The Poor Man's Travel Sound Machine- The Radio

I can't sleep without a sound machine (or some form of soothing noise) at home, and even more so while traveling. Staying in motels with all the ambient sounds- paper thin walls with noisy neighbors going to bed late and waking up early- doesn't make for a very restful night's sleep, so having a travel sound machine is of the utmost importance. One that doesn't take up a huge chunk of your suitcase. Unfortunately, it's hard to find travel sized ones anymore unless you shop online.

I remember flying to Los Angeles for a visit a while back, and the one I brought with me stopped working. Well, it sort of worked with batteries, but then it would just shut off in the middle of the night, which of course would wake me up. While in L.A., I needed to take a 2-night trip up to the Sacramento area and none of the shops in L.A. had any travel sized ones. I had purchased mine many, many moons ago at a Brookstone's when they were still located in your local mall. I started to fret big time until I remembered that before I invested in sound machines I used a fan to mask noise, but A/C units in motels usually shut on and off, so that was not an option. I then remembered a friend telling me eons ago to set the TV to an off station for the white sound, but televisions these days don't allow for that. Then I recalled the time I forgot my machine, and in a moment of inspiration decided to use the motel's radio as a substitute. I set it between stations and voila... something that sounds a little like "white sound" which happens to be my sound of choice. So that's it. The poor man's sound machine. Useful in a pinch.

I also use my iPad to listen to solfeggio, binaural or isochronic videos on YouTube to help me fall and stay asleep, but you need an Internet connection for that, and depending on where you are traveling, the connection can be a major issue. On my latest trip to Spain, I was so glad that I also brought my travel sound machine with batteries. Remember, if you bring something like a sound machine abroad you will need a travel voltage converter. Learned that lesson the hard way when my sound machine blew after I plugged it into a hotel In Ireland.

Fun Places To Stay- Watch The Northern Lights From Glass Igloos At Finnish Resort

I've decided to use this blog for both my love of photography and travel since they are both inextricably linked. I will start adding blog posts from my travels around the country and world, including tips. I hope you enjoy the addition.

I will start with this amazing hotel that I have not stayed at, but perhaps someday.

I love the snow. Maybe that's because I've lived in South Florida for the past 20 plus years where it never does, and where we're unlucky enough to pull out a light sweater maybe 5 days per winter season. So when I saw this article on Buzzfeed about a resort in Finland that has glass igloos allowing visitors a unique opportunity to experience the incredible northern lights, I've added it to my dream bucket list. The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in SAARISELKÄ, Finland, not only has the glass igloos, they've got more traditional cabins, a few houses and snow igloos, which would not be my idea of comfort. But those glass igloos. Yum.

Here's a description from their website:

Glass igloo provides an one of a kind opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars of the crystal clear sky in a comfortable room temperature. Built from a special thermal glass the temperature inside the igloo always stays a normal level. It also prevents the glass from not getting white frosted, hence keeping the view clear even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C. Every igloo is equipped with a toilet and luxury beds.

I can dream.

Years ago my parents, sis and I took a family vacation to Scandinavia for one of their wedding anniversaries. We visited Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, but never made it to Finland. Maybe this will be an incentive to travel there.

For more photos click here.

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