Worst Country You Have Visited.

Submitted by Avebury on Fri, 2007-04-20 10:36

Hi,

I know there is a 'Best Country' thread currently running; but what is the worst country you have visited? Where do you advise me to avoid? an why?

And just to get the ball rolling and be controversial, my vote goes to Australia.

Steve.

koala

Fri, 2007-09-07 23:33

I had a romantic vision of it with tartan everywhere, green hills with castles etc. Instead it turned out the greyest place in the world. Grey Victorian buildings made of nomen omen greystone next to modern grey concrete, even the sand and the sea seemed grey. The lack of colour anywhere was so disturbing. And it was so cold I had to buy winter clothes in August!

'If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else!' Yogi Bear

AAB

Tue, 2007-09-11 16:32

Had to be the worst country out of 24 that I have visited so far. I had planned a family vacation and after the advise of a close friend arranged everything through a tour operator who came recommended by soemone in Morocco, turned out to be a cheat. With young children, the 11 days spent in July this year became quite long and tiring. Despite my repeated requests to the tour operator, there was nothing to do for kids. Although we found out on the last day in Marrakech that there was a water park for the families and it would have been quite a relief in the 48C heat. I have no hesitation in saying that even the Moroccan government is involved in cheating the tourist by designating and certifiying local hotels as 5 stars which would be no more than 2 stars internationally. And the 'Riad', the traditional houses turned boutique hotels are a rip off. Cheating is a way of life for the Moroccans and there is no relief for tourists whether its a restaurant, shop or a person walking on the street. Stay away from that square in Marrakech, it is nothing but a big meeting point for thugs and thieves.

I would not advise anyone to waste their time, money and effort in Morocco specially if you are planning a vacation with your family.

Squiddo

Sat, 2007-10-20 15:00

You should have gone to the hebrides - the sand there is stunningly white!

Michaeljinny

Tue, 2009-07-14 06:28

You can’t say it worst but yah; it is bit low in economy and all. It’s Bangladesh.

sugakisses7

Sun, 2009-02-01 07:25

And Where Excatly Are You From That Give You The Right To Say How Shit Scotland Is? Greyest Place In The World?
Righto! I Highly Dout It!
You Could Of Ended Up Alot Worse!

Yes You Would Have To Buy Winter Clothes In August Because Its Winter There Then!!!!! Idoit

UncleTravellingStu

Wed, 2009-12-30 16:01

Hi All

Just thought I would add a comment so we can get back to discussing travel rather than being bombarded with adverts in the 'In the Forum' Section.

My comment -

I loved and hated Morocco - My advice is to stay away from cities and you will really enjoy it. Its a beautiful country!

I cant say I have a 'worst country'. All are good if you have an open mind..

What do you think?

Barrybiblade

Sat, 2007-10-20 15:54

That wasn't sand it's snow.

LHRstarG

Fri, 2007-04-20 12:24

Adding to the controversial theme, my vote goes to French Polynesia. Why, you say, when it's in the middle of paradise, golden beaches etc etc.

All down to the people. OK, admittedly I was there just before they were setting off a bomb on Moruroa Attol, which I suppose gives them an excuse. So I think wherever you are, it's down to the people that you interact with...

Which reminds me of my best experience, so I'll post it over in the 'best country' forum...

swedalex

Thu, 2007-12-20 09:57

I respect your choice but of all the horrible places in the world you chose French Polynesia???

We all expierience countries in different way, i was just

astonished to find French polynesia in the worst list area...

Sripar

Thu, 2008-02-28 21:39

Well, don't forget that it was the french French that were testing the A-bomb, not the people in Polynesia... 

Anciano2

Tue, 2007-07-31 14:38

Thought Tahiti and its people were lovely, but got a bit bored and left before we had intended to.

leonleeusa

Wed, 2010-12-08 04:33

I have been to Russia twice because I speak in Russian. The second time was unpleasant. The cop is mafia. FULL of Nazi in street. All people are hating others. Everyone there asked me if I was hurt by Nazi,because of my Asian face. I don't know why the Russian travel agency in LA just applied 3 days visa for me and there's no return airticket. I have to take over night train to exit the country because no hotel accept me when visa expired. At the border the officer stopped me and bring me to see KGB (I don't know what's their current name). I stay there whole day without eating. Finally they let me leave. Never visit there again.

Evgeny_R

Sat, 2010-12-25 09:32

I'm from Russia, but I agree with you.

JanieB

Sat, 2007-04-21 12:07

I know they are not a country but the worst place for me was the Canary Islands - DULL, DULL, DULL.
Not too keen on USA either - mainly because they think it's fine to freeze you to death with AC even when the climate is perfectly acceptable.
Haven't been to Australia but would be interested to know what it has done to deserve it.

jb69

Sat, 2007-04-21 17:51

Must disagree massively with Australia. I spent a year there about 10 years ago and thought it was pretty amazing ... I'm talking about the scenery!! I made it to each of the states & territories and loved WA, NT & Tasmania, particularly. The Aussies themselves I generally found very friendly (even to a Pom) and the Aborigines I met also. I did dislike the East Coast intensely cos of the Poms on the Piss mentally ... and after a year of 'You Pommie Bastard', I found that tedious ... I just thought if you are going to take the piss, be more original!!

Anyway, that does not answer the question ... the only place I have been to and have no desire to go back to, although I may have to because it is a gateway into West Africa, is Morocco. I found the people aggressive (was actually followed into my hotel room and threatened by one) ... I found this sort of attitude pervasive as far south as Marrakech. Once that far south and further south, I started to enjoy myself more, but the damage had been done! I couldn't wait to get across to Algeria, which I adored!! I even went back to Morocco about 10 years later, with an ex-girlfriend who wanted to go. She thought the same as me ... she had travelled in other similar parts of the world and found the harassment worse than anywhere else ... unfortunately!

grahamytfc

Sun, 2007-10-14 14:57

Australia for me too, I thought it very very overrated I do not intend to go back

maajord

Wed, 2007-07-11 17:25

I agree totally, this guys are not trustable. Want a great arab country; Syria. Culture, good fod, history, real hospitable people, and probably the safest place I ever been. (USA, please do NOT bomb them)
Was in morocco last winter d.i 2006-07

xinghua

Mon, 2007-07-30 21:31

i totally agree with you on the amazing things in australia, i spent a year staying there, plus on and off travelling australia for work and holidays. i found that there are so many unexpected interesting things over there, but you have to explore.... like tasmania....love it.

but for morocco, i have been there for 3 times and stay for 10 days each times, i share your experience when i was in casablanca, but in marrakech and those other parts of morocco are very different. the people are look bad but warm, simple, friendly at heart. actually, they look quite unreliable but from my experience is exactly opposite the way how they look.

i thinks the most boreing place is canada, especially in vancouer, nothing to do, the city is no character, food are just big in porton.... boring

oulissfan

Thu, 2009-12-31 00:45

i was reading this thread and even though it was so old i tried to mention that Morocco is not bad; it's a very good place and beautiful country; the only problem is with some of its people and mainly the touristic places; you TRAVELLERS always go to the famous places and when you face a bad experience you generalize about the whole place and all people; try to visit the mountains; for example the Middle Atlas region and see how people will deal with you; it's incredible how generous are people in the mountains; i challenge anybody who can deny it; i'm not talking about hotels and the squares and that kind of stuff; i'm mentioned the REAL MOROCCO and REAL MOROCCANS who are living out of the touristic borders; those in hotels and big restaurants are just fake people and even the services and food they offer is fake since it aims to financial support.

another interesting aspect of travelling; those women who are travelling in other countries; for example in Morocco within a disrespectful dressing way complaining about men over here; how that come that a man who never sees almost naked women in real can control himself when a western woman is almost naked and passing nearby him??? surely he'll try to flirt with her and sometimes even to rape her because only SLTs who are dressing that way over here, so dear female travellers dress respectfully to the culture and PLEASE READ ABOUT THE CULTURE before heading to here. and for couples; don't kiss each others in front of people this really rude and you just give bad image about your nation even though i don't believe in nations at all...people are different worldwide; and as you meet good people be sure that you'll face bad ones too and no mater who you're and from where you came.

welcome back to Morocco at anytime and try to contact me and visit me to experience the real Moroccan culture and then judge but never generalize.

greetings from the and of peace & cultural exchange.
Rachid
peace & hugs

Travelbug

Sun, 2007-04-22 16:12

I hated it that much, we looked to get an earlier flight out of the place as soon as we got there and I have never done that before.

Over developed and looked like spain by the coast, too many high rise buildings. So many fast food places and some really aggressive people especially around tipping.

I guess i was expecting some really pretty unspoilt place and it wasn't.

Australia - Was okay, it just isn't a place I would rave about, as so many brits seem to and want to go & live there.

dm7062

Sun, 2007-05-27 15:13

I have to agree with jb69.Morocco for me is the only place I've ever been that I was completely underwhelmed by.The famed mystique of Marrakech I fear has disapeared.The local males were particularly sleazy (one felt my wifes a**e while I was standing next to her) and the cuisine is extraordinarily dull.Morocco seems to have tagines,couscous and kebabs and very little else.In terms of sights there are better Moorish sights in Spain, more interesting nomadic cultures in the likes of Jordan and Syria and more spectacular mountains than the Atlas almost anywhere that has mountains! I think the highlight for me was particularly good freshly squeezed juices-that says it all really.

moikall

Tue, 2007-05-29 23:49

Absolutely 100% agree. I was mentally & emotionally exhausted after a week in Morocco. Not to mention physically sick twice from food poisoning. I had read in the LP that Marrakech had something like a 96% non-return rate for 1st time visitors. It was not hard to see why. The people were mercenary, ingenuine and aggressive. I would have been happy to pay European prices for everything in exchange for simple manners, fairness and real smiles. Instead everything was a ridiculous barter with prices starting at 2 to 3 times what you might pay in Spain. People would follow us and insist they were our guides. Trying to take a picture of anything people would get in the way and ask for money for being in the picture. I had a monkey on a chain hurled on my shoulder as I was walking through that charmless main square --- this again prompted calls for money as it was apparently a 'lucky monkey'. Soon after a guy threw a snake around my neck and crossed it over like a rope then started smacking the poor thing's head up & down on my hand and claiming 'Kiss of snake,kiss of snake.Lucky,lucky!'. Not lucky for the poor snake which had had its teeth removed. We also found we were not welcome to wander the residential streets behind the souks. Residents would frown at us and finally we were shoo-ed back towards the square with a curt 'no tourists here'. Then there is the 'tipping culture' - apparently everyone wants a tip no matter how little they do. We ate out at one highly-rated restaurant in the town and after forking out £100 for a very average meal which was big enough to feed half the starving donkey population in the city we had no less than five staff loiter at our table for their own personal tip.

We made our way to Casablanca, Ouazarzate, Zagora and the seriously overrated Tinfou Dunes which was supposed to be part of the Sahara Desert (all two lorries of sand). Nothing was worse than Marrakech but nothing redeemed it either. In hindsight I'm sure we had it worse than most because we tried to do it independently in off-season with little French and no Arabic. Oh and if you are blond and a girl I suggest wearing a ring as you will otherwise be besieged with offers of marriage or less holy unions!

Stanislous

Mon, 2009-06-29 18:18

A lot of us who live here stay away from Waikiki... LOL
When you get away from the tourist places it gets better. Some people love Waikiki and think the neighbor islands are dull and boring. Others like the quiet and laid back.
Only a few of the locals have the 'tourist go home' attitude..... but it sure spoils it for the majority.

Why let the truth stand in the way of a good fish story?

Darkman62

Thu, 2007-07-12 09:08

Amen!!!

dan_travels

Tue, 2007-12-18 06:41

Well, you definitely picked the worst island to find those kinds of places. :) Oahu does have a few (Kaena Point comes to mind) but you'd be much better off on Molokai or Hawaii or even some parts of Maui and Kauai.

redder

Sat, 2008-02-16 19:51

Wow! I'm amazed by all the negative posts about Morocco. A friend and I just visted (Jan' 08) for several weeks. We rented a car in Casablanca and drove to Fez, Marrakech and Ouazarzate. My buddy stayed for another week and drove up the coast to Tangier. We had nothing but great experiences. We felt safe the whole time. People were very friendly and helpful. There certainly were "touts" in places that wanted to guide you around, but they didn't harass us after we dismissed them. We were told the faux-guides used to be a real problem, but that the police cracked down on them. I don't know if that's the case or not, but it wasn't a problem when we were there.

We did hire a guide to take us into the desert outside of Ouazarzate. They took us through many villages and small "towns" where the people were friendly and non-thretening.

Granted, Marrakech has its share of characters, but they were easily escaped by just ignoring them or heading back into the souks and getting lost in the colorful and virbant shops. Never were we accousted by the snake charmers or lucky monkey holders. It was pretty crowded there and the locals kept their backbacks on their fronts, so I'm guessing there is a good share of pick-pocketing around.

Overall, the food was great everywhere we went. Well cooked, nicely seasoned and very flavorful. You couldn't get beer except in hotel bars, but as usual, bottled water and coke was prevelant.

In the smaller towns and villages, I think you could have left your wallet on the street and they'd either return it or leave it alone! We traveled alone for most of the time either wandering around the streets or navigating the excellent roadways between towns and only experienced politeness and helpfulness.

 

I agree - when I first got there, people seemed unusually helpful. I'm immediately suspicious of such behavior because most of my travels have taught me they're after something! However, this didn't appear to be the case. On several occasions we were helped by someone when we were trying to find our way or pay for something. After a couple of genuine offers of assistance, I eased up a little and enjoyed the general helpfulness and friendliness of the people.

The desert was great as well - you wouldn't think there was much to see there, but between the nomads, the spectacular dunes and oasis, I can't wait to go back! We visited the dunes outside of Ouazarzate and I've heard that some of the areas further north aren't as spectacular.

The Atlas Mountains were beautiful - snow-capped and rising out of the desert. I live in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and I was impressed with the Atlas Mountains!

Additionally, the inter-city roads were great. Well maintained and patroled for speeders near every town. The "freeways' between the larger cities are spectacular. I found them cheap and very well maintained with little traffic.

Now, as with other Arabic countries I've been in, women travelers will probably not have the same pleasant experience that a couple of guys will. It's just the nature of those cultures. Personally, if I were a female, I wouldn't travel in these places without male company!

Otherwise, it's a great place and I'd go back in a heartbeat! I'm sorry to hear others didn't have the same great experiences I did.

 

magdabis

Tue, 2008-04-08 04:52

The worst country I've visited is India.

But I also wanted to say a few things about Australia 

I've been liveing in Australia for 3.5 years. I've travelled around a bit and I must say that 80% of the places I've seen so far in this country have disappointed me. The only place that took my breath away was Uluru.

Australian government is doing great job at promoting the country. Australian's tourist board's website is great, photos are fantastic, everything looks so beautiful. But when you actually get to the place it's rarely what you would expect it to be. Too much photoshop in those promotional photos.

Anyway,  Australia is - in my opinion - not as stunning as one could thinking looking at those  photos on www.australia.com In most cases it is very ordinary, especially east coast. If you are dreaming about Australia you could be disappointed (especially after spending fortune to fly over there and travel around)

getcarter

Tue, 2007-05-08 17:38

The Gambia

Nothing would entice me to go back there and have travelled pretty extensively during my life. Beaches were filthy and badly eroded by wave action. Bumsters were intimidating to the extent of not wanting to leave the resort and as a Met police officer I am not easily intimidated.

First night of hol got attacked by gang of five youths on way from local bars to hotel. Fought back and managed to keep hold of money belt but shirt and trousers ripped off and two broken ribs. Completely disorientated I sought directions to the hotel from another group of locals only for them to deliberately send me the wrong way where I was attacked by another group. Finally managed to get back to hotel bruised and bleeding in my boxers!

When I went to local police station to report it the next day there was a queue of Brits from a nearby resort waiting to report burglaries to their rooms. When local officers learned I was a police officer they seemed to think that they needed to impress me and dragged some poor bloke out of a cell claiming he was one of my assailants and promptly beat him up in front of me despite my protestations.

Banjul is the most disgusting, characterless, filthy, rubbish strewn,inhospitable city I have EVER been to.

panorama

Sun, 2007-07-22 08:14

Resort tourists may have a bad time in the Gambia- after all, you would be seen as someone really rich using their country as a playground. The Gambia is no picnic, thats true, and its certainly no resort location. Just because it's warm there during the cold northern winters does not make it a resort. It's africa, and that should be considered when traveling there. Anyone who gets sucked into believing that it's going to be some amazing tropical paradise should think about where it is first. I spent a couple of weeks in The gambia, met cool people, never had a problem. Of course, as in all of west africa, you get people trying to be your 'friend' and actually just wanting money, and there are very persistant touts and trinket sellers, and I have heard of, though never seen, the occasional- though often overused and easily recognizable- scam artists. Banjul is a pretty dull town, as are many capital cities, but the question is, what did you go there for? Were you sucked into believing that you were headed to a beach paradise? (yes, the beaches suck and have treachous rips). I did see alot of package tourists in Gambia- most complaining and complaining...also, often treating the locals like crap- do that anywhere and you are headed for trouble. I am not saying Banjul or the Gambia are great travel destinations, though they are certainly not the worst.
Try Lagos Nigeria, Dakar senagal...

EricaTheRed

Thu, 2007-05-17 13:42

Shit! Excuse the language, but my God, you poor thing. Hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

mudmaps

Mon, 2007-08-20 16:04

Agree completely! Nothing but massive corruption and very angry poele.

Amongst other things I was physically attacked for choosing a taxi driver who negotiated a better price.

indri

Thu, 2007-08-30 11:42

That must be a one off. I had no problems in The Gambia and found it to be a friendly country. I found the wildlife pretty interesting too.

Swansway

Sat, 2007-08-25 09:14

Sorry to hear about your bad experiences, I have to say I rather liked wandering round the Gambia. The market in Serrakunda is amazing - lots of colours and smiling faces. Banjul was nothing special, but I wouldn't rate it that bad. If you like wildlife, especially birds, then The Gambia is a great place to visit.
Worst places - everywhere has some redeeming qualities... Probably Vietnam and Israel: the people really do make it or break it!
David

EricaTheRed

Thu, 2007-05-17 13:40

I know people who love this island and go back time and time again, but for me it held all the charm of a wet day on a British pier.

I stayed in a bad area I think - Qawra. Dreadful. Full of the worst kind of British tourist. I knew I was in trouble the minute I saw fruit-machines in reception and porn on telly in the family bar!!!

My friend and I were subjected to a daily ritual of verbal and gestured harrassment from the local guy on his balcony across from our hotel room, which later progressed to following us about, and eventually ended with him confronting me on my sunlounger about why I hadnt succumbed to his charms.

He was the worst of the 'romantic' locals, but there were many others.

All in all, quite an adventure.

Galathumpian

Wed, 2007-05-30 17:48

Has to be Nigeria, for so many reasons I'll need time to list.
Bert

Kando

Tue, 2008-04-08 01:55

Nigeria? Somewhat bad but can't count it among the worst - unless you expand your list. Was there for a while before the trouble in their oil Delta. The infrastructure is in ruins - like most of Africa - but the people are absolutely fabulous. So warm and friendly that sometimes you feel they defend foreigners against their own.

jmiele3

Sat, 2007-06-02 12:27

Bucharest was just loads of sh*ts and giggles. Robbed twice in three days. Good looking women, though.

Mullally

Thu, 2007-07-12 10:52

Bucharest was one scary place back in the early 90ies. I really want to go back now though. I was only 12 when I went there... We got robbed, and there were kids my age high on glue everwhere. It was so sad... But people tell me things are better now, so I really want to go back!

davidatkinson071264

Sat, 2007-06-02 20:19

Not strictly a country as it was conquered by England in the 1300 s but Wales or to be more specific north wales which doesn't have any rugby players in their so called national team.

Nigel-Lewis

Wed, 2007-10-31 10:31

In response to David Atkinson re Wales. (posted 2/6/7)

England, though not strictly a country as it was conquered by William of Normandy in 1066.

N

Barrybiblade

Wed, 2007-10-31 11:16

England not strictly a Country ! It's made up of past Saxon Kingdoms which united. Oh, didn't the Saxons come from what is now part of Germany. If memory serves me right weren't there Vikings that invaded as well, and Danes like Canute. So how can you blame the ENGLISH for the woes of Wales. Get your genes tested or research your family history you might get a shock.

Nigel-Lewis

Thu, 2007-11-01 11:04

You obviously missed the point of what I said, or didn't read the post I referred to.
An earlier post stated that Wales was not a country, because it had been conquered by the English in the 1300s. To show how ludicrous a proposition that is, I have drawn a parrallel with the Norman conquest. Of course England is a country. So is Wales. That was all I said, but in a more subtle fashion.

Interesting that you mention sheep. I believe there are more In the North of England than in Wales, but hey I'm no sheep expert.

I'm not anti English, but neither do I welcome those that are anti Welsh. It's a little dissapointing that those who have singled Wales out as the worst country have said little or nothing of why they think that is so. I'm sure there are Woes in Wales, same as any where else. But how did you make the leap that I blamed anyone? Woes were never mentioned by me at any point.

I'm sorry if your feathers were ruffled, that wasn't my intention. But please read the earlier stuff before you rant. Don't get sucked down the line of becoming abusive, it will only make you feel good for a short time and will eat out your soul.

N

Sorry, forgot to mention, Irish descent on my mothers side, English great grand father on my fathers side. My children have a tiny bit of French from about 4 generations back on their mother's side.
My brother has done a really good job of researching our family tree, so I won't bother with the gene testing.

N

Nigel-Lewis

Fri, 2007-11-09 00:15

RE Comments by Barrybiblade, 31st october. (Rant about England / Wales.. seemed to have missed the point)

Can't believe you were so far off the mark, then refuse to comment further when it's pointed out to you. Answer your pm's.
Bad form.

N

moikall

Sat, 2007-12-15 00:15

good answer

Mancsaint

Sun, 2007-07-08 15:42

Planned a 7 day stay but lasted 3, the first flight I could get out.

It started off at arrivals when several local women barged in front of me at the immigration queue as if they had priority, then being told by the official to go through customs, to the bank in the arrivals hall to get money for a visa and then return to him for the visa.

Horrendous noise of building next to my budget hotel.

Tunis Air refusing to sell me a oneway ticket to Cairo because I only had a ENTRY VISA to Egypt, and they interpretted TRA in their instructions to mean TRAVELLING not TRANSIT. They said I was travelling to Egypt therefore needed an onward ticket. Even the so called manager insisted on the same.

When paying for said ticket to Cairo, and on to Istanbul (as demanded), they said they did NOT accept credit cards so I had to go to a bank and cash a 100 pound TC. Then they said yes they do accept credit cards so (unfortunately) I used mine.

Got to the airport and tried to exchange the cash I got for the TC only to find they would only exchange back 30% of funds , at 0630 I was trawling the airport to see if I could get hold of some exchange certificates so I could get get more back. Ended up with 45 pounds worth of Tunisian soft currency which was good for toilet paper outside Tunisia.

Went to Tunis Air in Cairo to get refund on Istanbul leg but was told I'd have to go to Tunis !!!!

Waited till I got to London and went to Tunis Air, Savill Row and the Tunisian girl seemed very helpful in arranging refund so gave her the Tunisian rubbish and told her to have a meal with her husband, on me, when she returned there. Probably could've bought the restaurant.

On my return to Australia I checked my credit card statements only to find I'd been debited again instead of credited. As I worked in the credit card department of an Oz bank I was able to track down the stuffup and after 2.5 years I got my refund and adjustment, unfortunately the Oz dollar had appreciated so much against the Tunisian toilet paper that I got back approximately 25%.

An atom bomb on Tunisia would do billions of dollars worth of improvements ;0)

Sean

TwoCrabs

Sun, 2007-07-08 18:30

I cannot agree more with Moikall. We took a overland trip from London to Marrakech on train and ferry via Paris, Sevilla, Gibraltar, then over to Tangier and finally Marrakech.

I've been to Iraq, Afghanistan and a couple of other third-world, war-torn countries and none of them compare to the horrible experiences we had in Morocco. Every Brit we met in London urged us to travel to Morocco. So we finally went. Wish we had stayed in Spain.

If you travel to Morocco via ferry, your first experience in the country will be Tangier. They say first impressions are everything. And believe me, this is no exception. Everywhere we went, we were accosted by hustlers, faux guides who would follow us and then demand money. I asked a man for directions and he immediately took this to be a contract that I was hiring him as our guide. He refused to leave us even after we told him to go away. He threatened to bring the police if I did not pay him. I called his bluff and said I would gladly accompany him to the police station, and he finally backed off and walked away. I stopped to take a picture of a fortress ruin and a man ran over and began giving a historical account. I knew where this was going and I immediately told him I did not need a guide. He launched into a vulgar tirade and called us every name in the book in English, French, Arabic and Spanish. We literally had to run away and into a restaurant to get away from him. When we left the restaurant FOUR HOURS later after dinner, he was still waiting for us. Had to call a taxi to go the few blocks to our hotel to avoid that man. Another time we got lost in the souk and I asked somebody for directions. The person kindly, I thought, pointed the right way, then demanded money for pointing.

The train to Marrakech was actually not too bad, because it was cheap, no less comfortable than a UK National rail, and we were sitting with two pleasant French Moroccan girls who we chatted with in broken French & English who helped us with train changes in Casablanca.

But once we arrived to Marrakech, it all went downhill from there. Our riad (pension/B&B) hotel had no record of our reservation. We finally found a place, but paid much than we had budgeted. The main square in Marrakech is filled with hustlers and scam artists who will waste no time running over and throwing a poor sickly-looking monkey, snake, parrot or other abused animal over your shoulder. If you ask for a glass of bottled water, three waiters will appear: one to carry the bottle, one to open the bottle, and one to pour the bottle into your glass, and all three will expect a tip. And if you are not getting tipped to death, you're getting cheated. I got taken by one of the oldest tricks in the book by a waiter in a cafe who pretended to be doing me a favor by breaking a big bill for change, then realized much later that I had been ripped off. In another souk, we caught a boy no older than 8 years old trying to riffle through my backpack. As for alcohol, only upscale hotels serve beer to tourists. If you are a woman and walk into a local bar which are always full of leering old men, people will assume you are a prostitute. We finally found a semi-upscale hotel that served alcohol, but it was full of drunk British tourists playing stupid games that only drunks on guided tours ever play, like fancy dress karaoke contests. Granted that's not exclusive to Morocco but the sight of a sunburned pink fat guy in a toga singing 'Like a Virgin' added to the bad experience.

I could go on and on, but I'm having post-traumatic flashbacks just writing this post. I still can't fathom why all my London pals are enamored with Morocco. Even scarier is some people who are considering retiring there. Unless I was being paid to go there on a business trip, I will never step foot in Morocco as long as I live.

spantrout2

Tue, 2007-07-10 12:33

Generally found the population to be overbearing, noisy, ill mannered and racist. I would except Jerusalem and Akko from my criticisms (nice places) apart from that nothing of interest to see unless you are of a religious ilk.

Crow

Wed, 2007-07-11 17:52

Granted, this was just weeks before they had a revolution, but I have never felt so unsafe in my life... and I grew up in New York City! Everyone had automatic weapons, armed guards in every store (some looked like 15 year old boys), no one would let us walk anywhere as they told us it was far too dangerous after dark to go even the shortest way, signs at the airports: 'Please check all guns and knives here before boarding...', at our hotel we were escorted by an armed security person from the elevator to our room and he would even test the door behind us to make sure it was locked. And that doesn't even take into account the ever-present, garish, and pathetic bar girls... We were on a jaunt through SE Asia and had to reschedule our flight out because we hated being in the Philippines so much.

glaird

Fri, 2007-07-13 17:40

I remember going to Manila on short breaks from Thailand in the 1970s when it was wonderful, seemed to be safe and was huge fun. These were the days on curfews during the Marcos era. I have no desire to go there again after several visits in the past decade when Manila was dark, dirty and definitely did not feel safe at all. What a shame.

maria_000000

Mon, 2010-11-15 06:09

if you dont like philippines , Philippines DONT AND NEVER LIKE YOU either..:DDDDD LOL

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