I've just received a notification from Google that I will now have to pay something like $15 a month to keep this website running. It used to be about $40 a year. So sod that, I might try migrate it to a generic blogspot site if I can be arsed ... but that would mean reloading years of content and photos.
Perhaps it's Google's way of saying that the era of personal blogs about specific nerdy subjects is over. Does anyone still have any interest in the remote China borderland travels of a cranky Austrian-American botanist a century ago?
Besides, I've retrodden in most of Rock's footsteps, at least the travels he reported on in National Geographic: Muli, Minya Konka, Muti Konka, Choni, Kawakarpo, Konkaling, Ragya - done 'em all. Perhaps the only bits I would still like to get to are the crags of Zhagana in Gansu and some of the Yellow River canyons near Amnye Machen.
One thing's for sure - the places I visited in the 1990s and the 2000s have again changed beyond all recognition from the places I saw. Time moves on and in China there is a kind of relentless unsentimental progress that turns quaint remote villages into modern but boring towns of high rise apartments. Look at Dimaluo on Google Earth these days and the log cabins have given way to townhouses.
So it was nice while it lasted, but all good things come to an end. I'll try keep this blog up and running as long as possible, but otherwise, auf wiedersehn meine Damen und Herren.
12 comments:
Dear Mutikonka, it's a pity that changes necessitate you discontinuing this blog, I've been following for years and years and was (nearly) always piqued by what you posted. I myself travelled to Lijong about 15 years ago and since then took an interest. Whatever follows (if) please keep us updated. Regards, Rick
thanks Rick!
I'm in the same camp -- I've followed your blog for years via Google Reader, Feedly, and a variety of other RSS aggregators, also remnants of a different Internet era. I'd hate to see it go, but I understand -- I let mine wither away until I finally gave up the domain name about 15 years ago. And yes, your comment about China's "relentless unsentimental progress" is exactly how I feel -- I've been visiting since 1989, but trips now are mostly for family, and are exercises in diminishing returns.
Whatever happens, thanks for sharing your travels with us.
I know It is ungrateful work and might be not the same in a generic blog but It has nothing bad, apart of editing photos, always troublesome. I will follow new posts for sure.
You may not need to reload all the old posts...anyway, lotta thanks for all the fantastic info and the good times!
Thanks - will keep the blog up for as long as the site remains working.
Thanks - what a journey
Peter
By the way, how do you respond to high altitude when you get older? I used to do high altitude quite easily, but not anymore.
Peter
My last high altitude trip was four years ago - at the age of 56 I crossed 4500m passes with no altitude problems thanks to Diamox.
Dear Sir，I was very impressed after seeing your post.Thank u for recording such beauty and letting us have a chance to take a look at the old times.Me personally love the Minya Konka most and Ive been there many times but it still fascinates me.I firmly believe its true that these mountains are sacred after living with the locals.Now I'm studying in Guizhou and I d love to show you its beauty if you would like to come, waterfalls,caves,countless mountains...Thank you again for keeping this blog updated.Hoping we could meet in the future.Best regards.
Hi Michael,
I am also a reader of this blog for many years and your stories inspired me alot. Thank you for writing and uploading all those pictures all these years. I hope you could find a place to at least store the website in cheap (I would help if I knew anything about it). I am not sure the age of blogs is done, there are several old blogs that I am still reading every once in a while and also... what's Substack? its a fancy blog.
Btw, I am going to the region in early 2024, planning to take the new train up to Shangri-la. Hoping to catch a glimpse of Kawa Karpo.
Hi Michael:
I would be happy to send $15 *12 for a year.
This brings up a huge issue. You have spent years doing this documentation. There should be someway for you to down load it into some kind of book so this information isn't lost.
Mimi
...means the end of an era !
I've really enjoyed your stories about a part of the world we both hold dear, and it seems like a form of blackmail to screw you for hosting charges after so many years of solid work.
Your kind of personal, considered writing has been what makes the internet worthwhile
Anyway, All the Best for 2024
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