Indian enterprises seemed to work so well they produced disasters; success made them burst at the seams and the disruption of unprecedented orders led to shortages and finally failure.

Pain does not create a long-lasting memory, but the memory of luxury exerts itself for ever.

The conversation, like many others I had with people on trains, derived an easy candour from the shared journey, the comfort of the dining car, and the certain knowledge that neither of us would see each other again.

Travel books are all sorts - some are autobiographies, some are about falling in love. Some are about having great meals, some are about suffering. There are as many different kinds of travel books as there are novels. People think a travel book is one thing. It's many things.

Even if I were traveling with you, your trip would not be mine.

The greatest justification for travel is not self-improvement but rather performing a vanishing act, disappearing without a trace.

Tourists who go to Africa have more of a traditional experience than Africans do. A tourist goes on safari; Africans don't.