Navigation is not my strong point. Good at geography, but lousy at remembering places, would be a good way to sum me up. Add to this the interesting way the Balinese name and number streets, plus the unmarked gangs I like to explore and you’ve got a recipe for the unexpected.
A little gadget called an Explorist 100, made by Magellan is going to help me out. A low-end GPS (global positioning system), it allows me to plot my position and route by using triangulation from a dozen satellites. This morning I walked down to the end of Jl. Dhyana Pura and was able to see the electronic compass adjusting as I was walking. The device also told me my speed and heading, although the altitude was off.
Basically the way to use one of these babies is to turn the thing on out in the open. Don’t move for 5 minutes and allow it to track several satellites. After that you can just leave it on and it will draw a route map of your journey. I have no base map to work off of like they have back in Oregon, but at least I can see if I am straying from my route if I decide to backtrack.
The GPS allows me to mark way points and name them. I can also name and save a selection of points as a route, for example, ‘Seminyak beach walk’. Next time I go I can point to any of the marked points nad know exaclty how far they are and how to get there. This thing will be super handy in allowing me to mark some of the great trails and village strets I visit on my travels. I will be able to post the co-ords and allow other people with a GPS to get there. Very cool.
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