One of the most inspirational books I have read in the last six months is The Lonely Planet Story, by Tony and Maureen Wheeler. It was written by a couple, a Briton and an Irish, who travelled from UK to Australia on a shoestring budget, and thereafter proceeded to build a publishing empire producing travel books. Today Lonely Planet books have been adopted by backpackers as their travel bible, and yet it was not the intention of the Wheelers to cater solely to the budget market.
Pick up a copy of Lonely Planet travel guide. The price tag of that often weighty tome puts it outside what anybody would consider as "budget market". Maureen herself mentioned that although in the beginning, both she and Tony backpacked across Asia, it doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy luxuries - nowadays she is equally at home in rooms with their own private pools. And why not.
The Wheelers often regretted what Lonely Planet has done to the world. Although they are delighted that because of Lonely Planet, people are now able to visit many of the most exotic destinations of the world, also because of Lonely Planet, the characteristics of many destinations have changed to support the backpacker market.
If you go to places like Kuta, Khao San Road and Freak Street, it is not the local culture that you find there, but rather a backpacker subculture that has sprouted up to support the budget travelers. It is a culture alien to its locality, one that is more similar to the backpacker cultures elsewhere than to the culture in its local. To me, and having read The Lonely Planet Story, to the makers of Lonely Planet as well, it is extremely regrettable. And yet, many backpackers mislead themselves into thinking that just because they have backpacked to Kuta, Khao San Road and Freak Street, they have seen Bali, Thailand and Nepal. If you are looking for cultural authenticity, you would do better to visit the National Museum in Bangkok and immerse yourself into what actually is Thailand. But I dare say, a vast majority of visitors to Thailand has no clue to its history and culture, Chakri Dynasty, Ayutthaya, Lanna and Sukhothai are all a blur and seemingly the same. The activities they engaged is the same as that they did in Nepal or Bali. They are not inquisitive, they don't hunger to know. It is simply information overload to them. And they claim to have seen and known the country.
Although I have no plans to publish books, not just yet anyway, I do subscribe to the Wheelers' sense of quality. I often lament that there are no Asian writers writing about Asian destinations. Bookshelves are filled with travel books about Asia written by Westerners, who present their own point of view of Asia to the world. And I do not always agree. For example, excuse me but durians do not smell like smelly socks. When I go into websites like TripAdvisor and check out what advise a fellow traveler can give to another, I am often very disappointed to find only two or three sentences of write-up that do not help me, is often inaccurate or bias, and also reflect the writer's own lack of information. If this is the type of advise I am given, thank you very much, I don't need it.
So how do I counter a lack of Asian voice as well as a lack of knowledgeable travelers?
My motto in life is, "If it isn't there, create it yourself." With that in mind, I created AsiaExplorers in 2003. While other websites are probably more popular than AsiaExplorers, few are as detailed in its description of some of the most beautiful sites of Asia. My coverage of places like Varanasi, Luang Prabang, Penang, Angkor, Macau, to name a few, is the most detailed privately-assembled travel information on the Internet. Many people do not know it, of course, but those who do go into my websites will discover a treasure chest that is theirs to use. Just take a look and compare it yourself.
A lot of people thought AsiaExplorers as well as my other travel websites are created for budget travelers. Whenever I heard that spoken of my website, I cringe. Just like Lonely Planet trying to shake off the backpacker label pasted on them, I too am trying to disassociate my websites as written for budget travelers. Although I have a link for people to book budget accommodation, I did not create AsiaExplorers, EarthDocumentary or WorldGreatestsites for backpackers. No, I created them for knowledge-hungry travelers. Whether or not they happen to be backpackers is a coincidence, not a given. Myself, given a choice, I'd rather travel in style.
Having said all that, I encourage you, as you read this, to be knowledge-hungry people. When you travel, go for the best. Be uncompromising in your standard. Don't be a member of the herd. Be different.
Your Friendly Editor,
Tim's Morning Post
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TODAY'S QUOTABLE QUOTE: "Do you realize if it weren't for Edison we'd be watching TV by candlelight?" - Al Boliska
For those looking for uncompromising quality in their holidays, I am pleased to announce our specialty tour for March. On 29 March, 2008, you will get to join me on our March specialty tour, Heritage Sites of Ancient Japan.
This tour will let you experience the major heritage sites of Japan, from the well known ones such as Mount Fuji and the Golden Pavilion of Kyoto, to obscure sites such as the Wedded Rocks of Meotoiwa. Along the way, we will journey though ancient cities such as Kyoto and Nara, as well as small Japanese hamlets like Oshino Hakkai and Yamanakako. The tour ends in Tokyo, where we experience modern extravaganza, like shopping in Ginza and Odaiba, and a visit to the Asakusa Kannon Shrine. All along the way, you will get to try traditional Japanese food and local specialties.
Heritage Sites of Ancient Japan is planned to coincide with cherry blossom season in Japan, so you will get to experience the country at one of its prettiest time.
I announced the Angkor tour last week and participation was immediate. Right now it is already full. If you are still keen to join, we will put you on waiting list in case anybody drops out. Right now we are waiting for confirmation from Malaysia Airlines on our seats. Once our seats are confirmed, I will be collecting the deposit.
Today let's sit back and enjoy listening to Enrique Iglesias as he render one of my favorite songs, an incredibly beautiful number. I personally think he sounds so much better when he sings in Castilian (Old World Spanish) than he does in English. If you can't the video below, click here.
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How is it like to join all the wonderful people for a trip with Tim? Click here to find out!
TIM'S PHOTOGRAPHY Enjoy some of my travel shots in this slideshow.
In today's travel, let's visit the city of Osaka. I have documented Osaka in EarthDocumentary, with a photo gallery in WorldGreatestSites. Take a look at it!
MY WEBSITES AsiaExplorers: My first and biggest website, on travel destinations in Asia EarthDocumentary: An expanded version of AsiaExplorers to cover tourist attractions around the world WorldGreatestSites: Website on places in the world with outstanding universal value. HappyJoblessGuy: Guide to earning a living without holding a job. Travel Photography Workshop: Free photography tutorial for travel enthusiasts. The Flowering Garden: A virtual garden with buyer's guide on an increasing number of flowering plants and trees Tim's Morning Post Links
Opinion expressed in this online newspaper is that of the editor. Opinion expressed in third-party articles appearing in this newspaper is that of their writers and cannot be regarded as approved, agreed to or sanctioned by Tim's Morning Post.
