No comments about Travellers Goa, 2nd (Travellers - Thomas Cook).

No comments about Portrait of Nepal.

No comments about Bangalore - An Expat Survival Guide.

4 comments about In Rajasthan (Lonely Planet Journeys).

1. You shouldn't leave home without it. Especially not if you are a Lonely Planet-Woman travelling on your own...



2. Royina Grewal's book is full of the history and grandeur of the Rajputs and the Moghul Emperors, told as the author travels through modern day Rajasthan. The book is so descriptive in parts you can almost feel the heat and dust as if you were there yourself. A wonderful read and highly recommended, especially if you are fascinated with India and her colourful history as much as I am.



3. Royina Grewal's work is rich with imagery and balanced, sensitive observations. She evokes the atmosphere of Rajasthan to a traveller without romanticizing, never straying too far from the lives of the locals. She is always careful not to claim to speak for the people she interviews or let her preconceptions take over their stories. She describes beautifully the scenery, history and customs of various parts of the state. I've learned a lot from this book, not only about Rajasthan, but how to journey through this colorful, changing place as an outsider.



4. Royina Grewal and her husband Ajit chose to leave Bombay and exchange their metropolitan existence for a rural one in the village of Patan in the Alwar district of north eastern Rajasthan. Royina, who also authored Sacred Virgin about a trip on the Narmada river, and her husband have decided to rebuild a run down farm and using experimental agricultural techniques they are attempting to grow crops on arid land. While her husband tends to the farm and the reconstruction of the house Royina, aware of Rajastahn's reputation for its renowned fortresses and palaces, decides to go on a bit of a tour of the countryside. Its an amusing tour. In Rajasthan, which is one of the least modernised areas of India, it is very rare to see a woman traveling alone so her presence brings out many interesting females who are enthused by her boldness in a land where women are rarely free to choose the course of their own lives. Royina even tours the countryside on the back of a motorcycle in one scene. She claims to feel the nomadic spirit which may be true but she also feels the shopping spirit as well as she makes purchases here and there(including a pair of leather boots that are made for princes) that she is careful to note most Indians cannot afford. This is perhaps one of the problems with this book, Royina only leaves home for an eight week stretch and then writes her book. Other travel writers spend years in India before writing about it. She was born in India, given an education, and one surmises has always had a fair amount of money and freedom(she is careful to note her marriage was not an arranged one). She is one of the privileged westernized few and for her roughing it is a matter of choice and really she is not roughing it for she more often than not stays in the renovated and converted former palaces of the Rajasthan princes with their elaborate gardens. More a vacation than a tour of India I would say. Still she relates a lot of valuable and interesting information along the way and she has some good stories to tell and listens to others tell theirs. She no doubt has a real interest in womens liberation and that theme runs through the book. Nothing gives her greater pleasure than to see a woman asserting her independence(very rare in Rajasthan) and nothing hurts her more than to see a woman or girl in some form of bondage to a husband or small minded community or a religion. Royina places her hopes in the education system and she is touched to see a young tribal girl wearing a school uniform beneath her sari. As Royina says change happens very slowly in India but you have to keep chiseling away. A good book (perhaps designed to encourage tourism to the area) though compared to other Indian travel books(Norman Lewis, William Dalrymple)pretty light fare.

2 comments about Trekking In The Indian Himalaya: A Lonely Planet Walking Guide.

1. the book presents a very focussed view for people interested in trekking in the indian region of the himalayas. it gives details of treks along with relevant maps. it is not for those looking for a general tourist guide for the region, but can be used by a variety of trekkers. usually one does not trust the trek details and advice given in such books and this might be very general at times. but it is different in this book. I am myself from one region in the himalayas and some of the facts and details about my region were also interesting and so accurate that this made me like and trust the book.i have also read the previous edition, and the author has built the book across regions. but the information is not very consistent across regions and one can easily make out some gaps for some regions. on the whole a good buy for people interested in specifics.



2. The book quality is really lacking. I'm sure it will have completely fallen apart by the time I return as the book has come apart from the binding with only an hour of use. Lonely Planet, you know how durable these books need to be!!! OR MAYbe it's Amazon???? Anyway it was defective.
   CONTENTS HOWEVER ARE MOST HELPFUL AND IT IS WELL WRITTEN.

No comments about Calcutta, The City Revealed.

5 comments about Unpaved Roads.

1. "I think I'll retire and write a book about my travels." Many have tried but few have done so as successfully as David Wagner. This easy-to-read book is filled with so many anecdotes and insights that readers actually feel they are travel companions of Dave and Flo in their 13-month odyssey throughout Asia. Unpaved Roads is truly a joy to read!
   
   Mark H. Rossman, Ed.D Professor Emeritus



2. Enjoy the trip----Follow Dave and Flo's 13 month journey through Asia and you'll wonder why you're sitting still. Never before has a book transported me so far--it made me feel, taste, and see the places and people being described. Dave has a way of making all their challenges and experiences sound enticing, worthwhile, and downright life changing. And you'll definitely want to know Flo by the time you've finished the book.
   Read this book with a group of friends who want to travel and you may just find yourself on the next plane to "somewhere".



3. When I curled up to read Dave Wagner's "Unpaved Roads", I was looking forward to an interesting tale of someone elses adventures. However, soon I was hearing the sounds, smelling the aromas, tasting the foods, and meeting the people; in fact, having a much richer experience through reading his book than I might have had had I actually traveled the same path in person. Flo and Dave's loving hearts open doors into other people's lives and allow them to experience (and share with us through their book)the facinating diversity of other cultures while celebrating our common humanity.



4. Amazed a couple in their 60s seek and share such an adventure. This travlelogue is inspiring and insightful. My spouse and I have decided to take on an exotic adventure after reading about David and Flo's travels. We plan to take a different path, but on Unpaved Roads.



5. I wasn't expecting to be so entertained. But I was! The author will take you along in his journey from the deadliest bus rides to the side splitting camel ride. The sense of humour was great and there were times I laughed so hard my ribs ached. As Dave takes the reader through places like Shri Lanka, India, Thailand, Vietnam and China I felt the experiences of the sparkling night sky, the smell of ethnic foods in the air and the festive sounds that filled the streets. Unpaved Roads will provide the reader with an opportuntiy that you would not normally have! A Great Read!

No comments about The Amazing Sights and Colours of Asia: The Kathmandu Valley.

1 comments about Graphicswallah: Graphics in India: Graphics in India.

1. Lovegrove's perceptive look at the billboards and graphics of India is a fascinating insight into the vibrant culture of the sub-continent. His written accounts of his travels in search of the posters and signs make very interesting reading. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Asia and enjoys global travel. The photographic content and layout is excellent.

No comments about India Map by Cartographia (Michelin National Maps).