Frequently Asked Questions
What was your favourite country?
I’ve been asked this question repeatedly over the last three weeks and I hate it, because it’s so hard to answer. I tend to try to split it up – the place I have the most vivid memories of is Cambodia, every day there was an incredibly intense experience. The nicest people were in Laos, most other travellers I’ve met seem to agree on that too. If I could go and live anywhere I wanted I think I might choose Japan. Russia was fascinating and I’d like to go back and see more of it. I’d also like to see more of China and Vietnam. If I wanted a nice weekend away though, I think I’d go to Vilnius.
Where was the best food?
Again, this is a toughie. I’m not a big fan of Chinese food on the whole, but the food in Beijing was remarkably good. The food in Tokyo was also very good, especially the curry.
Which was the best train?
The German ICE from Berlin to Koln was the most comfortable daytime service; the Beijing to Shanghai ‘Z Class’ express was the nicest sleeper, the Japanese rail system had the most helpful staff and the Trans-Siberian trains were the most fun.
What was your favourite beer?
The one and only Beer Lao, though Cambodia’s Angkor and Russia’s Sibirskia Corona were pretty good too. China’s Tsingtao was definitely the cheapest; 640ml bottles for 2 yuan in Beijing. That’s about 15p or US$0.30.
How do you pronounce ‘Laos’?
There’s some debate about this one, though it certainly isn’t ‘Lay-oss’ Many people say ‘Louse’ but the proper name of the country is the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic or the Lao PDR, and as a former part of French Indochina it seems likely that the S should be silent. Besides, ‘Louse’ is a horrible small crawling insect. I’m going for ‘Lao’, rhyming with ‘Mao’ (as in the chairman) and ‘Cow’ (unless you’re from the westcountry).
Where was the worst ho(s)tel you stayed?
The rudest staff member was in the Hotel Tsentralnya in Novosibirsk as featured in ‘The spy who rang me‘, although she was up against some pretty stiff competition. The most soulless place was probably the guest house on the Khao San road in Bangkok where I ended up for a night. 
The room looked like a prison cell. The single most unpleasant night was also one of the most expensive, at the HK hostel in Hong Kong, where I found my mattress infested with bed bugs and had to demand the security guard do something about it at 3am. I found a better, and cheaper, place the next day.
How did you get a Russian visa so easily/quickly? Did you need an itinerary?
There’s a lot of misinformation circulating amongst travellers about Russian visas. It’s not that hard really. Technically you need an itinerary but, depending on where you apply, this doesn’t need to be much more than a vague list of towns and hotels, and no-one expects you to keep to it once you get there. My visa support was arranged through WayToRussia.net who I’d thoroughly recommend.
What’s it like travelling on your own, did you get lonely?
Absolutely not! Travelling on your own is the best way to meet new people as well as do exactly what you want to do. It’s more sociable than travelling in a group.
How did you get from KL to Siem Reap?
I flew. Sorry. I feel like a cheat. I haven’t flown since though.
Are you going to publish a book?
I’m flattered that several people have suggested this. I’m looking into it. In the meantime I’m working on a calendar featuring some of the best pictures from the last 10 months.
Where are you going next?
To the bank, to beg for an extension on my overdraft, then to the job centre – I’m out of money; but if I had any, it’d be Eastern Europe from the Ukraine through to Greece, then I’d seriously consider India.
There are a lot of albums in the gallery marked ‘INCOMPLETE’ are you going to finish these?
Yes, there are a whole load more pictures to go up. I’ll post major additions here.
Is this the end of the blog/website?
No, but I’m not sure what’s going to happen here next. Any ideas?
