Delek Delek's Guestbook

what does your backpack look like and what is in it.
i have been following your travels around the world. i read your comments about cleaning bed bugs from your backpack but you never show the exterior of what it looks like or the interior contents. I would really like to see what it looks like. Does it have a metal frame? What brand is it? How big is it? What do you carry around in it? What is your opinion of a backpack compared to a roller suitcase? etc.

very good
Another really well written blog- with some amazing photographs. It really is a treat to read your blogs!

very good
Another amazing blog- I just really like reading your blogs. Just curious, since I might be visiting BKK, what was the name of the hotel you stayed at and were was it? Thanks.

Wow
Love this photo Derek!

E-Bike spillage: We all do it!
Hey there Derek, enjoyed your blogs about Mandalay and Bagan. We were in Myanmar in November and enjoyed it very much. Best bit, the Kalaw to Inle 3 day trek. Agree about Mandalay, a dusty disappointment but Bagan was great. We also had spills from our e-bikes due to the sand. Still, good fun though. Hope you enjoy or enjoyed Inle. Happy travels, David

No bargaining position
Yikes, always tough when traveling to multiple countries to have all the right money. Too bad you didn't read the lonely planet closer but it all worked out. I had food poisoning in Kathmandu. Never a good thing when traveling.

India to Sri Lanka
Derek, I do sense that you are, mostly, enjoying India. However, we also feel that you've been a tad harsh on certain - admittedly not really target destinations... Mysore, Chennai, etc.. - places and that you might have got more out. There again we are total Indiaphiles. So... please... Before you go to Sri Lanka, a destination we didn't really expect THAT MUCH from but one that blew our minds, I'd suggest a quick perusal of our blog. Time of year has bearing on weather/sea conditions that differ massively on the W/E coasts so bear that in mind. Also, get to meet the locals because they are gems. We intended to stay for about 3 weeks, but we ended up extending our visas.... On returning to India seriously consider Sikkim or Ladakh (amazing scenery and trekking and minimal tourists); Om beach nr Gokarna in Karnakata (coolest/laid-back beach scene in India); Gujurat has the BEST thalis in India and cheapest booze at Diu (stay on the roof of the church... you won't be cold this time.. because you can get your own room up there for a pittance). This is just some friendly advice... very jealous that you're where you are whilst we're currently stuck in the Divided States of Embarrassment...... Enjoy...... Andy n Ali

This is India :-)
We also just came back from India. The financial crisis is indeed horrible. Just to get some cash sometimes one is forced to pay high commissions. India is not that cheap any more..... We struggled about the same way. Arriving in Delhi on a Sunday - and no cash at all was available. And yes, nothing can prepare you for India. And yes, you will get sick one time. And yes, hospitals are terrible here. But you will survive and laugh about it later. India, this is a love and hate relationship. Great blog and we are looking forward to more news from you from India. Happy travels!!!!!!

Great blog
Great blog, thank you. I've just got to Santa Ana, and this is exactly how I've found it. Great to read your tips for the rest of the route

Schloss Ambras
Great palace, quite unusual as palaces go. I'll add it to our Palaces and Castles collection in the Photography Forum.

Kiev
Enjoyed reading about a town that has always held some interest. Thanks for your impressions.

Brasov...
Good adventures in one of our favorite places. We saw most all of the same things you saw in Brasov (as all visitors do, I guess). Your stories brought back good memories. I had a similar story of not getting a ticket on a bus in Italy. Except the fine was 50 Euros. I told him I did not have money and he made me stop at an ATM. It did not work. We stopped at a second ATM and it did not work either. He got so mad he just walked off. Quite a hassle but I didn't have to pay. We enjoy your stories and adventures. We'll be following along.