From the Editor: The best from myWanderlust this week

See that sad old guy propping up a bar in Bali? It’s not me

From the Editor

21 October 2011

A few years ago I came across a middle-aged Englishman propping up a bar in Gabon. He wore a Panama hat and a white shirt that was yellowing with age and from not being washed enough. He bought me a beer and insisted on reading me poetry he’d written in a battered exercise book. It wasn’t very good, and whenever the barman caught my eye he rolled his in an exaggerated manner.

I asked the Englishman how long he’d been in Gabon and he couldn’t say. He’d lost track sometime after the fourth time he’d got malaria. I asked him when was the last time he got back and he shook his head. He had no home, no family.This bar was his home he said. This barman was his family. He was the saddest person I have ever met.

I mention this guy because I was reminded of him by The Happy Wanderer’s post on whether travel is the most important thing in life. And in particular, Mattyboy876’s response. Mattyboy recalls meeting travellers in their 40’s who were stuck in a rut and lonely – just like the expat in Gabon – and how it convinced him that travel alone was not the answer to a truly happy life. I just remember thinking that I never wanted to end up like that.

Judging by the sage-like responses from other myWanderlusters, the general consensus is that travel is only one element of a healthy, happy and balanced life. Albeit an important one. Except for Fintown Trekker. Hot chocolate and waffles do it for him every time.

Speaking of hot chocolate and waffles, sararevell is going to be in Brussels for two to three hours and wants to know the best waffle bar in town. Cornwall-evangelist LaurenAmelia is venturing out of the south-west and heading to Eastern Europe. She wants to know about the train from Budapest to Brasov. And wilsonz needs some tips on how to spend four days in Bangalore.

Mattyboy876 wonders if it is too soon to go back to Libya. Tom Coote talks travel writing competitions and points to a great resource on his website for aspiring scribblers. And Tony2004 is selling his collection of every Wanderlust magazine ever published. If you live near Derbyshire you’re in luck.

Just back from and intrepid myWanderlusters continue to return with tips and tales from their adventurers. Hmk went sailing on the tall ship Tenacious and says that sailing on a large old-fashioned sailing ship is magical. Just make sure you take your sea-sickness tablets. Sararevell went to Dubrovnik and recommends cutting back the time you spend in the old city and heading out to the Peljesac peninsula for a spot of wine-tasting instead. KelvinB had a bit of a wander around Western Australia’s north-west and was particularly taken by the outback town of Wyndham. The Five Rivers Lookout is a must-see.

KelvinB also posted some photos from his trip in the photographic gallery. I know it’s sad, but the giant concrete crocodile made me a little bit homesick.

We don’t usually encourage people to put up their wedding photos, but Steve48’s selection from the Romanian Orthodox wedding he went to in Iaşi, Moldova, is worth a peek. Warning: The Romanians don’t do understated. DrG continues his colour theme by presenting Borneo in Brown. And Dabbler takes us to the Norfolk Broads. Bryanpereira dabbled with the depth of his photo to produce a very bizarre and compelling picture of the pyramids, which I’m sure you’ll agree is not easy to do.

While we’re on the subject of photography it would be remiss of me to alert you to the fact that the deadline for entering your fabulous photos into our Travel Photo of the Year competition has been extended until 17.30 on Monday. It was supposed to close today, but after a technical glitch took down the entry page this morning we decided to give you a bit more time.

I guess that’s the kind of guys we are.