Nobody in their right mind chooses a travel destination that may result in imminent danger, serious injury or even death. The world is fraught with peril however and geopolitical forces conspire to change the very state of affairs on the ground every day.
So for kicks, let us vicariously plant ourselves in some of the most hellish places in the world and imagine what it would be like to be stuck there … as a tourist.
In truth, we could just as well have put Albania as a whole. This Adriatic nation has not won any awards in the “safe haven for tourists” category lately. However, the border areas, particularly near Kossovo, are uniquely hazardous.
Where do we start? First of all, there is the landmine issue. Never fun to contend with and a major problem in the area. Political unrest is a ceaseless reality. Recently, there were several explosions at an ammunition depot near the village of Gerdec. As a result, 15 met their untimely death and over 250 had to be hospitalized for serious wounds. Many foreign governments then issued special travel alerts in fear of uprisals and violent demonstrations.
The problems in Albania, particularly along the Kossovo border, run much deeper than that however. Violent crime is at an unruly level. A terrible economy has provoked a sense of desperation among the people. Couple that with easy accessibility to firearms for ordinary citizens and the situation is a powder keg. Travelers in particular are targets. Thefts and assaults on anyone who evokes a sense of affluence have become common. Gangs and carjackers are prevalent on major thoroughfares. Sadly, police assistance and protection is way below acceptable standards. Long power outages are the norm and women are strongly advised not to visit the country alone. Did we mention that Albania is subject to earthquakes, floods and droughts?
Want to get close to Albania but still feel safe? Visit beautiful Corfu Island in Greece.
While on the continent of South America, Guyana has always had more in common culturally with the Caribbean. The only former British colony on the continent, it is for all intents and purposes, a West Indian country. The capital of Georgetown was even host to several first round matches in the 2007 World Cup of Cricket. Tourists however, may be in for a sticky wicket should they venture there.
Despite pristine natural beauty - Guyana is the most densely forested country on Earth, with neighbour Suriname not far behind - and burgeoning eco-tourism, it’s simply not prudent to travel to this frontier-like nation. With major socio-economic troubles and the constant threat of political regime change, residents are poor, restless and angry. Political demonstrations, riots and general instability are constantly on the horizon. One incidental spark could set off a chain of violent events. Major floods have plagued the country of late, with little international aid, let alone media attention, to help in the wake of the damage. As a result, a sense of resentment and hopelessness has heightened tensions.
Needless to say, crime is rife. Petty theft in particular but also more serious and violent assaults. As a rule, it’s best not to travel at night. Visitors are also advised to dress modestly and carry little on them in the way of money or electronic devices. With all that in mind, it’s probably best to stay away from Guyana altogether, at least for the time being.
Want a better bet in Guyana’s part of the world? Try Trinidad & Tobago.
Spirits were high when East Timor’s tiny Olympic team debuted at the 2000 Sydney Games. Unfortunately, fortunes for the nation now known as Timor-Leste have gone about as well as their medal count that year. Constant political and civil unrest has made non-essential travel virtually impossible. The situation has become so dire of late that most foreign governments have ordered visitors and tourists to leave as soon as possible.
It begins and ends with political squabbles. On February 11, 2008 President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot in his home. An attack on at least one other major government official was made at about the same time. Public reaction was unpredictable enough to warrant serious travel alerts and a curfew was subsequently imposed between 22:00 and 06:00.
The situation in Timor-Leste was cataclysmic even before the attack on the President. Civil unrest, roadblocks and clashes with international police had become commonplace. Basic transportation was and still is a risky proposition as a result, due to protestors, carjackers and angry mobs. Gang-related violence, vandalism and arson is now a prevalent reality, with foreigners the most attractive targets.
A new nation on the world stage will experience periods of instability. We understand that. But the situation in Timor-Leste is simply untenable.
In terms of a traditional vacation, Bali might be a more enjoyable destination in the area.
Azerbaijan-Armenia Border Area
It may be idealistic to hope for the UN Secretary-General to join hands with these two nation-states and belt out “Kumbaya” but hey, we can dream. The reality is that travel to either state is a sketchy proposition and has been for quite some time. Unfortunate because this area of the world is so unique in terms of cultural significance and ethnic diversity.
To begin in more general terms, basic infrastructure and security is poor in either country. What this means is simply that there are no guarantees in terms of personal safety as you navigate by public transportation, on foot or by personal vehicle. The rule of law is non-existent in many remote areas, chiefly near the border, and while Azerbaijan in particular is a secular state, Islamic extremism is alive among certain segments of the populace. The latter threatens to undermine the personal security of some foreign visitors.
Now for the unique situation that pertains to the de facto independent republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. The latter is a fairly sizable swath of land within Azerbaijan in close proximity to the border with Armenia. The political situation there is highly volatile and tense. The area has been in dispute by both nations for decades and because foreign nations do not recognize the sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabakh, there is hardly adequate protection for tourists. In fact, one cannot even enter the area legally from Azerbaijan.
Although a cease-fire has been in effect since 1994, border skirmishes between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue unchecked. As a result, travel to many areas is either highly discouraged or forbidden altogether. To leave or enter Azerbaijan via borders with Armenia, or Russia for that matter, is to play tag with land mines. However way you slice it, travel to Azerbaijan, particularly the border area with Armenia, is a hairy premise.
If you want a taste of the area, without the inherent hassles and dangers, why not visit Turkey instead?
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