Welcome to Our New Website!
Posted by admin on November 17, 2009
Hello Hello,
With many thanks to all those who have mentioned how much they liked our old website, we’re happy to be moving into a new era at El Diablo Tranquilo with the addition of our new Playa Suites above the restaurant and this newly redesigned and much more dynamic website. Our goal with the website is to make this more than just a place to see our hostel, but a resource for all kinds of travel information and insight. We’ll do this through daily blogs directly from our reception desk, featured articles and tips from guest writers, information on everything from the waves and the weather to current bus schedules. We hope you like the new look and appreciate the new functionality. Read more
19 Tips for Better Travel Photos
Posted by admin on November 17, 2009
Source: Ed Hewitt, The Independent Traveler
http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=995&category=13&page=2
It wasn’t that long ago that many travel photos were taken, developed and then dumped into boxes, rarely to be seen again — unless a basement flood forced someone to throw them all away. These days, things aren’t so different except that now the photos get dumped onto external hard drives, perhaps to await a hard drive crash instead of the proverbial basement flood.
But in most collections of vacation and travel photos, a precious few of the very best shots are often spared this fate — those photos that are somehow more enduring or more interesting, or (I think most importantly) that best capture the spirit and sensation of the trip. What is it that keeps these photos from the dustbin of our traveling history? Often they are simply better photographs. That is, the “keeper” photo isn’t of a favorite person, place or activity — it is better composed, better lit and thus simply more visually interesting than the run-of-the-mill vacation snapshot.
There are plenty of resources out there for folks with thousands of dollars of photographic equipment, but what about the rest of us — those of us with a point-and-shoot digital camera or even simply a smartphone? What can we do to get better, more lasting images from our travels? Following is a collection of low- and no-tech tips to help you improve your keeper count on your next trip.
Think “people, places, things.”
This old definition of the use of a noun is a handy guide to a great vacation photo: the best travel photos will often be about all three of these. To illustrate, let’s say you want to take a photo of the Tower of London, and it’s a rainy day in England. If you pull up your photo and snap the Tower in the gray light, you could get a decent photo. But if you put your kids in the photo (your favorite people) with the Tower glimpsed over their shoulders (the place of interest), visible just under the rim of an umbrella (a very specific thing that evokes the conditions), you have a great shot.
Get closer.
As Robert Capa famously said, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” Taken literally, the closer you get to your subject, the more detail and interest you can capture.
There are a couple of ways to do this, both equally valid and effective. One is to use the telephoto features found on most cameras to zoom in on your subject. Before anyone cries cop-out, this can be a very effective photographic technique, and has resulted in countless compelling images in this age of big lenses.
The other is simply to walk closer to your subject. Not everyone is comfortable doing this, but the person viewing the photo will appreciate it; despite how close a zoom lens makes things appear, when viewing a photo the human eye can still sense the distance, and appreciates when an image has truly been taken up close.
Be in the thick of it.
A less literal read of Capa’s statement, and probably the one closer to his intent, suggests that Capa likes photos in which the photographer himself or herself seems to be part of what is going on, and not standing apart from the action. Capa’s solution to get more intimate, engaged photos is simply to be more intimately involved in the photo yourself.
Read more
What to Do if Skype is Blocked
Where You Travel
Posted by admin on November 17, 2009
Source: Almost Fearless
pic: Ian Lloyd
http://almostfearless.com/2009/12/16/what-to-do-if-skype-is-blocked-where-you-travel-and-why-we-should-care/
I was testing my new iPhone Skype set up in Belize. It wouldn’t connect. I was connected to the internet via a wireless connection. I had Skype installed and it worked back home. But every time I tried to log in, it would simply hang. Nothing.
In Belize, Skype is blocked.
I quickly found out that the entire country of Belize uses a single carrier for internet service, Belize Telecommunications (BTL). And BTL, seemingly in a desire to force people to use their long distance services has blocked Skype (and other VOIP programs).
I think there’s a comfort in thinking that these kinds of things only happen in faraway places like China or North Korea. But the scariest part? It’s becoming more common. There were some cases of individual internet providers in the US blocking Skype, and until October of this year, AT&T didn’t allow iPhone users to access Skype either. A NY Times piece about allowing wifi access on planes suggested Skype access could be blocked.
El Diablo Tranquillo New Website
Posted by admin on November 3, 2009
A new Season, and new look and feel for hostel El Diablo Tranquilo. We have modified the whole site to give you tons of tips and super good usability to help you in your travel to Punta del Diablo, Uruguay. Whatever your preferred method of travel, The Hostel is sure to offer what you’re looking for. Even before choosing your lodging find yourself at home in our spacious lobby, surrounded by16 foot high windows looking seaward, a massive hearth and fireplace in front of cozy sofas,and the always friendly faces found at our reception desk. Above you’ll find a lofted internet lounge and beyond that the intricacies of our traditionally woven thatch roof. Additional communal areas include several terraces, a kitchen, book nook, and the picnic balcony. Now we invite you to settle in to the lodging of your choice, mixed or female dorms, private singles, doubles, 4person share, or – for a real treat – book yourself into one of our suites and enjoy a private fireplace, full bath, ocean views, and your own balcony to doze away enveloped in a hammock.
Posted by admin on November 3, 2009
Adelantate al verano!!!
10% OFF para estadías entre el
1 de Marzo 2013 al 04 de Mayo 2013.
Promoción válida para reservas realizadas por medio telefónico o e-mail
Puedes pagar en Pesos Argentinos.
* Aplican condiciones y restricciones
Medios de pago habilitados:
- Tarjeta de crédito
- Abitab (Uruguay)
- Western Union
- Paypal
+info:
- Click aquí y contáctanos llenando nuestra forma
- Escríbenos a staff@eldiablotranquilo.com
- llamanos al 4477 2647
