
1 Lifesystems water neutralising tablets – 8,95 euros
1 Lifesystems insect repellent – 8,95 euros
1 World Atlas & Almanac by Insight Atlas – 16,50 euros
1 Ferrino cup – 12 euros
1 Ferrino poncho – 6 euros – It got destroyed in a trekking expedition on the Pyrenees
1 Ferrino backpack raincover – 15 euros
1 Frendo headlight (1 led) – 19 euros
1 Glue stick – 3 euros
1 Box of matches – 0,20 euros
1 Deuter First Aid Kit – 19 euros ***
3 Pairs of wooden door stoppers – 1,90 euros
1 Leatherman tool – N/A
1 Maglite mini torch – N/A
4 Tea lights – 1 euro
1 Pack of wet tissues – 0,60 euros
2 Universal bath plugs – 1,50 euros
1 Spoon, fork, knife camping combo – N/A
1 Spare set of shoe laces – N/A

*** A different post will be made explaining exactly my medical pack + the extras I am planning to take with me.

UPDATE

1 Quecha square cotton blanket  – 7,95 euros

1 Quecha rain coat – N/A

On travel photography

Canon 350D body

Having packed the most of the things I need, I notice that there is some space left on the top of my backpack and I wonder… was I THAT good in packing?

Obviously the answer is no.

What about the camera? I already own a Canon EOS350D one with the following lenses:

Tokina 12-24mm

Canon 50mm 1.8f

Canon 100-300mm

Canon 24-70mm L

Lensbaby 2.0

From those, I will have to carry one. The winner up to now is the Tokina one (a wide angle lens). But then, why not get the 50mm one too? There I go I start adding things up again… And then sometimes I think of the possibility of buying a good compact one… but it’s just not the same 😉

Any thoughts?

Vaccination is your friend!

Old smallpox vaccination poster

Today has been the vaccinations day. The doctor has been very helpful. Also she has traveled around Greece a lot and generally seemed to know her stuff. I guess they know who they are hiring for travel medicine… what a better way for a traveller to be attended by one!

Therefore, I had had:

– Yellow fever vaccine

– Hepatitis A vaccine

– Tetanus vaccine

– Typhoid fever vaccine

– Antirabic vaccine

– Malaria tablets

Let’s hope I won’t need them 😉

Ticket bought

I just received the confirmation by email that all is ok with the ticket.
Many years ago when I was thinking about the trip, more as an abstract idea than something that was going to do, I did not even imagine that a number passed on by email would allow you to travel for one year… The fact that the ticket is electronic, makes you wonder… and look at the past too!

Below is the final itinerary (the dates will most probably change):

Monday, Nov 03
Swiss – Flight 1957 Confirmed
De: Barcelona Arpt Barcelona, Barcelona, ES (BCN) 19:45 Terminal: A
A: Zurich Arpt Zurich, Zurich, CH (ZRH) 21:40
——————————————————————————–
Tuesday, Nov 04
Swiss – Flight 292 Confirmed
De: Zurich Arpt Zurich, Zurich, CH (ZRH) 09:35
A: Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Int’l Arpt Nairobi, Nairobi, KE (NBO) 19:10
——————————————————————————–
Monday, Dec 01
South African Airways – Flight 189 Confirmed
De: Dar Es Salaam Int’l Arpt Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, TZ (DAR) 07:25
A: O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB) 10:05 Terminal: A
——————————————————————————–
Monday, Dec 01
South African Airways – Flight 325 Confirmed
De: O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB) 11:40 Terminal: B
A: Cape Town Int’l Arpt Cape Town, Cape Town, ZA (CPT) 13:50
——————————————————————————–
Sunday, Dec 14
South African Airways – Flight 336 Confirmed
De: Cape Town Int’l Arpt Cape Town, Cape Town, ZA (CPT) 13:50
A: O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB) 15:50 Terminal: B
——————————————————————————–
Sunday, Dec 14
South African Airways – Flight 7700 Confirmed
De: O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB) 17:50 Terminal: A
A: Sydney Kingsford Smith Arpt Sydney, NS, Sydney, NS, AU (SYD) 14:35 Terminal: 1
——————————————————————————–
Sunday, Aug 30
Us Airways – Flight 6466 Confirmed
De: Hong Kong Int’l Arpt Hong Kong, Hong Kong, CN (HKG) 11:45 Terminal: 1
A: San Francisco Int’l Arpt San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, CA, US (SFO) 08:46 Terminal: I
——————————————————————————–
Sunday, Aug 30
Lufthansa – Flight 9053 Confirmed
De: San Francisco Int’l Arpt San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, CA, US (SFO) 13:51 Terminal: I
A: Frankfurt Int’l Arpt Frankfurt, Frankfurt, DE (FRA) 09:45 Terminal: 1
——————————————————————————–
Monday, Aug 31
Lufthansa – Flight 4454 Confirmed
De: Frankfurt Int’l Arpt Frankfurt, Frankfurt, DE (FRA) 13:00 Terminal: 1
A: Barcelona Arpt Barcelona, Barcelona, ES (BCN) 14:55 Terminal: A

Ciao for now!

UPDATE

Here is the new one as it stands as of November 13th, 2008. The changes are only in the dates.

Monday, Nov 03
Swiss – Flight 1957		Confirmed
Swiss Récord Localizador: LTMXAU Confirmed
De:	Barcelona Arpt Barcelona, Barcelona, ES (BCN)	19:45	Terminal:	A
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	Zurich Arpt Zurich, Zurich, CH (ZRH)	21:40
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 03 November/Después del 03 November

Tuesday, Nov 04
Swiss – Flight 292		Confirmed
Swiss Récord Localizador: LTMXAU Confirmed
De:	Zurich Arpt Zurich, Zurich, CH (ZRH)	09:35
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Int’l Arpt Nairobi, Nairobi, KE (NBO)	19:10
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 04 November/Después del 04 November

Sunday, Nov 23
South African Airways – Flight 189		Confirmed
South African Airways Récord Localizador: ZICKGH Confirmed
De:	Dar Es Salaam Int’l Arpt Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, TZ (DAR)	07:25
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB)	10:05	Terminal:	A
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 23 November/Después del 23 November

Thursday, Dec 04
South African Airways – Flight 325		Confirmed
South African Airways Récord Localizador: ZICKGH Confirmed
De:	O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB)	11:40	Terminal:	B
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	Cape Town Int’l Arpt Cape Town, Cape Town, ZA (CPT)	13:50
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 04 December/Después del 04 December

Tuesday, Dec 23
South African Airways – Flight 336		Confirmed
South African Airways Récord Localizador: ZICKGH Confirmed
De:	Cape Town Int’l Arpt Cape Town, Cape Town, ZA (CPT)	13:50
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB)	15:50	Terminal:	B
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 23 December/Después del 23 December

Tuesday, Dec 23
South African Airways – Flight 7700		Confirmed
South African Airways Récord Localizador: ZICKGH Confirmed		Flight Operated By:	OPERATED BY Qantas Airways Ltd — QF0064
De:	O R Tambo Arpt Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA (JNB)	17:50	Terminal:	A
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	Sydney Kingsford Smith Arpt Sydney, NS, Sydney, NS, AU (SYD)	14:35	Terminal:	1
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 23 December/Después del 23 December

Sunday, Aug 30
Us Airways – Flight 6466		Confirmed
Us Airways Récord Localizador: GEK682 Confirmed		Flight Operated By:	OPERATED BY United Airlines Inc — UA0862
De:	Hong Kong Int’l Arpt Hong Kong, Hong Kong, CN (HKG)	11:45	Terminal:	1
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	San Francisco Int’l Arpt San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, CA, US (SFO)	08:46	Terminal:	I
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 30 August/Después del 30 August

Sunday, Aug 30
Lufthansa – Flight 9053		Confirmed
Lufthansa Récord Localizador: ZICKGH Confirmed		Flight Operated By:	OPERATED BY United Airlines Inc — UA0900
De:	San Francisco Int’l Arpt San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, CA, US (SFO)	13:51	Terminal:	I
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	Frankfurt Int’l Arpt Frankfurt, Frankfurt, DE (FRA)	09:45	Terminal:	1
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 30 August/Después del 30 August

Monday, Aug 31
Lufthansa – Flight 4454		Confirmed
Lufthansa Récord Localizador: ZICKGH Confirmed
De:	Frankfurt Int’l Arpt Frankfurt, Frankfurt, DE (FRA)	13:00	Terminal:	1
			Franquicia de Equipaje:	PC
			Base de Tarifa :	YRWSTAR1
A:	Barcelona Arpt Barcelona, Barcelona, ES (BCN)	14:55	Terminal:	A
No es valido para viajar – Antes del 31 August/Después del 31 August