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Meanwhile I'm a bit disappointed with this kindle fire; not sure if it's a good solution for long term travelers. Will post more on that later in the tech branch.

IMO, the perfect travel kindle is a 3G Kindle 3G aka Keyboard. What makes it perfect? The free global internet access.

I've been reading this prepping for my trip. I've gotten used to it but some things still need work. If I hit the arrow pad buttons while I'm reading, it takes me off to another section. I can't find a way to back to where I was. I have to start over again and page until I get there.

The maps are effectively useless. Which was the only reason I even bothered with the paperbooks the last 5 years I used them. Having to page through a few pages to go through the legend and then page back a few pages to look at the map again is not a good interface. I rather they broke the map up into a series of separate pages with their own legends. It's not a big deal anymore since I can download google maps and other maps onto my phone. It's funny that even in this guide, it has links to google maps.

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• The free global internet access.

Via Wifi, right?
As any other device that has Wifi (like all tablets and smart phones).
++++++

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No. Not by WiFi. 3G refers to wireless data. Like on your smartphone, except it's global and free.

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I understand why people would pay $30 for an internet guide book. Google has more stuff and it's free :-)

Physical books are useful but if you have a laptop you don't need an internet guidebook or any really.

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Tools, the answer to your questions is in the first link you posted.

"No changes have been made to the terms and conditions attached to the Kindle I wrote about, now known as the Kindle 3G Keyboard, and ‘experimental’ web browsing over 3G worldwide has remained free. "

So yes, it does work and it is free. Have a tried it myself? Well... not in every square meter of the planet but I have in about 15 countries and it works like a charm.

I understand your doubt, but those doubts were all hashed out and answered by Amazon a couple of years ago. People wondered when experimental browsing was first turned on for Kindles sold in the US, whether it would spread to the rest of the world. It did. People wondered if it would stay free. Amazon said it had no plans to charge for it. What they have done is grandfather it. The last Kindle that has free global 3G is the Kindle Keyboard, which as we all know, is just the Kindle 3G renamed. Many Kindle Keyboards boxes are just Kindle 3G boxes with a Keyboard sticker over them. All newer Kindles, the touch and the basic one, will not have free 3G for unlimited web browsing. They will only let you access Amazon and Wikipedia. Rumor is that the Kindle Keyboard has been discontinued. A large retailer in the US has had it on blow out sale. I took advantage of it and stocked up on 4 new ones for $50 each. So I have 5 in total. So I have a hoard to keep getting free internet for years to come.