Not so lonely, my planet

Let's talk about guidebooks. Now, many of you may view guidebooks as wasteful or weak. Those with a more pioneering spirit may dive into a new country without having done any research. Me? Sometimes. Bolivia, Australia, I didn't have a guidebook for either of those. Often enough on the road, however, you find yourself surrounded by the Lonely Planet traveler's circuit. As a source for maps and as a general guide on where to go, it's ok, but lately, talking with others, it seems its recommendations have been stale, even raunchy. Within a year's time, a lot can change. And, apparently, especially in Asia. Sometimes I'm left wondering if anyone from that guidebook actually dined or slept in the spots recommended. From what I can tell, the savvy traveler these days does independent research and relies more on Trip Advisor than a particular guidebook.

For example, the Nature Bar and Grill in Sapa? What a sad lunch. Ernesto had to order two meals, the first neither that tasty or filling. Sapa town is small and quaint, with many options for lodging and dining. What you'd expect of a mountain village, complete with its own cultures, cuisine and handicrafts. And cool weather, also a welcome relief from the heat of Viet Nam's climate. But even finding a decent Vietnamese coffee can be harder than you'd think.

After scouting out local spots, my friends and I decided to give our hotel's menu a shot for dinner. And I'm telling you, Boutique Sapa is the way to go. They even offer room service! For breakfast, afternoon tea, I'm sure even dinner, although we preferred it on the rooftop terrace. Another lovely thing about this hotel is the clientele. We've all become fast friends. Ranging in ages from early twenties to late sixties, coming from China, headed to Lao, back to Hanoi, whichever direction, we all meet up at some point in the day to exchange the latest details. And the owners themselves, pictured, are also wonderful sources of information.