Click on the image to read about Paris

As access to high speed connectivity improves working remotely from Paris, France becomes easier and less expensive. Earlier this year we spent 19 days in a Paris rental apartment working remotely. With the good quality high speed access in the apartment we were able to remain connected 24/7.

We rented an apartment because it offered much more space than the typical hotel room, allowed us to prepare meals and experience Paris more like a local than a tourist. What the apartment lacked in facilities and services it made up for amply in location, comfort and convenience as well as connectivity and privacy.

This arrangement allowed us to enjoy the pleasures of Paris during our time off while working remotely. Email and Internet access in general were excellent. We made phone calls using our cell phone and U.S. VoIP service. An added bonus was that our service included free phone calls to certain countries in Europe, including France.

With the high speed connection and our Vonage VoIP account we were able to make extended phone calls to the U.S., including conference calls, and reach 800 numbers easily. Although at times the Internet connection was so poor we had to hang up, on many occasions we were able to check messages, have hour long conversations and work a full day with minimum inconveniences.

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.

Desk with laptop computer and WiFi access at Rattray’s

Usually when we travel to Africa it’s for at least two weeks, sometimes longer. While we’re away, we need to stay in touch with work, family and friends. For phone access we  rely on multiple mobile phones for a combination of texting and calls. Although our provider, T-Mobile, said they had GPRS service (General Packet Radio Service) in South Africa, we were never able to use it. Even after more than six hours on the phone with their technical department over the course of two weeks, they could never figure out why it wouldn’t work. We hope the next time they will have it up and running.

The good news is that in South Africa more and more luxury properties offer complimentary (or fee based) high speed connectivity in guest rooms, making it easier to stay in touch than it used to be even a year ago. During our most recently visits to South Africa we used dial up and high speed Internet connections and were almost always able to connect.

In the hotels and lodges that didn’t offer in room Internet access, we were able to connect via dial up from our rooms using a local account. The charge for the local account was minimal. The only other cost was the hotel’s charge for one local call which was also minimal.

In Johannesburg, The Peech, a 10-room boutique hotel with a restaurant in the heart of one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods, offered guests complimentary in room WiFi connectivity. In Cape Town, our 12-room boutique hotel, the Cape Cadogan, had WiFi in the main building and wired high speed access in the Owner’s Villa.

In the Sabi Sand Reserve, our favorite property for connectivity among other things was Rattray’s at Mala Mala where we found a laptop computer with WiFi connectivity for our use in our suite. Sister property Mala Mala Main Camp had a library with one computer with a dial up connection for guest use during the day. Singita Boulders had one computer with Internet access for guest use in the restaurant. Ivory Lodge had one computer with Internet access for guest use in the conference room.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Lately we find that when traveling, especially on international flights, its best to relax. After checking in for our flight, we focus on keeping track of our carry on luggage and navigating through the interminable security checks. But, sometimes we just have to connect. This is more common when dealing with changes in time zones and far away locations like South Africa. When traveling to South Africa, we often arrive via Johannesburg and from there fly or drive to our final destination.

If we overnight in Johannesburg we look for hotels with high speed Internet connectivity. For more than one night, we stay in the city at the The Peech, Saxon, or Ten Bompas hotels. For single nights we stay near the airport.

We recently stayed at the Metcourt Laurel, in the Emperor’s complex and a stone’s throw from the airport with complimentary shuttle service. There was a fee from the third party vendor and connectivity was limited to a couple of spots in the common areas but it was enough to download our emails and reply to urgent issues.

Johannesburg International Airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport as it is now called, offers public and passenger Internet access for a fee (the system accepts major credit cards). Airport Online offers Internet access. There is one branch in International Departures and two in the Domestic Terminal. One of these, which is open to the general public, is near the ATMs in the shopping area. The second, for use by passengers only, is between the main security point and the boarding gates. 

International Departures also offers a wireless option, which allows laptop users with wireless cards to connect to the Internet from anywhere in the departures lounge including most of the restaurants in the terminal. The O.R. Tambo International Airport helpdesk phone number is +27  (0)11 921 6262. The Airport Company of South Africa (ACSA) provides instructions on its website. Click here for details.