Category: Product Review

Review of products associated with travel

SkyRoam Hotspot

Affiliate Link Note: If you use my link to SkyRoam, you’ll get $20 off your purchase (to buy, not rent), and I’ll get a few free days! You certainly don’t have to… but I wouldn’t object!

I’ll be doing some international travel this winter with my girlfriend and to maintain the level of connectivity that we have grown accustomed to, I decided to give SkyRoam [Affiliate Link] a go!

For $99.99 ($79.99 if you use my link, above), you get unlimited Wi-Fi in a variety of countries, including the UK, Qatar, and India – all of which we’ll be traveling through this December and January. That said, the price is only for the device itself, and you pay on a day-by-day basis beyond that.

I came across this product through a poster to  The Frugal Travel Guy blog, Caroline Lupini, who recently tested this in Uzbekistan! The other draw is that you are limited to 350MB/day before your speed drops, but again, for basic connectivity (email, blogging, and so on) that is plenty!

I’ll be sure to report back after giving SkyRoam [Affiliate Link] a shot this winter!

What do you do when you travel internationally?

Raleigh Restaurant: Capital Grille

Invitation courtesy of American Express
Invitation courtesy of American Express

2016-07-08-Entrance

The Capital Grille national chain has come to Raleigh, and American Express sent me an invitation to sample their menu during a special event. Naturally, I was more than happy to take advantage of the opportunity!

Menu

For this event, only a small portion of their full menu was available to the guests, but it certainly did not disappoint!

Preview Event Menu
Preview Event Menu

I went with the Dry Aged steak while my girlfriend opted for the sliced Fillet. To go with our meals, I had a glass of Malbec, and she had a Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar.

2016-07-08-Drinks2

2016-07-08-Drinks1

Dinner

The presentation was excellent and the wait staff did everything they could to make sure our needs were met. They even served our appetizers to us while holding the plates!

Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar
Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar
Pan Fried Calamari
Pan Fried Calamari
Fillet with Onions and Mushrooms
Fillet with Onions and Mushrooms
Dry Aged Delicousness
Dry Aged Delicousness
French Beans with Tomatoes
French Beans with Tomatoes

For dessert, they surprised us with a chocolate lava cake served with cherries in a Chambord sauce. So many wonderful flavors!

Chocolate Lava Cake
Chocolate Lava Cake

They left a thank-you note as well as a survey to help improve their performance once they are fully open. I was more than happy to be a guinea pig!

Thank you card
Thank you card

My Travel Essentials

Looking into someone’s backpack is like looking into their life – what better way to get to know someone?

Universal Traveler RFID by Eagle Creek
Universal Traveler RFID by Eagle Creek

A few months ago, I picked up the Universal Traveler RFID by Eagle Creek and I have been quite pleased with it. Between dual straps (chest and waist) and a slip to slide over the handle of your larger luggage, it is easy to move with it regardless of what you have inside.

Security Friendly
Folds open for security screening

The other main feature is the electronics compartment that folds completely flat for x-ray scanning. Though TSA Pre-Check allows you to avoid this in the US, this is a huge time-saver when traveling internationally. The sleeves are well padded and can contain a 14.1” laptop (Dell E7440) comfortably and a first-gen Apple iPad with a cover.

Front Compartment
Yay organization!

The other feature, and the origin of the name, is the RFID shielded pocket in the front compartment for your passport. There is also a mesh pouch in this compartment with a key ring and zipper to ensure you can keep things tidy in transit. There is a third, middle, pouch which allows for easy cable storage, as well as a third sleeve for keeping your magazines or books safe from disruption while you’re on the move.

I keep my LG G4 with me at most times, and thanks to Amazon Prime’s recent offline-video feature, that gorgeous screen makes long flights and delays a breeze. On top of that, the f/1.8 camera allows for smooth picture taking once I reach my destination.

Naturally, with the electronics I carry, it is important to make sure they stay charged! I use Anker’s PowerCore [affiliate link] portable power bank to make sure my phone and tablet stay topped off when there are no outlets to be found.

What about you guys – what do you always make sure you keep with you when you’re on the road or in the air?