Holiday in Cambodia Iraq

Italian Luca Marchio took adventure tourism to a new level recently, by taking a solo trip to Iraq.

“I am a tourist. I want to see the most important cities in the country. That is the reason why I am here now,” he said in heavily accented English. “I want to see and understand the reality because I have never been here before, and I think every country in the world must be seen.”

Mr. Marchio said he had intended on staying overnight in Falluja, but was forced to alter his travel plans. “The authorities explained to me that it was impossible because there are not any hotels here. They suggested a short tour and then go back to Baghdad.”

Piecing together an unusual travel itinerary from an unperturbed Mr. Marchio, incredulous Iraqi and Italian officials told the strange story of an accidental tourist.

As a collector, he was looking for a "My friend went to Falluja and all I got was this lousy coffee mug" souvenir for his friend back home. Next stop is Afghanistan for a Tora Bora fridge magnet.

Places I Would Never Travel To

A long time ago, a friend of mine got quite upset at me because I said, no matter what reason, I would never travel to an Arab country. He had just taken a job in sales as the middle eastern account manager for a company, and he was to expect at least two months a year being over there. That meant Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc. He viewed my objections as bigotry, closed mindedness, etc., etc.

I have met many people who have visited, and lived in Dubai. Most people have great things to say about it, and how open minded the people are there to westerners. (Though some people who have worked there have grumbled about how they were treated, especially the arrogance and laziness of their bosses.)

It doesn't surprise me to come across this story about an Aussie skipper who was jailed and no charges have been laid yet. (From the Australian Online)

He was celebrated upon arrival as a "crazy Aussie" who had sailed the boat from Geraldton in Western Australia, to the Cocos Islands, the Maldives and on to Oman, with a young crew of three. Now he languishes in Al-Amir, Dubai's central prison, having been arrested at his apartment on October 8, with no clear idea of the charges he faces, or how long he might be detained.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its consulate staff in Dubai had visited Mr McNeair six times in prison.

But it, too, has no idea how long he'll be there.

(...)

"It seems to change all the time," his mother said. "First, they talked about the alcohol, then about the air-rifle, then about assault against the girl. But they haven't charged him with anything and we're at our wits end. My boy's not a criminal."

The case comes after an Australian woman, Nasrah Alshamery, was detained in Kuwait, for allegedly insulting its emir.

I have been to Mexico where there is a risk that you might get framed up for something, but it least it's not a country whose religion views you as less of a person.

UPDATE: Partially on this topic, it seems that there is a trend these days of travelling to exotic and dangerous places. These are seen as more "authentic." For example a friend of my wife's took a trip to Burma with ther husband and two young children under the age of five. For god sakes, a military junta rules the place, wouldn't Hawaii be a better call?