BOOKS WORTH A LOOK
Lonely Planet's Best Ever Travel Tips is a little book that punches well above it's weight. It's about the size of a large luggage label and contains advice from experienced travel writers, industry experts and staff. The knowledge acquired from it may save you it's cost tenfold and help you get the most out of your travels.It is also a very good read and can waken the wanderlust within you .
Here are a couple of sample tips from Robert Reid, Lonely Planets US Travel Editor.
Don't forget to give yourself time to stop. Those on as bike see more than those in a car, those walking see more than those biking, and those stopping - just to sit and stare, at a street corner, or beside a rice field in Southeast Asia - see most.
Another from him can remove the rose tint from your specs.
Scared of rats in the dark in a strange room across the globe?
Be sure to wash your hands Those cookie crumbs on your finger tips will be the ones to get licked first.Edited by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet. Price £4.99
India, the Shimmering Dream was written by Max Reisch following the first overland trip by motorcycle in 1933 and yet it reads so
fresh that you feel that you are there with him experiencing the hideously difficult 13,000 kilometres between Vienna and Bombay.
As two young students, he and Herbert Tichy shared an obsession, to get to India at all costs. Max managed to persuade the Steyr-Daimler-Puch-AG to fund the project and provide a Puch 250 straight of the production line.
Their weight together with the 'light motorcycle' which was 424 lbs when packed and ready to go seemed to be tempting fate. One arab friend commented "Allah is great but this machine is not strong enough!" but they made it in an incredible journey that took them across fearsome, scorching, road less deserts.
It took them over bitter, freezing, high mountain passes; and it to sumptuous receptions with Ambassadors. They travelled through Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, all dangerous countries which are still in the news virtually every day even now and which were no less lawless and dangerous 77 years ago.Being stuck in sand became an everyday occurrence. Physically they were close to exhaustion and mentally close to despair. At that time no motorcycle had yet got to India by land. Their faces, burnt black by the sun, were covered with stubbly beard and their eyes red and in flamed..
Running out of sun block they got quite good results with engine oil. It was less successful when they tried to fry eggs with it. They tasted good enough but the after effects were calamitous. But there were magic moments too including the sight of the Taj Mahal by moonlight.India: The Shimmering Dream by Max Reisch is published by Panther Publishing. Price £12.95
Cool Camping - Scotland
is all about camping in special places. The guide is illustrated with full pare colour photographs each tempting you to fish out the map and include them in your itinerary.
It offers a selection of 'different' locations rather than a comprehensive listing of sites.
These are places that will offer a 'quality experience' The entries include an informative panel covering, cost, facilities, nearest decent pub, getting there and the "Upside" and the "Downside"
For a site called 'The Sheilings on Mull, 'The Upside' is "Spectacular location, comfortable camping, easy access to the ferry." The Downside is "Can get a little draughty."Cool Camping also includes a section on Festivals and Events.
If you desire truly awesome scenery, inspiring walks and trails or inspired guidance to remote bolt holes or sites near the bright lights of a big city this it a book to help you plan the dream.
Cool Camping - Scotland is published by Punk Publishing at £14.95.
