Pete's Trip Updates

[WebmasterCorey]

Pete wanted me to let everyone know that he's going to have problems doing updates. There is no wi-fi at the hotel and the internet they do offer will not work on their laptops. Pete's quote.. "I swear I've traveled about 10 years into the past" :)

I am sure he'll post an update the first chance he gets.

[WaltD4Me]

Uh-oh Pete and no technology????? :faint:

[mainegal]

Maybe Pete and Walter should relax in the nice pool andjust forget about us or a while.

[Paul in CT]

Well, it is an "ADVENTURES by Disney" trip after all. ;)

[TSWJan78]

I agree with Lyn... put the phone down... shut off the lap top and take a vacation!! We love you Pete but we will let you have a little break from us

[*NikkiBell*]

I agree! Unplug yourself, Pete!

[WebmasterCorey]

Maybe Pete and Walter should relax in the nice pool andjust forget about us or a while.

That's the same thing I told him. Enjoy being disconnected.

[Disney Since 73]

As one who is tied to his Techno gadgets all day everyday a good Techno Detox is a vacation all of its own. Well at least after the first couple days of freak out!

[froggy5657]

Pete,
Have a nice vacation without us. Meet new people (no matter how scary it is).
-Gibson

[SamSam]

Please tell Pete to relax and enjoy his vacation.

[UrsulasShadow]

Uh-oh Pete and no technology????? :faint:

No technology, and coming off a 20 hour no-smoking jag....sheesh! Glad I'm not Walter!

[BrizMarc]

Internet technology can be pretty average when your out of the major Australian city's, He will be fine when he gets to Sydney. Far North Queensland is pretty out of the way compared to some areas.

[Ozmouse]

I agree with other's.... time to chill pete!

But maybe I can shed some light on the matter.....

As with many hotels in the USA, wireless networks are available at great expense at some hotels. And while it does surprise me the Sea Temple does not offer it, i offer possible explanations.

1) The sea temple is a complex of privately owned apartments and villas that are managed by a property development/management company. So it is not your traditional hotel in regards to services offered.

I will also suggest it is 100% holiday/resort destination, therefore high end business services are not a priority.

The hotel is also located on the ocean more than 5kms outside of a town of approx 10,000 people - so he certainly will not be picking up 'free' networks to surf on.

apartment sales seatempleportdouglas.com.au

hotel website mirvachotels.com/sea-temple-resort-port-douglas

(for what it is worth... i notice nowhere on the website does it mention wifi offered at the property)


2) And the bigger point to all this, as much as australia complains about services, in the past 5 years the largest telco here has rolled out a world class wireless 3G network (mobile phone & internet), that and i quote from propaganda:

"It covers 2 million square kilometres and 99% of Australia’s population*, making it more than twice as large as any of our competitors’ 3G networks."

More marketing.....

"BigPond® Wireless Broadband runs on the Telstra Next G™ network, Australia’s fastest national wireless broadband network in selected CBD, metro and regional areas with our fastest USB card. With these increased speeds in upgraded areas, typical download speeds are 550kbps to 8Mbps1. Our fastest device is up to two times faster than the next fastest 3G device in selected areas. So, when you are in an upgraded area, you could do everything faster, like download a 5MB email attachment in as little as 8 seconds1. "

telstra.com.au/nextg/index.html

In additional to above, there are 2 or 3 other national telcos offering national wifi networks, as well, but i will admit these probably cover the cities only.

The point i am making is..... aussies dont need to use someone else's private wifi network, when we can use the same one on vacation as we have in our home for no extra charge.

Historically, Australia has leap frogged from dialup/adsl internet to this national wireless network in one jump. We did not have to rely on private wifi networks.

And as for the future, our current government made a promise at the last election to roll out an even more improved 21st century network, because the disaparities in service between rural and urban areas, as well as develop the digital economy.

dbcde.gov.au/communications/national_broadband_network

For a country of 22 million people with a land mass of 7 million square kms (ie fits inside continental usa), we are doing not bad i say.

as for pete, i know of 1 internet cafe in macrossan street port douglas he can get wifi, but there are others in town.

Or for what it is worth i suggest going down to the folks listed below, to discuss purchasing a "telstra next G prepaid package" he can use everywhere he travels. (even uluru!)

Leading Edge Telecoms - Port Douglas
Shop 30 Marina Mirage
PORT DOUGLAS QLD 4877
Phone : 07 4099 5848

ps my apologies in advance, not enough posts to post hyper links in msg! shock... you will have to cut and paste!

cheers
ozmouse
melbourne

[SFBayDon]

Hey Corey thanks for the update, I was starting to wonder.

[WebmasterCorey]

He just posted an update.

[kpadalik]

My goodness Corey! You are up late (or early). :)

[The Scotts]

Jeez, there's more to life than wifi. :confused3

[daneenm]

Wow! What a beautiful place! I would be putting these comments on the blog too but it seems to be locked to comments.

Thanks o much for letting us come along with you on your travels Pete and Walter!

[Cherinva]

I agree with the majority....Relax and enjoy. When we go on vacations (that you all help us plan) we don't think of work. You guys ( and gals) do so much for us, it's your turn to play. We'll be here when you get back waiting to hear all about it.

[Dale-Not-Chip]

I mostly agree with everybody. Just enjoy your vacation. Everyone here dosn't need moment to moment updates. Just wait and get on the internet when you get home.

However. call me every evening and give me the update. my number is 555-4321
:rotfl2:

[teskak]

Tell Pete to put on his big girl panties and deal with it!!

We stayed at a 5* resort in the same chain, also located well outside the urban area and they would have wifi in the lobby but at $$$$$

Otherwise he can go to a coffee shop as the bigger chain ones will have wifi

As for the food, well maybe Walter should order the Australian fish cake to compare to the legendary sad little crab cakes :rolleyes1

[mikelan6]

I just finished reading Pete's blog. It was funny and amusing. I hope he was joking when he said that he made Walter leave the room when he was taking a shower.

I can't picture Pete going to Europe or South America.

[WaltD4Me]

I just finished reading Pete's blog. It was funny and amusing. I hope he was joking when he said that he made Walter leave the room when he was taking a shower.

I can't picture Pete going to Europe or South America.

I would be willing to bet he was not joking. I know I would probably feel exactly the same way.

[CDolacki2003]

That second blog was great. Between the visual of Pete showering for all to see to that hugh bug, yuck. Just have fun and dont worry about us (as I sit on the computer hitting refresh to the blogs:surfweb:)

[AnneR]

I'm with Pete on the shower - room cleared while I'm showering. Good thing I don't smoke cause I would lose it over a bug in my space.

[Cyrano]

That's the same thing I told him. Enjoy being disconnected.

I am not sure he will heed your advice, but let him know we can all wait for any updates :)

[crazytp93]

Pete, Enjoy your trip! Unplug, unwind, and relax!

[Ozmouse]

as for pete, i know of 1 internet cafe in macrossan street port douglas he can get wifi, but there are others in town.

Or for what it is worth i suggest going down to the folks listed below, to discuss purchasing a "telstra next G prepaid package" he can use everywhere he travels. (even uluru!)

Leading Edge Telecoms - Port Douglas
Shop 30 Marina Mirage
PORT DOUGLAS QLD 4877
Phone : 07 4099 5848

Woops.... i have to correct my reply as i note Pete is in Palm Cove, not Port Douglas.

Same situation applies here re internet, except Palm Cove was nothing but a deserted beach on the outskirts of Cairns 10 years ago. I dont know what was there before ie there was no historic township. I would not know what the permanent population would be <1000 people maybe. This is a manufactured tourist destination of about 20 hotels on one road all facing the beach. There is no other town infrastucture like shopping centre etc.

Why Disney Adventures setup shop here, i dont know. Sea Temple Port Douglas would be much nicer imo. But it is closer to the airport.

As for wifi, pete i suggest a visit to the Telstra Shop - Shop 105 Cairns Central Shopping Centre Cnr Mcleod,Cairns, QLD 4870 to pick up your prepaid next G kit. It is only about 10kms away, and you dont have to go all the way into Cairns..... And you will find your macdonalds!

Cheers
ozmouse
melbourne