Hi,

I'm planning my trip from Turkey to India/Nepal, possibly including a roundtrip through SE Asia. I'm reading lots of things about packing lists and how to minimize the luggage, but how do I minimize the amount of books I take??

I was thinking of at least the following ones:
- Loneley Planet Istanbul to Kathmandu, possibly the one for SE Asia
- Language guide(s)
- AMH
- Maintainance book for my bike
- One or two reading books

Is the LP Istanbul to Kathmandu practical and sufficient? Is it a good idea to get LP's for individual countries? Any other guide books I should consider?

Can anyone recommend a comprehensive language guide book for all the countries I will cross? Hopefully I only have to take a single book...

Finally, any (kind of) book that proved invaluable to you??

thanks!
Peter

Peter,

LPs Istanbul to Kathmandu is sufficient, but it depends how much time you're spending in each country. If you just want it to give you basic information and accommodation recommendations it will be fine.
For India it might be worth getting LP Northern India to give you more detail on what there is to see here.

LP books are widely available in the tourist spots in India and Nepal, so you can buy the SE Asia guide en route.

As for a language book, I wouldn't bother. If you speak English you will be fine as it is spoken just about everywhere and you will pick up local words and phrases as you travel. Most of the LP guides have a list of useful phrases in the back.

The AMH is really a guide to prepare your bike for the trip, not a book for the road. Your bike manual should have all the information you need and there are plenty of 'mechanics' around - you can always post something on the HUBB if you're stuck.

Take a couple of reading books with you. Many backpackers' guest houses run exchange libraries for second hand books. You just hand in a book you've finished and, usually for a small fee, take another out of the library.

I can't think of any other essential books except maybe some sort of medical/first aid guide which I hope you never use.

Hope that helps,

Harvey

------------------
no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

__________________
no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

LP mmm Remember you cannot get any money in Iran from credit cards or travellers checks. the LP Iran is wrong! I dont know if the istanbul to katmandu is different. I met people with the istanbul-katmandu who were not aware of alot around them because it only has info along a specific route. better to have a good read before you go, or between Guide book purchases, remember that the LP is online as well if you need info on hotels ..takes a few days for replies unlike the HUBB.

Agree with Harvey, wouldn't take AMH but read before you go. Phrase books can be good even if people speak english..shows you are trying.

If you have to many give them away on route.

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality