Like getting around by pedal power? Then you’ll know how important it is to keep your eyes on the road at all times, even when someone is ringing on your cellphone. The Hiod One makes it possible for you to keep moving while staying in touch. The Bluetooth-powered accessory attaches to your cycle to let you make and receive calls through an armband-mounted voice unit. That’s right — no nerdy headset required; HiodSports.com.
Dream Makers
The worst part of watching an awesome movie is the end, when you realize it was all made up — you can’t just jaunt off to go hunting for the Ark Of The Covenant. Or can you? Project Dreamport creates mind-blowing travel experiences, many inspired by top films such as Indiana Jones and Tron. And you can feel good about the amazing time you’ll be having, since 20% of the cost of each package goes straight to a deserving charity; ProjectDreamport.com.
Keeping Cool
With stress levels at an all-time high, we’re more in need of relaxation than ever. The trouble is that times are hard. It doesn’t seem possible to live in the luxury granted to kings and dictators and have an affordable weekend break. But actually, it is, and you can probably find it in your closet or garage. Henry VIII slept in one in his own garden. Colonel Gaddafi never went anywhere without his. A tent might not be some people’s idea of luxury, but then it’s not always what’s inside the four walls. Sometimes you have to think outside the barely waterproof box. Florida has an amazing network of state parks that are easily accessible from Miami, have great activities and offer real value. One hundred miles or so to the west lies Collier-Seminole State Park. It’s Old Florida. You can tell by the historic remnants of the equipment used by early 20th Century pioneers to force the Tamiami Trail through The Everglades from Tampa to Miami. You can rent canoes and glide past alligators along trails teeming with wildlife. The camping is fun, too; they have fire-pits and grills, fresh water and a full service shower block. A 10-minute drive brings you to back to humanity (and supermarkets and restaurants), but once you’re there you’ll feel like you’ve arrived at another world.
› Ian Hoare is an Organizational Psychologist, diagnosing and developing organizational behavior to improve the performance and wellbeing of employees. Having worked and traveled around the globe, he now lives in Miami Beach with his family; UtopianConsulting.com.
“In traveling, a man must carry knowledge with him,
if he wishes to bring home knowledge.”
— Samuel Johnson
Thirst Quencher
Hitting the pubs on a trip to the UK? If you get tired of Guinness, you can always switch to water. Bars there are required to provide tap water for free, thanks to a law enacted to prevent binge drinking.
Int’l Adventure
Did you know it’s completely possible to take a boat from Canada to France in a little under one hour? Well, it is. The islands of St. Pierre Miquelon, off the coast of Newfoundland, are still legally part of France.
Scary Snake
You won’t find any tours to take you to Brazil’s Snake Island. That’s because it’s home to the Golden Lancehead Viper — one of the most venomous snakes on Earth. Civilians are banned from visiting.
