I would be lost without Google. Earth, Maps, Docs, Sites, Search, Translate, Images, Shopping, Mail, Reader. I've used them all extensively in planning, preparing and recording my upcoming trip.

How did people do anything before Google?

Just wishing for "Google Visas".....

Nah mate, completely the opposite thoughts here I'm afraid

My last really big trip was in 1995 and I reckon that era was just about the last time you could do a trip completely "internet free"

No blogging, no emails, no research, just kick the tyres, light the fires and goodbye Blighty - 12 months later we arrived in Cape Town, happy days. A real escape from the real world and absolutely no pressure at all

We used Poste Restante for letters which we collected every few weeks, folks at home didn't have a clue where we were and we didn't have a clue where we were going.

The Hubb obviously isn't the place to slaughter Internet research but my mind does sort of boggle at some of the information people really want before the off, and the degree of planning some think is necessary.

I know, I'm a luddite but my dear old Mum has just given me a massive envelope, stuffed full of letters written home firstly when I was in the Navy, secondly when travelling through Africa, then when living in the Middle East and finally when driving home from the Middle East in 2000 with my Dad.

I know t'internet is fantastic but old fashioned hand written letters on whatever paper was avavilable at the time are fantastically evocative of times past

Surely you still can? You just don't turn on your computer. I know what you mean about the letters, my mum dug out a whole load of letters/cards etc I'd sent when I backpacked after school for a year. Fascinating to see, I can't imagine her doing the same with e-mails.

BUT, I'll also go along with the OP and say Google does seem to be getting handier and handier for travellers. Someone might leap on and tell us how they track our every internet move, but I'm not that bothered if Google want to know or not. I've only just discovered Googles Language Tools, and their slightly better than Babelfish translation. I had an exchange of e-mail with someone in Hebrew a couple of weeks ago and only on the fifth one did they actually realise I couldn't speak any Hebrew at all.

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I think I agree actually - t'internet is fantastically useful for so many reasons and of course it is near impossible to live without it, and it forms a large part of my business as a pro photographer.

But hand written letters over email when writing home ? Priceless. In fact my children will be out of the will if their mother doesn't get hand written letters of their adventures in years to come

Funny I had recently been thinking exactly that some people prepare to the point that they do travel but they can't discover! I am wondering if I've done the best thing in doing so much research for my next trip. I'd be all for, saddle up, ride off. Linzi.

Must remember to pack a pen. Whilst my more tech-savvy friends might find it interesting to occasionally check my blog and see my location on Google maps, I'm quite sure my parents would much rather receive a good old-fashioned postcard! As far as they're concerned, "google" is just a noise their grand-kids make...

On the other hand I'm not sure I fancy collaborative route planning by snail mail, and Google Docs is brilliant for it.

everything in moderation........

It works for nearly everything in life as far as I can figure out. well except pasties.

But I think it just means use your common sense, write some letters too!

And yes, I am a bit like Alex. Love almost everything googles does. And I don't really care what data they keep, cos everything of theirs I use for free!

Obviously stealing my passwords and money would be bad!

Thanks Mr Google!

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Starting to feel like a very un-dutiful daughter now, don't think I ever wrote that much!

Friend of mine who has a teenage son commented the other day that when his son is away he worries if he hasn't heard for a week, but when he himself travelled his parents would only worry if they hadn't had a letter for a month!

Being able to get in touch all the time can make both travellers and those at home much more nervous and dependent.

Laura, crap at staying in touch no matter how many methods are on offer.

The internet also eats time, which is bad. I was going to have dinner an hour ago. And pack for the northern mini-meet. Instead I've been here. Oops.

Guess I'd better go!

Laura