Travel
Posted by: elle
20th Oct 2008 11:47pm
travelling is not very safe at this present time
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Comments 74
Averia
depends how prepared you are i guess or where you're going haha
dave
yeah it is
Jess
why not travel to america, with the dollar so competitive to the american! more bang for your buck i say
888shelley
FGS!! give me a ticket and i'm gone!!! we have just come back from 2 months away....3 weeks in vietnam a few days in kuala lump0ur and a month in bali. we travelled cheap, the most expensive place we stayed in was $23 a night for the 2 of us, so we splashed out on a few tours (halong bay, city sights etc) ....we had many adventures and met a lot of really beautiful people altho some had no english but we communicated just fine with signs etc. we travelled on local trains,buses and cars....a fabulous experience and at no time did we feel unsafe.
we are 61 and 66 years old and have also been to thailand, java and other places and hope to do many more!!
PGS
Not safe in what way?
In the past 6 weeks, I've had a week in Manila, 1 week in China & 4 in Thailand.
No problems in any - apart from weather & I cannot control that (as much as I'd like to)
friday_dog
Is it that travel is not safe, or is it we're simply afraid its not safe?
PGS
Travel is not safe?
Crossing the road is not safe. Getting out of bed is not safe.
If you go to a '3rd world' country & flash your jewelery & cash around, of course it's not safe. Mind you, you can get mugged in New York, London or Sydney for the same thing.
If you try to stay away form the 'bad' areas, you'll be reasonably safe,
Remember your travel insurance - if you can't afford that, you can't afford to go.
Maestro
Not true - this is a broad statement. Try travelling (holidays) locally. Throw a tent in the car and go outback (bush). We (mum, dad and 3 kids) did a family camping trip in 2000 from CBR to Bourke - Broken Hill - Mongo NP and back. We had a fantastic time and saw / shared heaps of experiences.
jonschaper
It only depends on where you're going. It always has, it always will.
Anonymous
okay. so what do you think is the appropriate time to travel.? i m thinking of travelling. but cant decide
Sammbo
when to travel? It all depends on where you want to go and what you want to do.
Obviously if you are a skier you go in that countries winter. Sightseeing? Go when that country has good weather.
It's all very simple!
mstrust
Depends where you are travelling too. I am Holidaying in Australia soon, a cruise actually and I feel quite safe.
Happygirl62
Common sense and checking destinations would be a good start
elle
Aud good value to travel to US.
elle
it is safe , but still need to take procotion.
SarahEC
I agree with David; also I think it depends on where you travel to. And I think the US has gone overboard on security - most of their most invasive measures are purely cosmetic and don't protect anybody anyway.
SarahEC
I also agree with David - it depends on where you're travelling to, as well. I think the US has gone overboard with security; most of their security measures are purely cosmetic and don't actually protect anyone anyway.
giznjack
I love to travel! I search websites for information, safety precautions, the right places to go and where not to go. I use govt sites like DFAT and smart traveller. I refuse to sit at home and miss out on new experiences. I will always travel, for me every new place is an education.
elle
yes i believe so
silv
life isn't safe . I say just enjoy wherever u are and embrace all the different cultures the world has to offer
super88
It depends a lot on your destination.
There's a risk in everything we do.
I heard a story (I don't know how true it is)it goes like this
A guy from the middle east came to Australia, to escape the conflict and bombs where he lived. He was in an Australian City for 48 hours before getting hit by a bus.
Sure, I'd like to die in my sleep at a very old age, but I'm not going to stay in bed to make sure that happens.
wilhamina
Depends where you go. Advisable not to go to war zones at the moment, but there are plenty of other places to visit. Money can always be found if you want to go badly enough.
Anonymous
unfortunately if you worry too much you may never get to travel - so its best to try and minimise the risk by being careful and just do it.
princessxena
Travelling is what you make of it. Go to any destination, avoid the ones where there is unrest or problems. There are thousands of places to visit around the world that don't have problems so go there.
Life is short so you make what you can of it while you can as you don't know what will happen tomorrow. Live your life in the present, don't worry about the past and the future will come.
splinter49
I think if people want to travel they will find the money and put up with all the trouble due to security at airports etc.
woosif
Travelling often is what you make it! dont let the fundermental groups take hold of everything even our holiday experiences, I have been to 42 countries and heard gun shots and then and there packed and moved on, you have to be wise you can be beaten up shot at and have things stolen in London Madrid sydney and UAE just we wise!
neety
Depends on where you are travelling to. But you should always do your research about the places you are visiting so you know what to expect.
liz
If we waited till it was 'safe' we would never go anywhere. We have just returned from 8 weeks in Europe and the UK and had a ball. Missed the strikes and riots in Paris by a few days, and it was all good. You don't have to be stupid and go to somewhere like Afghanistan, but get out and see the world, it won't come to you!
david
unfortuneately wa is becoming an unsafe destination.we have our louts who get drunk and go looking for fights.evenly the elderly are bashed for no reason by these mindless idiots.calthough the police are clamping down.in nothbridge i believe they made about 200 arrests on friday night.
Anonymous
so true with people coming from overseas as well, but very expensive to catch a flight into Horn Island and down to Cairns.
david
cherokee,pardon my ignorance but where is horn island,sounds like off the coast in fnq.i live in perth
lee01
It is safe enough in Australia and it doesnt cost a fortune for a few days away
rylrebel
see aust. first then the world
david
good idea,i have done this,but travel in australia is very expensive,backpacking ok but food is far to expensive,also travel.
Bambi
I believe with the new security measures put in place at the airports, etc it is just as safe if not more so then it has been in the past. I am currently overseas in America and i was impressed with the level of security at the international and domestic airports both here and back home in Australia.
elle
very good time to travel to new zealand
ayu
It all depends where the ash from iceland move to.
James
we must travel! There is a risk in everything we do. Do we stop eating because scared of food poisoning?
Macca54
Totally agree...I prefer to travel withing Australia and even here there are risks particularly within the cities
ashjay001
The element of danger makes it exciting to travel.
ashjay001
No I'm not aged between 17-25 and no I am not indestructable. You only get to live once and I will not let any fear stop me from enjoying my life to the fullest.
david
the element of danger can also put your life at risk.i bet you are aged between 17-25 the gung-ho years.you think you are indestructable.
dougo
"Travel is not safe at this time"
Well I tend to agree if you are going to Afganistan or some other area where there is conflict, but to go to other parts of the world from NZ, to the States, from Singapore to the UK, and a myriad of places in between, it is pretty safe.
Sure there are scams that get tourists in, but there are scams right here on our front door !!
Sure you can have an accident O/S, but you can get hit by a bus at home !!
We have three trips planned - one in May for a month one in Dec '10 for 6 weeks to Sth America and another in May next year for about a month. All overseas.
Are we worried? No. We just take the normal precautions when we're out and about just as we do when we're home.
maz181
No matter where you travel you must keep your wits about you and it will be safe. Be careful who you befriend, I find most people who travel are genuine and honest.
Bridget L
I think travelling overseas has always had it's risks. You just have to use your common sense.
Anonymous
travelling isnt safe and it is safe, but thats just saying your not safe in your own country either? the only major problem is that some foreign countries experience threat by terrorists making it more of a risk of getting hurt
soos
I feel that you are safe..as long as you are aware..I have travelled by myself to Canada, USA, Jamaca, Rio, Europe, Asia and have never felt unsafe...You just have to watch what you are doing and dont put yourself in a situation that you feel uncomfortable about....everyone should be confident to travel and enjoy the experience...not hide away because you may get hurt by terrorists...thats what theywant..
jan
It always depends on where you are going and how alert you are to your surroundings.
Cai
although it isn't that safe but travel do widen knowlege. therefore the best is find a more secure country to travel and tend to visit country with less terror attack or less political problems
Barbie
You can get killed outside your home - so go and see the rest of the world. Just make sure you're insured, have appropriate medications with you and register with Smarttraveller.
Anonymous
Get a grip! If we were to stay behind closed doors what would we experience from life?! I have travelled to numerous so called unsafe countries ie Zimbabwe, India, Nepal & Iran and not once did I feel unsafe !
Pippy
i disagree! depends where you travel and when. if you do your research and be sensible about your choices then you will be fine. historically there are always periods that have been unsafe.
Plus its the australian culture to discover the world!
Mike
Travelling, whether domestically or internationally has never been safer if y0u apply some very simple rules when travelling. Always using a reputable experienced travel agent/company who knows what their selling and the conditions and what will needed is the most important rule, too many companies use ill trained inexperienced people to products that they have no knowledge of, all they know is "make the sale and get them out of the office" and who, once your out the door don't care what could happen to you.
david
mike,i presume your referring about travel agents,you are righttake care.onthe other hand my wife and i travelled to sri-lanka,booked through a very well respected company.we stay at2 hotels,not 1 of them had a booking for us.we had to phone the agent in australia to sort it out.because a company is small does not mean it is bad
giznjack
Totally agree!! You get what you pay for!!
Do some research for yourself, know what you want and who you are booking to travel with. Be prepared! I love travel, all modes of travel. I've only ever been able to travel economy, and the cheapest seats available. I always find cheap flights, and have never had a bad experience, though with budget airlines, I've seen other travellers experience problems mostly due to lack of knowledge.
Sammbo
I must take umbrage with your opinion of Air Travel in China.
What a generalization!
Fold up chairs and a loud engine?
You have any idea what type of plane it was?
Who was the carrier?
Admittedly domestic air travel in most Asian countries doesn't stack up against its Australian counterparts.
But it is cost based on a large domestic, internal market.
If you cannot handle that - next time hire a Learjet!
winspaz
i totally agree with mike. don't just book any tour cos they are cheap. they might come with dodgy airlines (they have really dodgy planes in china! i went on one that had fold down chairs!! and the engine was SOOo loud i thought it was going to explode any second >.<)
also, its our own responsibility to keep our property safe. eg. keep our bags/wallets/passports all close to our body. Don't count out wads of cash when buying from shops..keep a few notes in ur pocket so u can pull out little amounts of money as opposed to a whole stack of bills and count out 2 as it leads to the unwanted attention of thieves...
smokey
It all depends on how you approach the subject
Kiwi chick
It is great to see your own country and it helps the economy. However they say travel broadens the mind and I have seen some great things and have also become very appreciative of what we have in NZ. We are so lucky.
david
why,have you no interest in other countries?
david
as above
david
how does one approach the subject?
Cafe
I just came back from India last week. Been there before but each visit is moire amazing than the last. Fantastic country to see and experience. Sure you need to be careful in certaiun places but that should not be a detterant not go.
Have a great trip kezza!!
kezza052
I think life is too short to worry about the conseqences of travelling.I'm off to India next month to go home to visit after 25 years and I just hope all goes well when I'm over there and come home safely.
elle
well i rather stay locall
elle
yes i believe so.
Also we are living in not very secure financial time.
faerydoc
I agree with you 100%. We have been to Thailand 5 times, including spending a day in Bangkok while the curfew was on - not a soul in the city, very spooky. Yet I have NEVER felt unsafe in Thailand, and will return again.
However, I have to admit one place I would NOT consider visiting is Bali - since the Bali bombings I have heard too many times that the Indonesian government has intercepted plans to target tourists in Bali, and I just think it's a silly place to go to.
david
well said
david
well said jud,have a great holiday
indigoscarlet
I agree with David. Safe travel is smart travel. Choose where you go wisely, and remember that the small risk that comes with travelling is well worth it for the benefits that come from exploring our beautiful earth.
jud
yes David you're right you cannot wrap yourself in cottonwool. I love Thailand too and are going at xmas over there is a different way of life I find with lovely people over there and very cheap to go out to good restaurants, and the shopping is fantastic
david
we cannot wrap ourselves in cotton wool and avoid travelling because of the world situation.we must travel safer,avoid countries where civil and military unrest exists.wait at some stage in our lives these countries will become peaceful and we can visit if we wish.i have just returned from bangkok.the people in general are really sorry about what is happening to there country and are very apologetic to tourists for the few who are carrying out these atrocities.i will bereturning to thailand.it is a beautiful country with beautiful people.
elle
yes i believe so.
Also we are living in not very secure financial time.
Bonker
This is true, but if you really want to travel, then the money can be found.