While I’m on the topic of traveller/tourist, the only thing I really hate – and it’s time for grudges to emerge here (I’m surprised that I’ve held out for so long) is the backpacker bitching sessions about Lonely Planet or whatever other colossal guide book they’re lugging along to contribute to future chiropractic bills.

This is the most boring conversation that has ever taken place on well-trod “off the beaten tracks” (especially re: the China Lonely Planet)… but if you don’t like it, don’t bring it. It’s that simple.

A guide book is not an essential item like passport or visa. And if you don’t like it, keep it to yourself. No-one wants to hear how elevated above the trite cliché of backpackerdom you are by dissing Lonely Planet et al. It’s just adhering to the stereotype down to the minute details. There is nothing more boring that hearing the gripes of the born-again anti-guidebooker. So there!