FollowMee on holidays - GPS tracking for devices

After arming myself with a few Thailand map apps and battling with my near non existent GPS location...why wouldn't I pursue a GPS tracking program?! Earlier this week we experienced cyclonic wind and rain, which cut our power, internet and running water (we have rainwater tanks and pump) for 3 days. So to have charged electronic devices once more and to be able to flush the loo using the button, is a real treat!

My android phone and tablet both have GPS, even my camera has it (for photo location purposes)! Apart from the chance that one or all might go missing at some stage, I like my family to know approximately where we are when we travel. Usually I register with Smart Traveller and send an itinerary to those in the know. Just in case!

In addition, this time, I've installed FollowMee's (free trial) app on my devices. After registering on their website, I downloaded the app firstly onto my tablet, then logged in.

Nothing! No location showing on their/my website map and the running report on my tablet showed fail after fail...although I know they must have been whispering to each other, because the website recognised how low my tablet's battery was getting. 35% according to the data under the map...and fading.

I played around with the settings a bit (walk or drive mode, updating time intervals) and with tablet in hand, jumped into my car and went for a drive around the block. Less than half a kilometre into my short trip, twelve (the maximum display) satellites showed up my GPS Test Plus app. So, yes, there's heaps out there...somewhere.

As I turned back into my driveway they started to disappear off the screen one by one. We obviously live in a GPS black hole.

Now to see if FollowMee, followed me? Not at first, as it does take a while for the website to be updated. But sure enough, it did locate me, exactly. I'd set the app on 'walking/running/cycling' mode and to update every 10 minutes, so it's not suprising the map tracker show me going nowhere at 0 km/h. The 'Address' was spot on.

Website map - Longitude and latitude have been removed for privacy.

FollowMee also gives the option to download your movements in 3 formats: HTML - which is text shown in a browser and KML File, which uses Google Maps or Google Earth (you'll need to download the latter). Or, CSV File - Import to Excel. All have the option to include mileage. FollowMee was able to place me here using Google Earth.

Yes, I really am in amongst all of those trees :)

If FollowMee continues to monitor my location accurately and consistently during the free trial period, I'll definitely be upgrading to the paid version. Stay tuned!


Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Women and maps, dangerous or not?

Apparently women's oestrogen plays havoc with our 'spatial intelligence'. Regardless, I love maps and have no problem reading them or navigating...Stray would beg to differ because I do have difficulty determining which deck I'm on or which side I'm on when travelling on ships. (They should supply maps)

In preparation for our driving holiday in Thailand I downloaded a few map apps onto my HTC Android phone. After a while I was reminded that however smart these phones are, they're really not so great for those of us with poor eyesight.

So, a little research later, I hunted down a tablet for a reasonable price which had built in GPS.

Now I'm armed with maps galore, including some old fashioned paper versions we kept from our visa run to Laos.

Notice how nice my photo looks? :) New camera too!

The three android apps downloaded?

Nostra Map Thailand by Globotech - Free - needs GPS and Internet

Thailand GPS Map by Kaart Data - $4.99 - needs GPS only!

Mappa's Offline North Thailand Map - .99 cents

The tablet? A Flytouch 8. This is my first Tablet and even having used computers for umpteen years and mastering my smart phone...this was a little challenging. The manual is wafer thin and finding what's where is a trifle frustrating at times.

It also comes with a GPS antennae for extra satellite detection and a GPS Test app...just so you can see how many satellites are up there watching you. A few days went by and I remained undetected and began to Google the problem. I wasn't alone. Many others were experiencing the same issue, followed by being plonked off the east coast of Africa...when they were clearly not.

Starting to panic as our departure date approaches, I downloaded, tried and deleted a few other GPS testing apps. I remained invisible until I upgraded to GPS Test Plus ($2.99). Sitting on my front veranda, antennae attached, I finally made contact with 2 satellites which put me in my correct place. Coincidental? I'll never know.

The map apps? I've started taking notes and will be writing a full run down after we return.

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Mini Racing Cars, Kuah, Langkawi Island

I forgot to upload some videos from our trip to Cambodia/Malaysia. We rode to the township of Kuah, Langkawi, and stumbled upon some teeny racing cars.

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Airport hotels, Kuala Lumpur

Way back in March...

By airport hotel, I mean one physically in the airport or one close enough to take a shower, grab a bite to eat and have a short sleep before your next flight...when it's just way to long to window shop the duty free stores and drink expensive or bad coffee.

I remember our first experience in an 'airport' hotel at Kuala Lumpur's luxurious International Airport Pan Pacific back in 2007, pre-blogging/reviewing days.Transported to reception in a golf buggy (if we'd known about it) and greeted by lovely staff, a cold refreshing drink and hot towels. Stray enjoyed one of the best Aussie steaks he'd ever had for around AU$13, paid for in 3 different currencies! The gargantuan buffet breakfast was well executed and to die for.

These days we land at KL's budget airline terminals (LCCT) and after lugging our bags from the plane, across the tarmac, through immigration, we continue on to the far side of the large car park to the Tune Hotel. A complex of small air conditioned boxes containing a bed with just enough space to walk around it, and a bathroom. Convenient and satisfactory...unless of course they're booked out.

This time we bussed it from Melaka to LCCT and caught a cab out to the Empress Hotel in Sepang, for 42 ringgit. A bit of a drive, a ways out of the airport area, but much closer than the city. A 12 storey hotel, described in its brochure as 'unfolding true Malaysian hospitality in an innovative setting surrounding by interesting local activities' - verbatim.

Translated that roughly means this is a big, old building, yet clean and comfortable. The rooms are generous and well equipped, however, the hotel looks like it was plonked smack in the centre of a sleepy, well worn suburb in the middle of whoop whoop. And, whose inhabitants seem to be doing their utmost to ignore its existence. As one would. Most of the surrounding shops were closed the afternoon we arrived, which made it, more than likely, quieter than usual.

View from the window

Another view from the window

The window

If you're fed up with watching bad quality Sat TV, hungry and or after a beer, step out the front doors, cross the road and turn left. On the corner is a Chinese owned restaurant with plenty of food choices and friendly faces.

Don't think about taking a doggy bag back to your room though, the sign in the hotel foyer clearly states NOT to bring outside food inside... and the fridges have been removed from the rooms. The hotel does have its own cafe, open from 5.00 am until 1.00 pm, and room service if I remember correctly. Brekkie was included and was more than ample.

Handy hint! Book a shuttle for the return journey to the airport when you first arrive, it'll only cost 15 ringgit.

Would I stay again? Yes, if I had to. It's simply an 'over nighter', nothing more and nothing less. No biggy, but don't believe the hotel's blurb and photos. To be honest, the stay was a little surreal, mainly due to the oddish location.

Local houses at the end of the street

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

What to do in Melaka Malacca!

Way back in March

Firstly, my apologies for the misspelling of Melaka/Malacca in previous posts...all amended now. Apparently my version was a tad unsavoury!

Beautiful Melaka was the last destination on this trip, apart from an airport hotel stay on our last night. As mentioned in the previous post, our hotel was a delight and well situated. 

We bought tickets at reception, a little cheaper than usual, for a River Cruise for MYR9 each. The ride lasts for around 45 minutes and I'd suggest doing this first...one to get your bearings and two,  because you'll probably be revisiting some of the sights may have already seen before if you've been out exploring on foot.

The river is lined with many buildings, both homes, bars and cafes, colourfully decorated with murals. And as you can see, you can also walk along most of this part of the river bank. The boat will also take you down to the old kampung (village) area.

 Heading toward Jonkers Street (Jalan Hang Jebat), you'll see quite a few places of interest.

Jonker Street, the heart of China Town, is very lively, full of shops, cafes and tourists. Unfortunately we missed the night markets, but did enjoy quite a few nice meals there.

The large dragon guarding one entrance to Jonker St.

What else to do? Head for the ocean side of the city where you'll find large shopping malls and Melaka's 110 metre high revolving tower. Travel to the top for approximately 20 ringgit to take in some pretty views and put the city and sights into perspective.

Also, go for a walk up the hill to St. Paul's Church, originally built in the 1500's, if you like a bit of history and good photo opportunities...yours, not mine.

There's so much more to do and see, I'd really love to go back to explore some more.

Incense sticks on steroids.

 Been to Melaka? What did you like and do?

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Best Western Wana Riverside Hotel (Melaka) Review

A wonderful place to stay in Melaka. All of the main attractions close by, while enjoying clean, tasteful rooms with excellent staff and pretty views.


Read my full review on Tripadvisor.

 

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Lazy Langkawi - Part 2

Way back in March

The reason the beach area of Langkawi Island may have been so quiet, even though it was school holidays, is that all the holiday makers were most likely at Panorama Langkawi!

Stray and I and Co. hired some scooters, but they latter stayed behind this day. So, we made the pleasant ride out to the cable car, just the two of us. 

On arriving you'll find a theme park set up and atmosphere. Very well presented, lots of rides for the kids and shops, and ticket box for the journey up to the top of the Machinchang mountain.

No need to mention that the heat is relentless in this part of the world, and queuing in the sun for over an hour for your tickets, takes its toll...especially when you spend that hour staring at signage informing you that the next stage of lining up (for the actual skycab ride) could take up to 2 hours!

We were only about half an hour into the latter, winding our way through a well organised maize of railings, when an official started calling out for 2 people (a couple) travelling alone :) Since most Malaysian families visiting that day consisted of way more than two members...that would be US!!!!

I could have sworn I felt daggers going into my back as we were ushered to the front of the long queue. Nevermind, my fear of heights, especially dangling in a cabin on a single cable for nearly 2 km, overcame any guilt I may have felt.

When the car stopped, we naturally disembarked, however, we weren't at the top yet.

Above - You can see the most upper platforms and sky bridge to the right.

Once all the way to the top, this is what the skybridge (currently closed for maintenance) looks like from above and spectacular 360 degree views!

Verdict, well worth the visit, probably better not on school or public holiday.

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Lazy Langkawi - part 1

Way back in March...

From Penang to Langkawi may have been the shortest flight we've ever taken...but I'll have to research that a little further. In stark contrast, the island is quiet and sleepy and HOT!

From the airport we taxied to the AB Hotel, which is divided into two sections by the coastal road in the beach area Pantai Cenang (Cenang Beach), not the township. After checking in with the gals in the under cover, but outdoor reception area (protected by barred windows!) we were pointed across the road to our lodgings, roll of toiler paper in one hand (one per room) and the keys, in the other.

The hotel complex consists of duplex villas and your usual hotel style rooms on different levels. We spent our few days in a villa. Clean, basic, ample room, quiet (but no sat TV) with refurbished bathrooms and cute furry locals that liked to hang out on our balcony.

 

For an island that would seem to rely heavenly on tourists, it was not what we expected, nor what we were accustomed to. There was no usual banter of sales people trying to entice you into a store or restaurant, or stopping you for chit-chat, instead it was quite the opposite.

And, before anyone nay nays me, I was not alone in my conclusion...there were 4 of us and the opinion was unanimous. They just don't like us much! We've travelled to over 12 countries and even more regions and islands, and I'm sad to say I won't return to Langkawi.

I reflect on what it must be like to be a tourist in my own country, and where I don't imagine our guests are greeted with rolling red carpets, I hope they don't leave feeling that we're unfriendly.

Near the township

Only about 1 out of 10 business owners showed any interest in welcoming us or attempting to assist us...usually just pointing us away, down the road, from their shop. Some even lowered their heads, ignoring us, pretending we weren't standing in front of their counters.

I really did break out into laughter when I tried to withdraw funds from one of the few ATM's and the machine spat my card out twice. Looking up I saw the 'Bank of Islam' sign...could have something to do with it!?

It's not all negative though. We enjoyed a great meal at a beachside restaurant (STEAK) owned by a foreigner and lovely breakfasts cooked by a beautiful local lady and her family.

The island was VERY quiet, considering it was school holidays...but that comes back to bite us in the butt, so to speak, in a couple of days.

To be continued...

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Wow, while I wasn't looking....

Cooeee has received 50,609 Pageviews since hatching!


Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Feeling terribly guilty and anxious!

Feeling terribly guilty, because I've neglected my blogging friends and world. And, for not finishing our last adventure! Anxious, because I, we, are crash coursing our Thai a little, as we prepare to revisit in the new year.

Work for me, study for Stray, catching up with family, deweeding the jungle, termite damage and repairing it, has kept us both very busy over this past year since we returned from LOS.

We wish you all the most merry Christmas and an awesome new year, as we get back into the swing of travelling and blogging.

xxx

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai