@SuperBeagle
Being Australian, we hear about how much of a corrupt hellhole Bali is often.
Being Australian, congratulations on your ability to write. You've come a long way. Life's better when you stop being a petty criminal, eh cobber?
The great thing about Australians in Bali is they go to Kuta and stay there leaving Ubud, Singaraaja, Denpasar and other wonderful places for the rest of us. I've met 2 Australians who thought Bali was part of Australia. Streuth they were bogans!
@Blinkingblimey*
What I find uncomfortable is all the luxury resorts set in countries of abject poverty/dicey human rights records
They're extremely comfortable.
to my mind travel should be about discovering other cultures
You can do that and have a good night's sleep.
not sitting on a beach in a way the locals never would
They're probably working. Do you want to go on a working holiday? How about wealthy tourists who come to London and eat and stay in places most of us can't afford to. Are we only allowed to live on a similar amount to locals? Do we have to eat local food?
I like going to countries, staying in nice hotels and also experiencing the local culture. Nothing wrong with $1 street food and then going back to your $200 a night hotel.
and often inadvertently supporting dictatorial governments etc.
I think that by refusing to travel to countries which have a government you disagree with, you are punishing those (the typical people) who most need help. We are going to Burma this summer for 3 weeks and had this discussion before booking flights. Typical people there benefit from the money you spend as it filters down through the economy. Boycotts harm those who are already being harmed. I think government owned hotels are called prisons.
@jdoe8
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 had one elective and one non-elective surgery in Manila in the 4 years we lived there. I'll be honest, the hospital was just okay... having a bell boy and valet parking were nice touches. 1 nurse per patient on the ward and a floor you would happily eat off were good.
My boss needed a rabies jab. They have an enormous store of them. He was bitten in a province though. I don't remember seeing strays there.
I'm not too sure where you're getting your facts from.