Entries Tagged 'Commentary' ↓

For some reason, TomTom no longer includes a U.S.-based phone number on their contact page. The number (866.486.6866) is, of course, available elsewhere. But according to The Google, this same number once existed in a sidebar on their main support page. Would sure be swell of them to put it back . . .

UPDATE1: The number above is now (12 Mar 08) displayed within the sidebar on TomTom’s main support page.  Their contact page (once linked above) no longer exists.

While on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a handful of us attempt to cab our way home after an all-night birthday celebration. Being in a festive mood, we ask the cabbie if we can turn on some music. To our delight, we’re presented with an iPod and a microphone, both of which are hooked up to the car stereo system. We proceed to sing (loud, and off key) all the way home.

Not true karaoke, but an ingenious means by which the cab driver is able to placate festive/unruly/energetic/inebriated passengers. Perhaps more cab drivers should consider this tactic?

That Hurricane Dean made landfall almost fifty miles north of Ambergris Caye was unfortunate for those almost fifty miles north, but was very good news for residents and visitors on Ambergris Caye.

According to the San Pedro Daily, there are some flooded streets and lowlands, damaged piers and downed trees. But these things aside, there are no reports of large-scale structural damage or any loss of life.

A collection of photos and articles related to Dean’s affect on Ambergris Caye:

• Status of a bunch of popular spots and a thread dedicated to photos (ambergriscaye.com)
  
• Picture(s) of the day from 22 August 2007 (belizephotographs.com)
• Lots of photos and commentary in posts beginning mid-August (tacogirlblog.blogspot.com; link is to August archive)
• Images from 21 August 2007 (exploringbelizecontinues.blogspot.com)

Can’t wait to get back . . .

Ambergris Caye, Belize is probably my very favorite travel destination. My wife and I honeymooned there in 2004. The local population, downtown, and aquatic recreation are all top-notch. Part of the island’s charm is the fact that it’s small–you can drive (a rented golf cart) from one end of the island to the other in a little over an hour. Unfortunately, its small size and low elevation offer very little in the way of protection from hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane Keith, with sustained winds of 138 miles per hour, devastated the island in 2000. And just two years ago, Hurricane Wilma did no small amount of damage.

Today, Hurricane Dean threatens the Yucatan Peninsula and coast of Belize, including Ambergris Caye. I’m expecting that the first updates will come from the San Pedro Daily and AmbergrisCaye.com (most of the activity is in the official Hurricane forum, and the most active thread is here).

Here’s wishing the local population and remaining visitors well in the days and weeks to come.