Travelfish #398: The OMG thank you! edition
How many times can I fit thank you in one newsletter?
Hi everyone,
So, we made it!
A couple of days ago we hit our crowdfunding target of US$10,000. We allowed three months for the campaign, and officially launched it on July 12. Here we are, about five weeks later, August 17 to be exact, and we’ve hit the target. Thank you!
Get on your bike. Cycling Don Khon, Laos. Photo: Cindy Fan.
So far there have been 158 donations in total. Some donated a bunch of times—and thank you also to those who opted to extend their membership at the various discounted rates.
I don’t know how many ways I can say thank you, so I’m just going to say, one more time, THANK YOU!
We’ll leave the campaign running for the full three months, but we’re thrilled to have made our target already. Along the way, many people sent us kind comments—some of thanks, some of encouragement. I’ve included a selection below.
Looking for distancing? How about a cave in Vietnam? Photo: Cindy Fan.
Takes a breath, and now, dear listener, back to our regular programming!
Last week on pay to read Couchfish, I handed the reins over to Cindy Fan who took readers on a week–long caves and war history tour of Central Vietnam. Cindy hit the magnificent Hang En Cave for two days, along with the less magnificent Dong Hoi. She also visited the Vinh Moc tunnels and the DMZ.
On free to read Couchfish, I covered my favourite island of Laos’ 4,000 and then another volcano climb in Indonesia—the stunning Rinjani.
As always, the photos in this newsletter are from last week on Couchfish.
Don’t forget, if you are a Travelfish member, the full Couchfish newsletter is free—just email me your member name and I’ll add you to the list.
No, we’re not putting the crowd funding towards a Travelfish boat. Photo: Cindy Fan.
Elsewhere, David sent out another cracking post, this one on Thailand’s Ko Mook. Are you an island bum? Read more here.
Cheers and again thank you for all your support
Stuart
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Thank you!
As mentioned up top, we’ve hit our US$10,000 crowd funding goal. So this week I’m sharing some of the kind comments people have sent through—with some minor edits!
“When I was trip planning for Singapore and Bali four years ago, you were ‘the man’. Lots of useful info. I usually don’t keep up with blogs where we’re not travelling to; but in your case, it’s just so darn interesting.”
Cloud slipping over the rim, Agung volcano, Bali. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
“Travelfish is invaluable to flashpackers. I’m sure it has helped thousands of small businesses like ours with valuable exposure.”
“Travelfish was a huge help for my trip to Vietnam five years ago. I now have an 18 month old daughter and look forward to traveling with her in Southeast Asia someday!”
“We have been following you for years, in our mid 50s now. Up until 2020 we used to travel about three months of the year. We tend to stay in a slightly better class of hotel these days. That doesn’t stop us looking at your website for travel tips and restaurant ideas though. I hope you stay afloat for the next generation of avid readers.”
Caving in Phong Nha. Photo: Cindy Fan.
“My partner and I have been using Travelfish for seven years now. It remains our go to resource for everything—totally indispensable”
“I’ve enjoyed reading Travelfish for over 13 years of travelling in Southeast Asia. Rock on you guys, love what you do and the content you’re providing! It’s nice to listen to the Couchfish recordings now, too❣️”
“You’ve been our faithful guide on trips to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. We feel like you are travelling with us, a fine companion. Sometime, we’d love to be able to sit on a beach with you and buy you a beer! And of course we hope this crowd-funding and magazine idea gets you through to the end of the pandemic.”
This crowd funding is a hard slog I tell ya. The final ascent on Rinjani. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
“I’m a 65 year old Australian writer, donating because I so appreciate the quality, the honesty, and the intelligence of Travelfish’s writing and attitude. Through your recommendations I’ve also been made aware of various other publications shining a non–MSM light on the region. I really want you guys to keep doing. Good luck out there!”
“Don’t stop—Travelfish is still my favourite go–to for Southeast Asia travel and I do hope to do it again—someday!”
“I’m fairly new to travel in Southeast Asia and you guys have helped make travelling so much easier, more interesting and more meaningful. And when I’m not travelling, I spend my time planning and dreaming and Travelfish makes that awesome too! Fingers crossed, this’ll be over soon.”
Just because Laos is land–locked doesn’t mean it can’t do great sunsets over water. 4,000 Islands. Photo: Cindy Fan.
“Basically Travelfish was with us during our travels to all of Southeast Asia. It helped us get off the beaten track, grow as independent travellers and made us eat heaps of glorious food [ed: Mission accomplished!]. We honestly wouldn’t be the travellers and even persons we are today, had I not stumbled upon it in 2011. Thanks for all your effort and work, keep making guides to destinations like Sumbawa and Alor, keep eating and drinking and stay in business forever. Six days ago we experienced the birth of our first son and I can’t wait to show him the wonders of Asia, guided or inspired by Travelfish!”
“I discovered Travelfish when I first moved to Southeast Asia 12 years ago and have been relying on it ever since. Keep up the good work.”
Camping near the summit of the second highest volcano in Indonesia. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
“The Couchfish newsletters are one of the few sparks of joy in what is otherwise a dreary and depressing inbox these days.”
“I only discovered Travelfish recently but I need a lifetime to explore the best region on the planet. For that, I can think of no finer guide than Travelfish. It’s a wonderful source of inspiration and was invaluable for my last pre-virus trip to Malaysia. Ren i Tang in Penang was a revelation. Thank you for what you do.”
“Fully appreciating Couchfish. A bit of vicarious travel that hits all the right notes, even if there’s not a cold Bintang to go with it.”
Or camping in the third largest cave in the world. Photo: Cindy Fan.
“Since I’ve discovered Travelfish I really enjoy receiving your emails. I know I will enjoy or learn something, and in these uncertain times, go virtual travel! Hang in there and a million thanks!! Who knows ... hopefully we will meet you on the road one day.”
“Travelfish has been absolutely essential for planning previous trips to Southeast Asia. It has helped me find exactly what I’m looking for even in the less obvious places. Thank you!”
“Keep it up, semangat!!”
“Long live Travelfish!”
Seems like a good one to finish on!
Thank again everyone for your support.
Thank you.
Good travels
Stuart
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Thirteen things worth reading
How corporate kidnapping works $
Thailand what is going on? Part I
An interesting podcast with Kunthida Rungruengkiat, the former deputy leader of Thailand’s now-banned Future Forward Party. Recorded in March.
Thailand what is going on? Part II
“Although the protest movement has no single leader, Anon’s August 3 call for curbs on the power of the monarchy shook Thai politics in a way not known in living memory and made him a hero for some and a hate figure for others.”
Thailand what is going on: Part III
“The fundamental problem is that Vajiralongkorn operates totally above the law, with his own military and police commando units, his own dungeon, and control of vast lands and a fortune upwards of US$60 billion that makes him the world’s richest monarch by far. This would be bad enough, but it is also enforced by a slavish military and government who snap to attention, ready to implement any order.”
In building tourism back better, let’s not forget to decolonise it
“A lot of this is rationalised by the economic benefits that tourism can bring. But does tourism actually bring these benefits?” Read the whole thing.
The Rat Catchers of Takeo $
Tastes Like Chicken: “If there was another convenient job, I would not do this because it is difficult and we do not catch many rats.” On the Cambodia—Vietnam rat travel bubble.
The rise and fall of Cambodia’s Pub Street
“It also affirmed what residents have known for years: the area surrounding Wat Bo Road, with its galleries, boutique hotels and hip restaurants, has become the city’s new capital of cosmopolitan cool.” I say that’s a pretty low bar.
Themed virtual tours to celebrate Indonesia’s 75th Independence Day
A virtual birthday party. Smart.
In Vietnam, an ancient town struggles with a new Covid19 outbreak
“You are the very first guest today, and I highly suspect that you would be the only one.” Similar stories are being played out across Southeast Asia.
Dredging uncovers Mekong warship wreck and UXOs
Amazing what you dig up I tell ya.
It’s time to stop profiting from the Killing Fields
Black spots $
“But a successful attack—one that would be assured to go off without a hitch—required insiders, intel, and economic backing that a motley crew of pirates wouldn’t typically be able to coordinate.” Fascinating piece.
Why tourism may not return to its former levels in Bali
“Desperate for cash, hotels will engage in an unprecedented price war that will, over time, make Bali a cheap destination over-supplied w/rooms spiralling into dilapidation due to neglect & lack of funds to maintain & refurbish room inventories”
What to read
The Rainbow Troops
Andrea Hirata’s The Rainbow Troops, originally published in Indonesian in 2005, is a delightful and poignant coming-of-age tale set in rural Indonesia.
Photo of the week
One more time. Thank you!
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