What's on your 'Duck-it' list?

[bPeteb]

Sadly Russia. The treatment of the gay community scares us incredibly. We visited St P on a cruise a number of years ago and it was amazing but until things improve from an LGBTI perspective it will sadly remain a no. We always research 'is xx safe for gay travellers'. Russia comes back with more question marks than it used to.
Dubai. Why visit somewhere where you can end up in gaol for the most innocent of things. This can happen anywhere if you don't observe the law but this place is crazy.
Nth Korea like so many others, but really, is it even a realistic option for the average person? I know one person who has been there and she is far from average
Any area with open conflict.
PATTAYA (this would be 'never return to'), the most disgusting place we have ever been. This could be broadened to anywhere full of dirty old Russian/European/American/Australian men looking to have sex with young girls/boys.

 

[Cossie]

Sadly Russia. The treatment of the gay community scares us incredibly. We visited St P on a cruise a number of years ago and it was amazing but until things improve from an LGBTI perspective it will sadly remain a no. We always research 'is xx safe for gay travellers'. Russia comes back with more question marks than it used to.
Dubai. Why visit somewhere where you can end up in gaol for the most innocent of things. This can happen anywhere if you don't observe the law but this place is crazy.
Nth Korea like so many others, but really, is it even a realistic option for the average person? I know one person who has been there and she is far from average
Any area with open conflict.
PATTAYA (this would be 'never return to'), the most disgusting place we have ever been. This could be broadened to anywhere full of dirty old Russian/European/American/Australian men looking to have sex with young girls/boys.

On the Pattaya thing the above sums up my thoughts, but I would add drug dealers and drunks to that list .

quote "PATTAYA (this would be 'never return to'), the most disgusting place we have ever been. This could be broadened to anywhere full of dirty old Russian/European/American/Australian men looking to have sex with young girls/boys."

 

[boomy]

A lot of negativity towards Bali. Most of the bogans are concentrated in one area which is the only place to avoid, other than that it’s a beautiful island with some nice resorts.

Only time I was robbed overseas was in Thailand 18 years ago on the overnight bus (we were young trying to save money) from Bangkok to Krabi. They inserted sleeping gas into the aircon system which knocked everyone off for ~30 min. Luckily for us their timing was slightly off and we managed to find out what happened just before leaving the bus. Didn’t end up well for the bus, the driver and his partner to crime... Anyway, I’ve been back to Thailand at least a dozen times since but never took the bus again

Now finally on topic, countries I will avoid ATM are Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and most of Africa. The only country I’ve been to and have no desire to revisit is Andorra.

 

[harvyk]

I don't really have anywhere that I don't want to go or will never return.

I avoid places which have high crime rates and / or are active war zones, but even then things change over time. A place which is today a no-go zone could easily become the next go to destination (eg Cambodia).

I find the "not whilst Trumps president" people a little interesting. Whilst I'll preface this with I'm white, straight, male, middle class, and know enough about the christen religion to pass, I do find it a little amusing that some people are not going to travel to the US right now because of Trump.

I don't think the overall level of racism in the USA has changed. Both before and after Trump there was and will be pockets where deeply racist views are the norm, and conversely there are places which are extremely welcoming to everyone. Traveling there doesn't mean you support the government.

I remember one of my earlier trips I was asked by a group of locals about how the world viewed America. This was just after President Bush Jr had left office, and the war on terror was still in everyone's mind, and I gave the most diplomatic answer I'd ever given (since I didn't know what side of any fence they where sitting on).

My answer was "When thinking of a country, you need to separate that country the people, and that country the government. My view on America the Government does not always align with my view on America the people. I can agree or disagree with what your government does, and still like America the people. Much like I don't always agree with what my own government back home says or does. I know it doesn't always reflect on what us Australian's are actually like".

 

[Pushka]

Sadly Russia. The treatment of the gay community scares us incredibly. We visited St P on a cruise a number of years ago and it was amazing but until things improve from an LGBTI perspective it will sadly remain a no. We always research 'is xx safe for gay travellers'. Russia comes back with more question marks than it used to.
Dubai. Why visit somewhere where you can end up in gaol for the most innocent of things. This can happen anywhere if you don't observe the law but this place is crazy.
Nth Korea like so many others, but really, is it even a realistic option for the average person? I know one person who has been there and she is far from average
Any area with open conflict.
PATTAYA (this would be 'never return to'), the most disgusting place we have ever been. This could be broadened to anywhere full of dirty old Russian/European/American/Australian men looking to have sex with young girls/boys.

We cruised recently with four gay guys in Russia and they didn’t experience any issues at all. Every society has things in their culture that I can’t embrace - including Australia, but I can’t use that as criteria or else, well, where do I go?

 

[TheBOSman]

Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia
Yemen
Pakistan, Bangladesh
North Korea

The others I am up for, subject to they stop shooting in some.

This is basically my list.

I have a separate list of places I'm in no real rush to go to, or places I've been that I'm not rushing to return to. As an example, I've been to all 50 US states. A number of them are safely skipped without missing much . I wouldn't mind going if invited, but I'm unlikely to return to them of my own accord. Countries such as Turkey and Russia are on this list. I'm in no rush to go to either place (have flown Turkish Airlines and connected in IST though). If a great airfare and cheap hotel appears and things work out, I'd consider it, but otherwise in no rush at all for either place.

 

[Pushka]

MrP by virtue of his sporting work has been into the demilitarised zone in North Korea - into those huts they show on TV, they haven’t change since back in 1988; entered East Germany many years before the wall came down, and into Moscow around the same time - mid ‘80’s. His passport and visas at the time made for interesting reading.

 

[bPeteb]

We cruised recently with four gay guys in Russia and they didn’t experience any issues at all. Every society has things in their culture that I can’t embrace - including Australia, but I can’t use that as criteria or else, well, where do I go?

I know Pushka. If you don't look for trouble the odds are it won't find you but I've seen too many scary videos of angry anti-gay/ultra right mobs in Russia to be comfortable with where Russia is heading. I wasn't keen to go to China again due to their virtual annexation of the S C Sea and increasingly poor human rights record but we're off to Beijing later in the year because I can't blame the Chinese for their govt's decisions.

We're getting scared/risk averse and that sees our duck-it list growing. Turkey is now off our bucket list, at least at the moment while Egypt has moved from duck-it back to bucket. South America continues to attract us as a safe option but it's clear that's not an opinion shared by a number of posters.

After today's outrage in Florida should the US go onto the duck-it list?

What a crazy world we live in.

 

[jenib]

I don't think the overall level of racism in the USA has changed. Both before and after Trump there was and will be pockets where deeply racist views are the norm, and conversely there are places which are extremely welcoming to everyone. Traveling there doesn't mean you support the government.

Racism is not the main reason I am avoiding USA for now (but is one).

I am not prone to making purchasing decisions on a political basis but I prefer not to contribute my own dollars to the USA economy at the moment particularly when there are so many other great places to go. I know it is a molecule in an ocean but their tourism industry does seem to be suffering - they have dropped from second to third in the world wide rankings. Spain set to replace US as second most popular country for tourists and U.S. travel industry launches plan to reverse 'Trump slump' tourism decline

We have travelled there four times in the last five years. Actually I lived there as a child and my sister was born there - I even had an american accent and learnt to salute the star spangled banner every morning at school. I have no antipathy for most of the people.

Trump goes on about how wonderful he is for the economy - personally I fear for the long term consequences for the USA people of his isolationist approach. Travelling there does support the economy and thus his claims of being a great leader for America First.

I don't think it is any more 'amusing' than someone who decides to become vegetarian or vegan (which I am not) or to stop buying from companies who use slave labour.

 

[drron]

Yes Spain may overtake the USA in arrival numbers but will not overtake it in tourist receipts which surely is the most important statistic for the value of tourism for the economy.

World Tourism rankings - Wikipedia
Receipts come after number but in 2016 USA 1st with $205.9 billion.
Spain 2nd with $60.3 billion.

2017 figures not out yet so we really dont know if there really is a Trump slump.
But note Australia-doesn't make the top 10 in the Asia Pacific on numbers but 10th in the world on receipts.

 

[Boca68]

Sadly Russia. The treatment of the gay community scares us incredibly. We visited St P on a cruise a number of years ago and it was amazing but until things improve from an LGBTI perspective it will sadly remain a no. We always research 'is xx safe for gay travellers'. Russia comes back with more question marks than it used to.
Dubai. Why visit somewhere where you can end up in gaol for the most innocent of things. This can happen anywhere if you don't observe the law but this place is crazy.
Nth Korea like so many others, but really, is it even a realistic option for the average person? I know one person who has been there and she is far from average
Any area with open conflict.
PATTAYA (this would be 'never return to'), the most disgusting place we have ever been. This could be broadened to anywhere full of dirty old Russian/European/American/Australian men looking to have sex with young girls/boys.

Have to agree with Big Pete here. Although I would love to visit some places in Russia, my conscience stops me. Doubt its ever likely to change soon. Pattaya have never been, but the stories make me cringe. Also a no-no for me.

On the other hand, I would be fascinated to visit North Korea. Knowing it would be very controlled, a little bit of subtle subterfuge would keep my eyes open. Looking for anything under the shiny surface, curiousity more so, than a great desire.

Some of the West African countries, I'd shy away from too. Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast etc.. Mainly for reasons of political and local instability and health. Also Syria, Iraq for obvious security reasons. I hope it changes, but I won't hold my breath on that.

And lastly, the good ol' LOFTAP (USA) ....Will avoid it, but family connections might mean I have to grudingly go next year. But, been there 7 or 8 times, not much I miss, except NYC, oh! and baseball games. Go Giants! But the culture atm , makes my skin crawl. For various reasons.

 

[jastel]

I'll go anywhere once...

I have been to places I dont like but have also had a great time in places I thought were merely pass throughs or stopovers.

I like the protest crowd who wont go somewhere because of whatever.

More room for me.

Also funny how no one has mentioned places in Australia or boycotting our own governments questionable decisions...

 

[straitman]

How do you know those places are better? You only spent part of one day there, some years ago.

It was Oct 2016 and I can't see that its changed much in 16 months. The previous time I was meant to go there they had a bombing. I don't know that other places are better but I'm not trying for a 3rd strike at the moment.

There are currently many places higher on my list than Bali.

 

[amaroo]

Because we travel with our kids, the list long. Once they start their own life - nothing will be on the Duck-it list.

 

[RooFlyer]

Also funny how no one has mentioned places in Australia or boycotting our own governments questionable decisions...

How do you boycott your own country? I guess follow 'Germs' to London?

 

[straitman]

A friend of mine has just taken up an Aviation Advisor job at Sarklin Island Russia. First day there he said it was a hot day at only -8C but expected the second day to be a more normal -20C. The year round average temp is -1C.

I'm thinking that maybe I don't want to visit him whilst he's there.

 

[wandering_fred]

It was Oct 2016 and I can't see that its changed much in 16 months. The previous time I was meant to go there they had a bombing. I don't know that other places are better but I'm not trying for a 3rd strike at the moment.
There are currently many places higher on my list than Bali.

I agree on the many places more desirable. But for QFF members in WA alas DPS is one of the few places for cheap(er) connections and daytime arrivals into PER.


Just wandering
Fred

 

[Ralphie]

Anywhere in SE Asia. I’m just not interested in the weather, beaches or the food.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Same here. Gave my husband a choice of Utah and Arizona (photograph canyons ect) or South Africa, he picked Iceland.

We were in Nashville when Trump was there for a money maker rally, trying to enjoy our dinner at a local restaurant and a bunch of kids from Vanderbuilt Uni thumping tables, shouting Trump, Trump, Trump in their red naz_ caps. No thanks.

Oh no !! we are off to Nashville soon for a week after a week in DC...Love the USA (well most of it) and totally agree re comments on Trump, but you do need to be very careful about conversations with people, most people we have had chats with hated the Obamas...hard to keep silent in those situations... oh and I would not go back to Shanghai again, 9 days was way too long

 

[Denali]

Oh no !! we are off to Nashville soon for a week after a week in DC...Love the USA (well most of it) and totally agree re comments on Trump, but you do need to be very careful about conversations with people, most people we have had chats with hated the Obamas...hard to keep silent in those situations... oh and I would not go back to Shanghai again, 9 days was way too long

Dont despair, there was also a little girl about 10 with her mom, carrying a pro womens rights/anti Trump sign walking past our hotel that afternoon so not all is lost. Nashville was a lot of fun so enjoy!