Next time I will really question why I need to use the internet before using.

Yes, technology is useful. I took lots of photos for a project and needed to upload them regular to my computer. I also kept diary of my experience. I used skype to keep in touch with friends and family. It was invaluable in some ways but a hinderance in others.

I took, a laptop and a digital camera. I found that I was much more conservative in my travels as I was worried about the stuff getting stolen. I missed some great experience because of this. I was also less trustful of people and was never keen to share a room with other people, y’know, just incase. In that way it was a big nuisance.

I’ll be looking at, wait for it, more technology, to see how I can overcome this. I’ve heard of something called ‘gotomypc’ where you can access stuff from your home computer to see whether this is a viable alternative to taking a laptop.

I’m a bit of an old timer now and only have travelled once with a digital camera and being able to go into libraries to do some emailing. I loved it and when I do a sort trip later this year I will use technology heaps. But I will go online when I need to not so much because I want to, I get bored quickly in front of a computer which is good.

I’m be sending postcards to my dear old mum but definitely swapping email addresses with new friends.

It is too easy to misunderstand what others actually mean in forums/threads like this, I think we are all on the same team and all share a common interest. I think of travel as a very personal act to the point of being very selfish, it’s so important to acheive what you want to acheive, to go where you want to go and other noble crap like that. Learn from others and share but don’t compete.

And I think the main point of the original post is that yes it is fine to go online to keep in touch with where you are from and to research where you are going but as much as possible immerse yourself in where you are right now.

Excuse me, I don’t normally preach like this!

http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/03/10/does-the-internet-cheapen-your-travel-experience/

“While technology hastens the dispersal of information, it does not improve its ability to be processed by the end user. Travel has entirely to do with what we bring with us; our wits, our hopes, our preconceptions and–most importantly–our failings.”

We should note that the (provocative?) headline was all mine, not Stuart’s.

If his post is a call to action, it’s as simple and innocent as “hey, online travel info. is great, but remember to unplug yourself once in a while!”

And I don’t see how that’s controversial or offensive.

I’m sorry if I sound cranky, I’m just so tired of the “Remember when travel was REAL?” theme, because, well, I don’t. Or rather, I do – I feel like all my travels have gone just fine, thanks, Facebook or no. Besides which, having this conversation with a website founder, on the web, makes the whole thing seem kind of hypocritical.

Basically, he’s pointing out that it’s kind of weird to walk into a hostel in Luang Prabang and see a whole room of people staring into their laptops.

I agree. Even though I am one of those people.