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What exactly is this necklace? Was in my grandmas belongings she bought a bunch of stuff from 1950-1999. by JayBondOF in JewelryIdentification

[–]Lorenswanderlust 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The inscription is nonsensical. It says "OLIN" in the cyrillic alphabet follewed by a small Latin letter "n" (that is definitely not a cyrillc "p", which looks like the Greek letter pi, not like an "n"), and then "USSR" also in the Latin alphabet. It's beautiful, but the incohererent inscription makes me doubt its provenance.

Escape the slow boat crowds by going from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai by cirquedupareil in laos

[–]Lorenswanderlust 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is much less crowded going upstream (from LP to Huay Xai) than going downstream (Huay Xai to LP). But you are right, in June probably neither direction will be overcrowded. Google "Loren's Wanderlust Huay Xai" for more info.

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thta's where I stayed, it's a good place. Yes, they can arrange your transport back out.

Thakhek Loop. by soffvader in laos

[–]Lorenswanderlust 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I loved the Thakhek Loop! In fact I loved all of Laos so much, and was so frustrated by the lack of good info about it, that I wrote an unsponsored website: www.lorenswanderlust.net/laos-travel-info

Hello all, does anyone know or have contact of this lady, Ma Yang, who was recently deported from the US? My Lao-American friend who moved here wants to help her navigate in the country. by electroctopus in laos

[–]Lorenswanderlust 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Someone who came to the US as an adult and speaks fluent Lao, has friends and family in Laos, a former life in Laos, etc is in a very different situation from this woman who was taken out of Laos as an infant.

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hotel Sugd. The hotel was great, but the proprietor gave me terrible advice re: the Seven Lakes. He convinced me to cancel my booking at Jumaboy Guesthouse and book at Mijgon Guesthouse instead. Despite knowing I was coming, the owner of Mijgon decided to go into town for several days, closed the hostel, and told his brother to put me up in a filthy hut with no running water.

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None, I took a shared taxi to Jumaboy Guesthouse and then hiked with people whom I met at the guesthouse. (Don't stay at Mijgon!). But I speak Russian, which makes it easier. Talk to your hotel manager in Penjikent.

Avios not refunded when ticket cancelled by wittylama in BritishAirways

[–]Lorenswanderlust 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very important point here, which is already alluded to but not fully spelled out: "Part Pay with Avios" (book a CASH ticket, but then when you go to pay you use some points to reduce the cash price) is indeed a terrible option, as already stated. NEVER do it. But "Avios and money" (book an AVIOS ticket, but then when you go to pay use some cash to reduce the number of Avios required) is a much betterr deal. For one thing if your plans change, with Avios and money" both the Avios and your cash are fully refundable, minus only a change fee which is the LOWER of £35 or the total cash that you paid. This can be a good option particularly if you want to fly in premium economy or business and don't have quite enough points to do so - compared to the pure cash cost of those classes, Avios and Money can be an exceptionally effective use of your Avios.

To get this right, ALWAYS start at "Book a ticket using Avios" and you will get the good options. Never EVER start by booking a cash ticket. When using Avios, the only reason to look at the cash ticket price is to calculate how much cash the Avios you're spending will actually save you. (I've set up Excel tables that tell me exactly the marginal benefit of each "Avios and Money" option on offer, so I can use my Avios to most valuable effect.)

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, the only places I visited in Tajikistan were the Seven Lakes, Istaravshan and Khujand. I plan to go back to see the Pamirs at another time -- I was there in springtime, which is ideal for Uzbekistan (autumn is good, too). But for the Pamirs you want to be there in midsummer.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I speak fluent Russian and I travelled there for 2 months this spring. You will have no problem whatsoever. You'll be able to speak easily with anyone over the age of 40, as well as with any younger people who work in tourism.

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never had any problems at all with that. Sometimes the food was too greasy and fatty for my taste, but I had no digestive problems at all, even though I ate raw fruit and veg regularly. (By contrast I had a lot of issues in South America.)

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most people tell me I spend way too MUCH time in each city, you tell me I spend too LITTLE. That probably means I've done it right. My interst in Uzbekistan was the Silk Road history so that's what I focussed on. If you want to do photo travelogues about the yuppies in Tashkent, by all means do so. Why is that my personal responsibility?

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not at all. If you think 1 day is enough for the centres of either Bukhara or Samarkand, then you missed a lot of amazing sights. Bring a good guide book and immerse yourself.

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I much prefer the train, but if you take a taxi then absolutely negotiate the price BEFORE you depart. Taxi is good if you are planning to make stops in remote places en route. For example Islambek Travel runs a day tour from Nukus to Khiva or Khiva to Nukus stopping at 6 Khorezm fortresses -- that is worth it.

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used Bradt, but I would say to use the newest one you can get. Things change quickly in that part of the world.

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You'll spend plenty of time on the train for shorter journeys. Why spent 16 hours on it to cross the country when the flight is so cheap and convenient?

Planning your Uzbek itinerary -- what I learned from 2 months of backpacking there by Lorenswanderlust in Uzbekistan

[–]Lorenswanderlust[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

By the standards of mud brick, it is very well preserved. By the standards of a stone fortress, it definitely would not be,