To think tropical location holidays just arent worth it

[jdoe8]

There's a constant worry about getting something nasty (malaria, rabies, dengue fever). The transport / roads often aren't very safe as they are usually in developing countries with very bad air quality in built up areas. In SE asia RTA are the biggest cause of deaths of western tourists. The bugs are annoying and you either have to use lots of pesticides / insecticides that aren't very good for you or something organic that is ineffective. You get hassled a lot and haggling is often essential and sometimes you just cant be bothered as it hot and humid.

Am I just getting old? I've done the whole a year in SE asia when I was younger and as much fun as it was, I don't partially want to go again.

I love wildlife. My entire bucket list revolves around animals I want to see. I need to go to tropical places to see them (among others - really want to go to some really cold places too!).
I also love history and while there's loads of that in the UK there's different things to see and learn about elsewhere.
I don't do beach holidays either really. I do t mind a bit of lying about but I want to see new things, and while there's a risk, there's also a risk in driving up the motorway in the UK.

What I find uncomfortable is all the luxury resorts set in countries of abject poverty/dicey human rights records - to my mind travel should be about discovering other cultures, not sitting on a beach in a way the locals never would and often inadvertently supporting dictatorial governments etc. but maybe I'm a miserable git😁!

I love them! Hawaii, Reunion island, Mauritius and the Seychelles are all so stunning that i can deal with the mossies.
Though in terms of Mauritius i see what you mean about the roads

We are off to cambodia with the DC in a few weeks. We are exploring temples, and palaces zip wiring through the jungle, visiting bat caves, seeing crocodiles, staying in a rainforest eco lodge, going on a firefly walk, kayaking down rapids, swimming under a waterfall, going on a night boat to see phosphorescent plankton, scuba diving and snorkelling (DS2 is too young to scuba dive) and all sorts of other things.
It is our most adventurous holiday yet (DSs are 11 and 9). It is going to be anythign but boring.

Dengue fever 😂
I personally love the Caribbean and Indian Ocean islands.
You are going to the wrong places.

I'm inclined to agree OP. We went to Mauritius a few years ago, it was nice, but no nicer than you could get in the Mediterranean with a LOT less flying time.

Blinkingblimey, which countries are you referring to? There are many tropical countries without dictatorial governments.

I love a tropical holiday destination. Of course there are risks, but there are everywhere.
There are some beautiful places in the UK but I like to go to new ones.
Backpacking on 5$ a day is very different to a holiday at the Four Seasons.

As I am getting older, I am actually making the point of doing at least keeping up with my own level of 'adventure'.
I refuse to become old and grumpy and unwilling to 'take risks' (clue there isn't anymore risks now that there was when you/I were 20 or 30yo).

Each to their own.

I've never had a problem whilst going on a 'tropical holiday' and we've been to many places over the years.

Rispyturtle did you actually explore the island of Mauritius or did you just stay in the hotel? Mauritius has rainforest, a defunct volcano, Hindu temples on lakes, islands offshore where dolphins swim past, sugar cane planatations etc. Did you not visit any of that?

YABU - long haul holidays are amazing, the bigger the culture shock the better IMO.

However if you are talking about all inclusive resort style long haul YANBU, they are pants.

RTA and hassle - depends where you go. Singapore, Koh Samui, Koh Samet are pretty mellow
I've heard Thais say they wouldn't even venture to Koh S, T P with the local mafia there.

I can think of loads of places that hasn't applied for me: Mexico, Fiji, the Phillippines, Rarotonga...

The Philippines is one of the worst areas for rabies. You get bitten by a dog there and even if your in manilla they might be out of the right vax and you have to rush to Oz to get it in time at a cost of thousands that your insurance may not cover. I know someone that had to do this in Bali, one of the most touristic places in Asia with reasonable health centres.

As for traffic, the very worst I've seen was in Rome. You truly are taking your life in your hands when you try to cross the road.

You've never been to India then? I haven't seen anywhere else as busy as that in the 80+ countries I've visited. A stampede on the bridges at new Delia train station killed several people when I was there and train de-raiments were almost a daily occurrence.

As i've said I've done it before. It was fun and I've spent maybe 2+ years in Asia. But the thought of going on a bus for 12 hours in india, getting there at 3am then trying to find somewhere to sleep while being followed by a local that is trying to grab a commission now makes me shudder.

I would disagree with the Cornwall bit... beautiful coastlines... didn't find the beaches that fantastic. My DH's family are from Cornwall and he spent all his vacations there as a child... they still have a home in tintagel. I visited for the first time last summer... we both agreed where I'm from, the Caribbean is far better. DH spent 15yrs living there. Brown wet sand etc. Not for me.

DH and I lived in china and spent our vacations travelling Asia... fantastic! And great value for money too. We never needed any DEET etc. I wouldn't recommend Langkawi though 😂... utterly disappointed.. good food though.

Growing up in the Caribbean I was never covered in mosquito bites or any insect bites for that matter. The odd outbreak of malaria and dengue and the gov. Would do fogging and you would take the necessary precautions. But I suppose being from the place and visiting are completely different.

Now we live in OZ... nice. Beautiful beaches... but nothing else. If you enjoy sitting under a tent all day or getting a tan it's for you. But the lack of shade etc. Turns me off compared to what I am used to. Also much hotter than the Caribbean and I'm not too keen on skin cancer. And the sharks...

But I think it all comes down to a matter of what we enjoy when we go on holiday. We're moving back to the UK and we're both looking forward to exploring Europe and the other tropical areas that side.

Backpacking on 5$ a day is very different to a holiday at the Four Seasons. I think the worlds cheapest country, India, for backpacking you would have to at least double or triple that these days.

I'm with you op - but unfortunately dh is a fan of such holidays, so every so often in the spirit of compromise we have to go somewhere far flung and challenging

You've never been to India then?

No, haven't been to India but parents have and did say that the roads were spectacularly hairy. They managed to survive without getting hurt though.

To be honest OP I'm not sure what the point of this thread is - surely everyone enjoys different sorts of holidays, it would be very boring (not to mention overcrowded!) if we all went to the same place every year! Your last update was condescending and dogmatic

'I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt and declare it crap - the end'

I've been to India (Goa, Kerala and Rahjastan) and enjoyed it to a degree (don't like the beggars and uncleanliness but sort of accepted it), but was staying with my cousin and his family in Blue Mountains above Goa (he was headmaster of a Christian boarding school). Must say though I did the Goan beach huts experience I also did 5 star hotels and I still got Delhi Belly!

Been to Thailand twice, did Phuket, Koh Samui etc... Also stayed with a friend on a small Island there who's an expat English teacher. Liked it as in terms of beach holidays and seeing wildlife and culture but didn't like the virtual child prostitution in Bangkok. Can't stand seeing tigers who look drugged up in cages for you to pet.

been to Jamaica stayed with friends and saw the island, truly stunning and one of my faves, Dominica (with a Dominican, did a villa) - Dominica was still rough round edges and was starting to develop tourism areas and Antigua - loved Antigua, really gorgeous but did hotel there.

I saw wildlife, volcanoes, scenery etc but can't say I'm in a rush to go back like you OP.

The only places I'd go now are Mexico (friend's son is a tour rep in what seems like a not very touristy part (probably is though) but really pretty and Japan.

I just do DEET too.

ilovewine my yoga teacher is French and from Reunion and it looks stunning!

Arrived home yesterday from the Caribbean having had a brilliant time as usual. Couple of mozzie bites (know when and where I got them but was too lazy to go and get an insect spray) but apart from that it was worth the journey. 14 days of perfect temperature and sea breezes with the occasional warm shower of liquid sunshine. Never used the pool as the beautiful crystal clear Caribbean Sea was steps from our door. Was never hassled (love the locals) air quality perfect (what constitutes a built up area on a tropical island? More than 20 coconut trees?). Health wise no dengue, malaria or rabies. Clearly you have been going to the wrong areas. First time I went husband had accepted a six month contract - we stayed for fourteen years! Children were brought up in paradise. Education way better than here (old fashioned bums on seats and respect the teacher) they were at least a year ahead academically when they started secondary in UK.
Once I get the suitcases emptied and the washing done I'd be happy to head to the airport to go back.

YABU, your outlook is a bit Little Englander. There are some wonderful places to visit in different continents

I'm in my 50s and am trying to save up for a trip to Myanmar. Have taken on extra jobs so that I can do it. Will be travelling alone and am really excited about it. Would also like to visit Vietnam, Laos and Vietnam while I still can, as my health over the last couple of years has been up and down. Think I need one last adventure.

"We went to Mauritius a few years ago, it was nice, but no nicer than you could get in the Mediterranean with a LOT less flying time."

I happen to have the same opinion about skiing in Canada and the States. It doesn't mean they are less worthy destinations, merely that they are further away from where I am now. As someone who enjoys holidaying closer to home, I still have a appreciation of the further-flung places in the world (indeed my living is made from many of these further-flung holiday destinations!) I am objecting to those who say they are less good in their own right. The worst place I have been bitten by insects was not anywhere tropical, but Loch Lomond in Scotland. Midges and ticks - which, for info, carry Lyme's disease in the UK which can be debilitating. You don't have to go a long way away to be bothered by insects!

This thread is fascinating speaking as someone who is orginally from one of these tropical hellholes.

@robertaCratchit we went to Vietnam in July and it was fine. It depends where you go. Hanoi was very very wet, amazing tropical rainstorms which flooded the streets. But nha trang and Ho Chi Minh City were hot and dry. Don't let it put you off.