VOTD: VW Beetle, Antarctic Overlander

via West County Explorers Club: What vehicle did the overland-savvy Australians take with them on a year-long research expedition to Antarctica in 1963? A Land Rover? A Toyota Land Cruiser? No, they took a practically bone-stock VW Beetle.

It looks almost comically unassuming next to the hard-core Swedish Snow Trac seen in the background of one of the shots in the film but the humble Beetle reportedly held its own against the harsh, icy terrain.

There you go, the Type 1 Beetle. The most popular car in the world and the first production car on the Antarctic continent.

Read more here on Jalopnik.

VOTD: In Asia

Via West County Explorers Club: My friend Greg just sent me a link to this outstanding travel video by Munich-based freelance filmmaker, Vincent Urban and Clemens Krüger. Part 1 of a five-part series, it shows three friends traveling through southeast Asia in a Land Rover Defender 110. There is hardly any narration, hardly any dialogue. Moments of the trip are just strung together like memories. It’s beautifully shot and edited and gets to the heart of why we all travel.

The first three in the series are already on Vimeo. See Part 2 here and Part 3 here.

Thanks for the tip, Greg!

comparo: Kindle Fire vs. iPad vs. iPhone

Kindle Fire for Adventure Travel

As long-time Amazon Prime members, we ordered an early release Kindle Fire for evaluation.  Given the form factor, we considered its suitability for adventure travel.  Being just in the middle of the iPad and iPhone on…