I suspect a lot of the seasoned travelers here prefer to minimize the anarchy and turbulence along their trail; there's a lot of that in Africa and South America these days, leaving them as destinations of choice only for the adventurers. Much of the middle east doesn't get onto recommended lists, either, for the same reason.

Australia and NZ, populated with extremely pleasant folks, are cursed by being far off the beaten path, without a "killer attraction". IMO it's not the place you go first.

Likewise Bali, a place we visit every year, might disappoint someone who's sent there rather than being personally attracted there in the first place. Australian kids go there because it's a cheap place to party and get together, away from home, with the opposite sex. We go because it's relaxing and the people are beyond gentle. I'm not sure there's an in-between.

Before my first serious trip, a long time ago, I did a lot of reading, and still believe juniordk2000 will have a many-times-nicer trip if he takes that advice and hies himself to his nearest library.


[This message has been edited by JohnAx (edited 05-26-2003).]