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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think tropical location holidays just arent worth it

121 replies

jdoe8 · 14/02/2017 03:39

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.

OP posts:
Cinnamon84 · 14/02/2017 12:38

Camomila- you probably need to chill out a bit, lots of young children in the Philippines who cope just fine! Have you been before?

Cherryskypie · 14/02/2017 12:41

'I like the random walking / bus / share jeeps where you might just come across a local that invites you for dinner. The constant hellos and people wanting to chat to you. They were nice and the best parts.'

That is my idea of hell.

SansComic · 14/02/2017 14:05

@Camomila

Plenty of fresh milk. More 7/11s than you've seen in your life.

Don't bother with malaria tablets.

Probably no car seats but they are usually not included in luggage allowances so take your own.

The Philippines is amazing. Walang problema. Masiyahan kayo sa inyong holiday!

It's been my most travelled to country and the one I fell in love with. I'm sure your DH can help with any questions but if you would rather, feel free to PM me.

mmgirish · 14/02/2017 14:20

sanscomic that's st Luke's hospital in global city right? Fantastic hospital, been there many times.

OP, I think you are being unreasonable and I can't think why you started this thread? What did you hope to achieve?

I've lived in South East Asia for 10 years now. I'm on my 2nd country within the region. What you have mentioned about having to fly to Australia for health care treatment is absurd.

What you said about Thais not visiting Samet and Samui because of the mafia is rubbish. There is mafia everywhere! They don't want to go to their se places because of the drunk half naked tourists...

MDFalco · 14/02/2017 22:54

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

Charming. When in doubt always use a cliche.

wettunwindee · 15/02/2017 00:17

When in doubt always use a cliche.

When in doubt, act like a stereotypical bogan.

Or, as the person I was talking about said, "I don't live to not offend people on the internet when expressing an opinion about a group of countries that are known to have particular issues. Soz."

KoalaDownUnder · 15/02/2017 00:23

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?

Who the fuck do you think you are?

I didn't remotely agree with the poster you were quoting, but you just lost all high ground. How cretinous.

Given that you consider Ubud to be off the beaten track, though, I'm not sure you're exactly a Bali expert.

MDFalco · 15/02/2017 00:29

stereotypical bogan Yes, I made a very bogan-like comment. And, yes, your comment is another cliche.

SuperBeagle · 15/02/2017 00:36

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?

You mean your criminal offshoots who are currently doing better than you in the global education rankings?

Carry on.

SuperBeagle · 15/02/2017 00:38

Oops, realised I quoted the wrong person. Apologies!

MDFalco · 15/02/2017 00:53

SuperBeagle Bitch - I'm a gonna hunt you down in my ute, and make you eat a devon and tomato sauce sanga. Signed, Shazza.

(I hope you do realise I'm just joking.)

BitOutOfPractice · 15/02/2017 00:58

I think your reluctance to travel says more about you than the countries you are talking about op. And not in a good way.

KoalaDownUnder · 15/02/2017 01:12

I don't understand any of this negative stereotyping of other countries/people.

Saying that all tropical Asian countries are dirty, dangerous and corrupt is just ignorant.

I've lived and worked in rural Bali, Java and Thailand. The locals were some of the nicest people I've ever met. Their hygiene standards were higher than many westerners', and they would chase you to give back money you'd dropped in the street.

As for all Aussies in Bali being bogans who only go to Kuta; that's like saying that all Brits in Spain are drunken slutty chavs who only go to Magaluf.

Just so much closed-mindedness.

WhyPost · 15/02/2017 01:16

I'm with you OP, I've lived in four different continents in my lifetime and I've travelled a lot but I just don't fancy it as much as I used to. I think I find it a hassle a lot of the time and I am also not great at sleeping unless I'm in my own bed. I still travel and I enjoy it when I get there but sometimes I think I wouldn't mind staying at home. Weve been to some very unusual destinations and I have plenty of amazing memories but I'm st not as enthusiastic about traveling long haul these days. It's a shame as I'm off to Australia soon 😂

Nice to hear about the island again Enormous Tiger Wink It's been a while.

NavyandWhite · 15/02/2017 01:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhyPost · 15/02/2017 01:18

I forgot to mention that one of the biggest things that puts me off travelling is that I find so many places are just way too busy. It's annoying!

WhyPost · 15/02/2017 01:18

I forgot to mention that one of the biggest things that puts me off travelling is that I find so many places are just way too busy. It's annoying!

SansComic · 15/02/2017 06:33

that's like saying that all Brits in Spain are drunken slutty chavs who only go to Magaluf.

I'm sure not all of them are...

You mean your criminal offshoots who are currently doing better than you in the global education rankings?

1 point in 2016 PISA rankings? You hit me where it hurt there.

Given that you consider Ubud to be off the beaten track, though, I'm not sure you're exactly a Bali expert.

I don't really consider it to be off the beaten track and nor did I say I was an expert. I think you're confusing me with another poster. I said it was much nicer than Kuta and 10 years ago, when I went there for a week, it was.

How cretinous.

Do you also use sp*tic and r*ard as insults? I suggest you rethink your offensive choice of words.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 15/02/2017 06:56

"Jeez I'd rather stay at home."

I like my comfort zone. It's comfortable in here Grin

MuseumOfCurry · 15/02/2017 07:07

I disagree OP and we've just booked 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. Wink

EnormousTiger · 15/02/2017 07:16

Why, I try to go somewhere where no people are but warm and tropical and near sea. You can find those places if you look hard. You can also find them in the UK too - I am from Northumberland originally and some of our coastline you won't see a single person on for miles and miled, ditto bits of Scotland and sometimes Norfolk if you know where to look.

Moonywormtailpadfootprongs · 15/02/2017 08:18

@SansComic WineGrin

corythatwas · 15/02/2017 08:58

For me, it's about environmental concerns. Would anything I could learn about the country on a 2 week beach holiday really turn me into such a better and more insightful person that it would offset the carbon footprint involved?

ShanghaiDiva · 15/02/2017 11:05

Going to a country in SE Asia does not have to be a beach holiday - you can learn quite a lot about an area in two weeks.

specialsubject · 15/02/2017 11:17

Nowhere tropical is free of dengue and the other diseases carried by the same mosquito. Odds on getting it are low but not using d e e t is nuts. Apart from the horror of the disease itself , risking it twice is much worse so thats the end of tropical trips.

Here's to a vaccine for those who live in these places.