Crenshaw's Books & Decks

I travelled to Bhutan just after the release of this guide. Lucky me! This being so, all the practical information and advice was fresh and reliable, up to date, which is what any person purchasing a travel guide wants.

I found this travel guide very useful and practical, clearly written, well researched, well structured and nicely illustrated. Although most people travel to Bhutan in small-group locally-organised tours, it is possible to visit the country independently -a legal permit is necessary and a previous lengthy detailed application is needed- or semi-dependently by telling the local travel agent the places you want to go and visit and stay to make your own trip. This being the case, I consider the guide a good tool for all sort of travellers, not just the majority using guided tours.

Bhutan History is complex, and historical facts, myth and religion mix in ways that are difficult to separate at times. The authors make a terrific job at condensing and distilling it for the foreign reader in ways that are understandable and entertaining, and surprisingly unbiased at times (read for example the pages devoted to English interventionism).

I also loved the approach to Buthanese Buddhist customs and ways of living, and all the info about Buddhism in Bhutan (Mahayana Buddhism is so complicated!) which are very important to put into practice to show respect and get respect back from the locals, and to understand what is going on in a country that breathes Buddhism. I also found the book very good to find out on matters that some of the guides found embarrassing or inappropriate to comment upon or reply to because they relate to "odd" practices or monks' behaviour, etc., so the guide will tell you what some local guides won't.

The Kindle edition is truly useful, easy to carry around, with linked cross-references that make the book easy to move back and forth, clearly indexed, survivor-kit links, and everything so well structured that using the book is very easy. My only complain is about the formatting of the book using left justification instead of full justification of the text (very early 20th century!), which makes the book look amateurish and unpolished.

The selection of photographs and illustrations is very good, as you can expect from any Lonely Planet guide.

This is a very basic book for travellers that promotes respect for the culture/s of Malaysia and offers sound advice about how to behave in Malaysia to be respected by and respect the local people.

If you have been to South Asia before visiting Malaysia and reading this book, you will find that you know most of what it says, as the book mentions values, customs and ways of seeing life and relationships that are shared by most South-East Asia. Moreover, some of the advice is very common sense, as promotes behaviour that you will also promote, say, if you were visiting America and you were French, or vice versa: Good Manners and Respect no matter how awkward the other culture is to you. Still, I found some specific items of advice specific to Malaysia really spot on, e. g. how sensitive Malaysian are to criticism even if you are right in your complaint.

If Malaysia is the first South-Eastern country you visit, the book will be very useful to you, as there are a few cultural things that you need to learn if you are going to spend a few days in Malaysia re addressing people, dressing code, pointing, touching and behaving in general, and also business etiquette.

Malaysia is a very complex country, and depending on the area (and prominent religion) the dress code and traditions are more important/pressing than others, and some of the items of advice in the book might not apply. Still, better being conservative in your behaviour and following the book's advice to then relax, than the opposite.

It is a good buy, and very cheap.