Travel to conflict zones
Jan 23, 2018, 1:13 am
#16
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You are quite right. Cuba is not a conflict zone but I do need to get there before peace breaks out with the US. I looked at ways of going there from Jamaica when I was there on business but there were no convenient routes.
Already been to Kashmir, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. Not exactly conflict zones but certain areas are more no-go than others. I remember being followed in Sao Paulo.
Also been to South Chicago and Detroit. And spent a day walking around downtown Durban and up to cricket stadium and casino area.
Been to Azerbaijan but our clients kept me away from the 'fun' areas.
Syria I was in months before 'Arab spring' events caught up with them.
Have been to Turkey many times but that's completely sanitised.
But thanks for the many suggestions. Been try to get to Libya and Venezuela and almost made it to both places a few years ago.
Iran is not a conflict zone but need to get there for same reason as Cuba.
Already been to Kashmir, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. Not exactly conflict zones but certain areas are more no-go than others. I remember being followed in Sao Paulo.
Also been to South Chicago and Detroit. And spent a day walking around downtown Durban and up to cricket stadium and casino area.
Been to Azerbaijan but our clients kept me away from the 'fun' areas.
Syria I was in months before 'Arab spring' events caught up with them.
Have been to Turkey many times but that's completely sanitised.
But thanks for the many suggestions. Been try to get to Libya and Venezuela and almost made it to both places a few years ago.
Iran is not a conflict zone but need to get there for same reason as Cuba.
Jan 23, 2018, 3:31 am
#17
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You are quite right. Cuba is not a conflict zone but I do need to get there before peace breaks out with the US. I looked at ways of going there from Jamaica when I was there on business but there were no convenient routes.
Have been to Turkey many times but that's completely sanitised.
Iran is not a conflict zone but need to get there for same reason as Cuba.
Have been to Turkey many times but that's completely sanitised.
Iran is not a conflict zone but need to get there for same reason as Cuba.
Jan 23, 2018, 4:03 am
#18
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You are right getting to Cuba and Iran from London is not difficult. Just have to balance with time, cost and family commitments.
They are definitely on my wish list given that may of my colleagues have been to both places and loved it.
They are definitely on my wish list given that may of my colleagues have been to both places and loved it.
Jan 23, 2018, 6:19 am
#20
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I've been to Armenia on business and spent some time on the border toward the south. Most of the tensions are further north but nonetheless we saw many tanks on the roadway, warning signs for mine fields and shell damage to buildings from previous skirmishes. The biggest inconvenience was having to make a long drive to our final destination. There are few flights to the region due to the risk of being shot down by the Azeris.
Jan 23, 2018, 6:46 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 335
How about south side Chicago? Herman Gardens Detroit? Seems like South America should be fertile hunting ground.... Acapulco, Mexico, San Salvador, El Salvador, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Caracas, Venezuela. Of course it depends what kinds of violence and turmoil you are looking for. Parts of Africa might satisfy your yearning, Somalia, South Sudan and Central Africa Republic.Can't say I see the attraction myself, but hey ho.
Not sure I'd recommend Somalia as a travel destination for anyone, right now....!
Jan 23, 2018, 7:26 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2015
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OP has a very flexible notion of conflict zone. Travelling to actual conflict zones (particularly those in the Middle East) is one way to fast track your name on any major watchlist.
That said, I think that there are plenty of people sharing the OP's desire to make dangerous vacations. Plenty of people visited the Berlin wall at a time where East German border patrol would shoot fugitives. Plenty of people travel to the border of South and North Korea. Others travel to North Korea, Chernobyl, drug cartel infested parts of the world, etc.
That said, I think that there are plenty of people sharing the OP's desire to make dangerous vacations. Plenty of people visited the Berlin wall at a time where East German border patrol would shoot fugitives. Plenty of people travel to the border of South and North Korea. Others travel to North Korea, Chernobyl, drug cartel infested parts of the world, etc.
Jan 23, 2018, 7:51 am
#24
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The places mentioned aren't exactly conflict zones! If you want the feeling of violence without any actual violence, then maybe South Ossetia could be a good option? Kashmir and the border of Azerbaijan with Armenia are both "fun" in that you occasionally get the odd stray bullet if that's what turns you on. I wouldn't recommend travel to any actual conflict zones, personally.
Jan 23, 2018, 9:26 am
#25
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While I would like to visit true conflict zones, it would never be in nature of their status, it would be the beauty of the area. That said I'm the parent of two children, and I believe it would be irresponsible of me to possibly have my kids loose their father. News stories of someone being detained in Iran or NK for example, with family begging for help to get them back strikes me as a very serious concern, and a huge cost to taxpayers to negotiate with the offending country to release someone. If you decide to visit locations that your country deems hostile, please inform them that you are accepting the risk and are comfortable with zero support in the event you are detained.
Jan 23, 2018, 3:02 pm
#26
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While I would like to visit true conflict zones, it would never be in nature of their status, it would be the beauty of the area. That said I'm the parent of two children, and I believe it would be irresponsible of me to possibly have my kids loose their father. News stories of someone being detained in Iran or NK for example, with family begging for help to get them back strikes me as a very serious concern, and a huge cost to taxpayers to negotiate with the offending country to release someone. If you decide to visit locations that your country deems hostile, please inform them that you are accepting the risk and are comfortable with zero support in the event you are detained.
Jan 23, 2018, 6:41 pm
#27
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We really enjoy Turkey however we have better sense then going to the Syrian border.
One of the most dangerous places just across the Rio Grande is Reynosa Mexico. On the US side of the border McAllen is thriving.
One of the most dangerous places just across the Rio Grande is Reynosa Mexico. On the US side of the border McAllen is thriving.
Jan 23, 2018, 11:28 pm
#28
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US citizens in Iran —not my idea of a conflict zone given most of Iran is way safer for me as a US citizen than most major US cities — are subject to US jurisdiction whether they want to be or not. Part of that extraterritorial “deal” is the US is on the hook while wanting universal jurisdiction over US citizens (even over tax and banking matters), and so “zero support” from the US seems like a fleecing of the US citizen on the financial and legal hook of the USG even when detained abroad. Also, the USG has a nasty history of threatening US citizens for trying to free themselves or their family/friends abroad using their own financial means. Being a US citizen abroad shouldn’t be a dead end, but the USG doesn’t do a whole lot for most such people, but now you want them to be resigned to having zero support from everyone? Sounds like wanting US citizens to hit a dead end. I find it rather anti-American to want Americans abroad abandoned just because they don’t march to some self-appointed “master’s” “judgment/demand/“pre-approval” when it comes to travel.
Jan 24, 2018, 2:28 am
#29
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Being a tourist or other legitimate traveler to a "conflict zone" -- whatever a "conflict zone" may or may not be varies -- does not wipe out the legal obligations of the citizen to their country of citizenship, nor does it wipe out the legal obligations of the country of citizenship of such traveler. If you have an issue with that, take it up where you think it appropriate.
Jan 24, 2018, 4:15 am
#30
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OP has a very flexible notion of conflict zone. Travelling to actual conflict zones (particularly those in the Middle East) is one way to fast track your name on any major watchlist.
That said, I think that there are plenty of people sharing the OP's desire to make dangerous vacations. Plenty of people visited the Berlin wall at a time where East German border patrol would shoot fugitives. Plenty of people travel to the border of South and North Korea. Others travel to North Korea, Chernobyl, drug cartel infested parts of the world, etc.
That said, I think that there are plenty of people sharing the OP's desire to make dangerous vacations. Plenty of people visited the Berlin wall at a time where East German border patrol would shoot fugitives. Plenty of people travel to the border of South and North Korea. Others travel to North Korea, Chernobyl, drug cartel infested parts of the world, etc.
My biggest regret is not having visited Berlin before the wall came down.
However, in all the 'conflict zones' I've the visited the only one that really felt like one was Oran-Arzew in Algeria during the civil war days.
I did read a blog somewhere of a couple of guys (from Sweden I think) who crossed from Russia to N Korea and were somehow let through without minders or restrictions. that loophole was subsequently closed. BTW when I watch youtube videos of those whove been to DMZ zone, the military guide from the north seems a lot more relaxed than the one from the south. Perhaps the ones from the south like to pump up the theatre of it all.