thank you for the beautiful photos of Mount Roraima
Michael
Vasilla Alaska USA
Mon Feb 28 11:52 2011
Re: you are welcome :-)
Great work. I envy you for the fortune and courage. Bookmarked and circuated your url to all my friends.
THANKYOU
N.RAJKUMAR
Sun Feb 6 1:22 2011
Re: Thanks!
Доброго времени суток,
Хочу сказать вам огромное спасибо за ваши рассказы - получаю большущее удовольствие. Часто вы описываете те места, где мне не суждено побывать никогда. Это так здорово - читать то, что пишет простой человек, а не Дискавери и люди, едущие туда за деньги.
Алексей
Донецк Украина - Tue Oct 12 8:19 2010
Re: Спасибо. Я бы тоже не отказался за деньги :-)
Just wanted to say you have one very neat website...I seen places I may never go...very cool...thank you for sharing.
Jimmy
Mio Michigan - Tue May 25 10:28 2010
Re: Thanks :-)
Читаю Ваши рассказы и наслаждаюсь. Уровень не ниже, чем у Ильфа и Петрова, Аксенова и Лимонова, хоть и скромничаете. Написаны ваши рассказы давно, а читаются свежо. Я очень люблю такой стиль. Спасибо огромное.
Ирина
Wen Apr 28 11:35 2010
Re: Спасибо :-)))
Vladimir, I went through your website and followed the link to your blog. I think you are not only very gifted and brave, but also red hot sexy and handsome. Sorry if I'm unappropriate.
Joann
Orleans France - Sun Feb 14 16:26 2010
Re: Thanks ;-)
A friend sent me the subject article above. I do not see the date you wrote it.
I am impressed by your research, love for nature, and good advice to control population growth in the Philippines.
It is sad that a foreigner should be the one to write such poignant paper, I thought you were a rare Filipino from start to the end until I saw your name.
Yoing
San Lorenzo Ruiz Philippines - Tue Jan 5 19:44 2010
Re: Thanks :-)
Hello, Vladimir,
My colleague came across your website and sent it over to me knowing my Russian roots.
Wanted to express my admiration for the web site, images and travel experiences you've had.
For sure you are living THE LIFE.
Continue same way. All the best.
Svetlana
Denmark - Sun Nov 8 12:28 2009
Re: Thank you!
Your website is excellent: clear, thoughtful, well-presented and a godsend to someone like me who traveled somewhat similarly in the '60's and '70's and hopes to do more (attenuated) in my 60's and 70's. Thank you for the help and inspiration.
Meg
Tucson USA - Thu Nov 5 18:15 2009
Re: Thanks!
I visited your site about 1 year ago and put it under my favorite for reference
I recently took a trip to N.Mexico and invited my sis. & bro. to come along.
We visited a lot of the same sites & Pueblos you visited. (When I was going over your photos and information, I said to myself - wow I have to go see those places.
So I did , and I am looking forward to planning my next trip west.
Thanks for the info and photos on your site.
Liz
USA- Thu Oct 9 14:59 2009
Re: Glad you enjoyed it :-)
Hello! I just found your webpages and I would like to say that your website
is amazing! And everything you've done is absolutely amazing. Keep it up, and
never stop taking photos! I wish you all the best for your PhD research and may
you finish your thesis on time. Cheers,
Natalie (Californian/French caver now living in UK)
Liverpool UK- Thu Oct 9 17:49 2009
Re: Thanks!
Thank you for an informative article on the weather in the Dagestan area. I am doing research for a novel and the thunderstorm fits in well. Thank you again.
Nancy
UK- Tue Aug 30 13:21 2009 Greetings from Hangzhou. I thought I would spend a few minutes and
let you know how wonderful your pictures on China are. I am in China
for the year as a Yale China Law Fellow. As in think about traveling
around China, I look to your site for guidance.
Any recommendation for a first remote (keyword) China experience?
Don't worry about responding if you don't have time. Thank you for
the photos and the insights.
Very best,
Eden
Hangzhou China- Sun July 27 8:33 2009
Re: Thank you! Personally, I'd recommend spending as
much time as possible in the mountains of Sichuan - it is my favorite province.
hello, i just wanted to say thanks for publishing such a great account of climbing mt. roraima. i was doing a bit of research because i'm leaving for Venezuela in a few days, and your article was so interesting/helpful. i had a look around the rest of your website too, and in short, it's good to know that people such as yourself still exist; although i guess that sounds silly. thank you!
Gracy
USA - Fri Jul 11 22:16 2009
Re: Thanks.
Salam!
I found your biographical information while looking for Makahambus cave. Your
travels and experiences struck me because I felt enjoyment and fulfillment as
I look at your pictures. I am a BS Zoology graduate, and I experienced the beauty
of nature during our field trips in biodiversity and biology courses. However,
I have chosen to pursue the field of medicine.. And, I missed being with nature
and eco-travelling.. I envy you, for you are right, "Nothing is better than
being a traveling naturalist."
God bless on your coming adventures!
Karla
Philippines - Sun Jan 25 9:42 2009
Re: Thanks, and good luck.
Definitely the best travel writing I've ever read. Thank you very much!
Seoko
Niigata Japan - Wed Apr 2 21:00 2008
Re: Arigato :-)
Hi Vladimir,
As a too-long silent fan of your postings, I want you to know that I think this latest is simply fantastic. It will definitely increase the chance that I get there myself. I hope your alligator work continues to go well.
Thanks!!
Scott
Davis, California - Mon Mar 17 14:48 2008
Re: Thank you :-)
An article you wrote a few years ago about Italy kept me smiling. It is very visual and packs a lot of punch per word. Thank you so much! I look forward to reading the rest of what is on your website.
Suzie
Austin, Texas - Fri Mar 14 7:00 2008
Re: Thanks!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write to you as I just came across your important web pages providing information on illegal trade and malpractices concerning butterflies. The authors way of organising and commending the facts pertaining to butterflies' trade is simpily extraordinary and augmenting its eminence are photographs. Moreover, the kind of exhaustive work undertaken to enlighten a layman is exceptionally well. I am myself a budding entomologist presently working on beetles of Shivalik Himalayas but frequently visit alpine Himalayas and have come across such malpractices involving the most wonderful creatures "the Butterflies". Even these alpine Himalayas are home to many species of the Scheduled I of Indian WPA and IUCN Red List and CITES and am very much concerned to conserve the species whether in situ or ex situ.
Your marvelous work will always provide me the much needed guidance and inspiration.
Thanks a lot.
Vinay Bhargav, Research Fellow, Wildlife Institute of India
Delhi India - Tue Jan 22 11:43 2008
Re: Thank you, and good luck with your work!
Владимир,Огромное спасибо за сайт! Вторую неделю читаю и не могу оторваться. Вы, наверное, и вправду очень счастливый человек. Какое это счастье - знать, что еще есть на свете такие люди!
Виктор
Moscow, Russia - Wed Jan 9 21:08 2008
Re: Спасибо на добром слове :-)
Hello Vladimir,
I came across your webpage while searching for information on Siberian / Mongolian Marmots. I read
one of your early travel stories, a travelog of your spontaneous road trip to Western/Southern Mongolia. I
was a pleasure to read it, because it contained gems, confirmation of facts that I had been looking for
these past months, while solving a very large and important scientific riddle - from halfway around the
planet. Your words painted the Gobi Desert scenery most eloquently. I wanted to thank-you for several
hours of enjoyable reading, and for those factual nuggets. Pure gold. You will understand when you read
of my paper, presently in preparation. You're a marvelous writer. Keep well.
Respectfully,
S Churchill, PhD
Ephrata WA - Thu Dec 6 23:59 2007
Re: Thanks!
Thanks for your great text about Mongolia.
Baatar
Hovd, Mongolia - Wed Oct 17 11:33 2007
Re: :-)
Здравствуйте Владимир,
Рад выразить благодарность лично, за книгу. В 2002 г в ходе путешествия Китай-Тибет она сильно помогла. И что самое забавное, что повадки тибетцев ничуть не именились. Удачи в дорогах и достижения всех целей на всех горизонтах.
Dmitry
Russia - Mon Oct 15 23:16 2007
Re: Спасибо!
Hi There,
I had watched a Discovery programme this morning on Oimyakon and wanted to know more. I found your site and wanted to say I really enjoyed your article. Thank you for taking the time to put that information about your trips on the net. Regards,
Jennifer
England, UK - Sun Sep 9 5:34 2007
Re: Thanks :-)
Vladimir,
I am the guy you met on bus from Georgetown to Adventure. Cool site! I have to admit I didn't believe your stories, but now I think you're just craaaazy!!! I saw you give money to a beggar with advanced stage of leprosy, and you touched his hand! Arent' you afraid of anything?
Ajani
Port of Spain, Trinidad - Sat Sep 8 20:35 2007
Re: Leprosy is not very contagious, it's easily treatable, and only 10% of people have the gene mutatuion required to get it. You, on the other hand, told me you got a huge tattoo in Georgetown. I would never consider going through this kind of torture, especially in a city with such a high AIDS infestation rate.
So it's all relative :-)
Greetings,
I wanted to drop you a quick note and tell you that your web site is simply fabulous. And I have not even gone through it completely. You are a fascinating person who seems to lead a life in the pursuit of knowledge... and appear to go about it with great vigor and intenseness.
I do envy you!
Many repeat visits can be expected. I look forward to what I may learn with the next visit.
Best Wishes.
Robin
Mississippi, USA - Wed Aug 15 15:29 2007
Re: Thank you.
Vladimir,
Just read your article "Speeding." I stumbled across your site while searching for the fines/punishments for driving over 100 mph in Alaska, where I live. Laughed so hard I had to leave the office and go for a drive -- maybe a bit over the limit.
Speaking as an American that grew up in a small town in the Heartland, spent 2 years in LA, visited all fifty states, traveled around the world, and tried walking across the street in Manila, about all I can say is a belated "Welcome to America!" Glad you're here. Too bad there are so many Americans in America.
Ernie
USA - Fri Aug 3 11:29 2007
Re: Thanks :-)
Hi There,
I enjoyed reading about your trip to Pakistan, I was writing a story about Kurram and came acorss a wikipedia entrance on Kalakouram, and ended at your page.
Your trip on the international highway was fascinating, and I am dying to do it myself. Tell me, did you go alone? How do you think a woman doing tht trip would be received? I know you said in general people are friendly, but it can be different for women.
Amanda Scott
USA - Fri Apr 6 12:37 2007
Re: Thank you.
It's perfectly OK for a woman to do the trip solo, but I'd recommend taking Lahore-Gilgit bus and not stopping in Kohistan. Also, make sure the pass is open, and you have Chinese visa (Chinese part is also very scenic).
Владимир,
Огромное спасибо за книги. Я прожил до 65 лет и пришел к выводу, что в жизни нет и не может быть смысла. Вы доказали мне, что жизнь может быть осмысленной. Еще раз спасибо.
Михаил
Novosibirsk, Russia- Sun Apr 1 03:11 2007
Re: Осталось это себе доказать :-)
I enjouyed visting your web site. Thanks for the information on KKH.
Art Javaid
USA - Sun Feb 25 06:23 2007
Re: You're welcome :-)
Dear Vladimir,
I came across your site and was toally amazed by all of your travel adventures, I live in California,and originally from Pakistan. My question is how do you finance all of your trips, since I have benn meaning to travel to Tibet and Mongolia, and was wondering how much would it cost for me to go on a expedition like that. I would greatly appreciate your help, and Thanks for sharing all of your travel adventures.
Azfar Quddus
Oxnard, USA - Sat Dec 30 00:42 2006
Re: Thank you. Financing has been very difficult over the years. I get some extra income from travel writing and nature photography, but it's never enough to cover the costs. Transatlantic flights are the main problem. Of course, once you get to places like Mongolia, life there is so cheap, you actually save mone by being there rather than in the US.
I chanced upon your site when I did a google search on Pulau Ular. Saw your page on Rainy Season in Malaysia, wonderful and very informative! Thank you. Will forward to friends and families who love nature too.
Thanks again.
Spring
Singapore - Mon Dec 18 23:12 2006
Re: Thanks :-)
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your website. I happened upon it quite by accident - while surfing around during a spare few moments at work. I have been over the whole site. Not only did I love your photos, but I can't tell you how refreshing it was to read your narratives - personal, descriptive, and VERY easy to read. I don't know what I enjoyed reading about the most - probably the caves because there is no way in hell I'd ever go in one. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you gave me hours of fascinating reading and pictures and I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you for sharing your travels.
Glenda
Toronto, Canada - Thu Dec 7 09:06 2006
Re: Thank you :-)
Hi There;
Just wanted to say thanks for making your website. I've been looking through the Japan in winter photos for the past hour or so. They're absolutley beautiful. It's really rare to find a site that can captivate you for that long. Kudos and thanks again.
Cheers.
Adam
Chicago, USA - Sat Nov 2 21:59 2006
Re: Thanks.
I just wanted to say that I enjoy your website. I'm a native of Isleta Pueblo who has moved to Chicago, but I show people this website when I'm talking about home. However, I wanted to mention that in Part 6 of "The Old New Mexico" you have Albuquerque listed as the capital of New Mexico....Santa Fe is the capital. Albuquerque is the largest city
With Kind Regards,
Jonathan
Chicago, USA - Sun Oct 8 06:02 2006
Re: Oops... Thanks!
Hey,
I came to find your website, its excellent. as a tour guide here in Goma I was very, i was happy to see how u promoted the nyiragongo volcano. u just gave true and suportive informations, this wwill help many people who need to visit the DRC especialy the nyiragongo volcano.
I just saw in your wfbsite that Congo is among your destinations coutries, How do u do this and who is cooperating with u here, if not contsct me to point u right people (tour operators) with who u can cooperate.
Regards
Kennedy Rwema
Goma, DRCongo - Thu Sep 7 10:09 2006
Re: Thanks!
I hope to go to DRC in 2008 for crocodile research.
Hi,
We really enjoyed looking at your website and reading of your travels. Your essay on religion was one of the best things I've ever read on religion. You have had a very interesting life! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Glenn and Sandy
New Mexico, USA - Tue Aug 1 14:45 2006
Re: Thanks!
Здравствуйте уважажаемый Владимир. Вы знаменитый путешественник и
обьездили огромное количество стран имеете опыт общения с тысячами
людей разный ментальностей,вероисповеданий и взглядов. Наверняка вы
имели опыт общения с людьми нетрадиционной ориентации. Разделяете ли вы
взгляды подобных людей имели ли вы с ними отношения в ходе ваших
путешествий? Говоря более простым языком сидели ли вы когда нибудь у
негра на кукане, уважаемый путешественник? Жду с нетерпением вашего
ответа, дорогой владимир.Крепко целую и обнимаю.
aaa
Russia - Mon Apr 3 11:51 2006
Re: У меня ориентация вполне традиционная, так что общение было только дружеское.
Dear Mr. Vladimir Dinets,
Hope this day finds you happy and healthy. I am writing in regards to your trip to Pakistan that you have posted on your excellent website at the link below (http://dinets.travel.ru/pakistan.htm). I went through your website and found it to be just amazing. You truly are a unique adventurous soul, traveling to places people can only dream off. I am from Pakistan and was delighted to read that you visited my country in fall 2004. What an amazing trip you have taken.
Ahmed
Pakistan - Tue Mar 28 22:52 2006
Re: Thank you!
Good day to you Vladimir! I have just been browsing in your site and thought I should express my opinion at the excellent work you have done. You are obviously very knowledgeable and I assume you are trained in the Life Sciences if you chose this topic, and as your text suggests. I wish to congrate warmly on a really very interesting and well done site and am sure many people will see and enjoy it!
Daniel
Israel - Sun Mar 26 09:29 2006
Re: Thanks!
My name is David and I'm very interested in our natural world. I love exploring both out in the feild as well as on the net and I was intrigued by your Oimyakon website and I like to commend you on such fine work, I loved the picture of the ice in the ceiling of the Oimyakon hotel lobby, and learning how it could first snow in Aug-Oct, the stinging cold of the Misty Mountians, and the rock formations on the Lena river, what a wonderful we live in and for someone to provide a peek into this beautiful area your okay in my book i,f I was rich I would LOVE to visit here in both summer and winter just to feel the full effect, good job on your presentation and keep up the good work...
David
Australia - Sun Mar 26 07:01 2006
Re: Thank you. Nowadays, the area is easily accessible. Just contact Elena Gubareva at dersu(at)ecotours.ru - she is a friend of mine who now works in a small company organizing trips to Siberia and other interesting places.
Hi, I am not sure if you answer emails but I have searched the internet for answers and you seem to be someone I can ask. I am a single 55 year old female wanting to drive my truck with camping gear through Mexico and ending my trip in Central America. I speak very little Spanish. Do you think it is safe enough for me to drive alone? I do plan on staying in well lit hotels. I do not plan on driving at all at night. If you have any suggestions for me, please email me. Anything would be appreciated..
Dianne
USA - Fri Feb 10 15:54 2006
Re: Mexico is one of the safest countries. The only areas you have to be careful about are the first 50 miles from the US border and Cancun area.
It's a good idea not to drive at night for the first day or two, but once you get used to the country, it's OK. Toll highways are as good as in the US. Free roads are not - you have to watch for cattle, potholes, and speed bumps AT ALL TIMES. Plan the journey with enough time to spare, so you don't have to drive too fast, or for too long without rest stops.
I assume you've read my "driving through Mexico" pages. I don't know how much time you have before the trip. No matter if you have a week or a month, I recommend that you spend it learning Spanish. You can get to Panama with 50-100 words, but you'll enjoy the trip even more if you can talk to locals. Picking up hitchhikers is especially helpful: they can help with navigation, warn you about road problems & speed traps, and tell you a lot about local life.
Have fun.
Your adventures and website are just amazing! I've been to some of the places you've visited - Pakistan and Mongolia - but your stories and photos from there capture many things I never saw. And then there are all the other amazing places you've been... I'm going to be reading through your website for weeks.
Danny
Australia - Sun Jan 29 13:26 2006
Re: Thanks!
Dear Vladimir,
I am in awe of your website. You have done so much in your short life. I am a Frenchman who has lived in the USA for 30 years. I love travel and photography, 2 areas where you seem to have extensive experience and talent. I was particularly fascinated about your trip to the Kolyma region and Yakutia. Are you going back there any time soon? I would really like to travel there with you some time. Do you think it is possible to drive from Magadan to Moscow?
Louis
USA - Fri Jan 27 03:00 2006
Re: Thank you. I'll probably guide a birdwatching trip to NE Siberia in the summer of 2007, but I don't know the route yet. So far, the plan includes Chukotka and either Magadan area or Northern Ussuriland. I can send you a description once it's finalized.
It is possible to drive from Magadan to Moscow, but some parts of the road are very bad. If you ever decide to go, I'd most likely be able to find some Russian travelers who'd be happy to hitch a ride with you.
Dear Mr. Dinets,
I was amazed to see your photographic account of your trip to Japan. We usually think of our country as a very difficult one for a foreigner to understand. I can't believe that someone could spend only two weeks here, and capture its essence so fully. You created the most beautiful image of Japan. Thank you for that.
Yukio Komori
Kobe, Japan - Mon Jan 23 21:32 2006
Re: Thank you. I kind of fell in love with Japan - may be that's why the pictures are so nice.
Владимир, Здравствуйте!
Позвольте выразить свой восторг и благодарность за то, что Вы есть на этом свете ;=) Наверняка
Ваш ящик переполнен, и я отвлекаю Вас от важных дел. Однако сейчас,
когда вся Москва стучит зубами от морозов, захотелось совершить
что-нибудь теплое. Например, написать Вам. Может быть, Вас улыбнет то,
что некоторые особи женского пола зачитывают Вас до дыр. Я
набрела на Ваш сайт не так давно, когда собиралась в Китай и искала
информацию об этой стране. Я была поражена! Давно никем так не
зачитывалась. Не перестаю удивляться тому, что есть еще на свете чудесные
люди, которых можно назвать учеными-биологами, Путешественниками и
Писателями без всякой иронии. С огромным удовольствием прочитала все
ваши книги в электронном виде. Вы удивительно стойкий человек. У
Вас отличный литературный стиль. Писать так ёмко, интересно, живо, не
перегружая свои тексты, мало кому дано. При этом свою иронию вы не
вымучиваете, она совершенно органична. Желаю Вам новых открытий, путешествий, приключений и, конечно же, почаще нас радовать своими произведениями! Спасибо Вам.
Ольга
Moscow, Russia - Mon Jan 23 12:28 2006
Re: Я не особо стойкий, просто сильно сдвинутый. И стиль у меня скорее журналистский, чем литературный. Но все равно спасибо за комплименты :-)
Wanted to thank you for creating the site with your books and pictures from you travels. Thought in our day and age there's no place for people like you, you're very much like the Russian John Muir. The very idea of following one's dream is absolutely inspiring to me. I admire you greatly. And you even love poetry:) Thank you for existing and please don't forget to write, you do it so well!
Irina
Tue Jan 17 04:05 2006
Re: Thanks! Actually, there is very little place left for people like me, and in a generation or two there probably won't be any :-(
Dear Vladimir,
From your travel books it seems like you always have a condom when needed, even in the middle of the jungle... Were you actually carrying them in your backpack while travelling in the middle of nowhere? In that case, what is the best way of keeping condoms from damage when you are travelling in a "non-civilized" way?
Or do you somehow always find one when needed?
I apologize for the seeming stupidity of the question, it's just that it seems to be a bit of a problem...
Thanks :-),
Alexandre
Mon Jan 9 16:01 2005
Re: Yes, I always carry a few on long trips, and also in my car. More often than not it's a waste of money, but it's better than finding yourself in a situation when you need them and don't have any. I just keep them in my medical bag, and replace unused after one year. The recommended shelf life is, I think, three years, but it's better not to take risks in the tropics.
Vladimir, a friend sent me a link to your website (both of us are artists, but also amateur natural history buffs). I really enjoyed brousing the many facets of the site, starting with your photo of the black jaguar in N. Mexico. Many years ago I spent a year in S America searching the Amazon for interesting things, but never managed to see a jaguar.) About the only animals I've had vicarious flings with over the years that you didn't mention are the Humboldt Squid and the Cassowary - but I bet it's just a matter of time. Also, perhaps something on swimming with Saltwater Crocs? Wonderful story about renting the Cessna to reach an inaccessible Mexican island. I have a little of the adventure bug - I've just published a book of my drawings from Iraq, called Baghdad Journal. Anyway, I look forward to reading of your further adventures. Thanks,
Steve Mumford
Australia - Sat Dec 10 12:06 2005
Re: Thank you. It looks like I'll be doing a Ph.D project on crocs, so there'll be a lot of stuff about them soon. Владимир! Спасибо за Лунную дорожку и Полет комара! И конечно, за Магеллановы облака, Дикого осла,
Ветер в траве и все остальные книги и - особенно - стихи... Можно я буду на "ты"? Как же надо любить Жизнь на нашей маленькой планете.
И ведь она отвечает тебе взаимностью. Может ли быть другое счастье?.. Здесь, в пронизывающе-серой Москве все это порой кажется немыслимым.
Твои книги ОБЯЗАТЕЛЬНО должны быть изданы.
Аркадий.
Russia - Fri Dec 9 13:35 2005
Re: Спасибо. В будущем году попробую на английском издать, а то народ тут тоже интересуется. Владимир, с удовольствием прочитал ваше описание монгольской экспедиции "Ветер в траве". Тем более,
что в сентябре этого года сам был в экспедиции в Западной Монголии. И собираюсь поехать опять. Спасибо.
с уважением, Андрей Юрченков, best regards Andrey
Yurchenkov, director
ALTAI EXPEDITIONS Ltd.
Tue Dec 6 8:40 2005
Re: Спасибо. You have the best travel stories I've ever read. You must be the happiest man on earth!
Norman Kinty, NOAA.
Long Point, USA - Sat Dec 3 11:06 2005
Re: Well... kind of. Thanks :-) Ув. Владимир!
Спасибо за книгу "Тропою дикого осла". Она сподвигла нас на самостоятельное путешествие в Китай и помогла выбрать маршрут. Информация в ней совсем не устарела за 12 лет.
Ждем Ваших новых рассказов.
Алексадра и Максим.
Thu Nov 10 23:45 2005
Re: Спасибо! Скоро будут. I just wanted to say "thank you very much" for your interesting, detailed and very well written piece on "Wild Mongolia", a country I have always wanted to visit.
You are a very observant as well as witty, which makes your writings so enjoyable. . Francis
Fri Oct 28 02:16 2005
Re: Thanks! Dear Vladimir,
I am a nature lover and I am an amateur nature photographer. I have found you page looking for information on the Sumatren Rhinoceros in Borneo.
I have seen a picture of this creature in your web page and I would like to know if you are the author and the circumstances, because I am very interested in nature photography and I would like to know how you managed to get this picture and all the circumstances. I would love to see a Sumatran Rhino
Furthermore I can only congratulate you for your pictures and adventures, which make me really envious. Some of the othe pictures are just amazing, especially the black jaguar from Mexico. Amazing. . Francisco
Barcelona, Spain - Sat Oct 15 13:02 2005
Re: There are places in Danum Valley Conservation Area known as wallows. They are used by rhinos regularly, so all you have to do is wait long enough. It is reasonably easy to see one, but difficult to get a good photo because you have to be at least 50 m away. If you would like to try, plan to spend at least two weeks there. Also, you have to contact Danum Valley in advance to get a permit.
I enjoyed your report from Africa. Please, write more detailed diary as you did about other parts of the world.
Don't worry about writing of breaking some stupid local regulations, perhaps nobody can sue you (you can always say you were bloating!).
I am very interested how do you get information. You have incredibly detailed knowledge about sites and species of all animals, plants and geological sights in places you visit. I am planning a trip to Argentina in short time and would like to get detailed wildlife information beforehand. Jerzy
Denmark - Fri Oct 14 14:19 2005
Re: I'll have a book about Madagascar online later this month, and the one about Africa before the end of the year.
One good way to get info about interesting places is to use birdwatching sites. They usually have a lot of general information. Try http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/birding.htm
Of course, to learn a lot about plants and animals worldwide takes some time :-) Vladimir,
The pictures in your website are stunning and your life of adventure intriguing. I've been searching the internet for devastatingly beautiful pictures of clouds and other aspects of water-based formation. I know this is a strange request but maybe you would allow me to use some of your pictures for a web-based video presentation something along the lines of http://www.withgod.com. I have no idea what your spiritual perspective is, but if you are at all interested, let me know. I'm not sure whether this would be a for-profit venture but that can be discussed. Andrea
Sun Oct 2 22:07 2005
Re: Sorry, but the answer is no. I can't allow my work to be used in spreading any form of religion. I think that the sooner people realize there's no God, the sooner they will learn to think for themselves, to take responsibility for their lives and their planet. Dear Vladimir,
I really love reading your travel tales. I just thought I would say thanks for posting them on the internet for everyone to read.
I don't suppose they are published anywhere, are they? I would buy the book
in a second. Thank you David
Exeter, England - Sat Oct 1 11:00 2005
Re: Thank you.
They've only been published in Russian so far. Mr Dinets,
This is an interesting paper you've written, from an unusual perspective. Ultimately, I find it to be anti-religious, irreligious, and somewhat intellectually propagandistic--in the Marxist polemical style. Still, it has some valuable and useful points to make. I wonder, since you have this page of beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, why you are so enamored of these artifacts of a religion (all of which you characterize as an invidious infectious agent of some sort), and yet seemingly so hostile to the ideas which they once housed?
In my own long thoughts on the matter, I came to the conclusion that one cannot escape belief, and "Scientism" is just another aspect of this truth. Your positing of atheism as the antithesis and antidote to religious infection is a specious argument. The Rationalist triumphalism the West has embraced for the past three-four hundred years has not allowed human beings to escape the human condition. One misery is exchanged for an improvement--which we call Progress--but there is always a negative tradeoff swept under the carpet. The prime example now is Global Warming, which is an alarming fact in the polar regions, and which will soon start desertifying the grasslands across the globe, causing a near-instantaneous disaster for the human race. Scientific thought has not allowed us to escape ourselves.
I am not a theist, so I am not making some surreptitious bid for the return of "God." Still, I wonder exactly what is your point to make, in this seeming contradiction on your website?
PS You seem to have lived quite an adventurous and exciting life! Mark
USA - Fri Sep 30 12:59 2005
Re: Thank you.
I see no contradiction here. You don't have to be a Catholic to enjoy Rafael's art. Besides, people who built those churches often were rebels, even heretics, and regularly got into trouble for not following the rules.
The fact that science doesn't always work as intended doesn't make religion any better. It's a personal choice, but I'd rather go for a difficult truth than for easy fantasy.
Science and religion are not two different belief systems, nor two different sums of information. They are two opposite ways of learning. Science demands that we never believe anything unless we can test the theory. Religion has an opposite approach. If you are completely honest to yourself, you have to choose between them. Hujambo! Good day!
My name is Anir Kasamba, I am the guy you saved from snakebite in Sambanja, Tanzania. I'm forever in your debt. Could you please tell me the name of the plant you used to treat me? Anir Kasamba (translated by David Kisayo)
Kibale, Tanzania - Tue Aug 23 15:36 2005
Re: I'm not sure what species it was, but it was a vine of genus Aristolochia. They are widely used in folk medicine for treating snakebites - for example, by Seminole Indians of Florida and by Naxi people of China. They help if the snake has blood-destroying venom (like vipers, rattlesnake, or, in your case, a puff adder), but not if it has nerve-paralizing venom, like cobras, mambas, boomslangs, coral and sea snakes).
Hi -
I'm Kevin Casey, the author of Australian Bush Survival Skills, the leading outdoor survival manual in this country.
Thoroughly enjoyed your website, especially the Jungle Tips section - very useful and sensible.
Like yourself, I prefer solo journeys with minimal gear (depending on the place, and whether or not I have to lug a quality video camera and tripod around too) in places no one else goes.
PS - Which type of hammock do you use in the rainforests? Kevin Casey
Brisbane Australia - Mon Jul 4 11:19 2005
Re: Thanks. The Jungle Tips section should be updated sometime in August. I use a tiny tent, not a hammock - I'll add a description to the page.
Hellooo
I am Zahid from noth pakistan Hunza valley (Passu Gojal) i visited your website its really wounderfull i liked it speacilly the pakistan section my village Passu you have added very nice pictures from passu. keep it up
Zahid
Pakistan - Tue Jun 21 4:02 2005
Re: Thanks!
I just read your book Speeding. I came upon it in my Google search for information about climbing redwoods in California which I wanted to read about after reading an article in a magazine on tape I get from the Library of Congress. I am blind, and truly appreciate all of your delightful descriptions along your way. I love your web site and enjoy your writing immensely. thank you so much for sharing!
Kathy Seven Williams
USA - Sat Jun 4 19:20 2005
Re: Thank you.
Hello Mr. Dinets,
I stumbled into your site through surfing the web. Your travels and work are quite impressive.
A few months ago I founded my own company that seeks to combine entomology and conservation with the kind of "fun" that I think some people will respond to. It's a little unusual: edible insects. My website is: www.slshrimp.com I am specifically writing in the hopes that, in your travels and experiences with other cultures, you might know of a reliable source of edible insects. I actually have found such a source in Ghana, but nothing yet in Asia or Central/South America. I founded this company, Sunrise Land Shrimp, about two months ago and in that time have sent out over 250 emails. I truly believe that raising insects for food would represent an environmentally responsible move on humanity's part, and that insects often taste surprisingly good. Any advice or information you might have would be much appreciated.
David Gracer
Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA - Fri Jun 3 15:48 2005
Re: David, I'm not aware of any commercial sources, but I suppose Thailand and Southern China would be the places to look.
hola-
I am driving to Mexico right after my last final. I need a serious break from
school. I just read through your website (which I loved) and added a couple stops
to my trip. I was just wondering if you were going there and you were a girl,
and you were going to be alone if you think the trip would be equally safe? I
was thinking of living out of my car but some books have scared me of the banditos.
Do you think hostels/ camping is safe? Was gas ridiculously priced? is it a pay
at the pump credit card experience? or should I plan on having cash on me to fill
up? I would be extra impressed with you if you responded. I am sure you are bombarded
with questions all the time. All the Mexico guidebooks just assume you are flying
in and doing stupid Cancun stuff. Thanks for rocking, even if you don't respond
your website was helpful!
Gracias-
Angie
Virginia, USA - Sat Apr 16 18:24 2005
Re: It would probably be even more safe for a girl since
Mexican men tend to be very protective with women. Assuming, of course, that you
will avoid Cancun and won't be running around in a bikini :-) I think sleeping
in your car is even more safe than a cheap hotel or campgound, if you find a place
not visible from the road and get there late enough. Gas is 10-25% more expensive
than in the US. You have to have some cash with you at all times. US dollars are
good in northern areas, then it's pesos-only. Credit cards are not much use in
the backcountry. Don't keep it all in one place, and take some trav. checks, too.
Have fun!
Hi
I visited your website's Pakistan Section
I never saw the things which your website had, even being born in
Pakistan, and living there for almost 23 years.
It was really fascinating, and the color of your pictures is also
great.
Best in All, and hope u liked Pakistan
Saad
USA (Pakistani Origins) - Sat Mar 26 13:26 2005
Re: Thanks! Yes, I liked it, especially the mountains.
Владимир, здравствуйте!
Меня зовут Сергей, живу в Москве и мне 33 года. Уже несколько лет с удовольствием читаю Ваши книги которые рекомендую всем своим друзьям и должен сказать, что во многом Ваши книги были определенным толчком ко многим поездкам... путешествиями их назвать слишком громко и знакомству со многими людьми, например автостопщиками и путешественниками из Академии вольных путешествий. Огромное Вам спасибо!
У меня есть один вопрос, который периодически возникает и после прочтения "Рамадан в Пакистане" я решился попросить - не могли бы Вы мне,также как и ребятам-студентам в автобусе в Пакистане вкратце за 5 минут объснить, почему бога нет? Или дать ссылку, если Вы это где-то уже писали. Вопрос очень важен для меня, заранее спасибо.
Sergey
Moscow, Russia - Sat Mar 26 02:50 2005
Re: Объяснение в принципе сводится к вопросу: если человека
создал бог, то кто создал бога? Традиционный аргумент верующих: "столь сложный
и во всех отношениях замечательный мир не мог возникнуть сам по себе". Но
чтобы его создать, бог должен был бы быть чем-то еще более сложным и замечательным.
Так что гипотеза о сотворении мира богом - не ответ на вопрос, а лишь иллюзия
ответа.
Dear Vladimir
I served on the Pakistan China border(Sust) for two years as incharge of customs.
Your amazing journey and photographs of the area are a very good representation
of the place. I think you enjoyed the place as much as anyone can. And you are
right the colors of fall there are among the best in the world. If you happen
to be in the neighbourhood again, plz feel free to contact.
Regards and Best Wishes
Suleman
Pakistan/UK - Thu Mar 24 20:59 2005
Re: Thank you.
Hello Vladimir,
I stumbled across your fantastic website while trying to dig up some info on
the Kolyma Basin. You're a year younger than me, but you've managed to travel
more than I have! :-) I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your
travel logs and photos, and you and I have so much in common it's dizzying!
It is clear that like me, you cannot consume enough information - especially
scientific information. Anyway - my name is Ian, I'm writing from eastern Ontario, Canada.
So where are you now anyway? I must say that I especially enjoyed reading your
travel log about "hitchhiking the Kolyma highway" - that was just the best! Nice photos too I might add.
Ian
Ontario, Canada - Sat Mar 19 23:51 2005
Re: Thanks! I'm in New Mexico at the moment, but getting
ready to move elsewhere.
Приветствую, Владимир!!
Мы группа велотуристов из Питера и Москвы, собираемся на майские (это праздники
такие, помните=)) в Сычуань и Восточный Тибет.
Потрясающие у вас материалы по Тибету и Китаю, написано чудесным, легчайшим, интересным,
информативным слогом. Я знаю, о чем говорю, так как велотуристы из наших велоклубов
ездят-то по всему миру, но часто отчеты совершенно нечитабельны. Я их читаю много.
Огромное спасибо. Я уже почти четко вижу перед глазами, куда еду =)))
Лена
Saint Petersburg, Russia - Fri Mar 11 06:25 2005
Re: Спасибо. Учтите, что Китай сейчас - совсем не та
страна, что 12 лет назад. Обязательно что-нибудь поновее почитатйте. Полезные
ресурсы есть на avp.travel.ru, bpclub.ru, и у Мурханова на сайте (адрес есть на
bpclub.ru)
Dear Vladimir,
We were among the passenger onboard the Marco Polo on the South Georgia-Antarctic
voyage. We were tremendously impressed by your knowledge, courage and spirit of
adventure. We've spent three weeks since coming back home exploring your fascinating
website... feels like another great trip! Thank you. You are truly an inspiration.
Dun & Tina
Aberdeen, Scotland - Sat Mar 05 01:11 2005
Re: Come on, you make it sound like I'd hiked to the
South Pole ;-) Thanks. Hope to meet you again sometimes, preferably in the same
geographical area.
Ваши книги могут заставить забыть привычку к оседлой жизни.
и это так необычно и здорово, что существуют такие люди. которые умеют говорить
правду...
радости всегда.
света
Moscow, Russia - Mon Feb 28 19:01 2005
Re: Cпасибо! И Вам того же.
Felicidades por tu pagina tan interesante y tan llena de Mexico, por que todo
lo que hablas de la Baja California esta lleno de amor a la Naturaleza y eso es
lo que nos muestras con tus relatos y photos de la Baja y solo entre a buscar
reptiles endemicos de la Baja California y me tope con tu pagina y ya le di la
buelta entera y me quede con ganas de mas. Bueno recibe todo mi carico y mi admiracion.
Atte. Ramуn Andrade Gonzalez.
Mexico - Tue Feb 22 11:45 2005
Re: Gracias, y bueno suerte! Hola! Gracias por pagina web muy interesante. Lo gusto mucho viajar tambien
y quisiera visitar a todos paises en el mundo ja ja! Hay muchos articulos interesantes
aqui. Soy biologo tambien.
Welcome to my travel page: www.virtualtourist.com/Azul_Planeta (English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese). Artem
Moscow, Russia - Sun Feb 20 8:30 2005
Re: Muchas Gracias Thanks for creating a fascinating web site. I discovered you as I searched
for information about sea turtles and their nesting habits. You have inspired
me to consider visiting Mexico to see these beaches as well as the other wonders
of the Pacific coast. That would be a big change for me. Although I have written
about endangered species here (the timber rattlesnake), I have rarely ventured
beyond the bounds of New England. Its good to know that there is a whole big diverse
world out there and to have your reports on travel conditions.
I chuckled at your response to the novel writer. I'll keep you in mind whenever
I need a reality check. Your site is now in my short Favorites list. Martha Kelly
New England - Sat Feb 19 15:14 2005
Re: Thanks.
Hi
I'm writing a 4,000 word story (in the genre of Stephen King) about an evening escapade in the Mojave along Route 66 at the end of August. In late evening, the female pauses to smell a rose in the vicinity of a Joshua tree.
Now, this snow-bound writer has never seen a desert. Therefore, I'd appreciate if you would vet the reference to a rose (or other bloom) in the high desert at that time of year. JS
Canada - Mon Dec 20 18:02 2004
Re: Mojave is generally dead in late August. The only
flowering plant I can think of is barrel cactus. Couldn't
she just stop to pee? Sounds much more believable to me. Dear Vladimir,
I truely enjoyed reading your articles and envy you. You are a lucky man! Keep it up.
Wing
- Sat Dec 18 13:57 2004
Re: Thanks! I'm not particularly lucky, just persistent.
Hi Vladimir,
I wanted to congratulate you for your site and all your photos. Your collection of wild cats pictures is very impressive ! Except for lions and cheetahs, i never succeeded to find these very elusive animals... But i am not able, like you, to spend hours or days in a hide to wait for the big cat ! I found cougars tracks in British Columbia and i hope i will be able to see and photograph one of these creatures in a next travel...
Oliver
France - Sun Nov 14 6:41 2004
Re: Thanks, and good luck.
Mr. Dinets:
Your pictures are superb! Your site is wonderful!! It has helped me immensely
in encouraging my 11 year old autistic son to develop an interest in a Social
Studies project.
Yvette
USA - Wed Sep 15 12:04 2004
Re: Thank you!
I admire your site,
and especially your writing. I landed in the travel diaries while researching
trumpet-trees for a travel article I'm writing on Belize. I love the way you hop
into a river and travel - I also cheered your handling of the preacher on the
bus. I have to get back to this project - I'm a fiction writer who sometimes writes
about adventures and pawns them as travel, and I've been stuck on this one. It's
about an Adventure trip in Belize, a trip to the mall compared to your antics,
but I did get some ideas from you. Thanks. Also, are you publishing your work? It's wonderful.
Melanie
USA - Fri Jun 25 6:43 2004
Re: Thank you. They were published in Russia, but not
in the US. If you have any advice on how to do it, I'd appreciate that.
HI Vladimir,
first of all, congratulations for your page ... and the life you live ! Kind of
naive question maybe, but I just wonder how come that somebody who's taken pictures of cats in
Belize or Borneo, doesn╢t have any (at least I haven╢t seen a single one) of... Africa,
of course, main destination of nature photographers... not enough challenging for you, maybe?
Mikel Muсoz
Spain - Fri Jun 25 6:43 2004
Re: Thank you. East Africa is a very expensive place
to visit because of national park fees (sometimes more than $100 per day). I couldn't
go to South Africa until recently, because it's almost impossible to get their
visa with a Russian passport. I hope to get there sometime soon.
HI became interested in learning about the Caucasian area while reading a wonderful
novel called Our Game by John LeCarre.
Thank you for your beautiful and inspirational website. All of the ongoing violence
seems very sad. I hope that the indigenous cultures can survive in peace one day
soon. I look forward to visiting this beautiful region when it is safe to do so.
Deborah Jarrett
Philadelphia, USA - Thu Jun 04 19:16 2004
Re: Thank you. Actually, many of the most intereting
parts (most of Georgia, Caucasus Nature Reserve, Armenia) are reasonably safe
to visit already.
Hi there,
I am leaving for China in 2 weeks and I enjoyed your journal very much. I will
be writing quite a bit over there as well. I was just wondering if you had any
words of wisdom for someone who has never been out of the states other than to
Mexico and Canada? Although I am going with a group I don't really know anyone
and will be by myself I'm sure alot of the time. Any suggestions you could offer
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Jennifer
USA - Thu May 06 3:43 2004
Re: China has changed a lot in 11 years since my trip.
It is now an easy, safe, and comfortable place to travel around. I'm sure you'll
enjoy your trip a lot. Still, it would be wise to be careful with people who approach
you first, and to not keep valuables in outside pockets.
Keep in mind that the usual stereotype around the world is that Americans are
very stupid and arrogant (lack basic survival skills, know nothing about other
countries, have good guys/bad guys mentality, etc.) People you'll meet in China
would be surprised and pleased if you actually learn something before the trip:
a few Mandarin words and characters, basics of Chinese geography and history.
Have fun.
Hello. I saw a pink rainbow on March 28th 2004 as I was traveling to Indiana.
I was coming out of St. Louis into Illinois. The weather was stormy and some rain,
but not much of it. It was almost dark. I had never seen a pink rainbow before.
I thought it was a light shining through the clouds at first, but soon realized
it was in fact a rainbow. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, or I
would have pulled over and took some photos. It will live in my memory. Absolutely
gorgeous thing to see and of all places, East St. Louis. I liked your web page.
Great photos.
Liz
USA - Sun May 02 5:49 2004
Re: A while ago, I got an email from someone, saying
that pink rainbows were physically impossible, and that my photos were all fake
:-)
Please soory for my poor english. I must thank you for this beautiful web site.
My name is Zarko and Im from Sebia,country with beautyfool caves, and sad in everything
else.Thats all for this time.
drincic
Serbia - Tue Mar 16 3:43 2004
Re: Thank you. Actually, your country has some very interesting
flora and fauna - Serbian spruce, for example. I also remember seeing a really
good Serbian movie called Black Cat, White Cat a couple years ago :-)
Zdravstvuji ,Vladimir!!!
Myi s drugom sobiraemsja v Aziju i interesno , est╕li tam kakie-nit╕ redkie, no
intersnyie ghivotnye, kotoryih ne stoit bojatsja, a ghelatel╕no uvidet╕, a kakih
ne stoit vstrechat╕(dlinnyie belyie chervi, kotoryie ghivut v pjatke) ???
Ivan
Russia - Fri Apr 30 13:20 2004
Re: Азия большая, животных много :-) Ришты (червей) там
уже почти нет, но сырую воду пить не стоит. Посмотри http://dinets.travel.ru/jungletips.htmDear Vladimir, I greatly enjoyed your excellent web-site article about hitching
to Oimyakon. Your pictures are outstanding. Were you able to take any pictures
of wolves?
I am a Russian linguist and have written a 500 page manuscript about wolves in
Russia. I am trying to find a publisher for it. I spent two weeks in one of the
southern areas of Siberia, was in Kazakhstan for two weeks and in Karelia for
10 days. I still remember all of the beautiful scenery.
Will Graves
- Wed Jan 7 18:14 2004
Re: Thank you. I don't have any pictures of wolves from
Russia - they are much more difficult to photograph there than in Canada or Alaska.
Ciao Vladimir,
I' m Nicola from Italy,I was browsing through your website and............is it
a joke or what,I mean I can't believe it!!!!!!!! No,of course I do,but to say
I'm astonished isn't enough........I mean it's simply amazing......all those places,all
those cats........it's been a shock,really!!!!!!My congratulations!!!!!!!!!I'm
going to tell all my friends to write down your site and go see it as soon as
possible! Anyway,I've come to know it while I was searching the web for info on
Far east Russia,Ussuriland,and I see you know a lot about that area....which is
the best time of year,the best areas for mammals,the best for birds.....is there
a particular tour company or travel agency or local guide that you would recommend??Have
you been to the Bikin River? I think tonight I'll dream about some wild animal
alog a dirt road in the dark...... Waiting for your reply,thank you for your incredible
source of wonder...
Nicola Scatassi,
Italy - Sat Dec 27 10:50 2003
Re: Thank you. A lot has changed since I've been there.
Parts of the area are still closed for travel because of their proximity to the
border, so you'll probably have to use some tour company. The best places for
forest mammals and birds are Kamenushka village near Ussuriisk, Kedrovaya Pad
reserve, and Ternei in the North. For waterbirds and migrants, try the coast west
from Vladivostok and Lake Khanka. The best time to visit is August to October.
Здравствуйте Владимир. Так необычно писать вам напрямую и знать, что вы меня услышите. Я так часто говорила с вами в ваших книгах :) Вы изменили мою жизнь. Надеюсь, что сделаю другим людям то, что вы сделали мне. Подарить мечту, свободу, это ли не счастье! Удачи вам. "Холодная" родина в вас нуждается, приезжайте в гости.
Светлана
Moscow, Russia - Fri Dec 26 01:08 2003
Re: Спасибо на добром слове :)Hi, I was just browsing through your website
and it's totally awesome that you have so many pictures of wildlife and plants
in Malaysia.
Mei Leng
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Thu Nov 27 17:01 2003
Re: Thanks. There's a lot of wildlife to photograph in
Malaysia.
Thank you. Very interesting and informative. Lovely pictures, especially Caucasus.
Max
Walnut Creek, CA USA - Sun Nov 23 16:40 2003
Re: Thanks.
Love your site - can you make it so your awesome pictures can be clicked on for a much bigger version? Would be cool...
Ted
Fri Aug 29 23:20 2003
Re: Sorry, I have no time to re-scan them, and no server
space. There are almost 3,000 pictures on the site now. Besides, my slide scanner
isn't any good for high resolutions.
Greetings!
Excellent sight! Sadly I do believe in bigfoot, but I'm a poor school teacher
and couldn't convince a mouse to steal a piece of cheese.
I do hope that was a hutia that the gentleman saw. I started making a list of
extinct birds and mammals, and it's really scarey.
yours
Beverley DAvis
Thu Aug 28 20:20 2003
Re: Thank you. I wish I could believe in things like
bigfoot, too. But I can't.
Hi, I just had to write.
I loved your page about wildlife in the Californias.
It's really cool that someone notices what's always
been there in front of our nose and few times we even
think of how amazing it is.
Hector Gonzalez
Santa Cecilia, MEXICO - Mon Jun 14 18:04 2003
Re: Thank you.
Dear Vladimir,
First of all I would like to tell you how amazed I am by your website, and
the adventures you had... Wow! It's exciting even just to read about your journeys...-You really make one's appetite to try them all...:)
But I would like to criticise one thing (-hope you don't mind!) : the photos
you attach to your storys, seems so nice, but...they are way too small!!! :(
Is there really no way to see them enlarged...somehow??? ->That would make
your website simply PERFECT!!:)
Veronika
Sun May 25 16:18 2003
Re: Thanks. I'd like to add larger scans of pictures,
but I don't have time to do it (there are many hundreds of pictures on the site),
and I'm already out of web space.
I stumbled upon your site looking for information on the African wild cat,
it▓s very rare for me to send feedback, in fact I believe this is the first time.
I▓m delighted to find a site that is what I▓d define as ⌠alternative discovery■
with your honest, forthright and modest style. I personally think your mad swimming
down tropical rivers, or possibly braver than anyone I know or a combination of
both. I can understand you may get away with it in Asia and the America▓s, although
its important you don▓t become reckless as there isn▓t many people on earth with
your profound respect for the environment, I think you would certainly waste your
life attempting swimming in parts of Australia and Africa. Nevertheless your site
is extremely interesting in content.
Conrad Owens
Sydney, Australia - Sat April 20 04:27 2003
Re: Well, salties and Nile crocodyles are certrainly
more dangerous than others, but snorkeling with them is much less dangerous than
wading or swimming on surface in their habitat. I haven't been in Sub-Saharan
Africa yet, but I have some experience with saltwater crocs of Borneo.
Thanks for your incredible website. I'm 16 and in high school, but
reading about your amazing adventures has really inspired me to start
planning some of my own. What I have always thought of as impossible,
especially for a girl, now seems like it could one day become a reality. So
thanks again--I know it sounds dippy, but you've really kind of changed my
life!
Katherine Williams
Baton Rouge, USA - Sun Mar 02 22:03 2003
Re: Thanks. Nothing is impossible if you really want
it. Particularly for a girl :-)
I have really enjoyed reading about your adventures. Also, thanks for teaching
me about Mountain Beavers. I thought meerkats and naked molerats were the only
critters I had missed, but I was wrong! Regards, Char
Charlene Henwood
Sacramento, USA - Tue Jan 28 19:14 2003
Re: Thanks.
Vladimir,
As one of the participants of your "wildlife viewing tour" to Carmel Valley last
weekend, I'd like to thank you for the excellent outing. It was the best short
trip of my life. I never thought it was possible to see so many interesting things
in 14 hours. And the bobcat encounter was great! I'll now spend more time exploring
California. I am sure other participants enjoyed it as much as I did. Good luck,
and keep me posted if other trips are upcoming.
Lee Chang
San Fransisco, USA - Sun Jan 26 10:32 2003
Re: Thank you. We are planning a desert trip in April,
if there will be enough rainfall for good blooming of desert flowers.
Dear Vladimir, I found your article Funeral for Paradise thru Samir Aragon's website links. Thanks for writing that article. I think I should send it to allmy friends here in the Philippines - wow, what a way to start the new year ! I have to admit I was quite ignorant of the state of theenvironment here until recently. A couple of years ago I joined a birdwatching tour conducted by the Haribon Foundation -www.haribon.org.ph. When the bird guide presented a list for 90 plus birds, I thought he must be crazy ! I could not even think of 10birds found in the country and now I realize there are more than 500 species recorded in the Philippines. I have since joined birdingtrips to Mt Makiling, Subic Bay, and Candaba Marshlands in Pampanga and have been to Olango Island in Cebu on my own. This year we have started birdwatching in the city. Identifying pockets of refuge within the metropolis. Hopefully our tiny group ofless than 10 regular birdwatchers would increase soon. We are thinking of starting a birdwatching website but need goodphotographers to help us out. Would appreciate any help you can offer or point us to. Thanks and hope you can come visit us again - we surely would learn a lot from you. Happy New Year!
Mike
Manila, PHILIPPINES - Tue Dec 27 12:28 2002
Re: Thank you. Oriental Bird Club's message board called
Orientalbirding at Yahoo is a great source of information and contacts. Happy
new Year, have good trips.
Dear Mr. Vladimir, I have just returned from a long trip to Mongolia and Altai region of Siberia. I used both Lonely Planet's Mongolia guidebook and your "Travel Diaries", and found your books much more helpful and accurate, not to mention interesting and well-written.Thanks a lot! What a fascinating part of the world! Is there any chance of seeing your books published?
Peter Kovalski
Krakov, POLAND - Mon Nov 12 23:14 2002
Re: Thanks. I'd love to publish them, but haven't looked
for potential publishers yet. Some were published in Russian by The Academy of
Free Travel, Moscow: www.avp.travel.ru.Dear Sir, It has been a thrilling and outstanding stories of your trips. Hats off to your courage, concern for nature and outstanding observations. Regards, Koustubh Sharma Secretary Forum For Forestry Furtherance
Bhopal, INDIA - Sat Nov 10:34 2002
Re: Thanks!Die Seite is Super!!! Schau mal auf meine www.mister-t.net.tc
Thomas
Vienna, österreich - Fri Nov 2 9:02 2002
А все-таки здорово, что ты есть, Владимир! Честно скажу, для меня твои книги - просто отдушина в этом насквозь гнилом мире бизнеса! Сегодня в очередной раз перечитал "Превышение скорости", перед этим подзаряжался от "Америки Латина"... Я и сам обалденно люблю путешествовать с рюкзаком, стараюсь выбираться в нормальные (неевропейские) страны хотя бы пару-тройку раз в год, но моему опыту до твоего еще расти и расти! Пока ты для меня типа путеводной звезды, за что тебе огромное спасибо!!!!! Хотя и я твердо намереваюсь посвятить лет пять странствиям по миру - когда мне исполнится 30. А пока надо зашибить бабки... Путешествия, даже с рюкзаком - дело недешевое :))) Все нормальные места находятся далеко, да и локалы их отдельно заряжают по цене. Так что спасибо огромное - не будь тебя, мой мир и вообще мир всех людей нестандартной турориентации здорово обеднел бы...
Роман
Ростов-на-Дону, Россия - Sun Oct 25 7:43 2002
Hello, I think this site has a great navigation and is easy to browse. The informations should be updated a little more often still, and the logo looks pretty weird.
Calin Uioreanu
M, - Fri Oct 23 3:55 2002
Nice site. I really enjoy reading about other people's travelling experiences. I plan to get my own experiences online soon. I keep inverts and go travelling to photograph them in the wild every year.
Samuel Stableford
Reading, Berkshire England - Sun Oct 1 13:38 2002
Fabulous information and pictures of the wild cats. Hope yopu are still doing your good work, I'm a big fan, thanks, Brian
Brian Murphy
Kilmarnock, Scotland - Sun Sep 18 6:31 2002
I found your website a couple different time searching under topics as diverse as magnolias, amphiumas, paddlefish and mongolia. One of the most educational and entertaing websites I've ever stumbled into. I especially like "Wild, Wild East". It was very intersting to hear an "outsider's" perspective of the wildlife and plants I've been around my entire life. I have some very happy childhood memories experiancing the nature of the eastern United States - once I almost got my finger bitten off by a giant snapping turtle! Thanks for sharing your experiances and good luck in any future travels.
Ian Darnell
St. Louis, MO United States - Tue Aug 20 20:02 2002
G'day mate Vladimir, hi from Down Under! Very nice website. Please visit S.Australia and my website!!! Webmaestro :) http://www.metropolis5000.com
Webmaestro
Adelaide, South Australia AUSTRALIA - Mon Aug 12 18:54 2002
Hi Mr. Vladimir Dinets, Its nice to know that someone like you has visited our country and did research on our unique flora and fauna. Early this year, my father and I donated a cloudrat, which my father saw in a cage along the road (I think they were going to kill it). It is now in our Parks and Wildlife Center. I've been to the Kitanglad (or Katanglad) National Park, but I did not have the chance and time to explore it. While it may be true that it's now too late to conserve what is left of our forests, I think there's still hope. With people like you still around, I know we still can do it. Thank you very much for inspiring me. Allan
Allan Gil S. Fernando
Quezon City, Philippines - Sun Aug 4 7:17 2002
Владимир, вы потрясающий и необыкновенный человек!!!)) (прочла парочку рассказов о ваших путешествиях). Насколько я понимаю, такая большая практика путешествий подразумевает собой наличие целой кучи фотографий. На вашем сайте мною найдено большое количество фото природы (дух захватывает), но мне также хотелось бы взглянуть (т.е. получить по мылу или каким-нибудь др. путем (?) )) на фото людей, встретившихся на вашем пути, и их домов ....или мест возможного проживания. Просьба связана со следующим - хочу создать сайт о людях и о мире под названием Земля. К сожалению, фактически его еще нет, но мысль моя по этому поводу ширится и пухнет, поэтому, надеюсь, в ближайшем времени идея материализуется. Основная цель - показать насколько мир огромен и прекрасен. Если у вас вдруг появятся какие-нибудь мысли по этому поводу - была бы очень рада получить их (вместе с фото)) на мыло antares1M@yandex.ru
Ann
MOSKOW, Russia - Fri Jul 26 0:16 2002
Re: Человек я вполне обыкновенный, просто путешествовать люблю. Честно говоря, люди меня интересуют гораздо меньше, чем природа, потому что природа везде разная, а люди, в общем-то, одинаковые (разве что, как сказал бы известный персонаж, в разной степени испорчены квартирным вопросом). Кое-какие фотки людей с Тибета и из прочих экзотических стран у меня есть, но практически все они уже стоят на сайте. Что касается сайта под названием "Земля", то разве весь Интернет не выполняет именно эту функцию? Vladimir, You are a true Christopher Columbus or Captain Cook of our age !!! Your stories are truly inspirational, they transcend so many of the materialistic concerns of todays world. I'm so glad I went to AltaVista and typed in 'Hitchhiking in Russia' and although I was supposed to be doing an assignment for university I feel like I have gained much more from looking around your site than all my time spent at university studying. If ever you ever feel the urge to see the diverse and wonderful wildlife of Australia please feel free to contact me for what ever reason.
Gareth Watson
Australia - Sat June 15 5:28 2002
Re: Thank you. You seem to have very interesting assignments at your university. We'd love to visit Australia some day, but we have to settle for cheaper places with easier-to-get visas for now :-) NATURAL SELECTION AS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS - Extremely interesting, insightful and delightful article! I enjoyed it tremendously! Fantastic piece of work!
Sandy Brock
- Tue Jun 11 18:01 2002
I've very much enjoyed reading through your website this afternoon. Now I'd better get back to work. But thanks, truly. I think I'm a traveler, until I meet someone like you! All the best, Thom Thomas
- Mon Jun 10 17:50 2002
Thank you for your website and for all the work you are doing to protect the world's diveristy, especially butterflies & moths. Larry
- Sun Jun 8 11:24 2002
Very good webpage you have here, and best greetings to all your visitors. And people You Are also --> WELCOME Good informations and much more, have BIG fun.
27 IDX 106 - Odinn
Akranes , ICELAND - Fri May 17 14:11 2002
A wonderful website!! I was searching for a website about travel between Magadan, Siberia to Yakutsk and came across your site. I plan on travelling to Siberia this July and was wondering if you had any more information on hitchiking from Magadan to Yakutsk, then taking the bus down to Tynda on the BAM. I am a U.S. citizen who speaks a little Russian (but will know more after studying in Saint Petersburg this summer). Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Zac P.S. I have dreamed about going to places you have been ever since I was 10 years old!! You are amazing.
Zac Einerson
Prague, Czech Republic - Fri May 10 10:48 2002
Re: According to recent hitchhikers' reports at www.avp.travel.ru, there are buses from Yakutsk to Nerungri (the last station on currently constructed railroad to Yakutsk). There is no road between Yakutsk and Handyga (where Kolyma Highway starts) in summer, so you have to take a hydrofoil boat (daily). On the highway itself, there is regular traffic (including daily buses) from Magadan to Kadykchan (and on to Ust-Nera) and from Handyga to Warm Spring (Tyoplyi Klyuch). The part in between, which crosses the Magadan Oblast/Yakutia border, is the most challenging part of the trip, with 1-2 trucks per day in each direction on average. The trip from Magadan to BAM can take anywhere from 10 to 25 days, depending on road conditions. The weather is most reliable in late July and early August. Good luck. Vladmir, Do you have a print-friendly list of the endangered Parassian species? I recently encountered an offering of many, many Russian species....and I would never want to think that I promoted the rape of a natural resource. Paul
- Tue Apr 30 8:47 2002
Re: Paul, there is no official list. The only ones formally
protected by international laws are European species (P. apollo, P. mnemosyne,
P. phoebus). However, even the more common species of Asia are made up of
dozens of very local subspecies and distinct populations, most of them extremely
vulnerable to overcollecting. Any Parnassius with selling price of more
than $10 is likely to be of such form. And, unfortunately, no Asian species is
currently bred in captivity. Some highly endangered and heavily poached Parnassius
include P. loxias, P. cardinal, P. boedromius, P. patricius, P. clarius
(=P. ariadne), P. simo, P. simonius, P. arcticus (=P. tenedius
amosovi), P. felderi, and virtually all Tibetan species. Some subspecies
of P. charltonius are on the verge of extinction because of overcollecting.
Some of the above are listed in Red Data Books in Russia, Yakutia or Tajikistan.
Also, most (if not all) Parnassius from Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, India,
and China were illegally collected in Nature reserves. In America, the situation
is a bit better, although one subspecies is already extinct because of overcollecting.
What can i do to contribute on saving the Philippine Islands. I have no monetary resources.
Lowell
- Fri Apr 19 8:31 2002
Re: Lowell, it's more about saving money than spending it. Here's what you can do: 1. Never give any money or votes to Catholic church, Republican party (in the USA), or any other organization opposed to birth control programs; 2. Never buy furniture made of tropical wood or decorated with mother-of-pearl; 3. Never buy tropical seashells, insects, coral fish, or other exotic pets (unless they are captive-bred); 4. Never buy any clothing made of snake skin. Vladimir cool site!!
thomas
- Tue Apr 16 3:08 2002
Re: Thanks!Saludos desde Puerto Rico: Me llamo Daisy y andaba navegano en busca una tarea de mi hijo cuando me topИ con tu pagina. Entonces decidМ pedirte ayuda.... Mi hijo, quien cursa el 5to grado,tiene la tarea de buscar informacion y lАminas sobre 4 Аrboles nativos (autoctonos) de P.Rico y por mas que he navegado no localizo ningun website que me pueda ayudar :-( Aprovecho para felicitarte...Sabemas que tu (supongo que no eres de boricua) sabes mucho mas de mi islita que yo? Ya sabes, con eso de los hijos,trabajo, obligaciones y demАs nunca he podido disfrutar realmente de mi lindo P.R. Espero algun dМa tener la dicha que tuviste tЗ. Que Dios te bendiga mucho y sigue adelante luchando por tus metas. : ) Agradecida de antemano, Daisy PD: Necesitarme la "website" para lo mas pronto posible.
Kelly Diaz
Puerto Rico - Mon Apr 8 8:23 2002
Re: Kelly, aqui es un website lindo, con mucho informacion: http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/cat/361/ my dream is to get to mongolia and see it,and i am fascinated by your story about mongolia.can you send me or where i can find some stories like yours about mongolia and taklamakan desert and lake lobnor. my hope is some day i will see these places,still wild and untouched. thank you for the good story
dian dimanov
plovdiv, bulgaria - Sun Mar 31 10:18 2002
Re: Try Shirchin Baatar's site: http://baatar.freeyellow.com/ Unfortunately, only Mongolian part of the region is more or less wild and untouched. The deserts of China are in very bad condition: all oases are converted for agriculture, and almost all large animals are extinct. Lob Nor area is a reserve, but it was originally a nuclear testing ground. Hallo , I have read your fantastic homepage and traveltips for the Philippines. I found your trip really interesting. In april I╢m going to the Philippines myself for spending 25 days in diving and searching for birds and other wildlife. Among other things I will try for the tamaraw. What I wonder is if it╢s possible to do the walk alone or if you know if there are guides available ? Do you also know if I can find literature about mammals , reptiles and amphibians somewhere in the Philippines ? I would be very grateful if you have the possibility to help me with my questions. Thanks
Anita Ericson
Sweden - Sun Mar 31 9:56 2002
Re: You don't need a guide to hike to Mt. Iglit, but you might need to hire a driver to get you to the trailhead. The park has a tiny office at the airport - you can get all information there. The only place to look for books about animals is in Manila - probably some large bokstore would have them. You can also ask my friend Samir Aragon: his site is www.philwildlife.com Здравствуйте, Владимир! Прочитал Вашу книгу о путешествии в Тибет (да и не только эту, но не в том суть) А дело в том, что меня просили узнать о разрешительных документах для проезда иностранцев в Тибет. Со времени Вашего путешествия что-то изменилось, может быть вы в курсе? Может быть, есть еще какие-то сведения по режиму в Тибете, какие организации выдают пермиты, сколько это стоит? Можно ответить здесь, можно написать мне в почту vaddim@mail.ru Заранее благодарен, удачи вам в путешествиях и в жизни!
Вадим Назаренко
Moskow, Russia - Sat Mar 30 6:14 2002
Re: Вадим, Насколько я знаю, было много изменений - правда, в основном в разрешительную сторону. Попробуйте заглянуть в Thorn Tree (доску объявлений) на сайте www.lonelyplanet.com Насколько я понял, дороги в Лхасу из Непала и Голмуда (с севера) открыты полностью, хотя автобусы там дорогие, а автостоп платный. Дороги с запада и с востока проходят через закрытые районы. Можно ли там просочиться без уплаты кучи денег за разрешение - не знаю. Hi Vladimir, Mey name is Arevik. I'd like to ask you to help me write a research paper on the topic: What is the nature of sacred experience? What should I focus on, what sources to use etc. Thank you very much Arevik G. ps Your web site is very interesting. It was fun to cruise around.
Arevik
Armenia - Sun Mar 17 11:13 2002
Re: Arevik, I am not a good advisor on this topic. I am very materialistic. I think the nature of sacred experience is that our brain produces endorphins (kind of hormones) in response to certain emotional input. So, any strong emotional experience can be considered sacred: war, travel, love, death, childbirth, and so on. For me, the major spiritual experiences were having sex for the first time (at age 13) and my first independent expedition far from home (at 12). Just wanted to let you know you have a great site. Thank you for wonderful pictures
Christine
Charlotte, NC USA - Wed Feb 27 9:22 2002
Re: Thanks! Посмотрел сайт. Так ничего, но есть недостаток. В одном месте написано что Карабах - это армения. Карабах - территория в центре Азербайджана, временно оккупированная армянами. Рано или поздно Карабах вернется в состав нашей страны. Прошу исправить
Ahmet
Baku, Azerbaijan - Tue Feb 19 13:34 2002
Re: Ахмет, насколько мне известно, на принадлежность Карабаха существуют разные точки зрения. Будучи большим другом Азербайджана, я все же считаю, что судьбу той или иной территории должны решать люди, которые на ней живут - в данном случае, карабахские армяне. Они, как известно, не разделяют взглядов азербайджанского правительства по этому вопросу, и мне ничего не остается, как с ними согласиться. Кроме того, я не уверен, что возвращение этой территории - в интересах Азербайджана. Насколько я помню, это один из самых бедных уголков Закавказья, даже в советские времена зависевший от дотаций. Вполне возможно, что рано или поздно азербайджанская армия сумеет вновь взять Карабах под контроль. Но для этого придется уничтожить большую часть армянского населения, что нанесет непоправимый ущерб международному имиджу Азербайджана. I just looked at all of your magnificent photos on your webpage and got to the end and saw the option to mail you. I chose to do so, just so I could tell you that: Your ocean and animal photography is actually some of the best that I have found so far on the internet. FYI- I look for these kind of pictures every time I surf the world wide web!
Lisa
Sat Feb 9 7:42 2002
Re: Thank you. Fortunately, there's a lot of much more beautiful animal photos on the Internet. Dear Vladimir, I love you webpages which I discovered last year. You have been to such interesting faraway places that I can only dream about but you have taken brilliant photographs so that others like me can share a little in the experience. Your fascination with and commitment to wild life is marvellous to read and more that anything I love your joie de vivre! I live in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in west Wales (UK) and if you ever feel like visiting this area (although it is very tame compared with most of your destinations) you would have a warm welcome. We have a small cottage that you could stay in. Also I am half-Russian and another Natasha. (Your wife and your cats are beautiful too.)
natasha
Wales - Fri Feb 1 6:22 2002
Re: Thank you for the invitation! UK is among the first
places we'll go to as soon as we get US citizenship. Unfortunately, it might take
a few more years. But what do you mean it's tame? The last book I read about Wales
(it was Llewelyn ab Iorwert's biography) said it was a wild country and a source
of bloody border raids... :-)
Wow! What a great site! Thanks a lot!
Ken Kottfa
Nairobi, Kenya - Wed Jan 9 9:58 2002
Адрес сайта получил от знасомого - спасибо за интересные статьи и стихи. СП
Sergei Pogreboff
Espoo, Finland - Wed Jan 2 4:53 2002
Dear Vladimir Talking to my sister-in-law about seashells she forcefully told me that I should not have purchased the ё1 bag of shells from a shop in Cornwall two years ago. Well, I'm not to know how they got there but because some people use questionable tactics to harvest these items she was adamant that I was very wrong to have purchased them. A quick search on yahoo gave me a link to your site and I concur and thank you for illustrating that all is not well in many environments. What can we do here in the UK? ban this trade? or regulate the business as free trade practice paying those who dive for shells, a good price for only removing the ones that don't still contain a live animal?
Alan
UK - Sun Dec 30 3:51 2001
Re: Dear Alan, as much as I'd love to see this business banned altogether, I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. Also, the only way to get shells in perfect condition is to kill the animal. For cone shells, you sometimes have to kill ten mollusks and clean their shells to find one perfect specimen. One possible way to control this pillaging of the ocean is banning sales of shells for more than, say, $5 apiece. This way most rare, large or particularly saught-after species will be protected. But most of the trade in truly rare shell is on the Internet, so it's difficult to control. Sone tropical countries have banned seashell exports, but few of them manage to enforce this law effectively. One thing we can do is raising public awareness of the fact that buying seashells means supporting a trade which is destructive for the environment. Vladimir Уважаемый Владимир! Не знаю, помните ли Вы меня. Мы с Вами встречались в 1988 году в КПЗ города Джалилабад в Азербайджане, куда Вы, помнится, попали за нарушение режима погранзоны, а я - за так называемую "спекуляцию книгами". Из Вашего сайта я узнал, что Вы по-прежнему много путешествуете. Я теперь живу недалеко от Вас, в г. Лос-Анжелесе, с женой Роситой (она у меня из Перу) и двумя детьми. После встречи с Вами я тоже стал путешествовать не только за книгами, но и для ознакомления с природой разных интересных мест. Недавно увлекся разведением редких кактусов и теперь каждый год езжу в Анды. Если будете в наших краях, обязательно заезжайте в гости. Наш телефон (213)556-5324.
Алексей Макаров
Los Angeles, CA USA - Sat Dec 29 11:11 2001
Re: Алексей, я в тюрьмах сидел не так уж много, и всех своих сокамерников помню :-) Отлично, что вы тоже здесь. В гости заедем обязательно. Я вам сегодня вечером позвоню. Вова Thanks for useful website! I'm considering a trip to Siberia next July, and the place I'm most interested in is Kolyma Highway. Do you think it is possible for a foreigner to hitchhike from the Transsiberian to Magadan? Will it be dangerous? How cold will it be? John Jenkins
Inverness, Scotland - Sat Dec 22 10:57 2001
Re: Yes, it is possible if you have three weeks to spend there. It is not dangerous, and not cold in July, except on high passes. I've got letters from people in Hong Kong and India who were also planning to go there next year. Also, I have friends in Russia who traveled the Hiqhway recently. You forgot to mention your email - please write me to vladimir@hotcity.com, and I'll send you all the info. Vladimir Dear Vladimir, Our family spent three days and two nights exploring your website. It is great! Now we dream to go to China and Mongolia. We started to gather money to go next summer. We will have a "letter of recommendation" in Turk Language. We hope it will work as good as Russian. Kemal and Leila Suleimani
Kemal Suleimani
Adana, Turkey - Fri Dec 21 19:21 2001
Re: Good luck, and let me know if you need any travel information. Vladimir
