Discounts

We are starting a new series on our travel podcast where we will be having conversations with travellers from around the world.

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People are doing such amazing things and have so many great stories to share. It is in sharing our memories that they become more valuable, not just to ourselves, but to those who may learn and be inspired by them.

We are all about the memories, and the inspiration.

Norbert from Globotreks shares with us his stories from his current year long round the world adventure.

Norbert explores his passion

Listen to hear what he says about:

• Combining passion with travel
• Why Belize is a great country to travel to
• How you can have a lot of fun with friends travelling by making up silly competitions.
• His three top tips for travelling the world- It?s not as hard as you think
• What his next big adventure is and why he is a little fearful

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

You don?t want to miss this podcast episode. I was so ready to pack my bags after it and just go!

Norbert Figueroa is an architect who is always looking for new experiences and inspiration to build his world through travel. He is currently on a Round the World trip as a starting point to a location independent lifestyle.

He shares his tips and experiences at GloboTreks and at his facebook fan page to inspire others to get out there and live the life they want.

Still watching the evening news on a console TV with a wooden case? ?Well the picture is crummy, but at least the sound is bad!? We think it?s time for an upgrade.

Tired of dragging around your accordion-looking camera with the dark sheet, and the magnesium flash stick, out with you for the evening? ?The magnesium burns last longer than the photos!? We think it?s time for an upgrade.

Are you reading this blog entry on a typewriter? Actually, that one?s kinda neat, how did you pull that one off? Well, it?s probably time for an upgrade.

That?s why we?ve compiled for you the top 10 tech deals in this week?s latest edition of Brad?s Tech Tuesdays. Just send your old equipment to the e-cycler, and check out this week?s offerings.

Top Tech Deals:

1) HP Dual Core Desktop $280 Shipped: This desktop is a great replacement for the typewriter situation outlined above. (Seriously though, how did you make that work?) It has 500GB of hard drive space for storing lots of music, movies, or what have you. Plus, you get the mouse and keyboard. Just add in a monitor, stir gently, and enjoy!

2) Garmin nuvi 1100LM3.5? GPS $72 Shipped: Do you get lost all the time? Are you directionally-challenged? Do you find yourself calling out for help, only to realize that you?re alone in the car, and the people in the other cars on the road are looking at you funny? Solve all of that with this GPS, priced right, with lifetime map updates to keep you up to date?for once in your life!

3) Refurbished Sony 40? Bravia HDTV $400: This HDTV drops 100 bucks, making this the best deal we could find on a refurb like this one by $130. Plus, it brings with it Sony quality, which is something that your wooden console TV probably can?t match. Caution: when transitioning from a console TV to an HD Sony Bravia, it?s best to view the image for the first time with one of those eclipse viewers you made in grade school. Your retinas, and brain stem, will thank you!

4) Samsung 14MP Camera $70 Shipped: This camera is far more portable, and less likely to cause a fire, than your old camera. Plus, the subject of your photos doesn?t need to sit still for a half hour to keep the image from ghosting. ?Now blow out your birthday candles, Timmy?keep going?just 29 more minutes until the picture is done developing!? Get this new camera before poor Timmy passes out in a pile of frosting and melted candle wax.

5) Sony Playstation 3D Display Bundle $300: Playing video games in 3D is just a natural progression for 3D technology, and this bundle brings it all to you in one swift purchase. Plus, this deal is $100 less than anywhere else, so save some scratch and invite over your buddy who hasn?t evolved his gaming past Pong. ?It?s like I?m in the game!?

Top Tech Coupons:

1) VM Innovations: 5% off via exclusive code PDAYBRADSDEAL

2) Picaboo: Buy 1 Photobook, Get A Copy Free via code MEMORIES

3) Brookstone: 25% off via code LOVE25

4) OtterBox: 5% off $50, 10% off $75, 15% off $100 via code AM2012

5) MyGofer: 10% off via code GET10

That?s it for this week. Hope you enjoy your upgrades! See you in 7.

Want to see more tech deals like these? Sign up for Brad?s Daily Alerts today to get the best daily deals delivered to your inbox!

This is a sponsored post from Vonage Mobile App

When it comes to talking to friends and family overseas, most people now rely on Skype.

Thank goodness technology has evolved so we no longer have to rely on phone cards and postcards, like I had to do when I first started travelling.

Free texting is needed for bloggers Photo http://bloggeratlarge.com

We now have text, and facebook, and free international mobile calls and texting.

Vonage Mobile is the latest player in the game with the launch of their new ipone and android app to help make communication easier when you are travelling.

The new Vonage App is helping us to move forward into a world where calling plans are no longer needed, just unlimited data. I like the idea of that? a lot. (Just remember that any calls you make from the app will use data time)

Like Skype, you can talk and text to other users of the Vonage app for free and, if calling direct to a landline or phone, their rates for international calling average 70% less than major mobile carriers and 30% less than Skype.

Billing is also more convenient, with payment integrated directly into your iTunes or Android Market account, instead of maintaining billing in a separate login.

Unlike Sype for iphone and android, Vonage Moblie integrates your existing address book- which means free app-to-app calls and text messages are available without needing to reconnect with people.

This makes it pretty powerful. With Skype you have to go searching for your friends individually, with Vonage Mobile you can multi-invite everyone from your contact list with one simple text.

The Vonage Mobile App is making smartphones smart.

You can call direct from Vonage Mobile to virtually any phone number on the planet. You can dial internationally without needing to activate special services with your mobile carrier.

And most importantly, you can do this with the address book on your phone and your existing mobile number.

Hmm?sounds pretty good.

I bet, like me, you are thinking about the call quality. The thoughts of tin can conversations, echos and drop outs are haunting you. Vonage assures the consumer that they can deliver ?high-def? voice quality, which is much better than a standard cell phone call.

Vonage is currently offering free calls from virtually anywhere in the world to the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico.

There are a few circumstances where free calling may not work, like business calls, premium and special service numbers, and satellite phones, but for the most part, free really means free.

You also need to stay under 3000 minutes per month, but I really suggest that you don?t talk that much anyway. Think of your ears!

To see a demo of the app, go check out the ?Magic of Vonage Mobile? video on YouTube at the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaRcnY1xZxM

I am excited to check out the new App myself, especially considering the high cost of mobile phone calls here in Australia.

Click to download the Vonage Mobile App

What are your thoughts on the new Vonage mobile App?

We are starting a new series on our travel podcast where we will be having conversations with travellers from around the world.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

People are doing such amazing things and have so many great stories to share. It is in sharing our memories that they become more valuable, not just to ourselves, but to those who may learn and be inspired by them.

We are all about the memories, and the inspiration.

Norbert from Globotreks shares with us his stories from his current year long round the world adventure.

Norbert explores his passion

Listen to hear what he says about:

• Combining passion with travel
• Why Belize is a great country to travel to
• How you can have a lot of fun with friends travelling by making up silly competitions.
• His three top tips for travelling the world- It?s not as hard as you think
• What his next big adventure is and why he is a little fearful

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

You don?t want to miss this podcast episode. I was so ready to pack my bags after it and just go!

Norbert Figueroa is an architect who is always looking for new experiences and inspiration to build his world through travel. He is currently on a Round the World trip as a starting point to a location independent lifestyle.

He shares his tips and experiences at GloboTreks and at his facebook fan page to inspire others to get out there and live the life they want.

And the winner is?

Kristen L. from Ballston Spa, NY!!!

She sent us this sweet pic of five, $5 bills, in the shape of the number five. That?s five to the third power! Oh, and she used money?one of our favorite things! Nice job, Kristen!

So you want to see your pic up here next week? Check out the rules for submitting at the bottom of the page here, then send it in to top5photos@bradsdeals.com now! Send us your representation of the number five, and you could be famous to the third power?just like Kristen!

Was finding out who won this week?s contest exhilarating? Afraid we only announced the winner, without offering The Best of BradsDeals for the week? Have no fear?the top 5 deals, top 5 coupons, and top 5 reader comments are here! Enjoy!

Top 5 Online Deals:

1. NCAA Fleece Hoodies $15: These hoodies are now at the lowest price we?ve ever seen. They come in hundreds of schools, with several designs offered for most schools. We have some ourselves, and they?re top notch. Isn?t it time you replaced the ratty one you?ve been wearing since freshman year? Yeah, it is.

2. Harry & David: 25% off Sitewide: Get gifts, or give gifts, it?s up to you! With this deal, you get 25% off sitewide at the widely popular purveyors of fruit, gift baskets, and much more. Gifting suggestion: get some of the Favorite Royal Riviera Pears for yourself, you deserve them.

3. Kate Spade Randi Too Rainboots $50: Rainy season is fast approaching. Get prepared now, cause no one wants soggy socks. And why sacrifice style for function? These cute boots keep the water out, and the style in.

4. Walgreens: BOGO Vitamins + Cold Meds: Keep the sniffles away, and your doctor at bay with this deal. Stock up for the coming year, and at half the price, it?s oh so nice!

5. North Face Women?s Shiso Jacket $72!: This soft fleece jacket is great for layering, a very important approach in the coming months. One moment it?s cold, the next it?s windy but Sunny, then all of the sudden, it?s snowing. Yeah, Spring in Chicago is like that.

Top 5 Online Coupons:

1. Macy?s: 10%-15% off via code PRES

2. Designer Living: Extra 50% off Clearance Items via code PDAYSALE50

3. Harry & David: 25% off via code HND25

4. Children?s Place: 15% off via code T2G2012

5. Asos: Extra 10% off Outlet Items via code OUTLET10

Top 5 Comments:

1. This is a great deal. Thanks Bradsdeals. Happy Valentine?s Day!
- Leeann, February 12th, about the 1.2ct Tanzanite & Diamond Ring $250

2. Love this magazine
- Amanda Flores, February 15th, about the One Year of Rolling Stone Magazine $4

3. awesome deal and still by v day how awesome
- Devin dimas, February 13th, about the 1ct Diamond Earrings $299 Shipped by Vday

4. great deal, got me one
- Cindy A Jean-Baptiste, February 13th, about the Jessica Simpson Women?s Peacoat $38

5. Great deals. Ordered 3 shoes I would have bought at store but didn?t have my size. Saved me about 60 %
- Riles54, February 14th, about the Puma: Up to 70% Off

Don?t forget to send us your top 5 pics to be immortalized forever in next week?s edition of The Best of BradsDeals! Later!

If you?d like a daily rundown of all the deals and top online coupons, sign up for Brad?s Daily Alerts today to get the best daily deals delivered to your inbox!

It?s hard to believe that this is the first year of the Australian Open of Surfing.

Held at Manly Beach, the place where that is widely known to be the birthplace of Australian Surfing with the first World Surfing Championship held in 1964.

Photo Credit: Rod Owen www.owenphoto.com.au

The event is an extension of the annual US Open of Surf held at Huntington Beach and is the country?s biggest-ever surf, skate and music event.

The Australian Open of Surfing is a 6-star men?s and women?s ASP-sanctioned surf contest consisting of 144 seeded male surfers, including 15 of the world?s elite ASP World Tour rated surfers. There are also some of the world?s best female surfers including our very own Sally Fitzgibbons and Felicity Palmateer

Manly was chosen as the place for the event, for the reliability of its waves, but mostly because of its location.

A beautiful Sydney beach, its wide expanse offering enough room for unpredictable, wide breaking waves; the VIP tent; a huge skating bowl; and stage for the evening?s concerts.

Cafes, bars, and retail, including many surfing stores, line the promenade and the famous Manly Corso. On the opposite side to the beach sits Manly Wharf where ferries can take you over to the heart of Sydney Harbour in 30 minutes.

It is a striking location and a perfect fit.

Another heat is won

The beaches are filled with teenagers laughing in groups, young grommets with stars in their eyes as they chase their idols around the beach, and beautiful women in bikinis batting their eyelids the half-naked perfectly sculptured bodies of famous surfers walked freely amongst them in the sand.

I must say my eyelids battered a little.

I love surfing events as they are free to the public. It?s a day to kick back on the sand, watch some talented manoeuvres as the surfers effortlessly work to overpower the waves in spins, ariels and turns.

It?s relaxed and chilled and there is plenty to see and do. If you want a break from the surfing, then wander amongst the food stalls, check out the skating, make new friends, or do a little bit of shopping.

After a surfing lesson the previous day, our little group of travel bloggers (Gary from Everything Everywhere, Meghan from Blogger at Large, And Abigail from Inside Travel Lab) felt we really spoke the lingo now and even considered entering the competition ourselves. Well, at least we thought Abigail should have as she carved up the waves.

We had the opportunity to sit and chat to some of the surfers as they patiently explained to us the ins and outs of competitions, the scoring of waves, the life of a surfer and just what it took to live your life doing what you love.

The Australian Open of Surfing concludes this Sunday with the big finals, more skating and fun. Saturday night sees headliners Living End, one of Australia?s best rock bands take to the stage.

Music event

I will be at the finals on Sunday cheering on Mitch Crews, who is currently holding the second highest score of the competition. AT 21, he is now the seasoned surfer after touring the world surfing since the age of 14. His goal of making the world tour is getting closer with each new wave.

We had a chance to chat with him on a comfy couch (keep an eye out for upcoming interview post). He?s cool and I am sure the long lines of ladies that I saw on the sand, were really waiting for just a glimpse of him.

Mitch Crews interviewed by Abbie from Inside the Travel Lab

This weekend Manly will have it all: glorious sunshine, glamour, music, surf, sea, half pipes and fun.

I really think Destination NSW chose well. There?s probably no better place to show case this beautiful city of ours and to have some fun.

I?m looking forward to this becoming an annual event.

Will I see  you there this weekend?

Free Sunday karaoke with Bobby Vegas at Detroit Bar

February 19th, 2012, 8:02 am · · posted by Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer

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