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There is constant unrest in Indonesia. A few decades ago, literally one-third of the Chinese population was murdered in roiting. The word amok comes from the region. When the Indonesians roit, they really let loose.

Bali has been peaceful, but who knows. When one-third of a large ethnic group can be murdered with impunity. Wow.

I guess you've never been to Somalia.

As for assurances of those who have visited here and there. It's kind of like the guy who walked up and down the worst part of town and says look how safe the area is, I'm still alive.

Well I'd stay away from any suspect place. The test is: How do you feel when you leave the place?
When I touch down in the good old USA after a trip to Mexico, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I don't feel the same way when I come back from Switzerland.

I don't know anything about the fever, but when I was on Bora Bora a few years ago, we circumnavigated the island on bikes. There were lovely homes built on stilts. Lovely that is until we noticed ditches leading from the homes to the ocean. They were open sewers. I don't know if that had anything to do with my intestinal ailment that lasted for about six months. As I say, the colonial rule of the French leaves a lot to be desired.

Cancun is not Mexico. It's a make believe place that the Mexican government put together a few decades ago. It has the flavor of Southern California.
Mexico is Tijuana or Puerto Vallerta. It gives me a sense of forboding. A friend of mine was in a car accident. Apparently, everyone goes to jail until they sort out the facts. Well my friend actually wound up in prison for a few days.

Various and sundry stomach ailments are not a myth.

We rented a beautiful house on a cliff in PV not too long ago. One day I was walking down the beach when I saw a guy going to the bathroom in the rocks, and he wasn't peeing. That kind of changes your whole feeling about the place.

At least, you feel like you've been somewhere when you get back.
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