I am in Asia, as I write this, it is hot and my Kindle sits faithfully next to me. I have been backpacking for the last two months through South East Asia with my Kindle 2 and in this article I will give you my impressions of the device.

 When I am at home, I am usually too busy managing these websites to spend any real time reading either scrolls, paper books or even the Kindle. This all changed as soon as I stepped on the Emirates Airbus plane that would take me out of the freezing cold and into the sweltering heat of South East Asia. 

Reading the Kindle on the plane was interesting as I felt many eyes upon me, actually on my Kindle 2 to be exact. Some looked like they were trying to figure out what exactly it was, while others it seemed to be one of curiousity, perhaps for a device they have not yet purchased.

 As I have traveled through Thailand, I have noticed that the Kindle has always had a very good wireless connection, even on the island where I have spent the most time (and also one of the under developed islands) Koh Pha Ngan (Next to the overly developed Ko Samui).  Only once did my Kindle 2 fail to connect to the wireless. According to Amazon, they advise to simply restart the device. Once I did this, the wireless was instantly connected, problem solved and it hasn't shown this problem again.

Whether it is the beach, the hammock or simply reading in bed away from the mosquitos, my Kindle 2 has been a loyal companion.  Other backpackers have to drive or walk into the main town here (Thong Sala) to buy paper books for their reading consumption while all I have to do it push a few buttons...and my book is delivered. Book trips into town happen with frequency, as it is easy to go through a good book in one day here when your lounging around. I am not a huge Amazon book buyer, on occasion I will purchase books with my Kindle, if it is one I really want to read and can not find anywhere else.

Many people do not know this, but Amazon offers hundreds of "out of copyright" books for free through the Kindle store (Think "Robinson Crusoe or "Pride and Prejudice",  "20,000 Leagues under the Sea, etc). You just have to search for them and you can find all of the old classics that everyone should read.

Another consideration when your traveling (specifically backpacking) is the weight you are carrying around.  You will often see other travelers have 2,3 or 4 books in their bags, lugging them around. Kindle eliminates this extra weight and hassle and it is an absolute dream to carry around.

 You only have to worry about a few things when you travel with your Kindle. The first one is security, you are holding a device that is worth several hundred dollars and would be worthwhile for a thief to snatch. Take simple precautions and keep your Kindle safe when your not using it. The second is enviromental damage to your Kindle. What I mean by this is sand, water, dirt...etc.  While I (usually) have a case on my Kindle 2, sand does sometimes get on the screen or in the cracks, I clean it out the best I can and continue reading. No adverse side affects yet, Kindle is still happily tearing through the pages.  I have also gotten water on the screen several times, but lucky none has entered the sides of the screen.

After about a week here of heavy use, my Kindle 2 developed what looked like a yellowing of the case around the frequently used buttons and joystick. I was devestated when I saw this, wasn't sure what was the cause and jumped onto google and typed in "Kindle 2 discoloration" and found not one article on the case getting discolored. This gave me a little relief as I jumped on my motorbike and went into town in search of a sponge to clean my ebook reader.  I came back with a simple semi rough sponge that can be found in any American kitchen and gently cleaned the yellow off with a little bit of water (careful!).  The Yellow eventually came off and I imagine that it is a combination of sunscreen lotion, natural oil from my hands, mosquito spray and who knows what else. If this happens to you, don't worry, just get a sponge, use the dark green (rough) side, dip it in water and remove the excess water so none leakes on the Kindle and gently scrub off the guck. Disaster averted.

Locals seem both interested and sometimes indifferent when they see the Kindle 2. Explaining it to them sometimes ends with a facination and other times with a "not necessary" look on their face, Understandable. But for me it was essential. I was laying around the pool today when a little Thai girl came up and saw me reading the Kindle, she layed down next to me on the deck lounger and was really interested in the device! She definitely knew what it was (A book) as she was pointing to the text and looked like she was trying to read. (Good thing she couldn't really read English that well as I was reading "A Hard Place: A Sergeants Tale", which is a pretty graphic Vietnam War book. (I highly recommend this book to anyone over the age of 16)

Traveling with the Kindle has been a dream, even though you have to be careful that no one nabs it. I highly recommend it to anyone who travels, whether that be in the United States or your home country, or aboard on a backpacking or vacation trip. The Kindle has paid for itself very quickly on this trip and I can't wait to keep reading on it.  If you like to travel, and don't have much room, get a Kindle, you will not regret it.

If you already have a Kindle, enjoy using it when you travel, I know you will! And if you do not have one yet, you can pick up one below to help this website.

Update: Check the wireless coverage of the countries you are traveling to before you leave, the Kindle has not worked in Cambodia or Laos, requiring connection to my computer to download new books.  While this was expected, I hope Amazon will negotiate futher agreements with more communications companies abroad to increase the size and range of eBook downloading.

Kindle 2 (6" Reading Device) $259

Kindle DX (9.7" Reading Device) $489

Please leave your questions or comments below, thanks!