From the Editor: The best from myWanderlust this week

This week, it seems, it’s all about bottoms

From the Editor

27 April 2012

myWanderlusters are usually quite a sophisticated bunch. They are widely travelled. They are broadminded. And many hold down challenging and responsible jobs. But scratch the surface and you’ll discover that myWanderlusters are just like the rest of us. They find place names with the word ‘bottom’ in them indescribably funny.

Liz Cleere got the ball rolling when she put out the call for ridiculous place names from around the world. To be fair, she’d been prompted by our searing analysis of the problems facing a small town in Austria with an unfortunately filthy name. (The cost of replacing roadsigns is draining the local coffers). But it’s interesting to note that nearly all of the responses included bottom.

LaurenAmelia nominated Jolly’s Bottom in Cornwall (there’s a surprise!). Angela, raised that with a Pratt’s Bottom. And well, it just went downhill from there. If you have any suggestions – they don’t have to include the word bottom, just so you know – make your nomination here.

If you can drag your self away from the sniggering going on at Liz’s post, do try and help out geomark who is deciding whether or not to include Hue and Hoi An on his Indochine itinerary. And Lynsey Davis, who is looking for advice on holidaying in Sark with a small child. LaurenAmelia is leaving the claustrophobic embrace of Cornwall to spend three days in Split. Help her make it a trip to remember here.

Having a wander around just back from got my feet itching this week. Billbain has just returned from Turkmenistan where he checked out the revolving statue of Turkmenbashi in Ashgabat. No word on whether they made him grow a moustache before entering the country but he recommends mixing with the locals, even though you probably won’t understand them.

ElliFry, on the other hand, has been to Mexico, Beliz and Guatemala. If you go to Tikal, she recommends hiring Miguel as your guide. No last name, which will make it interesting. It was my experience that every guide in Guatemala was called Miguel. She also says to take lots of bug spray and track down the banana bread man on Caye Caulker. I’d add that you should see if Wish Willy is still around. Cool name. Cool guy. And if he bothers to open his restaurant, cool food.

Experiences is full of fantastic English-themed masterpieces in response to mini travel writing competitions. The jury is still deliberating on a winner, so I am precluded from but in my two-bobs worth. Instead, I’ll point you towards Liz Cleere’s thought provoking piece about zoos and the informed debate that has sprung up around it. While you’re there, also have a look at clairethomas1484’s adventure taming the wild mustangs of Wyoming. And Peterj2002’s account of a trek to Inle Lake.

Finally, to the photo galleries, and what can I say? Jamie Furlong has heeded my call, stepped up to the plate and delivered perhaps the most definitive picture of a pink elephant … ever. I don’t know about you guys, but when I imagine a pink elephant, that’s what I see. Amazing shade of pink. And Jamie assures me there was no photoshoppery involved. I suspect he may have had his fingers crossed at the time. Check out his sets of Cherai People – 1, 2 and 3. No fluorescent coloured beasts but lots of really good photos.

Satkinson delivers a collection of stunning images from her recent trip to the Scottish Highlands. Hmoat has posted a selection of shots from a damp Istanbul. And Elifry backs up her just back from post with some terrific photos from Central America. I liked sydb’s shots of Marrakech too.