Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train
A weekly newsletter of great travel reads and news by James Clark from Nomadic Notes.
Latest posts from Nomadic Notes
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train – best train times to see some of the highlights of Thailand
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train - how to pick the best train times, and a review of the overnight sleeper train.
Travel Reads
A Second Passport
“Normally, kibbutz volunteers visit Israel and return home. Pam Mandel went on to Egypt, and kept going …”
On Guide Books
Some quick thoughts on travel writing
“Should you become a travel writer writing travel guide stuff? Probably not.”
How tourism changed China: Lonely Planet’s first guide to country reveals extent of its evolution
“Published 35 years ago, the book documents a nation barely recognisable today Despite being littered with flaws and short on practical information, the travel bible gave backpackers in the newly opened country something to talk, debate and bitch about”
Cycling
4,000 Miles, Seven Countries: An African Adventure on Two Wheels
“A 10-week cycling trip from Morocco to Ghana takes riders on a rough ribbon of road through West Africa, a region better known for strife than tourism.”
Women Who Bicycle In Pakistan Face A Lot Of Pushback
If boys can ride bikes, “why shouldn’t we?” asked Zulekha Dawood. So she organized a group that goes on weekly excursions — despite the disapproval of many men.
Polar Vortex Cold Can’t Stop Minnesota Bike Commuters
“All it takes is the right equipment to stay warm and safe on a bike, even in the middle of a polar vortex, these brave St. Paul cyclists say. Here’s what you should wear.”
Meanwhile in Australia
Bronze baby Buddha found off WA's north coast could be Ming treasure
“Two West Australian men exploring the state’s north coast with a metal detector discovered a Buddha statue that could date back to the early Ming Dynasty.”
Fred the emu adopts farming family and helps out with the mustering
You’ve heard of cattle dogs, but what about cattle emus? One family in central Queensland has been adopted by an emu, which is showing a great deal of interest in everyday happenings on the farm.
Maps
It's possible to sail in a straight line from the United Kingdom to New Zealand
r/MapPorn: High quality images of maps.
Lunar New Year in Penang (Happy year of the pig!)