Politically (in)Correct Destinations

[tdw]

Bit of a follow on from the Haiti - Cuba thread. Not looking for an argument on the pros and cons of specific regimes, indeed that is exactly what I do not want. More interested to know whether folk think it's a good idea or not to visit places whose governments we might find abhorrent or not totally to our liking. Doesn't matter which nation, which government, totalitarian or not, right or left wing irrelevant.

As an example, I was absolutely opposed to the apartheid regime in South Africa. Yet given the opportunity I would have visited the country in order to see for myself.

Any thoughts ?

[uspirate]

I would hesitate to visit places named phuket or Laos or Chile but am curious to check out places with names like Bangkok.

[camaraderie]

In this hemisphere...Venezuela and Cuba and Haiti are out for me.

[Morgan3820]

I would love to visit Cuba. I hear the beaches are wonderful and the people friendly. As far as the political issues, I ddon't think that Cuba is the only place that has some civil liberties issues. And talking about civil liberties, I don't feel it is the business of my government to tell me where I can or cannot go or how to spend what's left of my paycheck after I give Ceasar his due.

[uspirate]

Originally Posted by Morgan3820

I would love to visit Cuba. I hear the beaches are wonderful and the people friendly. As far as the political issues, I ddon't think that Cuba is the only place that has some civil liberties issues. And talking about civil liberties, I don't feel it is the business of my government to tell me where I can or cannot go or how to spend what's left of my paycheck after I give Ceasar his due.

here here!

[Faster]

The trouble with using a regime or a political situation as a criteria for a cruising destination is that it overrides the other qualities the area and the ordinary people exhibit.

As a Canadian I'm not enamoured with the Irag situation, or the protectionist softwood tariffs (in a supposedly "FreeTrade" environment) that are US government decisions and strategies. But I cannot recall meeting any US citizens cruising who were objectionable people, or even, in most cases, supporters of the above policies of their own country. (Keeping in mind it's possible to support the troops without necessarily supporting the mission - we have -and are losing - people there too)

I understand not wanting to support "corrupt" regimes with my tourist dollars, but as cruisers we really don't leave a big financial footprint where we travel, do we?

Wombat's point about South Africa is a good one - what a fascinating place that must be, and it would be rewarding to see it, and to see first hand the people themselves as they live their lives from day to day.

I think that if the regime or political situation brings visitors' personal safety into question that that would be the defining criteria of whether to go there or not. Rumoured piracy, for example, in Venezuala would be more off-putting than Chavez's rants.

In this world of mass media, the average citizens' points of view and beliefs are too often buried or lost.

[tdw]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

In this hemisphere...Venezuela and Cuba and Haiti are out for me.

Cam,
As I said, this was not an attempt to start a debate on the pros and cons of individual regimes but wouldn't you like to see what is happening first hand rather than relying on second hand reports ?

I have to say that I'd not go to some places (Ruanda being a classic example cos I'd be scared witless) but in most instances would like to see for myself.

[sailaway21]

There are a couple of Americans in Iran right now who wish they weren't. And they're not staying at the Intercontinental.

I think there is a big difference between South Africa under apartheid and Venezuala under Chavez, particularly if you are an American. Chavez is playing a dangerous game at home and one of the ways he is endeavoring to bolster his political position is by sounding the anti-American tocsin. I do not think I'd like to be in Caracas when he decides that he needs a couple of American "spies" for the evening news.

I love Sri Lanka, and would love to go back. Were I single, I might. Since my last visit, some time ago, the civil war has waxed and waned. I think I'd be a bit foolish to take my family for a visit to a country that's on the State Dept's list of places to avoid travelling to.

One of the things westerners, Americans in particular, are naive about is their "rights" in foreign countries. I know a fellow who was Chief Mate on a ship that had a longshoreman killed while working cargo in Iskendrun. for that he spent 7 years in a Turkish jail. He could have gotten the same had he hired a cab and had an accident resulting in death. It took seven years of behind the scenes State Dept work to get him out, and only then when he promised to return for trial. Now, if the "crime" and jailing don't get your attention, certainly the fact that, at seven years, he was still awaiting "trial" should. The naivete of Americans is that they think the US Navy is going to come steaming over the horizon and rescue them. That's not, in general, going to happen. Ad that's why the State Dept puts out advisories on the countries they deem to be unsafe to visit. The fact that most of them are totalitarian is probably significant, but we're leaving that aside.

Singapore is a wonderful place to visit. Keep your nose clean. If you do, you'll have no problems. If you think that gettin high is your God given right, and insist on doing it in Singapore, you could end up on the extended stay plan. I'd contrast that with Iran where, after surveying the dungeons, they find they're a Yank and an Aussie short this week, and you like like you'd fit the manacles with a minimum of iron work.

It's a big world, with plenty to see without an in depth involvement in the Red Sea piracy tour, or similar adventures. You wanna have a good time? Go to Canada and announce you've flown in for medical care. You've decided that there is simply no other place in which you'd rather have gall bladder surgery. By the time the canucks stop laughing, and buying you drinks, you'll be more worried about the state of your liver than any possible gall bladder issues.(g)

[camaraderie]

Wombie... I hope to visit Cuba one day again but will not break our laws or spend money to prop up a dictatorship that I feel is both corrupt and evil.
I'll go when things are better.
Venezuela is deteriorating now and there have been too many cruising incidents in the last year for me to consider it. I like safe cruising.
Chavez is really incidental to the issue even though he is developing into a real little putz.
Haiti is just a disaster and a dangerous place. Lots of nice places left to see before visiting any of these. I don't need to see for myself until it is safe and legal to do so.

[sailaway21]

btw,
Phuket is in Thailand, which also boasts the city of Bangkok.