To wonder why people go on holiday to exotic places

[Cockwomble]

When they are the types who go all inclusive and never leave the resort.

Why not just go to whatever cheap place is sunny to eat pizza by the pool for ten days?

You haven't really been to cuba/mexico/egypt if you stayed inside a hotel complex and ate english food by the pool from the buffet have you?

It's not the sort of holiday I'd want and yes, there are a surprising number of people who seem quite unaware of anything about the countries they've chosen to take an AI package in. In particular, my neighbour who assured me she wasn't going to Africa after booking a holiday in The Gambia. Similarly, a girl I worked with was delighted with the cheapness of the AI package she'd found in Cuba. Because she planned 10 days of soaking up the unbroken sunshine while lying beside the resort pool enjoying the unlimited drinks. When I pointed out that the amazing price had a lot to do with her holiday being bang slap in the middle of the hurricane season she was surprised. Not least because she "didn't think they got hurricanes out there" - she thought Cuba was the next island along from Ibiza!

However, these AI packages can be just what people want from a holiday and I remember ds2 (long overdue a holiday from a rather stressful job) being invited to go to Mexico with a mate who works in the travel industry and had got an AI package for 10 days that was cheaper than a day trip to France. He's done a lot of independent travel but really fancied doing almost nothing in the guaranteed sun. Or, as his text to me said "Going Loco Down In Acapulco".

So yes, they mightn't suit us all but taking one doesn't always mean you wish to remain in complete ignorance of other countries.

what is an A1 package?

Egypt isn't all that exotic, and tbh I didn't care for it all that much.

where does everyone find the cash for holidays?

Work like a dog for the overtime

I loved the Sphinx and Pyramids but then got stuck over there with the ash clouds a couple of years ago. Three weeks of buffets would be enough to put anyone of a place!

AI - All inclusive.

oh i read it as A1 A and then the number 1

really not that hard to work out

Egypt isn't all that exotic

It is to someone who hasn't been, like me!

I liked Egypt very much. Take a jeep through the white and black deserts if you want exotic, or cross the Nile and go riding. It's as exotic as one's adventuresomeness.

I do have to say that I have never ever ever met people like the Egyptians for being utterly charming friendly and lovely whilst robbing you blind. And I have travelled a lot.

Cockwomble, it sounds like you have a big urge to travel. Would it be possible for you to start saving towards a trip? I don't mean this is a rude way or anything but I know once you get the travel bug it is a hard thing to cure.

I'd love to sell the house, jack my job in and feck orf. I cannot though. I have just quite smoking so I am putting that money away towards a hol. I'd just love a holiday at all tbh.

In an odd way, though I'm going to Egypt for the first time, I have been to Sharm.
The year I worked in a Kibbutz was 1982, and the Sinai belonged to Israel after, I think, the seven day war.
We took a trip arranged by the Kibbutz to the Sinai, Dehaab and Sharm where we camped out in the desert and trekked around everywhere.
That was the year of the Israel/Egypt peace agreement, and when I left Israel, the Sinai was in Egypt again.
Strange but true

That must have been cool LBE

Well done giving up smoking.

Nightwatch, I believe Dalyan is nice, stopped for a day over 20 yrs ago so a wee bit out of touch. If I remember there are some mud baths nearby that are fun and a conservation beach where turtles lay their eggs. Turkish food is amongst some of the best world food IMO, love it. Hope you have a great time.

LadyBeagle - which kibbutz were you on? I loved Israel, bloody amazing place but so small and troubled. Jerusalem has to be one of the coolest places on Earth.

OP yanbu. I have literally NO idea why anyone would want to stay in a rich ghetto protected by barbed wire from the grinding poverty of the locals, who probably built the resort for slave wages, are politically repressed etc. see: South Africa, Jamaica, Mexico, Maldives, and most of all Dubai. Not to mention the hideous environmental cost of air travel.

I just wish I was going for longer than a week but, I shouldnt be ungreatful.

Jordan and Israel are both places I long to visit. I dont know if I could do it on my own though.

The all inclusive resort I went to in March in Egypt was much nicer than the bits outside the gate. I'd have been thick to have ventured out there once I'd sussed that.

Kibbutz Urim in the Negev Hownoo.
It was a fab year, we worked from 5am - 12 am, picking watermelons, and then spent the rest of the day by the pool.
I loved Jerusalem too, and we took so many trips out, for such a tiny country, the contrast of green and desert is amazing.
I loved camping out by the Dead Sea, and the walk up Masada.
I can't say I agree with their politics, especially over the West Bank, but I loved every minute of my stay there.

I have been to various bits of the caribbean and the problem is there is a huge amount of poverty resulting in pushy street sellers etc. While the beaches are fab, there isn't much else to do so people stay in their hotels.

LadyBeagle - I spent some time on Kibbutz Gvulot in the Negev, near Gaza and Beersheva. The day I left was one of the saddest in my life, I was gutted. Hoping to take my kids there one day soon as I still have friends on the Kibbutz. I feel double edged about the politics. Can't help but admire the Israelis spirit and determination and for what they have achieved, but like you the whole situation with the West Bank is crazy and so frustrating. Feel like grabbing both sides and knocking their heads together.

And I almost killed myself walking up Masada after 3 hours sleep, extremely hung over and with no water.

Ah, good times Hownoo, good times. .
I was near Beersheva too, it was our nearest town.