Keep Smiling's Guestbook



31st January 2016

Old City
Fabulous photos of the old city! The colours of Jaipur are very unique and beautiful, especially in that early morning light.
31st January 2016

Old Jaipur
Yes, the old city does have a character all its own. I don't remember having been there so early in the morning before; it was good to see it in a different light.
31st January 2016

Welcome back!
I've had Jaipur on my mind over the last few days (Andrew and I were there exactly a year ago, and facebook keeps bringing up our photos in the memories app), so it's nice to read that you're back and enjoying yourself. Safe travels.
31st January 2016

Friendly Jaipur!
Jaipur calls me back time and again. I've seen all the tourist sights, so now seek some new things to do - with my many friends there.
31st January 2016

Welcome home!!!
And you've chosen what could be a very interesting journey for your first blog. I like it when a blogger gets to see a country from the insiders point of view...having long time friends to guide you is precious.
30th January 2016

Well done on new blog
Looking forward to all your adventures especially when you go to different places away from the normal tourist routes.
30th January 2016

Welcome back, Keep Smiling!
Another great blog from my little brother. Sorry not to be with you on this occasion, Mike, but you are making me envious by reviving fond memories of that fascinating country; your second home. Take care and see you soon, David - and Janice
30th January 2016

It's good to be back - in more ways than one!
It's surprising how one can miss such a noisy, fragrant(!) and chaotic place but, now I'm back, it's almost as if I've never been away! Oh, and TravelBlog's okay too, although blogs would be easier to produce with half-decent Internet access, which seems hard to come by in this most western part of Rajasthan. P.S. Sign in before commenting - otherwise, as now, it shows you as a non-member.
30th January 2016

Welcome Back!
Hey Mike! Great to see a new blog and it's wonderful you're back in India! Looking forward to following this adventure
30th January 2016

The adventure continues...
...despite blogs being much delayed because of lack of free time and slow or non-existent Internet connection!
3rd October 2015

Appreciable
Points which you have shared here extremely good. Great post.
29th December 2014

Hope your plan is on for 2016 - BandhavGarh visit (India)
Please do you bookings for thepark in advance... Two new cubs were spotted in Tala range this winter
29th December 2014

Oh yes!
Thanks Prabhat. Yes, I'm still planning to visit my favourite country in 2016 and this is certain to include Bandhavgarh. Having worked in the travel industry for 35 years before I retired, I always have a detailed itinerary and book everything in advance - which is sometimes a good thing and sometimes not so good. However, I know that tiger reserves are popular (Ranthambore last year was a nightmare!) and I'll be sure to book accommodation and safaris as soon as online reservations opens. Thanks for your continued interest in my travels. Sorry for the lack of blogs this year - I have moved away from TravelBlog but not yet completed my tales of the journeys I have made around the UK during the past six or seven months. I will try to correct that omission during the winter months. I hope that you will also write some more. I enjoyed your writing and photos. Best wishes for the New Year.
26th October 2014

Inspiring
Hi Mike your travel blogs are excellent , I am following you now.
19th July 2014

Farewell to Travelblog!
How could we possibly keep smiling without those witty and informative blogs we've all come to love? As an older version of the 'keep smiling' family, I don't have issues with anything too high-tech, but I know how important the printed versions of our Travelblogs are to our sister, Ann, yet a few years older than this grey-haired-nomad, who doesn't possess a computer. I guess the keep-smiling kids all learned about the value of good service from our dear old dad, but we all also have relatively short fuses when it fails to happen. How often do we walk out of a shop or restaurant when we're evidently ignored or put down the phone when it has rung for the fifth time? Keep calm and keep smiling little brother.
19th July 2014

You can still keep smiling!
The printed version of blogs is important not only to sister Ann - I have a number of friends who don't have computers and others who have computers that either don't work or that they don't know how to use. We're of that generation! But, this wasn't just a case of the TravelBlog 'Print Version' apparently being on the blink. It was that no-one seemed willing or able to offer information or advice in response to numerous posts and repeated contacts. Rather than simply vote with my feet, I've voiced my opinion at the end of my latest blog in the vain hope that it will give rise to improvements in communication here on TravelBlog. Meanwhile, you can keep smiling over on my new site. The link's in that note at the end of the blog. See you in a week or so. Looking forward to it.
19th July 2014

We are sorry to hear that this is your last travelblog...
but thanks for letting us know and not just disappearing leaving us wondering what happened. I'm having lunch with Ali and Michelle tomorrow, the founder of TB and the only programmers the site has, to let them know. I would also want to be able to print out my blogs. They have been busy working out the bugs with version 5, so I know they are not ignoring you or anyone...it's just a matter of priorities. If they can solve the problem as a top priority, would you give us another chance?
19th July 2014

Too late, alas.
Bob, thank you for your words of encouragement. In a previous life I was the operations director of a major travel company and quickly learnt that people would happily accept almost any amount of delay if you kept them informed of what was happening. If I'd received a response of any kind to my multiple posts on the Support forum about difficulties I was experiencing with the Print Version or, indeed, anything other than an email two weeks ago (in reply to my chaser contact) to say 'we'll test the problem and let you know', I'd still be here, waiting patiently - as would my many friends who look forward to receiving printed versions of my blogs. I wasn't asking for instant solutions. I simply wanted information or advice. All I got was nothing, nada, niente, zilch... Compare that to the two-hour response I've received (twice) to technical questions at my new blog site! So, sorry Bob, I'm out of here. The alternative certainly isn't as good looking, but it's efficient and has a few whistles and bangs that TravelBlog doesn't have, not least of all excellent communication with users.
18th July 2014
In the graveyard at St Pancras Church, Widecombe

U.K.
What a beautiful countryside. Makes me want to go for a hike.
19th July 2014
In the graveyard at St Pancras Church, Widecombe

Our green and pleasant land
You have to love rain to have such green countryside to enjoy - but, when the sun shines, there's nowhere better!
14th July 2014

England
We certainly need to spend some more time in this part of the world.
14th July 2014

Devon used to be ever Englishman's dream place for his retirement, a tranquil county with pretty villages and lots of green countryside. The south-west (Somerset, Devon and Cornwall) is still a beautiful part of England and certainly worthy of a visit. There were many tourists here on Dartmoor - mainly British, German and a few Chinese a long way from home. We only encountered a couple of North Americans - and they were Canadian! So, choose your time of year and come on over. I see it won't be next year - you're going somewhere that's "fun with warm weather" and the latter is not something we always have here!
7th July 2014

All sides of a nation
We must accept the good with the bad. India is lovely and will romance those who go. The people and their zest for life are what make you want to go back. India has so much to offer.
7th July 2014

Dave, you took the very words out of my mouth!

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