Daily deal – Slacker 4GB Wi-Fi Internet Radio for $79.99

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for the Slacker 4GB Wi-Fi Internet Radio. I’ve reviewed Slacker here before, and their portable player was selected as one of the best travel products of 2008.

The player on sale today is their previous generation unit, and while it may look nothing like the version I reviewed, it does offer the same functionality and of course, it uses the fantastic Slacker.com online music service.

This player normally retails for about $150, but buy.com has it on sale today for just $79.99 with free shipping.

Included with the player is a charger, USB cable and a pair of headphones. The basic Slacker music service is free to use, but for the best experience, you’ll want to upgrade to Slacker Premium.

If you are ordering this as a Christmas gift, then I suggest upgrading to 2-day shipping, you’ll find the buy.com Holiday shipping schedule here.

Big in Japan: Advanced dishes for true sushi aficionados

by Matthew Firestone on

All this month, Big in Japan is on the road in Hokkaid?, Japan’s northernmost island. Join us as we take a look at the rugged wilderness, world-class skiing and remote hot springs that make this winter wonderland so justifiably famous…

The island of Hokkaid? (??????, literally North Sea Circuit) arguably produces the finest quality sushi in all of Japan.

Before the economic bubble burst, back in the glory days of the Japanese economic machine, rich Tokyoites were known to fly back and forth to the island in a single day, just to indulge in fresh Hokkaid? sushi.

Clearly, we’re not talking about your average California roll here!

In particular, Hokkaid? is famous for a few rare delicacies, which are something along the lines of advanced dishes for true sushi aficionados.

Think you got what it takes to move beyond spicy tuna maki? Keep reading!

Here are a few advanced dishes for true sushi aficionados:

ruibe (ルイベ) A traditional dish of the Ainu, Japan’s northerly indigenous population, ruibe is salmon that has been frozen by the winter frost. Sliced with the sharp edge of an abalone shell to preserve its delicate taste, ruibe melts in the mouth like fine chocolate.

ikura (いくら) Everyone can eat salmon sushi, but salted salmon eggs are an entirely different story. While cheap ikura tastes fishy, slimy and something along the lines of ocean-flavored Jello, high-quality ikura tastes like fine sea salt, and pops in the mouth like frozen grapes.

ika-somen (いかそめん) Hokkaidō is famous for its squid, and the best way to eat this tentacled-treat is to slice it up extra fine like somen (rice noodles). Usually served with a light ponzu (citrus-soy) sauce, ika-somen is very much akin to handmade Italian vermicelli.

uni (うに) While the thought of eating sea urchin roe might not appeal to most, fresh uni from Hokkaidō’s seas is reminiscent of homemade butter. Best-served on a bowl of rice, sea urchin roe is light, creamy and slightly nutty in taste.

ramu-tataki (ラムたたき) Sapporites love their lamb, especially when it’s served alongside steins of the fresh lager that has catapulted the city to international fame. A gourmet variation of this dish is ramu-tataki, which is slices of raw lamb that have been ever so slightly braised on the edges by charcoal. Delicious.

Unfortunately, of the dishes presented here, it’s usually only possible to find salmon eggs, squid and sea urchin roe at sushi restaurants in North America. However, if you happen to find yourself in Japan, be sure to head to the far north where you can sample these advanced dishes at any quality restaurant.

Want to learn more about Hokkaidō? Sure you do!

Tune in all this month as Big in Japan heads north and blogs from the road.

** All images courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons Project **

Keytoss offers one-stop-shopping travel tools for mobile web users

by Scott Carmichael on

If you have ever tried to access up to date travel information on the road, then you’ll really appreciate a new site called “KeyToss“.

Mobile web users can access several sources of information on one handy page. The site has flight status updates, a translation tool, snow conditions and even real-time currency exchange rates.

Because the site is designed to be lightweight, you won’t run up a huge data bill if you use it abroad, nor should it take too long to load if you find yourself stuck outside the comfort of a 3G coverage area.

In addition to these travel tools, you can also access 1000’s of news sources, sports scores, stock quotes and the weather.

Once you start using KeyToss, you’ll really appreciate the more advanced features, including a file transfer tool and a mobile search engine with instant access to things like package tracking and song lyrics!

I’ve seen quite a few mobile portals in recent years, but this one is a keeper – it is fast, simple and easy to customize. To use KeyToss, simply point your mobile browser towards m.keytoss.com, there is no software installation required, and it will work on any phone with a mobile web browser. Best of all, it is all free of charge!

Light up in Glasgow’s Bothy

by Tom Johansmeyer on

You’ll never find the “Bothy” on your own. Tucked away in the Hotel du Vin’s courtyard, this hidden gem is Glasgow‘s only sheltered smoke spot. So, while the rest of Scotland endures wind and rain with each precious puff, you can stay dry and enjoy every draw. Oppressive may render smoking a chore, but the Bothy brings the pleasure back.

Scotland‘s smoking laws make those in the United States seem downright accommodating. On our side of the Atlantic, most tobacconists find space for at least a few chairs, or accept that customers will stand around the shop for a bit while partaking of their recent purchases. Even this luxury, though, is not afforded by the regulations that bear down on Glasgow. Cigar shops remain points of sale only, deprived of the chance to incubate friendships and cultivate a tightly-knit smoking culture.

The Hotel du Vin, fortunately, has found a way to bypass the indoor smoking ban: strip away the walls.

One of several upscale boutiques in Glasgow, the Hotel du Vin, distinguishes itself by having eschewed a cookie-cutter design in favor of truly unique guestrooms. For lovers of the leaf, however, the essential attraction is through the lobby and beyond a white-trimmed glass door. The rest of the journey to the Bothy requires no more than 25 paces (if you stand 5’10”), ending in a covered, heated outdoor smoking lounge that is open 24 hours a day.

The Bothy is an indoor/outdoor hybrid, with natural and copious ventilation that does not come at the expense of protection from scorching sunlight or driving rain. Most of the structure lacks walls, though the sloping roof compensates for about half of what is missing, and heating along the shelter’s perimeter combats Glasgow’s often merciless elements. The gas-powered fireplace is typically ablaze throughout the day and evening, and if it is not, the staff has made clear that they are more than happy to ignite it-quickly.
To the Hotel du Vin’s credit, the Bothy is not treated as a leper colony. The staff directs you to this nearby retreat without judgment or sneers … and with coffee (or tea). Several beverages are available for outdoor consumption while you smoke, and an amply-stocked humidor can fill any gaps in what you have brought with you for the trip. If you are equipped with your own cigars, the Hotel du Vin does not charge a cutting fee in the Bothy. As I write, a Toro-sized De La Concha Grand Reserve, brought with me from New York, rests between my fingers, though I may switch to a stick of the Cuban variety when the ember comes closer to my knuckles.

Whether you’re staying on the premises or need to grab a taxi from deep inside the city, the Bothy is worth the time it takes to smoke a double corona. Clip it, light it and relax in a soft leather chair. Sip one of the few good cups of coffee in Scotland. And, enjoy la dolce vita.

Many inexpensive last minute holiday airfares do exist

by Jamie Rhein on

You’ve probably noticed the stories about how airfares have dropped and air traffic is down. Two weeks ago, I flew from Copenhagen to Columbus on two airplanes that were not full. The Continental flight from Copenhagen to Newark was empty enough that most people had seats between them.

The flight from Newark to Columbus was even more roomy. The row in front of my daughter and me was empty, and we had that hoped for seat between us as well.

With less people flying that means more competition to entice passengers to fly. My mom is heading to New York City for the holidays. This past May, she took the bus because of gas prices and soaring airline costs. Her ticket plane ticket would have cost almost $400 at the time.

She thought about the bus again until last night when I searched for airplane tickets on a whim. There were several options for a $166 airfare when I used the variable date function. Delta and Northwest were the least expensive flights, but the flight she wanted was on Delta to LaGuardia which she prefers over JFK. Flights into Newark, at least the ones I saw, were more expensive.

Not only was she able to score a flight to the airport of choice, she also was able to get flights that are direct and leave at the times she preferred. At first, it looked like she’d have to leave at 6 a.m., but after going to another day of departure, an early afternoon flight to New York appeared. She also wanted to book a return flight later in the day than what originally appeared. Again, further looking found the exact flight out of LaGuardia.

After using Travelocity to find choices, I went directly to Delta’s web site to book the ticket. The amazing detail is that she’s leaving on Monday, just days from booking the ticket. Cheap flights so close to departure used to be unheard of.

So, if you’re thinking of going somewhere for the holidays, look into flying. It may be far less expensive than you thought. These are the days of deals. To find the best ones, look for flights during the week. My mom is flying out on a Monday and back on a Wednesday. In this case, the direct flights were less than the flights that went through another airport. I am amazed.