Review: Emerson Carry-On from Eagle Creek

In case you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a bagaholic. Yes, I love bags of every size and style that can be used for anything from toting lunches to golf clubs. Maybe it’s because I find bags so versatile and I also like to carry things, but it’s rare that I come across a bag that is so great I want to tell everyone else about it. But that’s just what happened when a little something called the Emerson from Eagle Creek arrived on my door step.  

Having already admitted that I have an unhealthy bag problem, you can imagine how many carry-on bags, purses, overnight bags, wristlets and cross-body bags I own. I mean, I still have a suitcase and a rolling garment bag that must be checked that I don’t use anymore, but refuse to give up. So, why add one more to the collection? Well, the simple answer is: once you have the Emerson, you will see no reason to keep many of those other bags!

If you think I’m exaggerating, I am not. The Emerson is the perfect companion bag for the airplane (or the gym or sleepovers or an on-the-go office or even someone with a baby). Not only is the bag roomy, it will hold your 17″ laptop and all the essentials you need in the air. Having just come home from a trip, I immediately unpacked the bag I brought with me and stuffed everything into the Emerson to see how well it would fit and if I could get to it all. Now, I don’t bring my huge laptop with me, but as you can see, it fits in the padded compartment with room to spare! I do travel with my netbook and iPad, which both fit nicely in the same compartment side by side, and then my Kindle, iPod Touch, snacks, a small purse, travel games for the plane, a pad of paper, a bottle of water, a magazine or two (or ones I’ve taken from the plane for later), some pens and my husband’s Nintendo DS. Look at all the stuff in the bag and there is still room for more!

I love all the pockets and the wide bottom, too. It has fantastic metal zippers and accents, and the bottom is lined and has feet to keep it from getting dirty. Not only that, the shape of the bag makes it easy to see everything and remove items. The bag is stylish, comes in great colors (thank you to Eagle Creek for somehow knowing that red would go with every travel thing I own) and has wonderfully wide straps that are comfortable for carrying on your shoulder. There is even a removable longer, adjustable strap to carry it cross-body.

Keep all your travel docs and your passport in the front or back zippered pocket and then slip the bag onto your larger carry-on handle. To me, that is one of the best features that aren’t included in many boarding bags anymore. Being able to stack your bags is great for navigating through the airport and also frees up your arm for your baby, phone or latte!

Okay, so I tried some other combinations for this bag as well:

• I found you could easily use it for a work bag. Hello! A 17″ laptop fits in there! You have pockets in there for your cell phone, pens, paperwork and anything else you need for doing work on-the-go.
• Carry your scrapbooking project with you!
• Put a change of clothes, some shoes and toiletries in it and use it for an overnight or weekend bag. (You can even use it with Eagle Creek’s Pack-It™ system to pack more in there.)
• Keep your gym clothes, towel and blow dryer in it for workouts.
• Got a new baby? Cram this thing full of diapers, wipes, bottles, changing pad, toys and spare clothing! Mom and Dad look great carrying this bag and once you don’t need a baby bag anymore, it has so many more uses!

Now that you know about the awesomeness of this bag, let’s talk about specifics. With dimensions of 17.5″ x 12″ x 5.5″ this bag easily holds all your necessities and slides under the airplane seat with room to spare. You’ll look better carrying it, too (in MY opinion). It’s backed by Eagle Creek’s lifetime warranty. If your zippers break or the seams come undone, simply send it back to Eagle Creek to get it repaired or replaced by a similar product. See their website for repair information.

Eagle Creek uses the highest grade materials in their products, making them long-lasting and durable. So, not only will you love your bag (or other product), but you can be assured that it will travel with you as long as you are able to travel. It’s great for the environment (less rubbish in landfills) and also for your wallet, because this is the last bag you may ever need to buy. With that kind of guarantee, the $145 price tag doesn’t look so bad. Reduce your cost per use each time you use it over your lifetime!

What more can you say about this bag? Not much, but here are some things you might want to know as well:

What is this bag made of? 420D Helix™-e Tela, 420D Helix Stratus, 600D Helix™-e Astra, Satin (interior).
Available Colors: Black, Dove Stratus (silver) and Rio Red Stratus
Where can you buy it? Look on the Eagle Creek website, where you can also find retailers, both online and off here.

Disclosure: I received the Emerson bag from Eagle Creek in order to write this review, but the opinions are all 100% my own. Thank you again to Eagle Creek for allowing me to tell all my wonderful readers about this amazing bag. Want a review of your product? Find more information here.

10 Ways to Stretch Your Budget in Honolulu 10.5.11

Last week I was off to Oahu in Hawaii and we stayed in the Waikiki area. While we saved quite a bit on airfare, our lodgings and even our activities (by using Groupon), there were things that we still had to pay for that could be quite spendy. We planned out some meals (using Groupon for a few) and then winged it the rest of the time. We planned to splurge on a lunch at Morimoto’s, but it turned out to be quite reasonable ($22 for a “lunch set” that included your entrée, a small salad, miso soup and sushi). I know many people love Hawaii or dream of going there. If not for the obscene cost of things, they would have already traveled there. While you can keep an eye out for affordable airfare and hotels, it’s not always easy to save on doing things there, so I’ve put together this list for you that may want to go and not have to pay on your credit cards for the next 5 years.

 1. Take TheBus – At just $2.50 per person, TheBus will take you around the whole island. Cheap way to tour and also get places! You can pick up a bus pass at participating ABC Stores, but I found we didn’t need it and we also walked a lot.

2.    Hit the beach – You’re in Hawaii. No matter where you are, the beach is probably not that far away. Not only is lying on the beach and playing in the water free, it can also be fun! Buy a volleyball or sand bucket and get some exercise or search for buried treasure. Make sure to put on lots of sunscreen and bring it with you for reapplication! That sun is hot.

 

3.   Check out the Dole Plantation – Sure, it’s touristy and it’s a long ride on TheBus (not such a long drive if you rent a car), but it can take up most of your day. Browse the gift shop, purchase plumeria starts or fresh fruit at the Farmers Market, ride the train, get lost in the maze, eat at the Plantation Grille and learn about Hawaii’s native plants and flowers. Oh yeah! You can even see how pineapples are grown, ship some back home and eat lots of Dole Whip! Extra tip: You get a lot of food in the platters for little money, so there is more than one of you, split a plate.

All this for only $9!

4.    Window shop – There are lots of shops in Honolulu/Waikiki. While you may not want to buy anything, it’s still fun to look. From the giant Crocs store to smaller art shops, there are things to look at for weeks on end. Here’s another tip that I can give you: See a print you like, but the price tag makes you cry? Look to see if they have a calendar of the artist’s work. If they do, pick that up for a fraction of the price and get 12 pictures for the price of one. Once in a frame, no one will be able to tell that it isn’t a print, and you can switch it out anytime you like for one of the other 11 reproductions you have.

5.    Shop the International Market Place – While it’s not so “international”, there can be some fun stuff to be found in the market. From plumeria barrettes and “Hawaiian” shirts that you can find everywhere to original artwork and things like caps with wooden bills, you can get lost in the market for hours on end. If you do plan to buy, practice your haggling skills and then head up to the 2^nd “floor” in above the real shops and smoothie café to mail items home at the post office. Aside from checking out funky handmade items and other things, you can watch free shows every day, too!

Look at that turtle!

6.    Snorkel for cheap – If you are a snorkeler and don’t need to go with a guide or a group, purchase your own mask and snorkel for around $6 and hit the beaches and look underwater for free. There are people everywhere who can tell you the best places to go. One of those places is Hanauma Bay. While not free, it’s only $5 per person for a day pass. You can take the bus or drive (park for $1) and then head down to the beach, where they have changing rooms, food vendors and more, including some of the best snorkeling on the island.

That's Diamond Head back there.

7.    Hike Diamond Head – If you want a fantastic view of Honolulu and the beaches, strap on some good walking shoes, grab your water and hike to the top of Diamond Head. It’s free and a popular activity.

What an amazing view

8.   Take a day tour – Sure, these can cost around $60 per person, but you are entertained for the whole day, meet some cool people from around the world and learn so much from the guide. I recommend VIP Transportation tours. Request Earl as a driver, because he will take that tour van to places others won’t even dare…and it’s so worth it!

9.    Drive around the island – If a tour isn’t your cup of tea, then rent a car for the day and drive the circle island loop on your own, stopping at roadside fruit stands, all kinds of beaches and more.

10.   Learn to hula – There are so many places where you can learn to hula for free. It’s fun, great exercise and easy for all ages. Shake your hips, wave your arms and mesmerize the masses!

 

Other tips to consider:

·     Pick up the coupon booklets that are on the streets, in hotel lobbies and even in the airport to save dollars off on activities, entertainment and shopping. You can also get free gifts (with purchase), appetizers and desserts with some coupons.

     ·You can save money by not buying a bus pass. A four-day pass is $25, but you would have to ride the bus more than 10 times in those four days to make it worth your while. A transfer is good for 2 ½ hours (or longer, depending on your driver), which means most places you go, you can return for free.
     ·Stop by Mac 24/7 for pancakes. For $15, you get the pancake challenge portion size, but you don’t have to take the challenge. Split the flapjacks between two or more. If you splurge for lunch or dinner entrees, they are worth the price. I loved the mahi mahi.

          ·Hit up Tiki’s Grill and Bar on Tuesday for Tiki Taco Tuesday. Their fish tacos are amazingly good and just $2 each on Tuesday!

          ·Use the free Hilo Hattie’s trolley to get to the mall or save bus fare if you are heading to that area.

<!      ·Beware the kitchy merchandise at the ABC Stores. The closer to the center of town you are, the more it seems to cost.

          ·Much of the merchandise at the Dole Plantation is overpriced. A lot of it can be found elsewhere for cheaper, except at the airport. You can also save by taking your purchases with you and mailing it home at the Post Office instead of shipping from there.

          ·Enjoy the best view of Waikiki from the revolving restaurant, Top of Waikiki. While the entrees may be expensive, you can show up for happy hour and get a couple apps (starting at $7). You don’t even have to order any alcohol if you don’t want to.

           ·If, like me, you plan to eat a lot of awesome food, even if it’s all seafood you are going to gain some weight. Everything comes with carbs, carbs and more carbs and it seems that Hawaiians don’t know what a veggie is. Combat the expanding waistline by walking more. Everything is within walking distance in Waikiki. On one occasion we took the bus to a restaurant right outside of Waikiki, but we still had to walk about a quarter of a mile to get there after getting off the bus. On the way back, since we didn’t know the bus schedule, we just walked the whole way back to the room, which was easily two miles. With all the distractions you can find in the city, it’s easy to walk a lot without realizing it.

           ·It’s Hawaii! You don’t need much. Pack a few tops and bottoms, throw your swimsuit and cover-up in the bag and off you go. Do some laundry while you’re there and save even more space in your travel bag to help you pack lighter.

           ·    Book a shuttle to/from the airport. Cheaper than a taxi and more reliable than the bus.

           ·    Rent a condo. It will be much more affordable than a hotel and you can buy food to make instead of dining out all the time. We saved by buying breakfast foods and even though it cost us around $40, that was still cheaper than buying breakfast every morning.

Do you have some other good tips for budget travel to Honolulu, or other cities on Oahu or the other islands?

Aloha!

Families That Travel Together Save Money 10.1.11

Do you travel with children? While it can be fun, it can be expensive. Even though they get discounts on everything from zoo admission to bus rides, it can still be hard to keep costs down on family travel. Don’t resign yourself to thinking you can never go on vacation again until your children are old enough to get jobs to help pay for your trips. As always, I have learned a lot of things in my travels that you can use to keep money in your wallet, or at least keep trips within your meager budget and still have a great time. Remember, just because you don't stay in a 5-star resort and eat at Michelin-starred restaurants doesn't mean that you can't have a good time, create lasting memories and also have a luxurious vacation experience. Here are 5 ways to save a bundle:

PublicDomainPictures.net - Petr Kratochvil

Travel in the off-season. When your children are small and don’t yet go to school, you have the choice of being able to travel year-round. Worldwide, the busiest and most expensive time to travel is summer break. The second week in June through the second week in August is a peak time to go anywhere. Airfare and hotel rates can double and most places you go are packed with tourists. Plan your holidays outside of this time and save big, but also avoid crowds that make it impossible to efficiently do as much as you otherwise could. Even with shorter operating hours for theme parks and other activities, you will be able to do more when it is less busy.

PublicDomainPictures.net - David Wagner

Look for Kids Eat Free deals at restaurants and hotels. Dining can be a huge chunk of your holiday budget and with little ones around, you add to that cost. Most hotels have a kids-stay-free deal, so don’t let this fool you as a “discount”. Instead, look for those that have restaurants that include kids eat free. There are a lot of restaurants worldwide that also offer free meals for children with the purchase of an adult entrée. If you are traveling in the U.S., the website Kids EatFor is a great resource. They even have an iPhone app, so you can find out on-the-go which restaurants are participating. If you’re traveling other parts of the world, search the Internet for “kids eat free” and your destination. There is a wonderful selection of Kids Eat Free Cards for popular locations, including London and Spain, available for a reasonable fee.

Book a vacation rental. When you travel with your family, it’s helpful to have a little extra room to spread out. Four people in a small room with two beds and nowhere to hide for a bit of privacy is a nightmare. Also, not everyone wants to be on a toddler’s sleep schedule. When taking a holiday with four or more, consider booking a vacation rental home or condo. You’ll have separate living and sleeping spaces, a kitchen to prepare snacks or full meals – which will also save you money – and you don’t have to worry about your children making too much noise for your hotel neighbors or the other way around. Flipkey and VRBO have extensive listings for vacation rentals worldwide for all budgets. Generally, you save more if you are staying for a week, which can’t be said for almost any hotel. With the space and privacy you get along with it, it really can’t be beat for family travel.

PublicDomainPictures.net - Peter Griffin

Rent baby equipment. Dragging all your bags and kids along can be more than enough to deal with when you travel. You don’t want to worry whether or not your buggy or car seat will make it to your destination as well. You also have to pay baggage fees for those items. Save money and keep your arms more free by renting those items at your destination. BabiesTravelLite has a comprehensive list of rental locations across the globe where you may pay less for an entire week’s rental of an item than you would to check it at the airport (one-way) to your destination. That way, you don’t have to juggle everything you own or deal with your personal equipment being damaged in transit.

Go all-inclusive. With all the costs associated with a family holiday, it can sometimes be easier to pay for everything up front and not have to worry about your budget at all when you travel. Many all-inclusive resorts offer kids stay and eat free deals for children of all ages. Sometimes it includes those up to age 14. If you find a resort you would like to stay at and the rate seems like a bargain, price out what you think you would end up paying separately to see if it really is. All-inclusive stays include all your meals and drinks – some include snacks – as well as entertainment and a selection of activities. It also helps if what are offered are things you and your family will want to take advantage of. Keep in mind that you may end up paying for some things, like sightseeing, shopping and maybe other activities not provided in the rate, so the total for the resort may not be the total for your vacation. Family-friendly resorts often have a kids club on site, so your kids can make friends with other travellers and give you some adult time.

By being more creative with your holiday planning, you can save money and still have a great time with your kids. Let them help you find things to do, so everyone will feel like they had a hand in making your holiday great. Kids big and small like to feel included and helpful. Plus, by saving on one aspect of your trip, you can spend a little more somewhere else and make your family holiday one to remember.