Garmin C330 StreetPilot

Often when we travel for work and pleasure we rent cars to get around, attend meetings, conferences, check out the sites, etc. Even when booking with the same car rental company we’re never sure what car we will find when we arrive at the rental car parking lot. When we reserve the car we pick the size, automatic or manual transmission, and A/C options but GPS is not always available.

If we’re lucky the car will come with a global positioning system (GPS) or offer the option of the GPS for an additional fee. More often than not, a GPS device isn’t included or available readily. A GPS, in case you haven’t heard about these gadgets, are electronic devices that communicate with a satellite(s) in the sky to determine your exact location in the world; and guide you to your desired destination with voice commands and visual aids.

Instead of relying on the vagaries of rental car company GPS availability, we carry our own handheld GPS device from one of the industry leaders. For several years we have followed the invaluable instructions of the iQue 3600 from Garmin. A friend recently recommended the Garmin C330 StreetPilot, a more affordable and newer unit from the same company. 

Tall buildings, cloudy skies and lack of clear access to the sky will cause the GPS to malfunction. To make sure we have another means to find our way in case the GPS breaks down or malfunctions, we print back up directions and carry them with us. This is particularly important in international destinations, where we are unfamiliar with the city, don’t speak the language or can’t read the signs.

In Tanzania, cell phone and Internet access varied widely. We were unable to get mobile phone reception or connect to the Internet our first night in Dar es Salaam. There was an Internet cafe at the Slipway mall where our motel was located but the system was down that night. While in Dar es Salaam, we acquired a local SIM card which turned out to be very useful. Though the system was less than perfect, with it we sent text messages and made international calls for a fraction of the cost of either of our mobile phone carriers.

Mdonya in the Ruaha National Park was the first bush camp we visited. There was a slow satellite phone and Internet connection. Although the manager was gracious to offer us access, there was no pressing need. During the remainder of our stay at Ruaha, and later at the Selous National Park, we used our mobile phone with the local SIM card for text messages and international calls. Because mobile phone signals were intermittent, we would submit the text messages and leave the phone on until the signal was strong enought for the messages to go out and incoming messages to download.

There was a satellite Internet connection at Selou Safari Camp. With staff permission and in between game drives, activities and meals we managed to check on urgent issues using the reception tent connection.

In Zanzibar, the Mbeweni Ruins Hotel, where we spent the night on our way to northern Tanzania, had a computer with Internet access available for guest use. In the Grumeti Reserves, we hit the jackpot. Sabora Plains Tented Camp and Sasakwa Lodge had complimentary direct dial phone access for international calls and high speed Internet access in our tent and cottage. Finally, we were able to download all our emails, check messages, reply and catch up on the latest news.

At some of the places we visited, there was an unspoken policy designed to discourage guest use and access of mobile phones and the Internet while on vacation. Guest managers frequently reminded us that we were on vacation and should not call or connect to the Internet.

We explained that for us, and many other guests we spoke with, being able to stay connected with work and family while we’re away allows us to travel to remote locations like Tanzania and for extended trips we might otherwise not be able to make.

On our return we had to overnight in Dar es Salaam once more. We stayed at the Kilimanjaro Hotel. It had in room high speed Internet access. Using a cable the hotel provided we connected and had good uninterrupted service.