Primarily to photograph the country and people of Bhutan in a new and different way, three friends and I booked an 11-day private tour through Third Eye Travel (Fremont, CA; 800/456-3393, www.thirdeyetravel.com).
For all four of us, the total cost of the April 14-24, 2014, tour was $3,900, which included internal flights, hotels, taxes and service charges, all meals, private driver, guided touring and site entry fees.
My wife and I visited Machu Picchu, Peru, in May 2014. We had read on different online forums and were advised by more than one tour company that a special permit was required for lenses over 200mm long.*
When we arrived at Machu Picchu, however, no one was enforcing that rule. I was carrying a 300mm lens, yet none of our equipment was inspected, nor were we asked for a permit.
To those who’d like to limit themselves to just one lens on a trip like this, I’d recommend NOT taking a 75mm-300mm lens. Instead, I would recommend a zoom lens that goes down to 14mm-18mm.
A subscriber suggested labeling memory cards so they can be returned to you if they’re lost (Nov. ’13, pg. 54). That’s a good idea, but I also download all my pictures onto my iPad each night when traveling.
I bought a connector for $29 that loads the pictures from the card onto my iPad. Pictures can also be downloaded to portable PCs and other devices. This way, the pictures are in two places.
It’s also a good idea to label your camera, iPad, phone, etc., with a name and address or email address.
Showing slides, setting up the projector and screen, is a bother. In 1998 I bought my first camcorder and now mostly take videos, which I put onto VCR tapes and, since 2004, onto DVDs.
Adventure Eye Video Systems (42354 Deluxe Plaza, Ste. 13, Hammond, LA 70403; 866/558-2387) offers rentals of four types of digital video cameras: standard; high-definition; wearable POV (point-of-view), and snorkel mask cameras. Including shipping both ways, rental of each costs $100 for 14 days (upon receipt) with a full damage waiver or $75 without waiver. A 4GB memory card is included.
5 days, 4 nights in ECUADOR. Highlights: From Coca to Shiripuno River/motorized canoe with naturalist to Huaorani Territory & Reserve/learn hunting, survival techniques/swim at Nenkepare Waterfall/day- and night-hike photo sessions/Yasuni National Park/Apaika community in Yame Reserve. Land, from $1,530. Single supp., $480.
Tropic Journeys in Nature (Pasaje Sanches Melo OE1-37 y Av. Galo Plaza Lasso, Quito, Ecuador; phone, in US, 888/207-8615).
This month’s winner is FRAN COPP of Farmington Hills, Michigan:
A number of years ago, my husband and I were traveling in the remote interior of Papua New Guinea. Prior to our trip, I had surprised him with the very expensive video camera of his dreams, so I was feeling very protective of his new gift.
I can’t say enough good things about my Bino/Cam Harness™ from OP/TECH USA (800/251-7815 or 406/388-1377). It’s available on Amazon.com for $21.
I carry a full-sized SLR camera with telephoto lens, and it gets heavy. This harness takes the weight off my neck. Also, it’s elastic, so I can use the camera in any position, and it unsnaps easily if I want to use my tripod.
I’m rather short, and when the harness first came, it was too long. I returned it and they resized it for me. Now, that’s customer service!
On a trip to several remote tribes in Ethiopia’s lower Omo Valley, Oct. 19-Nov. 1, 2013, my wife and I and five other photographers hired an experienced Ethiopian guide, Robel Petros (phone +251911 423112 or email robguide28@yahoo.com).
