[koyote]

I thought that was a very weird comment as well and your comment about it being like choosing between NYC and LA is spot on.

I am also surprised there's no mention of train travel. I found this the best way to get to know a country and its people. When you're stuck on a train for hours you end up talking to your fellow passengers.

India was great for this as everyone was chatty and spoke decent English. Vietnam was a bit more of a challenge on the language front but you still got to have some interesting conversations in basic English with some help by showing pictures.

I did not go very far off the beaten path in Vietnam but I really enjoyed the vibe and night life in Huế.

[oefrha]

This is not 2000 or 2010 any more. On a train virtually everyone has a smartphone, tablet or laptop, very few are “stuck” there for hours having nothing entertaining to do other than striking up a conversation with a stranger. At least in wealthier countries and on more comfortable trains.

And then there are people like me who always disliked chatty strangers, even back in 2000.