Brian Thacker

When Tony Wheeler wrote Lonely Planet's first-ever shoestring guidebook, South-East Asia offered 'cheap and interesting travel without the constantly oppressing misery of some of the less fortunate parts of Asia'. Certain 'hotspots' in the region attracted the tourist crowds, but there were many 'untouched places' too.

So have Tony's recommendations stood the test of time? Just how much has South-East Asia changed since the Wheelers ambled through the region in flared pants?

Brian Thacker show more decides to retrace Tony and Maureen's footsteps through Portuguese Timor, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Burma using the original 1975 South east Asia on a Shoestring as his only guidebook. Along the way Brian meets a cast of folk from the old guidebook who are still manning hotel desks and serving in restaurants. He also encounters mishap and adventure at every step of the Banana Pancake Trail - breaking bread with a gang of ravenous rats; swimming with a hungry goat-and-possibly-also-human-eating crocodile; crashing his scooter (twice); being wanted by the police and propositioned by Gary who likes 'pens', and getting lost everywhere.. show less

Kooky festivals of all shapes and sizes exist around the world, as illustrated by this humorous travelogue that recounts the dozen most outrageous celebrations the author discovered on his six-month, six-country adventure. The subtitle tells it all, really - 'The Naked Man Festival - and other excuses to fly round the world'. Hmmm.

In search of the most unusual and wildest festivities, the author was amazed by giant snow cows, stampeded in a temple full of men wearing nothing but nappies, show more befriended by alien abductees, and much more while attending a Hogmanay in Scotland, a Tomato (or more accurately 'toe-may-toe) Festival in Tennesee, a Bean Throwing Festival in Tokyo, and a Vodou Festival in Haiti - and, of course, the Gay Mardigras in Sydney.

Here's a sample: "Two hours later I had my first Vodou experience. I was possessed. I kept stumbling over, my arms were flailing about uncontrollably and my eyes were rolling around in my head. Then again, after seven beers and seven rum punches, there was a slight chance that I might just have been pissed rather than possessed."

A light and amusing scamper round some of the world's more bizarre festivals. show less

A very humorous look at traveling around the globe with a definite skewed perspective of what constitutes good food (and manners).

This silly book is an enjoyable read for anyone who has ever been on a Contiki tour (or any 18-30 coach tour).

The book was written by a tour leader, and contains tales of the mayhem caused by ferrying young, alcohol fueled Australians on whirlwind tours of Europe.

It is crude and full of adolescent humour but it is funny, mostly because the stories, unfortunately, ring very true.

Only read it if you've been down the coach-tour path yourself - certainly don't read it if you're after beautifully show more crafted images of travel through Europe. show less