Fred's Diary 1981: Travels In Asia

Robert Fear

Sept 2016 · Rukia Publishing

About this eBook

 Fascinating time capsule from the 80’s

Have you ever wanted to read someone else’s diary? 

Would you like to experience travelling in Asia without leaving home? 
Then this book is for you. Fred’s Diary 1981 is a fascinating insight into a young man’s travels around Asia in the early 1980’s. This is a unique opportunity to delve into Fred's daily diary, which details the 158 days he spent travelling around Asia. Follow Fred throughout his extensive travels to Hong Kong, Thailand, India and Nepal. 

Appreciate the many friendships formed along the way with fellow-travellers. 

Relive the highs and lows that he experienced during this fascinating journey. 
Recognise the huge differences in technology, particularly communications. 
Become immersed in the different cultures, peoples and surroundings of Asia in the early 1980's. 

Understand more about the drug culture of the 1980's, especially in Thailand and Nepal. 

Learn from Fred's youthful mistakes, especially if your dream of travelling to Asia becomes a reality.

Favourite reviewsNot only a time-capsule but a cautionary tale of gems, drugs, and jail time as he explores waterfalls, Buddhist temples, and snow-capped peaks. Doug E. Jones 

Fred’s heart-felt awe towards the beauty and the intensity of the place, his appetite for living the adventure, the mishaps and his clear narrative “takes you there”. Richard Klein 

I came to this diary with some expectation, having written a very similar diary myself…and only a few years after this one. And I was not disappointed. Frank Kusy 

A real rollercoaster of a read written in a very clever and informative style. This really would make a fascinating movie. Caryl Williams 

This book is written with respect and so is not about an Englishman patronisingly describing his trials in another country. Graham Higson 

Robert Fear has written a masterpiece. Writing a story in the form of a daily diary is always a challenge but Robert Fear has shown how well he has mastered the art. Pankaj Varma 

This book allows for reflection and thought whilst experiencing the culture of Asia in full technicolor. Rukia the Reader 

I was attracted to this diary as I was backpacking through some of the same places 33 years later, and I love travel writing. From start to finish I was hooked. G. Hughes 

What a wonderful throwback to the 80s. Colour, sounds & sights of Asia are detailed, thoughts dissected which makes this book both fascinating and real. Paul Johnson 

I learned what it is to be a traveler as opposed to a tourist. Well written and interesting, and at times, harrowing and turbulent. Bonni Morrison

About the author

Born in Leicester in 1955, Robert's family moved to Surrey when he was 11. He was educated at Reigate Grammar School. After this he worked in a bank in the city for several years before getting the travel bug. Fred, a nickname he got at school, stuck throughout his travels and has remained with him to this day. His travels took him to Ibitha for the summer of 1977, hitch-hiking around Europe in 1978 and the USA and Canada in 1979. During this time he also settled and worked in Germany. Fred's Diary 1981 was written during the 158 days he spent travelling around Asia. 

These days Robert is happily settled in Eastbourne, East Sussex where he lives with his wife and three cats. He works as a software consultant and has been able to combine work with some travel during the past fifteen years, having visited countries as far apart as Australia, Singapore, Ghana and Suriname.

Additional background information can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/fredsdiary1981