I love to travel with my family of five. I was a planner type guy who check of information of places before I go to prepare everything ( from how easy to find the parking space, what is the best route to go there, is it safe, what is best restaurant, how expensive the foods are, how good they taste etc). Hey, if you have 3 teen kids that always hungry then you know what I mean.
It’s quite annoying if I don’t get any information of some new places from my friends and family, and I started to search for google maps review. Then I realized many places in google maps back then are not yet available or with minimum information so I start to write my owns so a guy like me could benefit.
My first review on Google Maps was 6 years ago, just one liner without any photo.Then additional more reviews with couple of photos. Suddenly, whooa , I realized how many peoples ( couple of ten thousands !) have seen my reviews and photos. I was happy so many peoples read my reviews and view my photos, even though not many likes though. I love the facts of sharing information as reviews and photos and knowing other traveling family will benefit from this. Some of my priority for information to share are cleanliness, parking space, food price, food taste ( if it is restaurant ), is halal food available and how friendly and helpful the staffs are. Also make a note of any highlighted downsides.
To my amazement the most viewed photos on my reviews are mostly candid, actual and honest view of the places. My record is 40,000 and more views on actual condition of a restaurant and another 10,000 views for candid photo my family finding halal ramen restaurant in Osaka after long walk.
So fellow traveling family, do not despair ! Now I continue to contribute as local guides to provide actual, honest, candid review for places especially for traveling family.