GPS is good for making it out to places quickly if you know how to use it. I used it for next weeks post so I knew where I was, just in case …

If you are still young at heart, and don’t mind some rough days of travel, then picking a new destination is always an option. I liken it to looking at a map, let you eyes scan over it, and wherever your heart flutters with curiosity, go for it!

The Philippines will still be there if you need to go back. And, yes, about the guide. I can’t carry that big heavy book anymore either!

And, I’ve been in Philippines longer than any place that I can even recall. The English and the ladies have kept me here. I have packed and unpacked so many times it makes my head spin. It’s always “this time I am REALLY GOING, I MEAN IT THIS TIME, DAMMIT”. Nobody even listens anymore or believes that I will simply vanish, without a sound or a wave. But it is coming. To where? For starters KK, then visit old “friends” in Malaysia and Thailand. After that, who knows?—- So, don’t “hit the wall”, that can happen, you know. Keep writing.

just my 2 cents:

I’ve been using a offline map application in my netbook:
http://code.google.com/p/gmapcatcher/

Before I go to a different town/country I’ll download the maps for offline viewing.

Dunno if it would work in a smartphone…

i love LP, goggle maps.. somethings are covered better than others but they both have a place in my books:)

But, that said gprs usually still works. And with it so will google maps, and the internet as one’s source of information.

The countries I’ve had more problems in connecting have actually been developed ones. Paper work, expensive sims, and convoluted set ups. Why? There are using older systems that have not been upgraded yet. This is expensive. Whereas many developing countries are basing there new infrastructures on the latest technology.

I agree that the likes of I-Phones, Nexus e.t.c., are not created based solely on an international travelers need. But if used with local sims, they will work. Then again, Lonely Planet has been catering more to the generic tourist for the past half decade. With the BBC taking over a couple of years ago, plus the sacking of the website staff recently, we might see some changes here the will improve it’s content, web access, infrastructure and presence.

Thanks for the comment!

I’m in travel and technology, have been using lp guidebooks for decades, carry several mobile devices with me when I travel, and closely monitor changes in behaviour.

Don’t disagree with views expressed but still reckon it’s a longer timeframe than most people think.

And yes, random travel can bring up the beauty of the unexpected which make travel so interesting. Having that backup PDF is always useful, especially in countries where there’s not that much information, or access to it.

The best places I’ve been to are places that I ended up in by the most random ways..

You’re right about the problems of PDF files, but it’s a good alternative if you just want to read some brief and necessary facts, and let the rest take care of itself.
I like having it in the computer just in case I would need it, because most often you’re just fine without it.

-jessiev- Thanks Jessie. Sometimes it doesn’t change fast enough though!

-Nomadic Chick- Good to hear you’ve had a similar experience. Yes I’ve heard of Moon, and I think I got my hands on one once. Wasn’t going to that place thought. Another I didn’t mention is Trailblazer, the old ones at least were stellar!

-Scott- Hi & welcome Scott! Yes the combination approach is the best option at the moment. Not everything is 100% on both sides at the moment, so having a backup is good. Yes Wikitravel is something I use a lot, but for remoter areas its lacking. Unfortunately that’s one of the problems with user edited information. If the funding is there, I am sure it will get better.

-debbieann- Hi Debbieann, totally agree with you about spending too much time in front of a laptop. I only use it for this website, and research. Once I have the information I just transfer it to my phone. Keep’s me out of cyber cafe’s a lot, and keeps my costs down!

-simon monk- Hi Simon, nice to see you here. I read your post. As you asked about where I’ve been, take a look to the left of nearly every page on this website you can see where I have been on this journey, alone. In every country I have managed to have a gprs connection. Even Nepal and West Africa. The only place I did not use it was Iran where the cost of buying a sim was too much for me. $35 Dollars. Most other places $5. Bar Europe which was $10. In your post you mention using an iPhone. I don’t, I have a Nokia, and for all it’s faults the symbian apps are not only free, but works pretty well nonetheless. I do agree that smart phones and applications are not 100% the solution, hence I still carry torn up or copied guidebook pages, but they are, in my opinion well on the way to overtaking.

-Keith- Hi Keith, nice to have you comment here. You bring up a very valid point about guide books being used more for at home, pre travel plans. And also the brand name reassurance for quality of information. Couples are a prime example where a guide book is much easier to share and plan over than a smart phone. That said, I can see this also changing once an application and a phone can allow ease of sharing along with note taking between people.

-Joel P- Absolutely agree about note taking with a book rather than a smartphone or even laptop. Even with a very, very light laptop I much prefer having a smart phone at hand, and notes in my pocket. That said I’ve yet to come across a smartphone that makes it easy to take notes with. Once that is cracked, then things will pickup. Safe Travels in Africa!