Customer Reviews

Globe Trekker - Thailand, Malaysia & Laos

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Summer 2006 we were planning a trip to Thailand and purchased various guide books and DVD's. Globe Trekker Thailand, Malaysia & Laos was a big disappointment. The focus is on the host acting like a stupid tourist not on Thailand. I considered asking for a refund. Don't waste your money. There are much better travel DVD's on Thailand on the market.

At least 90% of the time it is Ian Wright's face that you will see on your screen. Thailand and Laos are somewhere in the background. Once in a while you can catch a glimpse of the people and landscapes, but that won't last long - here he is popping up again with his babbling! The remaining 10% it's Western tourists talking; the locals are silent and blurry background. And as for his babbling - there is nothing about the countries; it's about himself, about him kickboxing, about French bread in Laos, about him blowing a TNT charge lost in the fields after the Vietnam war and so on. In short, if you want to learn about South East Asia, rent a different DVD.

I agree. I just watched this. It was a huge disappointment. I've gotten way more information and seen more videos from the Web than this thing could deliver.

Why are the hosts so ditzy and obnoxious? I couldn't believe it when she told the shopkeeper that his watches were crap in that snotty attitude she had. Insulting people like that, regardless of their trade, is not a way to make Americans look like good ambassadors. I was embarrased for him.

Then when Ian comes out showing that fat wad of cash??? Hello? Even if it is just for show for the camera, what traveler in their right mind would come hootin and hollerin out of a bike rental shop showing all the money they just exchanged? Are you people serious?

Please do not buy this.

This is the worst overview of any country. Malasyan's culture did not get any respect at all.

Just awful.

Strange set of reviews. Globe Trekker, if I may give my interpretation, is not meant to be a nuts and bolts show covering main tourist sights, basic skills, facts and figures. There are elements of these things, but primarily it's backpacker-oriented (a la Lonely Planet), following a traveler around on a typical backpacker type trip. Shows are meant to give the flavor of a place from this point of view, done in a somewhat edgy way.

I've seen a lot of GT shows and these are consistent with others. Ian Wright is his usual clown self in the N. Thailand/Laos show, but he's great - one of the best travel personalities there is. He's a born performer so his shows do focus on his antics, but he has a gift for making people laugh and his clowning puts people at ease (usually). I think the coverage of Bangkok was lacking, not enuf of the city beyond backpacker ghetto and red light district. Also the kick boxing segment was way too long. Overall though, solid and entertaining show. The Malaysia/S.Thailand show was good, if a little dull at times. Did a good job with KL. I liked the scene in the Indian cafe.

ps: Ian has vast independent travel experience, is an accomplished and exhibited painter, has won a bunch of U.S. Cable Ace Awards, works with children with behavioral problems. Ignore the haters, Ian is the man!

Apparently the other reviewers have no idea what globe trekker is all about. Ian Wright, the host, is his usually wonderful, educational and fun self. He really brings out both a great sense of history and social context and shows the reality (the fun and the ugly) of what an adventurous visitor can expect. Of course, Ian is more gregarious, friendly and outgoing than most of us, so his experience wouldn't be that of our own, but he always brings things to life. The Globe Trekker videos are always enjoyable, but especially if Ian Wright is leading the way.

Of special interest here, the piece on Phonsavan, Laos is a must see for any American who is indifferent to the saturation bombing and the unequaled masses of unexploded ordinance that litter the Laotian countryside. It is surreal and deeply disturbing to see how bomb casings (including live bombs and bomblets) are used as housing and farming material (as they are the most plentiful resource around) and children sing songs in school about not touching UXO. Apparently people die at a rate of 1 every 2 days still, in addition to the million or so that were killed from the attacks concomitant with the "Vietnam" war. Can you imagine?

Otherwise, there are many interesting things to be found on this video. So I highly recommend it. Unless you are a boring old sod.

I completely disagree with the previous 4 reviewers. Ian Wright is my favorite of the Globe Trekker hosts. He's witty and entertaining while giving real life insights into the people and culture. Of all the travel hosts of ALL THE OTHER travel programs I enjoy, (Rick Steve's, Great Hotels, Passport Europe, Samantha Brown's new show for South America, Smart Travels, etc.) Ian is my favorite to watch. This is not to say that the others are not informative and well done. If you want to see the sanitized version of travel insulated from the actual natives and their lifestyles then don't buy this. If you have a good sense of humor and are not the typical tourist enjoy Globe Trekker. And, thanks Ian, keep up the good work!

I read the other reviewers (good and bad) and basically agree with everyone! Globe Trekker is not about deep history and cultural insights or even beautiful shots of famous landmarks. It is about fun hosts in exotic destinations having a blast. When we prepare to travel to a place, we read a ton of books and get a hold of our favorite travel videos, and Globe Trekker is always one of them. No, they aren't the informative Rick Steves type videos.... Globe Trekker is in a category all by itself. And we love them! This particular video on Thailand, Malaysia, and Laos whet my appetite for more. It gives some basic highlights to look into and showed enough of what is there to give the viewer a taste of what to expect. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Globe Trekker.

I liked the segment about how the Laotians had built all that stuff out of the bomb casings from the 'secret' bombs we dropped on them. I thought the part about blowing up the dangerous leftovers was poignant, and seeing architectural elements which were originally designed to destroy architecture made me want to visit.

I was very disappointed in this video. Not at all what I expected and WHY doesn't someone help this guy learn to speak the English language.