nancic123's Guestbook

Thanks
Thanks for this blog. I've not been to Cambodia, though it's on my horizon. I felt much the same way about Myanmar: friendly people, big temples being overrun with selfie-taking tourists, and a big build up in some areas of service catering to tourists.Don't get me wrong - I appreciate flush toilets, but I don't go to Asia to eat at KFC.

At crossroads
We were in Vietnam in 2009 and had very much the same thoughts as you regarding Vietnam's choice of path into the future... but after reading your post, I'm left wondering if not choosing one way or the other, is their choice. Of all the dichotomies we witnessed, trying to straddle both communism and commercialism simultaneously was the one that intrigued us the most. We've been longing to go back and do a trip that focused on their vastly different regional food :)

Looks like my kind of place
I was in Vietnam many years ago and afterwards I didn't feel like I needed to go back again. But after seeing your photos I realize I was wrong and in the future I will probably give the country one more chance. /Ake

Always allow for introspection no matter the speed of your trip. Embrace all the senses to absorb each country. Glad you circled back. Love Ha-noise.... what a great description. Some changes are good and some less desirable.

Awesome!
You blog takes me back to my last visit to Arizona in 2006 but it would be remiss of me not to commend your stunning photography. May I ask you what camera equipment you used?

Wonderful photos
Lovely to see your photos of Yunan with the sun out and the mountains visible. We had some similar experiences to you but I didn't like Dali town, although I loved the lake and villages. We didn't get to Shangrila. Sorry now. Your description has inspired me to go there ... some time. I am enjoying following you on your China trip.

Fantastic reflection
Perfect

Wow!!
Glad you made it to China.

As always - your photos are world class
That photo is something extra. Thanks for writing from China. I love China but haven't been there in a while and it seems like I won't be going there any time soon either (Visas are too expensive. It's not worth it)/Ake

It doesn't matter what others think!
Find out what you want and pursue it.... you are so right. Great blog. We ponder some of these very same thoughts in a blog a couple of years ago. Dave and I must be indecisive as we take all "kinds" of trips and like the variety of those bumpy Central Asian roads at guesthouses to Blues Cruises and an occasion castle thrown in. We like to have variety of low end, mid accommodations and occasional luxury in our trips and don't like the same format each time. It does make it interesting. I can see the comfort in sticking to one style but we have not gotten there yet. Sounds like you've found your Zen. Keep traveling however it makes you happy.

'He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior'
Reflecting on travel styles is fascinating, and probably an interesting porthole for introspection too. Sadly, the need to compare ourselves to others (and vice versa) is something society drills into us from the start… it’s a tough lesson to unlearn (even the way people choose to write their blogs doesn’t escape judgement :) ). Andrew and I really try not to judge others on their choices, but when certain travel choices are undeniably destructive to local communities… I find it near impossible not to be judgey :/ I enjoyed reading about the trip to Shenzen, it’s a trip I made often to my favourite tailor in Commercial City. Your photos are even more outstanding than usual - those tones are so beautiful! Hope the rest of your travels in China continue to go well :)

So many great photos
I absolutely love China. I have travelled there several times and for a while I actually lived in Beijing. For the time being we have decided to not visit China only because the price for a visa when you apply in Stockholm is much too high. But if they in the future rethink and lower the cost for a visa we will for sure go there again. It is a country of great diversity and thousands of treasures./Ake