Comments on: Interview with Panama Writer, William Friar http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/ Nomadic Matt's Travel Site Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:40:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Carlos Alfaro http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-19787 Carlos Alfaro Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:54:13 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-19787 Bill, Your Moon guide to Panama deserves the award, and praises from your readers well deserved. I agree that the Tourist Authority of Panama needs to get on the ball. Presently they are aiming to promote Panama's Highland area (Boquete/Cerro Punta) with 3, 5 and 7 day packages which include transportation to and from the David Airport, lodging food tours and activities. Any suggestions? We would like to combine the Boquete and Cerro Punta, since Boquete is in usually the spotlight,and our side of the Volcan Baru is not sufficiently recognized/known/promoted. Best wishes, Carlos Alfaro Bill, Your Moon guide to Panama deserves the award, and praises from your readers well deserved.

I agree that the Tourist Authority of Panama needs to get on the ball. Presently they are aiming to promote Panama’s Highland area (Boquete/Cerro Punta) with 3, 5 and 7 day packages which include transportation to and from the David Airport, lodging food tours and activities. Any suggestions? We would like to combine the Boquete and Cerro Punta, since Boquete is in usually the spotlight,and our side of the Volcan Baru is not sufficiently recognized/known/promoted.

Best wishes,

Carlos Alfaro

]]> By: Ron Mader http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7413 Ron Mader Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:53:36 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7413 Great interview! William's curiosity is only matched by his skills in reporting. The Panama guidebook is one of the best in the region. Great interview! William’s curiosity is only matched by his skills in reporting. The Panama guidebook is one of the best in the region.

]]> By: Randall & Seena http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7387 Randall & Seena Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:47:18 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7387 Williams Guide book will be in our bags when we leave for Panama on New YEars Day! We will be in Panama City for a bit- then head to the coffee Plantations near the Costa Rican border- some Thermales- then off to the beach- and hopefully able to see the Kuna tribespeople in the Eastern section of Panama- William- can you offer any places to stay- mid-range in Panama City's Casco Viejo area? Thanks so much Randall@kramerdesignstudiocom Williams Guide book will be in our bags when we leave for Panama on New YEars Day!
We will be in Panama City for a bit- then head to the coffee Plantations near the Costa Rican border- some Thermales- then off to the beach- and hopefully able to see the Kuna tribespeople in the Eastern section of Panama-
William- can you offer any places to stay- mid-range in Panama City’s Casco Viejo area?

Thanks so much Randall@kramerdesignstudiocom

]]> By: NomadicMatt http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7375 NomadicMatt Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:57:38 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7375 @Andrea: Thanks for the feedback!! It's great to hear from you. It's great to know that Bill is as great as he seems to be! @Frank: All interviews are done via e-mail. @Pret: great timing. Buy the book from Amazon! (click my link in this shameless plug to get me more advert revenue lol lol) @Andrea: Thanks for the feedback!! It’s great to hear from you. It’s great to know that Bill is as great as he seems to be!

@Frank: All interviews are done via e-mail.

@Pret: great timing. Buy the book from Amazon! (click my link in this shameless plug to get me more advert revenue lol lol)

]]> By: Prêt à Voyager http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7365 Prêt à Voyager Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:39:22 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7365 Perfect timing, Matt! Not only was I reading this very book last night, but I leave for Panama on Tuesday :) Cheers! Anne Perfect timing, Matt! Not only was I reading this very book last night, but I leave for Panama on Tuesday :)

Cheers!
Anne

]]> By: Lifecruiser http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7358 Lifecruiser Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:15:36 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7358 Great interview. So, now I have to add Panama to my very, very long wish list to go. This wonderful world is just too big, when will I have the opportunity to explore it all... *dreamy sigh* Great interview. So, now I have to add Panama to my very, very long wish list to go. This wonderful world is just too big, when will I have the opportunity to explore it all… *dreamy sigh*

]]> By: lakshmi http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7356 lakshmi Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:52:37 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7356 another interesting interview..ive really got hooked on to your interviews..I often think of the guide books churned out in india and realize they hardly cover anything relevant.. another interesting interview..ive really got hooked on to your interviews..I often think of the guide books churned out in india and realize they hardly cover anything relevant..

]]> By: A. Wannabe Travelwriter http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7330 A. Wannabe Travelwriter Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:11:27 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7330 Nice work, Matt. Are you doing all of your great interviews in person? You do such a personal job it's hard to believe you are doing them long distance. With all the yada yada yada on the future of guidebooks, I like Friar's comment: "...paper guidebooks and the Internet will begin to converge, or at least work in tandem..." I DO NOT work for the publisher of the Maui Revealed guidebook but here is an example where the paper version of the book contains more-or-less static info and they put the resort reviews on their website. They used to "hide" a password in the book but now it's free for anyone. http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html Are any other guidebooks doing this? Based on Friar's comments this seems like a wise business model, esp. for us older folks who are difficult to wean from wanting something to hold in our hands (other than a cold beer). Nice work, Matt. Are you doing all of your great interviews in person? You do such a personal job it’s hard to believe you are doing them long distance.

With all the yada yada yada on the future of guidebooks, I like Friar’s comment: “…paper guidebooks and the Internet will begin to converge, or at least work in tandem…”

I DO NOT work for the publisher of the Maui Revealed guidebook but here is an example where the paper version of the book contains more-or-less static info and they put the resort reviews on their website. They used to “hide” a password in the book but now it’s free for anyone. http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html

Are any other guidebooks doing this? Based on Friar’s comments this seems like a wise business model, esp. for us older folks who are difficult to wean from wanting something to hold in our hands (other than a cold beer).

]]> By: Andrea http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7322 Andrea Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:59:47 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7322 As the owner one of the first backpacker hostels to ever open in Panama, we have been visited by more than several guidebook writers over the years. William Friar has always been one of the most friendly, thorough writers we have met. He always takes the time to explore, learn about new things, ask questions, and most importantly, follow up until the very last moment that the book goes to be published, thus insuring that the details are the most current ones available. He also speaks fluent Spanish, having lived here for many years, which I am sure helps in his research, and brings a unique perspective to his guidebooks. As the owner one of the first backpacker hostels to ever open in Panama, we have been visited by more than several guidebook writers over the years. William Friar has always been one of the most friendly, thorough writers we have met. He always takes the time to explore, learn about new things, ask questions, and most importantly, follow up until the very last moment that the book goes to be published, thus insuring that the details are the most current ones available. He also speaks fluent Spanish, having lived here for many years, which I am sure helps in his research, and brings a unique perspective to his guidebooks.

]]> By: eMarv of Panamanian Crafts http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-panama-writer-william-friar/#comment-7308 eMarv of Panamanian Crafts Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:35:50 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=1708#comment-7308 Excellent interview! Looks like I need to speak with Bill further... :) Excellent interview!

Looks like I need to speak with Bill further… :)

]]>