Hi everyone,
Well, what a week it has been! It is also Travelfish’s birthday (well on 12th July)—it turned 16 ... and me a few years older!
As it was also my 50th, I got treated to a fancy–pants hotel in Bali for a couple of nights. Our original plans though, were for a small island off the coast of Alor in eastern Indonesia, but Covid19 made that impossible. The pics in this newsletter are from where we should have gone (and you should to!)—nothing wrong with dreaming! If you’re curious about Alor, our write–up is here.
In last week’s newsletter I announced we’d be kicking off a crowd–funding campaign—and here it is. The campaign aims to raise US$10,000 over the next three months, and guess what? We’re already over halfway there and I’m only announcing it today!
Where I planned to turn 50. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
The response has been beyond humbling. Not only for the donated funds, but also for the many kind messages Travelfish readers have sent in. The first of many is below. Thank you ... so very much. More to come in the coming weeks.
An important note! Due to an error on my behalf, in last week’s newsletter I wrote the target was A$10,000—it is actually US$10,000. This means the donations are in US$ not A$. This was my mistake and I apologise unreservedly.
If you made a donation thinking it was in A$, and would like a refund, please let me know and I’ll refund it immediately. I’ve also made it clearer on the donation page, and, well, I’ll be triple proof–reading this newsletter before I send it!
My kind of beach shack. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
Also as promised last week, here are a few more details on the whats, whys and hows of the campaign.
The whats
We’re aiming to raise US$10,000. The donation page is here.
The whys
Revenue from Travelfish has flatlined. Travel research in the current environment verges on the impossible. Almost nobody is travelling. Many attractions, restaurants, cafes and hotels have closed. International inbound travel has collapsed. Everyone is hurting.
As a response to we decided to commission feature stories. I guess we’re swinging from a travel guide to a travel magazine style publication. When travel restarts (I’m hoping for mid 2021) we’ll get back to work on the travel guide side of things. Until then, we’ll bring the region to you.
A chair fit for a newly 50-year-old. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
The hows
We decided to run a crowd–funding campaign to fund the commissioning of stories. The idea behind these stories is twofold. Firstly, we hope they will encourage people to become Travelfish members, which will help us stay in business. Secondly, some of the stories will keep your feet itching, others may open your eyes to something you didn’t know.
The US$10,000 will fund at least ten feature stories. If we raise more money, then that will allow us to commission more stories. The more we raise, the more we publish and so more people become members—and the more your feet itch, and the more you learn!
That’s the plan—and we have already started commissioning stories—thanks to you!
On the back beach. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
As I wrote last week, there are at least three ways you can help us.
First. If you found somewhere (or someone!) special in part thanks to Travelfish, please send me an email and tell me all about it. I’ve already got one marriage (not mine!)—send me more!
Second. When I start running these stories, please tell me what you think. If you like the piece, share it with your friends. Every new set of eyes is a potential member!
Third. If you’re a Travelfish member, I’ve set up a page where you can renew your account at a discounted rate (you’ll need to log in to see the page). We’ll all get to travel again one day right? This has already proved to be the most popular way to support us—thank you so much everyone.
Renewals are A$30 for one year, A$25 per year for two years (so A$50 upfront) and A$20 (so A$100 upfront) for five years. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this renewal deal, please see this page (need to log in first!). In case you forgot, the regular price is A$35 per year.
Or as I mentioned above, if you’d simply like to make a donation, the donation page is here.
Sunsets are ok too. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
Thank you again for your support.
Stuart
Travelfish reader story
So, as promised last week, here’s a story story from Travelfish reader Amy on her time in Laos. Enjoy.
“I met one of your writers in Tha Khaek in Laos. They were in their thirties I guess and knew their stuff. We met at that backpacker lodge everyone stays at. I forget the name, but the one with the fireplace, too much drinking and a few sleazy backpacker guys.
We rode the Tha Khaek Loop in three days and kept seeing them on and off through the ride. At the town before the cave boat ride we met again and, somehow, it came up, what they were doing—writing for Travelfish.
I almost died. I told my boyfriend, “I told you!” because I figured they were some kind of travel writer because they ALWAYS HAD THE F’N ANSWER. How much was the bus from Savannakhet to Pakse? They knew. What goes with the crossing to Cambodia? They knew. Who knows ... or remembers that stuff!
We didn’t talk about it much as the food was terrible and we were all tired, but they were no bullshit. No “Oh hey hey I’m a travel writer let me tell you how to do it.” Cool confident and one of us.
We’d been using Travelfish for the trip anyway and liked it, but after that meeting I loved it.”
Got a story? Want to share?
Please shoot me an email at stuartmcdonald@travelfish.org. Thank you!
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Ten things worth reading
The challenges of reporting a pandemic in Burma
Locked Up in Malaysia's Lockdown
The Malaysian government has gone batshit crazy about this story—probably because it is accurate.
Cambodian tourist province bans dog meat trade
“They like it, that’s why it led to restaurants serving it, so now we ban it.” Warning on the photo in this story.
Notes on Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Never heard of it? All the more reason to go there.
Burial traditions clash with coronavirus safety in Indonesia
How do you tell people they can’t bury their loved ones as they want to?
In difficult times, go fly a kite $
Who doesn’t want to go fly a kite in these times?
COVID-19 may worsen burning and haze as Indonesia enters dry season
Got dengue? Yes. Got Covid19? Yes. Why not set a portion of the country on fire, yet again. Oh Indonesia.
Bagan adjusts to tourism crash
The year without summer
And there you were thinking 2020 was a bad year. A fascinating listen. Tambora is also my favourite volcano climb in Indonesia. A fantastic peak.
Thailand's holiday hotspots have become dystopian ghost towns $
Read this and think of every small hole in the wall business you’ve been a guest of in the past. Believe me they’re doing it just as, if not harder, than some mentioned in this story.
What to read
The Trouser People
Photo of the week
Nature delivers. On the house reef, Kepa Island, Alor. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
Thank you!
Thanks from reading the Travelfish newsletter. Please feel free to forward it to all and sundry and your feedback, as always, is much appreciated.
Travel light!
Stuart & the Travelfish team