Guestbook
Some of those who travelled with me about their unique experience:
Annemie Eggen – the
Netherlands
His knowledge of
China, his respectful behaviour towards local people and his commitment make
him special. And he is a really pleasant person to travel with. All this
made for an unforgettable trip.
(Trips: Yunnan and
West-Sichuan, September 2010; Tibet and Nepal, 2009; Indochina 2011)
Hans Jacobs – the
Netherlands
Without Pieter’s
detailed knowledge about people, language, religion, landscape and practical
issues like finding a good meal or a bus connection we could never have made
this greaat trip.
(Trip: Yunnan,
April 2011)
Enric Sole Herrera
– Catalunya, Spain
For my third trip
to China I contacted Pieter. My main interest was to continue discovering
the different ethnic minorities living in Yunnan. Pieter is not the typical
guide, his passion and enthusiasm are contagious and an added value. Pieter
offers the possibility to travel off the beaten track and interact with the
local people. I hope to travel with him again.
(Trip: Jinping
minority region, March 2012; returned for a minority festival trip in
Southwest Yunnan, February/March 2015)
Alberto Anton
Gallo, Emma Benito – Spain
Our trip with you
was the best part of our stay in China. We love the way you mix with the
local people and the respect you show to the local customs and culture, we
learnt to enjoy the moment instead of taking photos and to smile while we
observed people who lived in a way so different from ours. We saw the real
China, unspoiled, untouched. And we feel we did it in a very respectful way.
We thank you for giving us this gift, and we wish more people will have this
great time.
(Trip: Jinping
minority region, August 2012)
Béatrice Corthaye –
Switzerland
I had been to
border areas of Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam quite a few times and was now
looking for ethnic minorities in Yunnan. We set out independently with
Pieter’s maps and info on markets, buses and accommodation: clear and
efficient. The trip was really awesome and we did not meet a single tourist.
(Trip: Southeast
Yunnan, July 2013; returned for a trip in Southwest Yunnan, July 2015)
Eric Barthes –
France, Co-traveller on my first expedition to the Mekong sources (July
2012), commenting on my second expedition (July 2013)
So you finally made
it! It’s a great achievement, congratulations, I am happy for you! I know
what effort and commitment you had to put into this venture.
Dop van Gink-Meijer
– France
Pieter Neele? A
real ‘explorer’, someone who has never contented himself with the
well-trodden routes of the average tourist, but who is looking for direct
contact with people, their characteristics and their country. Made several
trips with him, both in a group and individually. As to the latter, we
weren’t always sure where we would end up but it was always ‘interesting’;
surprising and challenging but doable. He was open to new ideas and
suggestions for the itinerary. He takes the capacities of his fellow
travellers into account, feels responsible fo them. Using public transport
he often managed the ‘impossible’ with his tact, decisiveness and tenacity:
he obtained tickets for trains that were officially ‘full’, kept in touch
with drivers of connecting buses by phone, etc. On his request public bus
drivers even stopped to let us make photos along the way.
(Trips: Silk Road
including Kharakoto, September 2013; Cambodia and Laos, winter 2014/2015;
Central China, September 2015)
Jan Schoenmaker –
the Netherlands
Amazing how he
finds all those great new places that others don’t know about. And by the
way: good sense of humour.
(Trip:
Yunnan-Laos-Thailand, October 2013)
Helen Lubberink –
the Netherlands
Creative trip
ideas; amazing new destinations.
(Trip: Yunnan,
November 2014)
Tet and Myrian Barenbrug and Dick van de Pol – the Netherlands
We came to know Pieter not only as an excellent guide and
interpreter, but also as a most kind and helpful man. With his modest and
flexible attitude he fitted easily in our small group. He was always ready
to assist, and helped us find our way in Yunnan’s colourful tribal life, of
which he turned out to be very knowledgeable. In short, throughout
our month long trip we much appreciated his company, and we said
goodbye as friends.
(Trip: South
Yunnan, January 2016)
Nadine & Michel
Daudet – France
You are the best
guidebook we ever read!!
(Trip: Yunnan, travelled individually but with my advise, February 2016)
Paul
Kriele – the Netherlands
We, five travelers, made a most impressive trip with Pieter Neele. It was
very varied with wonderful nature, and colourful people in the broadest
sense of the word. Because Pieter speaks Chinese we could really interact
with them. We felt like travelers instead of tourists. Pieter: thank you for
taking care of all practical matters, and for letting us intensely
experience authentic China and Tibetan regions.
(Trip: Yunnan and Tibetan regions of Sichuan, June 2016)
Jan Kaak and May Blom – the Netherlands
Pieter, we knew you from a previous trip and this time you
guided us through Yunnan and Kham. You were just the guide we wished,
unobtrusive but always around with your knowledge and skills. We also
appreciated the respectful way you dealt with local people, and we were
happy to eat in small local restaurants so that our money went to the people
who need it most. Your sense of humour and enthusiasm were infectious.
The hotels were very good, not luxurious or big, but
perfect for us.
In short, it was a joy to travel with you. It was probably
not the last time for us.
Many thanks for the wonderful month of June, and thank you
for your friendship as well.
(Trip: Yunnan and
Tibetan regions of Sichuan, June 2016)