The First-Hand Story of the Book that Changed the World

[@OTRontheroad]

No location pins this week (well, technically two- The Atlanta Hotel, where we filmed with Joe: maps.app.goo.gl/BRPMFpEnmKBQp4ZQ9 ...and Karim Roti Mataba, at the end, which is a cool story but I think the food was probably better back in 1982. maps.app.goo.gl/19ZfVosUemGLoSuy5 ) However I do have a couple notes I want to make sure we work in. First- thanks so much to Gary Butler, the Roaming Cook, for filming for us in the UK. Amazingly fortuitous that he was available and in London at the same time this was scheduled, and generous of his time and experience in making that end of the interview look and sound great. 2nd- both of these interviews were wildly fascinating and for the final edit, we only used a small fraction of the two conversations. Please consider joining our Patreon- it's a huge help to us, and we'll be posting both interviews raw and unedited on Patreon within the next day or so. They're both interesting and worth a watch even without editing. And last but absolutely not least- I'm devastated that my planned post-credits ending for this video got cut. I knew it would happen, but it got copyright-flagged. However I would strongly, strongly suggest you search for the Anthony Bourdain Thailand video from Parts Unknown, in 2014. Start at around the 17:15 mark. Please watch it (after you've watched this video). I've re-watched that clip like a dozen times since we taped this, and laugh each time.

[@carolinetrieu1254]

Great episode 🥳🥳🥳 reminiscing memories for us all about our personal backpacking journeys and wanders 🥰✨

[@pcmacintyre]

I hope this gets the views it deserves. I took a Lonely Planet guide with me when I visited Thailand for the first time a couple years ago.

[@gavreynolds2689]

The Lonely Planet guides helped get me through loads of different countries and continents but it is so true what Joe Cummings said the books were a good starting point but back in the day you got so much more tips and info from fellow backpackers.

[@Mutiny960]

You still do. I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2022. The best advice came from fellow hikers and former hikers I met along the way. Things change so fast, there are also TEMPORARY things that only exist for a few months and only at the time you happened to be there. Those memories are the best and guide books or even websites can't cover them. You just have to be there at the right time. 😁

[@gavreynolds2689]

@@Mutiny960 That's good to hear mate, especially when hiking on a wild trail through the Appalachian's where there is Bears. 😀😀

[@ratttttyyy]

@@Mutiny960 of course. The best info you will get is from locals, expats and fellow travelers. Way better than anything from a book that's at least one year old, at least.

[@notscenerob]

Probably one of my favorite OTR videos. Most of the topics I'm learning something all new, but this is history that I lived and was a part of. Thanks for this one!

[@MlleFunambuline]

I love the tip to search for local bloggers! But I will never forget my travels in the 90's with Lonely Planet, and yes, I DID read the history and culture sections!

[@Kwippy]

I used to buy and read LP guides to places I was unlikely to ever be able to go to. I just enjoyed reading the guides!

[@Sebasu_tan]

I'll be honest, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this video as much as the others. While I am familiar with the Lonely Planet books, I only looked a couple over the years and only once did I use it for a trip, and simply to have an idea of what to find. I saw your community post so I had already decided I'd watch it. But man, I can't begin to say how good this video was. Learning about how it all begun, how travelling was like back then. I had to stop the video to do other stuff, but I just kept coming back. This was really interesting, and while yes it's different to your usual content, I still love it, and I'd be interested in other similar videos in the future. So you hear that KZbin! This is a good video!

[@johnnewton3837]

So glad you did this. Opened many memories . Such a contrast to all the fear people seem to have about meeting 'foreigners '

[@julianethieme5664]

As an academic backpacker tourism researcher, I absolutely love this episode! Thank you so much!!!

[@dondobbs9302]

So So SO awesome! You've out-done yourselves once again!!

[@PutitoCorner]

Bookmarked the first uploaded video then it was gone. Good thing I saw your community post. I’m gonna watch as soon as I have time. Leaving a comment here to hopefully help this reupload with the algorithm. Cheers!

[@OTRontheroad]

Thanks! Yeah I screwed up that first upload and appreciate the chance to take a mulligan. Two years in I’m still figuring it out

[@Chris-ut6eq]

The more I watch this channel the more I enjoy the various topics. Only the dead don't like exploring food, even than perhaps they are exploring other things.

[@dutchsmith7375]

Man this is so cool, I went to Cambodia decades ago with a lonely planet guide in my bag. I never knew the story until now, thanks OTR

[@stevejones1401]

For some reason I did not recognise this was an OTR video when first posted so didn't click on it immediately like I do with all other OTR content. Very glad you’ve reposted this as it's an excellent video. Thanks for fixing this.

[@pjacobsen1000]

According to this video, I got into backpacking just when it took off big time: 1988. Used Lonely Planet all the way through 9 Asian countries, including Thailand. Without it, we wouldn't have known where to go, or how to do anything.

[@mdthaifamily8674]

Hope it takes off two! We really enjoyed it!

[@benjaminchung1088]

The series sparked my inspirations of travelling the world when I was in the school and subsequently it becomes my guides in my back packing adventures and then the more glamorous days! I also remember the TV series too! Those were the days of travelling, first to the library and it’s Lonely Planet! I still owe a few copies of my favourite places! Thank you Lonely Planet!

[@timforan1502]

Another fantastic episode

[@emersonviudez2284]

I had to hug myself the minute I saw where you conducted the interview with Joe Cummings. 🥰 How apropos, I thought: It was a random flip through a Lonely Planet Guide that led me to The Atlanta Hotel during my first backpacking trip to Bangkok almost two (2) decades ago. And I've always stayed in the Atlanta every time I've returned. I think both hotel and guide encapsulates what it was like backpacking before the "App Age."

[@martyhandley4456]

What a fantastic story......I’ve bought tons of Lonely Planet Books. They are fairly indispensable when traveling abroad. This was fantastic OTR team. Another enlightening video to add to your fine library of Food and cultural presentations.

[@OTRontheroad]

Thanks Marty.

[@austinhornbeck5060]

Watched the original and now the reupload. It really makes me want to travel. Inam in my thirties with an asian studies and history degree and I still havent been to the places I studied in undergrad like Japan and Thailand. This video makes me really want to go on trips to Japan, Thailand, China, South Korea, Vietnam, etc.

[@ikkue]

Commenting to push this again! I can't believe it's still not being recommended even after re-uploading

[@nigeljohn65]

This reminds me of the time I went backpacking in Madagascar many years ago, with, of course, a Lonely Planet guide. I was heading by train to a well-known forest reserve (I think it was called Perinet), but misread the guide book map and got off the train one stop early, at a small village which, let's say, was not on most people's travel itineraries. There was nowhere to stay, but a kind local showed me round the village and let me sleep on their floor. I played for songs to a surprisingly enthusiastic audience in the local church that evening. Sometimes, the most memorable travel experiences come when things go wrong.

[@EarthCamper]

As a kid I was always fascinated by the lonely planet.....I am thrilled to see this video ❤ This video changed whole perspective for good. And I am inspired...🙏

[@BankMoviegoer]

I may not have read any of the Lonely Planet books myself, but I definitely have seen them everywhere! So recognisable as well - whoever designed that book cover format is a genius!

[@gavreynolds2689]

I just watched the Anthony Bourdain clip. Joe "The Swooner" Cummings. A man of many talents. 😀😀

[@OTRontheroad]

so good, yeah? one of the funniest edits I've ever seen how they showed that segment.

[@gavreynolds2689]

@@OTRontheroad Where do you find that video?

[@OTRontheroad]

@@gavreynolds2689 talking to Joe, he mentioned that he’d hosted Bourdain on two of his trips to Thailand. So I looked up the 2014 show and skimmed it through then noticed a familiar face. Here’s the link, time stamp 17:20ish kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6KYeHqkaK2Ljtksi=4DwF8dvT9ZFWl3Vd

[@QuillTail]

I was born after the era where this sort of backpack traveling was at its peak, and somehow I don't think I would be able to experience it like it was back in the day even if I tried. There is something so romantic about the idea of just going to cool, new places without much information, and getting help and communicating with fellow travelers who are doing the same, almost like something out of a RPG game.

[@naren2k6]

I bought my first Lonely Planet guide to Thailand back in 1988 when I was a kid still, and it was a life saver, accurate to a fault, since then its still the gold standard.

[@doubleunderfire7964]

Very cool to see Gary involved in this video. I am excited to read some of Joe Cummings books as well. What a great resource and likable guy. Loved this video. Glad you reposted and asked for some online love.

[@lucypting]

Google is great, but Lonely Planet is a lot more structured! It's like Google tells you how great the food is, but Lonely Planet shows you how to start and enjoy every bite of it! We love Lonely Planet!

[@Frenzy0212]

Phattalung, Nan, Trang, Prachuap Khiri Khan and of course Tblisi. Noted!

[@noahderrington5156]

Travelling through Thailand in the early 00’ we had a guide and used it when on our way to a new location, find a decent guesthouse for the first night, used the maps to get from the bus station and get a feel for the area. It was invaluable for when you just need to make a quick decision, sometimes late at night or when tired arriving in a new place. Those were pre smartphone days!

[@Oakyman]

I traveled throughout Japan in the Golden Week before Smartphone era, using that big bulky Lonely Planet guide book!! Worth every Baht!! (I think I bought that book in Thailand)

[@andrewdunbar828]

I've got all my old Lonely Planets in storage. First one was for Mexico in 1996. But my first backpacking trip was in 1989 and for that trip I used a different guidebook called Let's Go. I don't even remember if I'd heard of Lonely Planet then. Eventually it got too easy and too many people following the same couple of Guidebooks and I missed the adventure and random element. That's when I took up hitchhiking, in Japan in 2010 and never looked back.

[@samfromcanada]

Joe is a sweet guitarist !!!

[@juliandco]

Great interviews. I loved this episode!

[@sarahbettany7546]

Just commenting to help the algorithm - fantastic video - thank you.

[@RorysRamblings]

I've used lonely planet for many years now. Not super comprehensive guides but enough to get you by!

[@faranji]

I’ve been to Tony’s house in Melbourne. Amazing place built around an enclosed interior garden, full of beautiful antiquities from all around the world.

[@dreweduk]

brilliant episode! came to Guatemala 25 yrs ago with a Lonely Planets travel guide, and I'm still here. wonder how many lives did that book change

[@ericlin1612]

Just my luck seeing your community post yesterday and now the video posted a minute ago! Hope this vid takes off

[@hellsfro]

Wow, loved this OTR episode. Learning about how Lonely Planet started their travel books was fascinating and a great travel story. Thanks, Adam 🙌

[@JohannaVanWinkle]

Loved this video about Lonely Planet...... We used those guides so much back in the day! Thank you!

[@davidludford2164]

Stamford’s travel bookshop,the best travel bookshop in the uk where I have bought most of my lonely planets has just gone cashless,how sad,the irony

[@heresjacktorrance]

fascinating interview and great video as always!

[@ashgardner4582]

Fantastic !!! Great

[@andrewdunbar828]

Tony is the first westerner I've ever heard bother to pronounce Kuta properly. Respect! Aussies all make it sound like "Cutter Beach".

[@nguyenchau2765]

I enjoyed this video a lot. Backpacking is so much fun and I hope my poor back will be able to hold a backpack for a few more decades.

[@BlueSkyBringsTears]

Hope to see a future video on the seafood from the inland lake that Joe mentioned.

[@armand4156]

Coming to SE-Asia for the first time forever changed my life. The fact that I still remember the date probably says it all. Dec 1st, 2008. I was supposed to fly into Bangkok, but that was when the airport was closed (yellow shirt occupation). Too stubborn to change my backpacking plans I booked another flight to Phnom Penh instead, hoping I would get my initial flight to BKK refunded later on (which I did get refunded).

[@canadagood]

I had an opposite experience in 1975. I was heading around the world with an open-dated flight ticket from Canada that ended up in Bangkok with a side trip to Siem Reap. (I really wanted to visit Angkor Wat). In May of that year, Saigon fell and Cambodia was suddenly not the place to be. So I cancelled the side trip and didn't get to Cambodia until February 2018. Even delayed trips are well worth completing.

[@majorkade]

Enjoyed this. Much respect to the creators of Lonely Planet and to Joe Cummings for the Thailand guide.

[@susu_4246]

This was a fascinating documentary, thank you for reuploading!

[@toddwilkie4881]

Second go round, gave it a like and left it playing at 2x speed. Great vid as per usual. Cheers, from a lucky guy that got to see SE Asia in 87/88 when there was still lots to discover!

[@aloysiustak7040]

Thanks for reposting this

[@abhchow]

Incredible documentary Adam, love your work!

[@Hiddenkeymaster3]

Such a fascinating take on live from a homebody who has only done international travel in groups.

[@cinnahum]

Fantastic work as always OTR!!!

[@markdepass]

Great video!

[@nathanwolber4503]

Great interview, thank you for re uploading!

[@OTRontheroad]

Thanks- yeah I messed up the format of the last upload. Felt awful because Joe and Tony were so gracious with their time and storytelling and because this is one of my favorite videos we’ve ever done- didn’t even consider I could do a take 2 until Daria reminded me

[@ysaliraexplorar]

Maravillosa historia, maravillosa entrevista. Es inspirador ver que la resolución de un viaje se transforma en una guía que de alguna manera para muchos sería como la guía, la ruta, el paso a paso en un impulso que los lleva a ellos y a cada uno de nosotros a soñar con viajar. Muy inspirador. Saludos desde Bogotá. 🎉

[@nicolasderhodes9164]

Amazing story! thank you so much for sharing

[@andrewdunbar828]

There are hostels in the US. Many people think there are no hostels in their country or in their city and are surprised to found out they exist. My first two backpacking trips were to the US in '89 to '91 and I only stayed in hostels except when I was with a local friend. My favourite ones were in Fullerton and in Silicon Valley, both in California.

[@youffraita2402]

A very interesting interview - thanks!

[@jlee104]

another awesome video guys!

[@dhutch13]

great story!

[@lampdevil]

Great video! The kind of thing that makes a person want to head out and travel. :)

[@jaganath69]

Great video, Adam - I spent the best part of the 90s and 2000s traveling and the LP was invaluable in the pre-internet era.

[@andrewdunbar828]

I hitchhiked to Georgia in 2010 and there were hardly any travellers there apart from Turks and Armenians in Batumi. Almost all the backpackers were from Poland! When I went back to spend seven months there in 2012 there were many times more travellers, and by the time I left there were over 50 backpacker hostels in the capital alone, up from 2 on my first trip there. I hear it's changed in the past two to three years.

[@OTRontheroad]

Yeah it's definitely emerging as a new destination- as it should. Daria just came back from a family trip there. It helps that it's known for a relaxed visa policy- and wine. So much wine

[@andrewdunbar828]

@@OTRontheroad Oh and the food! (Not just khachapuri and khinkali. Kharcho, mtsvadi, lobiani, etc, I can't even remember...) And the people - the most hospitable country in the world, somehow even beats Turkey, which should be impossible! And the variety: coast, mountainous areas cut off most of the year. My favourite country I haven't managed to get back to yet.

[@ssrattus]

Well worth a second watch.

[@peterhastings703]

Great video! And am I the first to attribute the " 'someone said that football is a matter of life and death' - I said: 'listen, it's more important than that' " quote to Bill Shankly, the legendary manager of Liverpool Football Club (my club!) from 1959 to 1974?

[@SweetChicagoGator]

Planet is such a fabulous series, amazing ! The world is our oyster !! 🤠

[@spamtoncrocker9067]

trying to help boost!

[@jerinbrooks8190]

I love this channel

[@Theoryofcatsndogs]

Before the internet and cellphone was a thing, I went to Europe with my mom and a 2 inch thick Lonely Planet Europe. We booked hotel based on the book recommendation, go to places follow the direction of the book. Good time. Only regret is I should not go with my mom.

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Wonderful 👏 Like deployed 👍

[@christianjreynolds]

Great video 👍

[@juamu1132]

lonely planet was my favorite show back in the 90's on discovery.

[@slimturnpike]

Do you remember when Bradley Cooper was a host for a while, before he made it as an movie actor?

[@Hazel.Autumn]

Commenting for the algorithm

[@zestyorc6506]

Wait, is this a re-release, I could swear I have seen this. I need a beer.

[@OTRontheroad]

Hah- yes. Uploaded last week but had an issue with the file, took it down and re-uploaded this morning.

[@pauls1225]

super interesting chat!

[@majorkade]

You seem to be sitting at exactly the table I did on my stop at the Atlanta this past August.

[@OTRontheroad]

Nice, appreciate you watching. Also just randomly clicked over to your page- Asheville, NC? Awesome, hope you got through the hurricane OK. My family's all in your area; scattered around Asheville but mostly up in Yancey County. Best part of the US.

[@justinirek6859]

Memory lane

[@Gemini-wz3id]

Was always curious. If i start a video and only partially see, come back a few hours later to finish. Does that count as 1 view or 2?

[@OTRontheroad]

I have no idea but I think one? Have wondered that as well

[@adamwalker1725]

When are you off to Uzbekistan ?

[@OTRontheroad]

Hoping for November but it might be wishful thinking- we'll know better after coming back from the US in about a month. Nov would be ideal because two of Daria's best friends from college will be in Tashkent

[@adamwalker1725]

​@@OTRontheroad Im sure your going to have an amazing time. Im headed there in October soo if you need any info. I love your channel btw, I quite often watch your videos with a colleague of mine at work on lunch breaks. We work in politics in the UK soo you can be assured that at least two people in the House of Commons religiously watch your stuff. I love your History of ... series. Although this Thursday i was forced to eat at this really great Thia place called plaza Khao Gaeng to Satiate myself after watching your Massaman video. If you are ever in the UK please feel free to get in touch. Have a great day.

[@eplawless]

First try 👈👈😎

[@MrTangGnat]

❤🙏

[@jonmeyrick]

Did you know that comments are good for the algorithm, even if they're not really relevant to the video? Not sure why I decided to mention that.

[@Gemini-wz3id]

"Look for a local blogger"

[@M0rtunodos]

Booooook

[@paulchrystie5460]

wd

[@jeannetitor]

looks like ur adding some words or tags to this video that yt does not like adam

[@axianskin]

So, is Lonely Planet responsible for over tourism and decay of environment? 😅

[@slimturnpike]

Sounds like you didn't watch the entire video

[@foodhistory1387]

Another great vid, they are just evolving and improving so fast. Adam, your interview skills are great! This one brings up heaps for me. Firstly, I want to thank Gary for suggesting your channel to me. On the guidebooks; I was raised in a bookstore, and sought out LP's for anywhere in the world, primarily to read the culture & history sections, interests that might have led to my becoming an anthropologist and historian! Another thing it brought to mind was of my first trip to Vietnam; I had 1.2kg (3lb) of luggage- a spare pair of boxer shorts, and the Lonely Planet guide🤣

[@slimturnpike]

Here's a clip with the Joe Cummings cameo karaoke scene :) which Bourdain created as an homage to a scene in the Matt Dillion-directed City of Ghosts in which actor James Caan sings at a Cambodian karaoke. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIfTiKVjYq-cjrc

[@davehardy718]

Loved this episode. Great work again OTR 👍

[@gonlos26]

Amazing video!