Destinations you wouldn't go to?

[Wanderlust_tim]

I was reading an article on Traveller entitled 'Destinations you shouldn't go to' (article: Don't go there: Five destinations you shouldn't bother visiting)

It made me wonder, where wouldn't you go to?

 

[Denali]

Fiji. Had a horrible trip that involved (other guests, not us) drunk, borish brits, an attempted rape, domestic violence, drunk resort security guards and the Fijian version of the SWAT team.

Edit. Im aware this experience wasnt a local issue (other than the guards) but nope, no plans on going back there again, not when there are so many other places to go to.

 

[UP4014]

As a rule I don't go to countries run by dictators or blatantly poor human rights and double standards. Of course no country is perfect but that doesn't mean they can't try.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lesotho, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi, Cote D'Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Yemen, Chad and Syria.

 

[AisleSeat]

New York City. Call me weird, but I have absolutely no desire to go there.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lesotho, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi, Cote D'Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Yemen, Chad and Syria.

I can understand most of those. Out of interest, why would you avoid Lesotho?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I can understand most of those. Out of interest, why would you avoid Lesotho?

"Armed robbery, carjacking, petty theft and pickpocketing occur frequently in Lesotho, particularly in the capital, Maseru. There have also been incidents of gun-related crime and residential break-ins targeting foreigners. Risks increase at night and on weekends."

Smartraveller.gov.au - Lesotho

I have friends who were there recently. They were robbed at gun point.

From what I have heard it should be on the 'do not travel list' by DFAT.

 

[drron]

Surely South Africa is pretty much the same as Lesotho.
Country comparison Lesotho vs South Africa 2017

But one that may surprise you-Bhutan.
Professionally I have looked after 7 Bhutanese refugees.They are all ethnic Nepalese which was a significant minority ethnic group particularly in the south.Mid 90s their Bhutanese citizenship revoked.A campaign of assault,rape and murder saw the majority flee to refugee camps in Nepal.In 2006 the USA announced they would take 60000 of these refugees.Ready to select 2008 but several leaders didn't want to see this happen and let loose vigilante groups using the same tactics.
With the influx of undocumented arrivals into Australia the number being resettled here dropped.Resumed again in 2014.There are now ~ 1000 here in Launceston.One woman had been in the refugee camp for 24 years.Twin sisters aged 17 had been born in the camps.These are the real refugees.
As one put it-Bhutan is a beautiful country with many very bad people.
Stepping down off my soap box.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

"Armed robbery, carjacking, petty theft and pickpocketing occur frequently in Lesotho, particularly in the capital, Maseru. There have also been incidents of gun-related crime and residential break-ins targeting foreigners. Risks increase at night and on weekends."

Smartraveller.gov.au - Lesotho

I have friends who were there recently. They were robbed at gun point.

From what I have heard it should be on the 'do not travel list' by DFAT.

Huh, today I learned.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Surely South Africa is pretty much the same as Lesotho.

I've been to South Africa twice. I haven't been to Lesotho.

I found South Africa to be what I would call 'safe with some common sense required'.

My friends who were robbed at gun point have been to both South Africa and Lesotho said that they were worlds apart in terms of perceived and actual danger levels.

 

[JohnK]

I would avoid anywhere with a high crime rate, dictatorships and little regard for tourists.

 

[Cossie]

The list of places that I wouldn't go back to is much longer than the list of places I won't visit.

 

[Virgin Bart]

PNG. Never again.

 

[OZDUCK]

Bali - I know that it is a favoured destination for many people, including lots on here. My dislike, is mainly because in the 1970's when I was stationed at Perth Airport we used to get flights ex Bali that were basically charter flights organised by the AUS (Australian Union of Students). The passengers used to roll out drunk, stoned & filthy - and they were the better behaved ones.

I took a complete aversion to thought of ever going to a place that they congregated. I know that this is irrational and times have changed but I still can't bear the thought of going there.

 

[LadyC]

I have a list of every country I want to visit and therefore, all the ones I don't want to either. It's usually because either the country is unsafe or I couldn't think of any reason that I should go. Certainly quite a few African countries on the list. Some parts of the Middle East like Iraq and Syria. Bangladesh. Haiti. North Korea. Just to name a few.

 

[tgh]

A year or so back , I percolated through Bolivia.
No tourist route sanitisation , just straight through.
Normal folks, felt quite safe,( admittedly in a group and with competent guides)….so much for preconceptions

Nairobi , and indeed Kenya, seemed impossibly dangerous and I will never return…..

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I found that write-up to have little substance. Shrek would use it as dunny paper, I'd imagine.

Different people will like and dislike different places for different reasons. I doubt anyone can come up with a definitive list of places not to visit and that list will be ambulatory over time.

 

[snabbu]

PNG. Never again.

Hah I said that a few years ago after traveling there semi regularly and getting sick almost every time. Now I'm there only if it's absolutely unavoidable (meaning I can't convince a colleague to go instead).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hah I said that a few years ago after traveling there semi regularly and getting sick almost every time. Now I'm there only if it's absolutely unavoidable (meaning I can't convince a colleague to go instead).

Eye of the beholder! Over the previous 4 years, I've grown to absolutely love the place!

 

[Pushka]

Bali - I know that it is a favoured destination for many people, including lots on here. My dislike, is mainly because in the 1970's when I was stationed at Perth Airport we used to get flights ex Bali that were basically charter flights organised by the AUS (Australian Union of Students). The passengers used to roll out drunk, stoned & filthy - and they were the better behaved ones.

I took a complete aversion to thought of ever going to a place that they congregated. I know that this is irrational and times have changed but I still can't bear the thought of going there.

Well yes but then the Gold Coast is the same at schoolies. You can’t label a country by the actions of Aussies behaving badly. The locals don’t like ‘em either.

I felt under threat in Vietnam and was later robbed there by a cyclo driver slashing a bag off me as I crossed the street. I’d never return but I know others who love the country. I just didn’t.