Welcome to the latest issue of Perceptive Travel, home of the best travel stories from authors on the move. Here's what we've got in store for you:
Graham Reid, author of Postcards From Elsewhere, leaves civilization behind for a bar-hopping trip through the parched Outback of Australia.
"Laotian Prayers on a Sinking Raft"
Brad Olsen, author of the Sacred Places series of travel books, says a prayer to several gods after trying to explore a river in Laos on a bamboo raft.
Carol White, author of Live Your Road Trip Dream, gets carted around China on a Chambers of Commerce trip and sees a country trying to balance the yin and the yang.
Leif Pettersen, author of Lonely Planet Romania and Moldova, returns to his research base home for the country's New Year's Eve coming out party.
"Ten Years to Tequila: On the Agave Trail in Mexico"
Tim Leffel, author of Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune, sips his way through Tequila country in Jalisco, Mexico.
Plus World music reviews
A stellar batch of new albums: a Latin-Arabia collection, Putuyamo's New Groove, Ojos de Brujo, Andy Palacio, and the debut from Brazilian hottie Ceu (say who?).
Anastasia Ashman, editor of Tales from the Expat Harem reviews Zaatar Days, Henna Nights, Jungle Child, and Mexico, A Love Story.
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Enjoy!