One part of travelling that I have always enjoyed is marvelling at the splendour and sometimes relative stupidity of those tourists around you. As many of you know, my sense of humour (Scotty here) can be a little borderline, so take what I say with a grain of salt
At times it seems like your on the same round about; the same Japanese tourists at the same lonely planet recommended restaurant. That awkward moment at the urinal when the guy next to you was the same guy at the last ‘pit stop’. Breaking free and being independent can be hard, but as the world gets smaller, connections between people just get that much closer. You never know when you will have something in common – i.e. Don’t bag your job
What to wear is always a great source if debate – do as the Italian campervan group of ‘over 60 year olds trying to break a world record for something’ taught me 1. No it is not acceptable to wear your business shirt with only one button done up, exposing a small forest and cavernous belly button, in an Arabic country. 2. Synthetic white pants when wet are very see through – please wear underwear so we don’t see your butt crack. 3. Tight one piece dresses with floral designs are not to be worn by people over the age of 60, (yes again in a Muslim Arab country).

Tipping is a great source of banter between a travelling groups. Tipping for providing a wonderful service is absolutely fine – yes you have done a great service above what I expected. Demanding a tip as a mountain guide , just after you have waxed long and lyrically about how I look like your mother ( so must be 70 at least ) – is not cool. Wealthy people almost try at times to out tip each other, which can make living on a budget kinda hard. Don’t get me wrong we have had some great waiters – many who remind us of ‘manuel’ out of Faulty towers. Eccentric, running around quickly in a craze; but yet overwhelmingly effective.

More delights await !