South-Asian Discoveries in Southall

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2010 and filed under kayak plans | 1 Comment »

Our last day in London (May 12, 2008) had arrived. We got up at the crack of dawn for early morning adventure: a sunrise kayaking experience on Regents Canal. At 5:45 we met Danny Gillard from ThamesRiverAdventures who recently started a kayaking outfit that provides guided kayak tours in different parts of London. Danny, who is an occupational health and safety specialist by profession, also plans to offer kayak tours in Australia and New Zealand in the winter. Kayaking on this historic canal was a supremely peaceful and serene activity and introduced us to this bustling metropolis from a completely different angle. For me personally this sunrise kayaking trip was a definite highlight of my entire London experience. After freshening up at our bed and breakfast we headed out at 11 am with our guide Ann Mark, a certified Blue Badge London tourist guide, who took us in a couple of double-decker buses to Southall, one of Londons ethnic neighbourhoods.

Over the last few decades this area has become a centre for Londons South Asian community and the streets are lined with Indian and Pakistani stores and eateries. Ann, a very openminded and cosmopolitan character, was appropriately dressed in a sari since she had just recently returned from a trip to India herself. The three of us girls got enchanted with the colourful jewellery and clothing on offer at the various retail outlets, and our neighbourhood walk turned into a bit of a shopping spree. We picked up a variety of beautiful scarves and jewellery, all at great prices. At one upscale clothing store my travel partner Andrea even tried on an Indian party dress and modeled it for us. We stopped at a local eatery to sample some delicious spicy South Asian food, and at 13 pounds for three people it turned out to be a rather affordable culinary experience. I interviewed several of the shopkeepers and street merchants, and all of us enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere in the Southall shopping area. We then strolled past the historic Himalaya movie theatre and stopped off at a South Asian supermarket where Ann and Andrea picked up some supersized bags of tea and other exotic merchandise. I had a chance to interview Ann who is an interesting character, a former investment banker turned tourist guide who is certified to provide professional London tours in six languages.

Londons multicultural flavour was definitely evident. Our evening continued along the same lines. Since we had to get up very early the next day for our departure, we decided to eat locally close to our bed and breakfast in the Holland Park area. We found a quaint little Thai restaurant called the Cool Monkey where we enjoyed generous portions of flavourful South East Asian food. Over the past three days we had caught a glimpse of so many areas of London, and I had got a good impression of this citys phenomenal diversity. From the downtown banking district to Buckingham Palace to a boat ride on the Thames River to early morning kayaking and explorations of different ethnic areas, London was a great experience, and I cant wait to get back there and explore even more facets of this one-of-a-kind metropolis.

Duration : 0:4:47

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CANOE

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2010 and filed under canoe plans | No Comments »

WEBSITE: http://www.teachertube.com CANOE movie for Mr. Penkas Social Studies Class.

Duration : 0:2:27

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THE FAIRMILE-D

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2010 and filed under boat building plans | 6 Comments »

This boat was custom made off a set of plans and old photographs. It’s hull is planked in wood. The parts on this boat are all handmade. I have made it remote control to run on the water. This boat and other boats I have made are on display at the ST. Louis Missouri Regata, held at UNION STATION each year. The annual boat show is free to the public for viewing and is held outside. This FAIRMILE-D took 20 months to build. It is 5 foot 11 inches long. This boat was originally built in the 1940’s. The original size was 115 feet in length, made by English. Feel free to post comments and rate this boat. These boats are expensive to built, but once complete they are one of a kind in models. My boats are built on 1/20th scale. This custom built RC boat retails for around $15,000 – $20,000 once completed. Most people build these boats on 1/35th scale, which is a much smaller version. I have enjoyed building this boat as it is a part of our history.

Duration : 0:10:1

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Portable HHO Generator System installed in a fishing boat – gained 30% MPG and more power!

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2010 and filed under boat plans | 3 Comments »

http://www.hhowatchdog.com – Portable HHO Generator installed in a fishing boat 440 inboard engine. Reported 40% increase in gas mileage and more power in the engine.

Duration : 0:6:53

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Building an Adirondack Guide Boat Part 2

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2010 and filed under how to build a boat | 1 Comment »

http://www.adirondack-guide-boat.com/

Duration : 0:9:42

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External frame backpack for kayak camping?

Posted by admin on March 29th, 2010 and filed under kayak plans | 2 Comments »

I originally posted this in "Outdoor Recreation," but decided it should probably be here in "Camping" instead…?

I’m planning several kayak camping adventures this summer, from overnight to about 4-5 days. There will be some portaging involved, and I saw somewhere how an external frame backpack can be utilized cleverly to portage a kayak above your head with minimal strain to shoulders and back. But I’m wondering how cumbersome such a backpack would be to stash inside the kayak while paddling. I’ll be padding to different locations each day, so don’t have the option of just leaving it behind at camp for the day. I’ll be solo mostly, so need to make sure I’m planning for the most efficient way to travel & pack. Should I consider buying an external frame backpack? Suggestions?

here are some links that I have seen some nice things on. Check them out.

http://www.rei.com/product/722859

http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/Product.asp?DID=140&PDID=12&SKU=ADB_SSNEW

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-8333643-4328133?ASIN=B0008DBPA8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B0008DBPA8|Pelican_Kayak_Deck_Bag&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B0008DBPA8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

http://www.rutabaga.com/product.asp?pid=1001548

Do I have to purchase stickers for my canoe in every state?

Posted by admin on March 29th, 2010 and filed under canoe plans | 3 Comments »

I’m headed on vacation next month and the canoe is coming with. It has current stickers/tabs for my state. I know with snowmobiles you have to buy trail permits for the other states you use them in, is it the same with canoes? I am planning on spending time in 6 or 7 other states, and I’d like to know beforehand if I have to do this. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

No, a single states registry is all thats needed. If it’s under 12 ft none is needed. Now taking it out on different lakes does make a difference each lake may have a launch fee you have to pay.

How do I build a simple boat?

Posted by admin on March 29th, 2010 and filed under how to build a boat | 4 Comments »

I want to build a boat. I have minimal carpentry skills. I’d like to build a small rowboat or canoe type boat. It has to be lightweight and very simple to construct. All advice will be appreciated.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/herbert.mcleod/skiff.htm

http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=Utility/JonBoat

Both are simple quick and easy. The JonBoat does well with a 5HP motor (I use a 1946 model!).

South-Asian Discoveries in Southall

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2010 and filed under kayak plans | 8 Comments »

Our last day in London (May 12, 2008) had arrived. We got up at the crack of dawn for early morning adventure: a sunrise kayaking experience on Regents Canal. At 5:45 we met Danny Gillard from ThamesRiverAdventures who recently started a kayaking outfit that provides guided kayak tours in different parts of London. Danny, who is an occupational health and safety specialist by profession, also plans to offer kayak tours in Australia and New Zealand in the winter. Kayaking on this historic canal was a supremely peaceful and serene activity and introduced us to this bustling metropolis from a completely different angle. For me personally this sunrise kayaking trip was a definite highlight of my entire London experience. After freshening up at our bed and breakfast we headed out at 11 am with our guide Ann Mark, a certified Blue Badge London tourist guide, who took us in a couple of double-decker buses to Southall, one of Londons ethnic neighbourhoods.

Over the last few decades this area has become a centre for Londons South Asian community and the streets are lined with Indian and Pakistani stores and eateries. Ann, a very openminded and cosmopolitan character, was appropriately dressed in a sari since she had just recently returned from a trip to India herself. The three of us girls got enchanted with the colourful jewellery and clothing on offer at the various retail outlets, and our neighbourhood walk turned into a bit of a shopping spree. We picked up a variety of beautiful scarves and jewellery, all at great prices. At one upscale clothing store my travel partner Andrea even tried on an Indian party dress and modeled it for us. We stopped at a local eatery to sample some delicious spicy South Asian food, and at 13 pounds for three people it turned out to be a rather affordable culinary experience. I interviewed several of the shopkeepers and street merchants, and all of us enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere in the Southall shopping area. We then strolled past the historic Himalaya movie theatre and stopped off at a South Asian supermarket where Ann and Andrea picked up some supersized bags of tea and other exotic merchandise. I had a chance to interview Ann who is an interesting character, a former investment banker turned tourist guide who is certified to provide professional London tours in six languages.

Londons multicultural flavour was definitely evident. Our evening continued along the same lines. Since we had to get up very early the next day for our departure, we decided to eat locally close to our bed and breakfast in the Holland Park area. We found a quaint little Thai restaurant called the Cool Monkey where we enjoyed generous portions of flavourful South East Asian food. Over the past three days we had caught a glimpse of so many areas of London, and I had got a good impression of this citys phenomenal diversity. From the downtown banking district to Buckingham Palace to a boat ride on the Thames River to early morning kayaking and explorations of different ethnic areas, London was a great experience, and I cant wait to get back there and explore even more facets of this one-of-a-kind metropolis.

Duration : 0:1:50

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Hklea School Children Visit the Canoe

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2010 and filed under canoe plans | No Comments »

WEBSITE: http://www.teachertube.com The students of Kawaiahao School visited Hklea where crew members Kaleo Wong Kamaka Siepp and Nahaku Kalei shared about life onboard. The keiki were able to share some of the protocols of such a visit with the crew members from the oli chants asking for and granting permission to enter to the presentation of makana gifts in appreciation for spending time together.

Schools tours like these are part of the crews training for the Hklea Wolrdwide Voyage in which the traditional Hawaiian canoe will circumnavigate the Earth using ancient Polynesian navigation techniques. The crew carry with them the idea that we are all crew members on Canoe Earth and just as on Hklea we need to care for one another an our resources.

Duration : 0:5:2

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