Comments for Uncornered Market

Comment on Robbed! Sticky Fingers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport by Sanaya Bharucha

Sanaya Bharucha — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 15:05:56 +0000

I was searching the net to see if anyone else had experienced security theft at Thai airports . My friend had 17000baht, his watch and all this credit cards stollen from a zipper pouch on his carry on at PHUKET international. They had scanned his bag twice – clearly the second time was to relieve him of his valuables. The airport security were not at all helpful, refused to show us the first scan when the watch was in the bag, kept showing us an image without the stuff….insisting that my friend had lost his stuff else where. We dug our heels in, asked for the police, I dropped “embassy” ” social media” and even announced that we will miss our flight but we will not leave till we see the scans + police complaint against all 4 ladies handling that machine.
At one point one security guard came and showed scans and his watch did showed up in one image. After that that person never returned. Then towards the end of our 1 hour ordeal they asked to check his fellow travelers bags (to see if WE had it)! So they put all our bags through the scanner along with his.
They refused to let me photograph the 4 thieves (all hand in glove) at that machine.
By then the airline staff arrived- she spoke better English and advised – either we board or go to police station to complain. Are you kidding me! For one hour we were asking for the police.
Anyway we said we will report this, took the official complaint website details, told them they were not nice people and a disgrace to the Thai people. In shock we boarded our flight home.
Mood totally put off. Replaying every step questioning, self doubt, discussing the scan images etc.
When we landed my friend says “I have a feeling that when they took our bags in the end to scan all, the thief must have put the stuff back.” He checked that compartment and it was empty. But upon opening the main flap… the watch ALL money on the clip and cards had been thrown in!!!
My friend travels the world and this is his routine at security checks- we were so shocked and stunned that he got his stuff back… first word out of my mouth for them :b@st@rds!

I am 100% sure they have done thus before and gotten away with it. All were in on the scam thats why the airport security police did nothing to help.
The fact that we said we would miss the flight, complain to pl
Police ( noting the time and xray machine number) was probably why they put it back knowing this will blow up for them.

The violation! And from security! Pathetic!

I hope your story had a happy ending.

Comment on Ladakh Trekking: A Beginner’s Guide by Alban Lepoutre

Alban Lepoutre — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:03:52 +0000

We are a family with 3 children who spent over two weeks in Ladakh in July-August. We started with one week travelling around Ladakh to visiting main sights, the second week we have been trekking from Rumtse to Tsomoriri. We booked everything with Stanzin who runs a travel agency and the guesthouse Ecological footprint and that was the best choice we made. Stanzin is such a nice and helpful person, he always did his best to organize our trip, he took care of us as we were part of his own family. Regarding the trek, Stanzin has a great and professional team which made the trek much easier (two of us needed oxygen the first 2 days). The equipment was perfect and food incredible considering basis gear for cooking. Stanzin’s guesthouse, a bit outside of Leh city, is very confortable and is the place to meet other foreigners who can share Ladakh experiences.I would definitely recommend Ecological footprint agency to organize your next trip to Ladakh.

Comment on Ladakh Trekking: A Beginner’s Guide by Chia Hui Yong (Mr.)

Chia Hui Yong (Mr.) — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 04:00:45 +0000

Jullay fellow travelers! Thank you for the very comprehensive guide.

My friends and I from Singapore just completed an amazing one-week visit to Ladakh in late June 2025 with Ecological Footprint Travels.

We decided on Ecological Footprint:
– Owner Mr. Stanzin was most responsive to our requests for info and details. Very positive vibes right from the start of our communications.
– Agreed on a shorter Markha Valley Trek to accommodate our limited time available, with a mix of homestays and camping.
– Accommodated our slightly larger than usual luggage
– Able to also cover tours around Leh & Ladakh.
– All at a reasonable price.

Our experience during the trip:
– We were very lucky that Stanzin went with us on the day tour to see Hemis and Thikse Monasteries. His extensive knowledge of the local culture and history was much appreciated.
– Stanzin also guided us on the Markha Valley Trek. He is experienced and always attentive to our needs and pace, helping us to overcome some challenges including broken trekking boots, heavy rains and winds, crossing fast flowing rivers on horseback etc. Top notch service!
– Being a Ladhaki himself, Stanzin knew many of the locals, homestay owners, trekking guides, horsemen that we met along the way. This enabled us to enjoy the trek more and gained interesting local insights. In the evenings, we would hang out with the locals, chatting and trading tales over Chang (local Barley wine) and whisky that we brought from Singapore!

I wholeheartedly recommend Stanzin and his Ecological Footprint Travels to all travelers who would like to experience the wonders of Ladakh. Stanzin is more than just a good planner and guide, you will find him a good friend too.

So if you do visit Ladakh and get to meet Stanzin in person, please send him my warmest regards and best wishes! Cheers!

Chia Hui Yong (Mr.), Singapore
2 July 2025

Comment on Traveling Sustainably: 20 Ways to Be a Sustainable Traveler by Jerome C. Martinek

Jerome C. Martinek — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 19:09:28 +0000

Such an important topic! Sustainable travel is all about making mindful choices that benefit both the planet and local communities. Excited to see these 20 tips—what’s one simple change travelers can make that has the biggest impact?

Comment on Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: The Marangu Route, Day by Day by Daniel Allen

Daniel Allen — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 10:35:29 +0000

What an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing this. For those short on time, a Marangu day trip is a fantastic option to experience the stunning rainforest and breathtaking views without tackling the full ascent. This blog beautifully captures the adventure and charm of Kilimanjaro’s trails.

Comment on The Lost City, Colombia: A Guide to Hiking to La Ciudad Perdida by Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 08:19:08 +0000

In reply to Jess. Hi Jess, Great to hear about your upcoming trip to Colombia! The Lost City Trek does not have high cliffs or really steep dropoffs so I think you would be fine to hike it. Dan also has a fear of heights and he was OK :)

Comment on The Lost City, Colombia: A Guide to Hiking to La Ciudad Perdida by Jess

Jess — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:53:23 +0000

Hi! I’m traveling to Colombia in two weeks and I’m considering doing some trekking, but I have a fear of heights! Do you think this could be a problem?
Thanks!

Comment on Peaks of the Balkans Trail: A Beginners Guide by Lizzie Hillier

Lizzie Hillier — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 14:07:51 +0000

Hi Audrey, thank you for your brilliant guide. We are planning to do this route self guided with our 2 children (girls 8 and 11) not including the Kosovo section. Not sure if we are crazy. Do you know of anyone else who has done the route with children?

We plan to take are own camping gear and buy food along the way. We will do a mix of wild camping and guestho uses.

Do you know if wild animals are a problem at night if your camping and potentally lost if our maps and GPS fail?

Also have you had any other feedback similar to Johnathan’s about it being about making money from tourists.

Any advice would be amazing 🙂

Lizzie

Comment on Bhutan Trekking: The Druk Path Trek and New Trans Bhutan Trail by Henry Liam

Henry Liam — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:27:25 +0000

Wow, Bhutan trekking sounds like a dream! ️ The Druk Path Trek and New Trans Bhutan Trail seem like incredible adventures. Your detailed insights and vivid descriptions have transported me to these beautiful landscapes. How did you prepare for the trek, and any memorable moments you’d like to share? Planning my own Bhutan trek just got a whole lot more exciting!

Comment on Georgian Food: The 15 Best Foods to Eat in Georgia by William McKee

William McKee — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 01:11:01 +0000

Nobody ever mentions Georgian Lemonade – fabulous flavours – very addictive!