Brazil? Expensive?... Interesting stuff. Read it with interest. However you're stating that it's expensive in Brazil??!! Of course, probably comparing to Venezuela or Bolivia - just a tad more expensive but overall... I compare with prices of my first trip there in 1997 and there's a huge difference. Do you reckon that 55p is expensive for a large chilled bottle of beer on the beach? Or an air conditioned room with breakfast and WC/shower en suite in central Rio for £6 is slightly unreasonably priced?
Thanks Thanks Tom for your wonderful commentary. I am a kiwi and am travelling for the first time to queenstown and surrounds. Appreciated your photos, time and accolades of the South.
same same! Just a quick read and I find that we are doing exactly the same (in sumatra)in reverse! i was wandering if bukit lawang was open but now I know.... and we feel a little the same at the moment since we did the same circle in 4 months (thailand, laos, vietnam, cambodia, thailand....) you can ckeck out our log at www.floydrenske.whereareyou.net
happy travels!
Floyd from Lake Toba, Sumatra
Author's comment! Enough already with the "abo" debate!!
I guess it does depends on context - when I originally used it, it was meant as an abbreviation. And I think anyone reading my (hopefully) balanced article above would realise this. Obviously not. For example, Aussies use many abbrieviations that may be termed offensive elsewhere - eg) the term "pakis" as short for Pakistani - a term of abuse in the UK. They also use "wogs" for Southern Europeans - and not in a derogatory sense, either. The point is, I suppose (in a slightly naive and idealistic way) is that if no offence is meant, none should be taken. But having said that, if such a label is seen by some to be offensive, care should be taken to avoid it.
I do agree that Indiginous Australians have far bigger concerns to worry about, though.. Anyway - enough said. move on, please!
Abo in reply to the comment made by anon yes they have a lot of issues but to call an Aboriginal an Abo is concerned an abusive term, calling someone a brit isnt.
Small town Kiwi ranting.. thanks for that Chris - yes, I've been VERY negative about the South Island, havent I? look at the number of "amazing"s "spectacular"s and other hyperbole written above. Sorry for spelling your town's name incorrectly - OBVIOUSLY I did it deliberately to insult you - oh, and for calling it "comatose". In fact I thought it was quite a pleasant little place in which I had a few friendly beers and a greasy pub lunch with a local fisherman. But if you'd like I'll proclaim it to be the best place ever. I'm sure the NZ tourist board would agree with you, and I'm sorry that I didnt find the scores of Jade shops fantastic entertainment - my fault, obviously. Obviously South Island NZ is the best place on earth, ever. fact. hope this puts me on the level.. thanks.
For anyone else, if you want a summary: South Island NZ is a beautiful and spectacular place and definitely a "must see" on any traveller's list. Aside from Queenstown and Christchurch, it isnt a hive of activity, but you dont come here for the nightlife.
But if it's this kind of countryside you're after, Patagonia is far better, and the locals dont automatically bore you with how great their country is, and how good they are at rugby.
West Coast It is sad that you had a rather sleepy view of our town - so sleepy that you spelt the name wrong (Hokitika) and obviously missed the mass of things there are to do here. Even if you struck a wet day there are things to do and you can't have a rainforest without rain.
After hosting visitors for over 10 years I am surprised that you had such a negative view of parts of the South Island.
Oh yes and check the places you pass through - more than one was spelt wrong!!
I went to Kerala in the early 80's as part of a uk military task force; the hotel was a old british raj lodge that had been converted to serve as a base for people visiting the nearby tiger reserve,had a great time.
Wow Whats up dude...Your picture of the Fijian fire dancer popped up the homepage and I just wanted to tell you that you have some of the most amazing photographs of the places you have travelled that I have ever seen. I am very envious of your travels! It looks like it was amazing!
Great Diary I stumbled upon your blog and amazed to see so many places have you travelled in indonesia. I originally from north sumatra and it brings all great memories I have there. I now live in Illiois with family.
about the bears... in the indian tourist industry there is a big move to stop the 'dancing bears.' the gypsies go into the mountains and take the bears. to make them dance they thread a rope through their nose and when they yank on the rope the bear rithe and jump in pain. if you go to india, do not stop to look at the bears, keep driving. try not to encourage animal exploitation.
i agree with your journal, it was a tragic sight. just a heads-up to anyone else. - liza
nice to see phi phi ive just left phi phi after a month and a half, nice to see someone elses point of view, really miss the place
www.travelblog.org/bloggers/Alessio
hmmm... so the word "Aboriginal" isnt offensive, but to shorten it to "Abo" is?? how stupid? I dont get offended when people call me a "brit" instead of "british". And before you start about it being used as a term of abuse - 2 points. Firstly the above text is clearly a balanced and intelligent comment, and any offense is surely unintentional. Seconldy I think that the aboriginal people probably have more important abuses to take issue with (stealing of land, stolen generation etc) to worry about the shorteneing of their collective term. Incidentally, the word Aboriginal was introduced by the Europeans, so what are they worried about anyway?? - anon
Better than granary toast and marmite!! Your travel journal really cheered me up. Funniest piece of writing I've read in a long time.Amazing photos too. Wow!! Some of my mates are coming back from Buenos Aires after2 weeks in Argie and your photos have persuaded me to drag them along on a girly expedition to Argentina. Gracias por entretenerme guapo! - Sonia
Goa Another good read, you continue to suprise me Weasel. I went out with a gorgeous girl from Goa some years ago, we split up though, a real shame, she was really lovely but for some reason her breasts always tasted of sweat....perhaps it was a diet. look forward to reading your next piece, I went out with a girl from Caracus, a really exotic creature, we split up though, I couldn't handle her. I'll tell you about after I've read your next piece. Rimmer
oh god, where to start?? ok, well I'm 29 - and after 7 years of the rat race (and the luxury lifestyle of an international playboy), I decided to slum it a bit and see a bit of the world !! ... full info
Ollie
non-member comment
Brazil? Expensive?...
Interesting stuff. Read it with interest. However you're stating that it's expensive in Brazil??!! Of course, probably comparing to Venezuela or Bolivia - just a tad more expensive but overall... I compare with prices of my first trip there in 1997 and there's a huge difference. Do you reckon that 55p is expensive for a large chilled bottle of beer on the beach? Or an air conditioned room with breakfast and WC/shower en suite in central Rio for £6 is slightly unreasonably priced?