Other than avoiding trouble spots and regions of instability in Africa, your journey should go well if you use common sense while traveling around Africa.
For most travelers to Africa, the main hassle is always finding how to best fit in as much as possible so as to avoid standing out which could lead to you being a target for hustlers and hawkers mostly in tourist areas who will be trying to sell you just about everything from safaris, to even drugs depending on where you are in Africa.
No need to wear old clothers in the name of trying to fit in. However with clean or new clothes lots of luggage, a little awkwardness, and if you are white skinned you are sure stick out like a sore thumb.
You could dress down a bit to avoid the attention and you certainly don’t really need long sessions on a sunbed before leaving home because by and large there is nothing much you can do to avoid looking wet behind the ears especially when you have just got to your destination.
To minimize on your chances of being conned or talked into buying stuff you might neither want nor need avoid buying stuff the likes of curios or suveniors for the first few days or until you at least have an idea how much stuff costs.If you must, try bargaining because often hawkers and street vendors might initially offer you goods at outrageous sucker prices.
When it comes to insecurity, robbery and theft rural areas of Africa tend to be extremely safe and until recently robbery and theft were unheard of. In Towns and cities it is a completely different story which act as magnets for rural Africans looking for a “better life” than their parents in the villages. Unfortunately the majority wind up eking a living by any means possible because jobs even for university graduates are very hard to find leave alone the semi-skilled or unskilled.
It should be a bit comforting to know though that even in cities with the worst reputations for crime in Africa, namely Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg, only a handful of travelers run into real problems. In fact travelers to Nairobi are often left wondering what on earth all the fuss about safety was about when it’s time to leave.
Having said that one should exercise caution especially walking in the streets at night because like any other city in the world, walking in certain areas unaccompanied at night could be asking for trouble.
There are certain areas a tourist or traveler should always be wary of. These areas are bus stations, crowded market places, the streets around ferry ports or docks,places with poor or nonexistent street lighting. In there areas avoid walking with jewelery and if you have lots of cash on you be vigilant and avoid any action that might signify to someone that a particular pocket has got valuables or a certain hand or backpack has got cash because pick pockets tend to target these.
Speaking of cash, avoid carrying cash. Most countries in Africa now have ATMs and you can search if the African country or city you are traveling to has ATMs.
Most of Africa’s ATMs tend to be either inside banks, or in shopping centers with security guards. Avoid lingering around once you have with drawn and take the same precautions you would take while withdrawing money anywhere.
Although chances of being robbed are slim should you be mugged, don’t resist, since the thief might have a knife or a gun. It should be over in an instant and you are unlikely to be hurt.You should go to the police station for a statement but don’t expect that the police will do a great job in getting your property back. Most of these policemen are often under paid,lack the resources or have more important stuff to deal with than investigate your “precious” camera.
It is worth noting that thieves caught in the act are usually mobbed - and occasionally linched so should you shout “Thief!” be ready to intercede once you’ve retrived your belongings otherwise the fellow who stole your purse could very easily lose his life for it.
Jerry Wanga is editor of http://naady.com is an online website on African Safaris and Balloon Safaris in masai mara and Tanzania. You can view more info on the website.
Tags: Travel
The Greek island of Skiathos has long been a favourite destination for holidaymakers looking for sun in the fun. Most tourists who travel to Skiathos do so with the intention of soaking up the wonderful weather, as well as the fascinating historical sights. Limited public transport on the island of Skiathos however, means car hire is more of a necessity than a luxury. Renting a car in Skiathos allows you to break free from the confines of your resort and experience the best of the island’s beaches as well as its rich cultural heritage. Skiathos boasts a total of 60 beaches, each serving up all the ingredients for the perfect lazy sun holiday. The attractions of Skiathos don’t end on its shores however. Driving inland with your Skiathos car hire and you’ll encounter history and nature at its finest. The following is a guide to car hire adventures on the paradise island of Skiathos.
Skiathos Airport Mini Guide:
Skiathos Airport is the main airport serving the island of Skiathos and is a major base for a number of international airlines including Olympic airlines, XL Airways and Monarch Airlines.
Things To See/Do in Skiathos:
With a stunning location in the beautiful Sporades Island group, it’s easy to see why Skiathos is such a big hit with summer sun seekers. Despite its compact size, (measuring just 6km in width and 11km in length), Skiathos offers visitors more than enough exciting car hire drives. Before hitting the island’s beautiful beaches, it’s worth exploring the sights of the capital Skiathos Town. Strolling along the seafront, you’ll be seduced by the wonderful seafood restaurants and sparkling yachts that line the marina. After a spot of sightseeing, it’s time to take a quick spin in your Skiathos car hire to one of the island’s 60 beautiful beaches. Koukinares is perhaps the most famous, an impressive 2km sweep of white sands and crystal clear turquoise waters. Here a wonderful array of water sports is on offer for active outdoorsy types.
Eating Out in Skiathos:
Greek cuisine may have found its way onto the dining tables of restaurants and homes across the world, but it’s always good to sample the local fare in all of its authenticity at a local taverna. No visit to Skiathos should be considered complete without sampling delicious treats such as freshly caught grilled fish, tasty Gyro barbequed meat in pitta bread and sugary sweet desserts such as marzipan, honey and almond sweets and crunchy walnut pie.
Day Trips/Events in Skiathos:
While on the island of Skiathos, take full advantage of cheap Skiathos car hire by including a trip to Kastro, the island’s pretty medieval capital in your itinerary.
Skiathos is renowned for its lively nightlife and social scene. Over the summer months, there’s always something exciting going on, whether it’s the traditional celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin (14th and 15th August) or the myriad cultural festivals taking place across the island, you’re guaranteed to be swept up in the party mood.
Fiona writes for Argus Car Hire and Car Hire Greece
Tags: Travel
The most popular yachting region in Poland is the Masurian Lakes District in the north-eastern parts of the country, which boasts thousands of lakes and a network of yacht harbors and yachting facilities. It is famous for its unspoiled beauty and natural wildlife. Sailing the coast along the Baltic Sea offers long-term potential as the marina network expands and gives the opportunities to reach the waters of Sweden and Denmark.
Poland, which was once ruled by a communist government, is a beautiful country located in Central Europe. Despite of its history, Poland is a haven filled with gorgeous lands and waters. There are many tourists that prefer sailing in Poland because of the country’s various spits, lakes, and seas. You can also find one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world when you are in the country. On these shores, you can anchor your yacht and add a moment of stillness in your vacation.
The Masurian Lakes District is the most ideal place to go when you are sailing in Poland. It only occupies a total area of 20,000 square miles, but you will never run out of things to do. You can always anchor your yacht or boat on Poland’s several lakes. This will give you more time to take a trip down to the country’s rustic farmhouses and peaceful villages. Moreover, you, your family, and / or friends can climb on any of the mountains that decorate the entire region of the country.
Poland is also located near the Baltic Sea Coast, which is truly famous not only for its sandy beaches and cool winds but also for its resort hotels. Poland’s hotel and tourism industry can guarantee you the most comfortable and relaxing stay in the country.
Moreover, there are a number of towns in the country that speak so much of the history and culture of Poland, particulary back in the days of World War II and Communism. Stargard Szczecinski, Kamienie, and Kolobrzeg are some of the areas where you can find monuments worth seeing. You can also drop by Leba and Slowinski National Park, which actually belongs to the biosphere reserve of UNESCO. It’s also renowned for its sand dunes that keep on moving depending on the gusts of the wind.
There are also varieties of birds that fly and even find their sanctuaries in Poland. One of the beautiful birds you will see in the country includes the Great Bittern, whose voice will never fail to astonish you. Crex crex are also abundant. They may not be as confident as the Great Brittern; but they are worth seeing anyway. The best times to watch these birds are in the springtime where they don’t only occupy the skies but also the different bodies of waters and islands.
The country has so much to offer to the world. As a matter of fact, sailing in Poland is just one of them. The towns, sceneries, tourist spots, and, most of all, their people are more than the reasons why you should take your next vacation trip in Poland.
For more info on companies offering yacht charter in Poland as well as many other popular sailing areas such as sailing in Greece visit D. Browall’s website http://www.sboats.com.
Tags: Travel