How safe are the vacation spots in the Pacific?
Jan 22, 2002 | 1:27 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
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.
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.
Jan 22, 2002 | 1:35 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 1,604
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VicOsaki:
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.
</font>
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.
</font>
Jan 22, 2002 | 1:55 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Greenville, SC USA
Posts: 868
I think that Tahiti (Bora Bora et.al.) is safe from a terrorist perspective but the truth is that the government there has greatly downplayed this years outbreak of Dengue Fever. I understand that this strain of Dengue is one of the mildest (discribed as a very bad case of the flu) but nearly 30,000 people have been affected in French Polynesia! It is now supposedly "under control" but not the way I wish to spend my vacation.
Jan 22, 2002 | 2:14 pm
#20
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,004
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Leisuremiles:
I think that Tahiti (Bora Bora et.al.) is safe from a terrorist perspective but the truth is that the government there has greatly downplayed this years outbreak of Dengue Fever. I understand that this strain of Dengue is one of the mildest (discribed as a very bad case of the flu) but nearly 30,000 people have been affected in French Polynesia! It is now supposedly "under control" but not the way I wish to spend my vacation.</font>
I think that Tahiti (Bora Bora et.al.) is safe from a terrorist perspective but the truth is that the government there has greatly downplayed this years outbreak of Dengue Fever. I understand that this strain of Dengue is one of the mildest (discribed as a very bad case of the flu) but nearly 30,000 people have been affected in French Polynesia! It is now supposedly "under control" but not the way I wish to spend my vacation.</font>
Jan 22, 2002 | 2:16 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
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.
Jan 22, 2002 | 3:08 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,620
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by intobsv:
I travel to Cancun every year and have always felt very safe. The people there are very friendly and helpful. Maybe other parts of Mexico have problems but Cancun is very nice.</font>
I travel to Cancun every year and have always felt very safe. The people there are very friendly and helpful. Maybe other parts of Mexico have problems but Cancun is very nice.</font>
Jan 22, 2002 | 3:10 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
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.
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.
Jan 22, 2002 | 3:27 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,869
VicOsaki sez:
I recommend that you stay home instead. I think you and the countries you won't visit will be better off that way.
[This message has been edited by Pickles (edited 01-22-2002).]
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
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.
</font>
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.
</font>
[This message has been edited by Pickles (edited 01-22-2002).]
Jan 22, 2002 | 4:01 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
I thought the subject was safety.
We spent two weeks on Bora Bora and two weeks on Moorea. They are the loveliest islands I have ever visited. The water is as clear as anything that I've ever seen. Snokeling is exceptional and literally a few feet from shore. The people are the friendliest and kindest people we have encountered. We were on Bora Bora during Bastille celebration and I will never forget the haunting music, a combination of Christain hymns and South Pacific flavor that various church choirs sang in their little town over a number of evenings.
But the fact is, there are open sewers. I don't blame the natives, it's the rotten French government. And I did get sick.
I have never been to Indonesia, but the fact is that they did kill a third of the ethnic Chinese just a few years ago. That's a horrific crime and obviously doesn't reflect well on the Indonesians.
When my wife and I were kids we went to Mexico quite often. It was close and it was foreign and I guess romantic. But the filth and poverty were undeniable. Our travels to Mexico stopped when our daughter was born except for a few cruises down the Mexican Riviera. You can't take a kid down there and expose them to the filth. Recently, a group of us rented a house down there, and I guess I'm getting too old to overlook the bad.
We spent two weeks on Bora Bora and two weeks on Moorea. They are the loveliest islands I have ever visited. The water is as clear as anything that I've ever seen. Snokeling is exceptional and literally a few feet from shore. The people are the friendliest and kindest people we have encountered. We were on Bora Bora during Bastille celebration and I will never forget the haunting music, a combination of Christain hymns and South Pacific flavor that various church choirs sang in their little town over a number of evenings.
But the fact is, there are open sewers. I don't blame the natives, it's the rotten French government. And I did get sick.
I have never been to Indonesia, but the fact is that they did kill a third of the ethnic Chinese just a few years ago. That's a horrific crime and obviously doesn't reflect well on the Indonesians.
When my wife and I were kids we went to Mexico quite often. It was close and it was foreign and I guess romantic. But the filth and poverty were undeniable. Our travels to Mexico stopped when our daughter was born except for a few cruises down the Mexican Riviera. You can't take a kid down there and expose them to the filth. Recently, a group of us rented a house down there, and I guess I'm getting too old to overlook the bad.
Jan 22, 2002 | 5:27 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: CLE
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 929
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VicOsaki:
I'd be a little skeptical of State Department advisories. They have diplomatic concerns besides the safety of travelers.</font>
I'd be a little skeptical of State Department advisories. They have diplomatic concerns besides the safety of travelers.</font>
Jan 22, 2002 | 5:53 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 1,604
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VicOsaki:
I thought the subject was safety.
You can't take a kid down there and expose them to the filth.
</font>
I thought the subject was safety.
You can't take a kid down there and expose them to the filth.
</font>
I am happy to take my daughter - and have more than 6 times - to expose her to Mexico (and many other countries) and ALL it has to offer. More fortunate people sometimes become motivated by conditions that could be improved. I hope she is one of those.
Sorry Rssrsvp to get off the topic.
[This message has been edited by drtravels (edited 01-22-2002).]
Jan 22, 2002 | 6:06 pm
#29
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,004
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by drtravels:
Sorry Rssrsvp to get off the topic.
</font>
Sorry Rssrsvp to get off the topic.
</font>
Jan 22, 2002 | 6:11 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
I don't think it's appropriate to take a youngster where she must keep their mouth shut when she take a shower, use bottled water to brush her teeth, don't drink anything but beer out of a bottle, and on and on.
Montezuma's revenge is not a myth. You can't presume to decide for a kid that the cultural experience is worth getting sick.
Montezuma's revenge is not a myth. You can't presume to decide for a kid that the cultural experience is worth getting sick.