Not Using Campground Wi-Fi

Above, camping at Route 66 RV Resort with their Wi-Fi antenna at left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I go RV traveling, I don't use the campground's Wi Fi system. I bring along my own mobile hotspot gizmo and connect my laptop to that. All I need is a nearby cell tower for a connection.

For one thing, it provides faster Internet. For another, it is a lot more secure. 

Avoiding usage of campground Wi-Fi is the topic of an article in RV Travel.

They begin it with:

Is it time to just eliminate campground Wi-Fi altogether? I think it is, and I can share why.

But, first… A few weeks ago, I shared that I had been hacked in a campground, but I don’t believe I shared that I had been hacked twice in different campgrounds.

Let’s talk about how we all get connected so you can read websites like RVtravel.com. And whatever else. Like watch TV. 

Campground Wi-Fi is mostly lousy. Let’s face it—we go places that are pretty, but also somewhat remote. That means that the Wi-Fi that is available to the campground itself may also not be so great. And then you’re splitting that up by however-many campers are there wanting to use that connectivity. 

Installing and maintaining a Wi-Fi system in a campground is very expensive. And whenever something’s expensive, that means we’re the ones paying for it. I don’t know how much the cost of Wi-Fi extends to our own reservations, but I can say that it’s noticeable. It’s also generally not secure. I’ll get to that. 

To read more, go here. 

Why Campground Rates Keep Rising

Above, at camp at the Moab, Utah KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inflation has touched many things in our lives. 

A lot of products and services are more expensive, for varying reasons. This also includes campground rates. 

RV Travel has posted an article why campground rates are going up. 

They begin with:

Campground rates keep rising—even for RVers who don’t use the extras. From campground Wi-Fi upgrades to glamping units and luxury amenities, parks are spending more to attract new campers, and longtime RVers are increasingly picking up the tab.

If that sounds blunt, think about the last few years. You roll into a park you’ve used before and the price is up again. The sites are the same size. The hookups work… mostly. But now there’s a shiny new check-in system, a promise of “high-speed Wi-Fi,” and some kind of new “premium” lodging on the edge of the property that looks like it came out of a boutique hotel brochure.

Meanwhile, you’re sitting there thinking: We’re in an RV. We already brought our house.

To be clear, this isn’t an argument against reliable Wi-Fi. Many RVers want it, use it, and depend on it—especially those who work on the road or stay longer than a weekend. Solid infrastructure is part of modern camping. The question isn’t whether Wi-Fi belongs in campgrounds. It’s whether Wi-Fi—and other upgrades—are being used to solve the right problem.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Ship Internet Wi-Fi

Above, keep track on your Wi-Fi minutes when on a cruise.

While on a cruise, many passengers are unaware of the charges using a ship's Wi-Fi can be costly. VERY COSTLY.

During last year's cruise to the Bahamas aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky, I did purchase a limited Wi-Fi plan and kept track on how many minutes I had available. When I wasn't using it, I put my phone on Airplane Mode so that sneaky charges wouldn't surprise me when the cruise was over and got a bill for them.

The Points Guy has an article on the ins and outs of cruise ship Wi-Fi usage.

They begin it with:

I have good news for those of you who assume the only way to stay in touch with home from a cruise ship is via a message in a bottle: Cruise ships come equipped with internet, and cruise Wi-Fi connections have been getting faster at a rapid rate — and cheaper, too.

While checking emails and surfing the web on some vessels still requires the patience of Job, onboard technological improvements on many ships combined with new satellite and direct ship-to-shore systems is making cruise internet access much more like what you find on land.

If you're a first-time cruiser, you're likely most concerned with the basics: Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi and how much does Wi-Fi cost on a cruise? Repeat cruisers who have paid the price for finicky service may be wondering the best way to access fast connection speeds across their devices while avoiding unnecessary charges.

I can guide you through the ins and outs of Wi-Fi on cruise ships. Here are five things to know about onboard internet before you set sail.

To read the full article, go here. 

Wi-Fi During Cruise

The five day stretch of no blog posts during my Bahamas cruise was probably the longest one ever. I had my laptop with me, but I didn't use it. I could have blogged with my cell phone as well.

It was not that I couldn't make any blog posts, it was due to the limited amount of time I could use the Norwegian Sky Wi-Fi without being charged $5.99/minute. 

When out to sea, Norwegian Cruise Lines charges that amount after 75 minutes of free Wi-Fi. They also offered several plans, all over $90. No thanks!

I don't recall Royal Caribbean charging for Wi-Fi or, if they did, it was much more reasonable during our cruise to Key West and Havana. 

 

I limited usage to my cell phone. When logging in, they would let me know (see above screen shot) how many minutes of free time was available. When not using my cell phone, I would put it in Airplane Mode. 

When we made stops in Freeport and Nassau, I was able to use available Wi-Fi there. As Great Stirrup Cay is owned by Norwegian, I figured I would be charged for Wi-Fi there, so I didn't bother. 

As the old saying goes, buyer beware.

10 Ways To Get Free Internet While RVing

Above, online at the Holbrook KOA in Arizona last month.

Right after buying my motorhome, I found a way to get Internet access while on the road.

It is a mobile hotspot by AT & T. I don't rely on campground Wi-Fi as they are spotty at best. I just simply unplug it at home and bring it and my laptop with me. All I need is a nearby tower. 

There are 10 other ways to get free Internet while on the road and Do It Yourself RV has them listed.

They begin with:

One of the great appeals of RV life is the freedom to explore the open road, journeying wherever the heart desires. Yet, even in the midst of such wanderlust-driven experiences, the need for an internet connection often remains.

Whether you’re working remotely, keeping in touch with loved ones, streaming your favorite shows, or merely looking up your next destination, having reliable internet is crucial. Here are ten ways you can access free internet while journeying in your RV.

To see what they are go here. 

Survey: 10 Top Inconveniences of Japan Travel

Above, Shibuya Crossing (or Scramble) in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following will be of interest to those who have never traveled to Japan, more so than to those who have been there.

It is results from a survey by Good Luck Trip posted by SoraNews24 on what are the top 10 inconveniences about traveling in Japan. Since I have been to Japan 8 times, none of these have been an issue for me.

They begin with:

10 things to think about before taking your trip to Japan.

Japan is an amazing place to visit. Whether you want to see historical architecture, modern pop culture, breathtaking natural scenery, or just eat some really, really good food, Japan’s myriad wonders have turned it into a top destination for international travelers.

Of course, Japan isn’t perfect, and so not every trip to the country is nonstop enjoyment. Japanese inbound tourist-focused travel website Good Luck Trip recently conducted an online survey asking people who’ve visited Japan what sort of inconveniences or problems they encountered. Responses were collected from 891 participants (106 using English, 102 Korean, 103 simplified Chinese, and 580 traditional Chinese), and the organizers have released the top 10 results.

Let’s take a look at the top 10.

To see the survey results, go here. 

Broadband Coming To Yellowstone National Park?

Above, the lobby of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do people visiting national parks really don't stay in them longer because of the lack of Internet service?

That's what a broadband company is claiming in their proposal to put broadband service into Yellowstone National Park.

National Parks Traveler reported:

A broadband company that claims people don't visit national parks for longer periods because of a lack of high-speed Internet service wants to blanket parts of Yellowstone National Park with such service. 

In a proposal that wasn't as publicized as Yellowstone's need for a new bridge or its wildlife reports, AccessParks wants to install high-speed Internet service through more than 400 buildings in the park's developed areas that are managed by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. The request involves installation of "wireless radios, microwave point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and indoor Wi-Fi installations." 

Public comment on the right-of-way request, quietly floated for public comment on October 28, ends Tuesday at midnight local time. If approved, the National Park Service anticipates "that the installation will be expanded in the future to offer the same service to the NPS and other concessioners."

To read more, go here. 

National Park Campground "Modernization" Proposal Under Review

Above, The Beast at Manzanita Lake Campground at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A proposal to "modernize" national park campgrounds is under review by the Department of the Interior.

According to an article posted by Fox31 Denver:

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Food trucks. Wi-Fi. Hot showers. 

Those campground upgrades could be coming to a national park near you. 

The Interior Department is reviewing recommendations to modernize campgrounds at national parks. The recommendations posted online this week come from an advisory committee created under former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke that has been looking at ways for private businesses to operate on public lands. 

The vice chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, Derrick Crandall, said many campgrounds don’t meet visitors’ expectations. Allowing the private sector to run them would free up park staff for interpretation, safety needs or other visitor services, he said. 

Redesigning some campgrounds, and adding running water, tent and cabin rentals, food trucks, extended family campgrounds and Wi-Fi to select sites also could boost revenue and encourage more people to camp in national parks, the committee said.

To read more, go here. 

Japan: 13 Basic Things To Know

Above, food shopping area at the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visiting a foreign country can be intimidating to some, and Japan is no exception.

But many people do visit Japan and manage quite well despite not knowing Japanese. Live Japan has an article on 13 basic things visitors need to know before going there.

They start it with:

Vacationing abroad is super fun – but there are so many questions? Is the voltage the same as in my county? Are the rules and laws the same, such as shopping and traffic? Things that are normal at home are sometimes done entirely different in another country. Even on a global scale, Japan stands out as having a lot of unique cultural points, so first-timers to Japan may find themselves overwhelmed and, at times, confused. 

Even if you’re a seasoned traveler, you might still come across surprises when in Japan. Do people speak English? Are the toilets generally free or charged? How expensive is Japan? How available is free Wi-Fi? We’ll go over these and other questions to help you prepare for your trip and explore Japan with confidence. Here are 13 basic things you need to know about Japan!

To read the article, go here. 

No Home Wi-Fi

Above, the Flying J. Phto by Armand Vaquer.

This is the first time posting a blog since last Wednesday. 

As it turned out, the battery to my mobile hotpot from AT & T decided to crap out. It is a weird device. One has to plug it in to use, but it also requires a battery (a Chinese-made one). Even if plugged in, the device won't work, at least not for very long.

While on the way to last weekend' clampout 18 miles south of Prescott, Arizona, I checked with two Walmarts, one AT & T Store and one Batteries Plus store. None of them carry the particular battery. 

I ended up ordering a couple online. The seller "guarantees" delivery by Monday, April 8. Well, it is April 9 and no batteries. I contacted them and they are to resend them.

Meanwhile, I am using the Wi-Fi at Denny's in the Flying J. 

All I have available for use unless I come down to the Flying J is my phone.

Guide To Free Wi-Fi Cafes In Tokyo

Above, a Ginza Starbucks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If a hotel in Tokyo has poor or no free Wi-Fi, I have sometimes headed off to a local coffee shop (usually Starbucks or Tully's Coffee) to use their free Wi-Fi.

Above, a Tully's Coffee near Aoyama-Itchome Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I still remember the days (before I bought a laptop) of using a hotel's lobby computers and having to deal with the fussy Japanese keyboards (one wrong move and the keyboard will switch from English to Japanese).

Tokyo Cheapo has a guide of free Wi-Fi cafes in Tokyo.

They begin with:

Tokyo has no shortage of great cafes, but free wifi isn’t as standard as you might be used to elsewhere, and it’s still pretty unusual to see Japanese people working from their laptops while out and about. As a tourist, your hotel/hostel will more than likely have wifi, and most Airbnb rooms come with it in a fixed or portable setup. The most reliable way to ensure connectivity on the move, though, is by buying a prepaid SIM card or renting a wifi router. 

Finding free wifi while out exploring can be a trying experience if you don’t know where to look. Some neighborhoods and train stations do offer public wifi, but you can’t exactly pull out your laptop on the street … or can you? Assuming you would rather sit somewhere nice with a table and possibly even a plug socket, read on for tips on how to get connected while you get your caffeine hit.

To read more, go here. 

Japan To Offer Free Wi-Fi On All Shinkansen By 2019

Above, a shinkansen arrives at Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those foreign visitors to Japan who just can't seem to detach themselves from the Internet while traveling, the Japanese government has made an announcement.

The Japan Times reported:

The government on Tuesday produced an annual action plan for tourism promotion, including a project to launch free Wi-Fi services on all shinkansen by the end of March 2019. 

The free Wi-Fi services are aimed at improving convenience for visitors to the country and attracting more tourists to rural areas. The government will also aim to solve the problem of communication being cut off in tunnels by 2020.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tourism Means Wi-Fi Opportunities For Carriers

Above, the Kinkaku-ji "Golden Pavilion" in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is a place where technology is making everyday life and travel easier for people.

However, Wi-Fi availability in Japan lagged a bit in comparison to the U.S., but they are rapidly catching up. A new law is opening more opportunities for Wi-Fi carriers.

Wi-Fi Now reported:

A new Japanese law means big business for one of Japan’s largest carriers: Japan’s tourism promotion law aims to get 40 million inbound tourists by 2020, and those tourists will use Wi-Fi to enjoy the country and get around. The service is monetized through ads and data.  

Hiroshi Kiji, Director at Wi2, one of Japan’s largest carriers, says that Internet access is a prime concern for tourists – and a driving force for how they share their experiences with other potential visitors.  Internet connectivity was identified as the single biggest challenge identified by foreign visitors in recent survey. And within that category, free Wi-Fi was identified as the biggest issue.

To read more, go here.

Should There Be Free Wi-Fi In Our National Parks?

Above, the only really useful Wi-Fi in Yosemite I found was in the former Ahwahnee Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Should national parks provide free Wi-Fi access?

Some already do, but they are generally at visitor centers, lodges and other facilities. Last year, I was in Yosemite National Park. I found that cell service was minimal to non-existent at best. Although several places advertised Wi-Fi service, the only usable one I found in Yosemite was at the Ahwahnee Hotel (now called the Majestic Yosemite Hotel).

During my recent trip, I stopped in Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic National Parks. I didn't bother with Wi-Fi and my phone was useless in both parks.

RV Life tackles the question in an article with pros and cons.

They begin with:

“If a camper visits a national park and doesn’t actually post about it on Facebook, did it really happen?” 

When the National Park Service was established in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson wasn’t looking for ways to provide high-speed internet.  Visitors didn’t need to check their Facebook or upload selfies from the Grand Canyon to their Instagram. 

Rather the NPS was created to preserve our nation’s most beautiful landscapes.  Our now-58 National Parks provide a way to explore vast wilderness and completely immerse ourselves in nature.  After all, what’s the point of being outdoors if you still constantly have to stay connected? 

However times are a lot different than back in 1916.  The internet has not only been invented but it has become a necessity for many fulltimers on the road. 

It’s now the easiest accessible resource for information.  Maps and directions are at our fingertips and can be effortlessly pulled up on something as small as a smartphone. Restaurants and attractions can not only be located but we can read reviews and determine if stopping in is truly worth the time and money.

It would be nice to have some reliable cell phone service in our parks (for safety and emergency reasons). I think we can do without Wi-Fi for a few days, can't we?

To read more, go here.

Do Wi-Fi and Cell Service Belong In Our National Parks?

Above, the best cell and Wi-Fi service I found in Yosemite was at the former Ahwahnee Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, I camped for a few days in Yosemite Valley at the North Pines Campground. While there, I noticed that cell service was spotty at best and no Wi-Fi. My cell phone was useless at the campground. The campground does have a pay phone booth.

The only place where I found usable cell service and Wi-Fi was at the Ahwahnee Hotel (now known as the Majestic due to the lawsuit with Delaware North).

Above, Wi-Fi and cell service were virtually nil at Yosemite's North Pines Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Motherboard has an article that asks the question, "Do Wi-Fi and Cell Service Belong In Our National Parks?"

Of the two, I am on the side of cell service. With a reliable cell service in a national park, emergency calls can be sent and received. People can do without their laptops and tablets for a while, so I don't think that Wi-Fi is necessary.

Motherboard begins their article with:

Yellowstone National Park wants to go 4G, and environmentalists aren’t happy. 

On a road trip through Yosemite National Park, I once stopped at a particularly beautiful waterfall. Two dozen onlookers were already there; most Vine-ing, 'gramming, tweeting, or texting shots of the vista. Mildly distracted, I filmed some videos, and left. To this day, that remains my most vivid memory of California's most iconic national park. 

Plenty of people experience nature through a lens. So it's no surprise that Yellowstone National Park wants to expand cellular and Wi-Fi coverage throughout some of its 2.2 million acres. It would require serious infrastructure changes, including two new cellular towers at scenic points, and a bulky antennae platform on historic Mount Washburn.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Planning 30,000 Wi-Fi Access Points

Above, cultural heritage sites such as Sensoji will be a Wi-Fi access point. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is planning to provide 30,000 Wi-Fi nationwide access spots in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Japan Times reported:

The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry announced on Monday a finalized plan to establish 30,000 Wi-Fi access points nationwide in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. 

The ministry had said in 2015 that its major objective is to provide connectivity to victims of potential disasters and to tourists. It planned to install Wi-Fi in public facilities such as schools, government buildings, museums and cultural heritage sites, including historical ruins. 

“A total of 14,000 facilities are done, and there are 16,000 more” still to be equipped with Wi-Fi networks, said Go Katsuhata, a ministry official in charge of local internet access. 

All except those in some locations, such as schools, will be free to use by the general public.

To read more, go here. 

Deer Creek Valley RV Park

Above, The Beast at Deer Creek Valley RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally speaking, I prefer more rustic campgrounds that have a feel and look of being in the wilderness.

Last year, my daughter Amber and I went to Yellowstone National Park and we took a couple of tours with a tour company based in West Yellowstone, Montana. We were the first to be picked up at the KOA we stayed at. So we got an additional tour when we stopped at other campgrounds and hotels to pick up other tour members.

One of the campgrounds had nicely manicured lawns and concrete pads. This prompted Amber to say that it looked "like camping on a golf course" and that she preferred the KOA.

I stayed at one campground/RV park on my recent trip to Metropolis that could fit her description. It was the Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas. As I said, while I prefer more rustic campgrounds, this one was nice and I enjoyed my three night stay there as I waited for my bank to transfer funds. If I had to be "stuck" somewhere, it may as well be in a nice place. This had to have been the most immaculate campground/RV park I've ever stayed at. It was also great that the campsites were spacious, without having the feeling of being in a parking lot.

It was reasonably close to the interstate, but far enough away so that there was no noise. It was also close to a Walmart, which was handy. Plus, they had good Wi-Fi.

For such a campground/RV park, I thought the $38/night charge was reasonable with my AAA discount applied (they also are a Good Sam RV park).

I gave the park five stars at RV Parks Review.

I took several photos of the RV park and some are below.

Above, a view from my campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the neighbors. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sierra didn't care where we were at as long as she had a box to play in. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, my set-up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a mid-day shot of The Beast. One of the Wi-Fi towers is in the background.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ginza Line Offers Free Wi-Fi

Above, the Ginza Line station sign in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo's Ginza Line on the Tokyo Metro system is probably the subway I use the most while in Tokyo.

It goes from Asakusa to Ginza and from there to Shibuya. Whenever I've stayed at the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, the nearest station to the hotel is the Aoyama-Itchome Station, which is a couple of blocks away. The Ginza Line stops at the Aoyama-Itchome Station.

Now, the Ginza Line is the first to have free Wi-Fi on board its trains as an experiment.

According to Japan Trends:

The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line will start offering subway passengers free wi-fi on trains from December 1st, aimed particularly at visitors from overseas. 

Tokyo Metro partners with NTT Broadband Platform and Wire and Wireless to offer three networks on subway trains (Metro_Free_Wi-Fi, Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi, and TRAVEL JAPAN Wi-Fi). 

Passengers have already enjoyed free wi-fi at all Tokyo Metro stations, but the city’s main subway service operator wants to experiment with offering online connections actually on trains. It will start with a single train running on the Ginza Line, which serves popular tourist spots like Ueno and Asakusa. This will increase to five trains by the end of fiscal 2016, aiming to provide a network for all 40 trains operating on the line by 2020.

 To read more, go here.

Airports Are Cutting Back On Free Wi-Fi

Above, the Terminal One Deparrture level at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the nice things about airports while waiting for a flight is free Wi-Fi. It is a great help to let time go by faster while waiting.

But free Wi-Fi may become a thing of the past, thanks to some inconsiderate people who stream videos, among other things.

Travel + Leisure reported:

Some airports are backing out of unlimited free airport Wi-Fi service, and our always-on smartphone habits and addiction to video could be partially to blame. 

The news comes from a recent survey of global airport IT managers, conducted by aviation IT experts at SITA. The study found that while passengers can find unlimited free Wi-Fi at 74 percent of the world’s airports today, that will drop to only 54 percent of world airports by 2019. 

Instead, 37 percent of airports will offer a “hybrid” Wi-Fi service model: Passengers would still have some free full-speed Wi-Fi for a limited time, but would pay for any Wi-Fi after that. Or, there would be free unlimited lower-bandwidth Wi-Fi with the option to pay for more speed. (Or some other combination which helps the airport pay the bills.) 

Which specific airports are thinking of cutting back on unlimited free Wi-Fi is unpublished, but the trend towards a mixed-free/pay Wi-Fi service model is mainly driven by airports in North America and the Middle East, according to SITA.

To read more, go here.

Free Wi-Fi: User Beware!

More and more travelers are taking advantage of free Wi-Fi service. People are bringing with them their laptops, cell phones and tablet devices to stay in touch with friends and family back home.

While free Wi-Fi is convenient, it is also putting your information as risk by some less-than-honest people.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

The spread of free Wi-Fi (see below), a public wireless local area network (LAN) that gives users access to the internet, poses a security threat in which people’s information may be intercepted. 

Using free Wi-Fi services enables people to access the internet without worrying about how much data they use, but information transmitted by the services is not encoded in many cases. 

In June, Tokyo Metro Co. increased the number of stations where its free Wi-Fi service is available to 175. Users must first install an app on their smartphones, and enter their email address and other information. They can then access the internet. 

People can use the free Wi-Fi service for up to three hours per log-in, with no limit on the number of log-ins.

But there's a downside:

But users are cautioned that many of the free Wi-Fi services do not encode data, which makes transmitted data unreadable by third parties. Encoded data are decoded by putting in passwords and other means, and Wi-Fi routers in users’ homes prevent outsiders from reading data by using encoding and decoding processes.

To read more, go here.