Safe destinations in today's global situation

Hong Kong is a favorite shopping getaway of the Filipino traveler from the upper-low bracket up to the mid-upper group. Plane tickets have certainly become so cheap that it's just the hotel accommodation and meals that one should really allocate a specific budget.  Then again, there is a wide choice of accommodations in Hong Kong. Onward, by train or by air to Mainland China, the Filipino traveler has started to appreciate the numerous sites and offerings this third largest country of the world has in store, not to mention the pretty pearls and pearl products in nearby Chu Hai, and shopping in Shanghai (the touted Paris of the East).  Yet, all this may not be a wise route to take vis a vis the growing tension between our two countries over contested territories in the South China Sea.

Bangkok is another nearby shopping haven, with the lures of beaches in Chiangmai and forests in Chiangrai, to boot. We all know the quality of Thai clothing and other crafts which are exquisite and relatively cheap. Of course, the Filipino palate has acquired the taste for spicy Thai cuisine and an appreciation of the richness of Thai culture.  And who has not indulged in Thai massage when in Bangkok, even a 30-minute foot massage after hours of shopping in the markets? But with the martial law now imposed in Thailand, we shall have to put Bangkok out of our travel options at this time...for how long, only God knows!

As a devout Christian, the Filipino traveler always has the Holy Land in his/her bucket list.  Touching one's feet on the same grounds that Our Lord had walked in His lifetime, of those of His apostles and martyrs, of His last days along the Via Dolorosa, is a once in a lifetime privilege that the Christian pilgrim aspires to achieve. Just like a Muslim prepares for the haj in Mecca. Yet, how many times has this package tour been shortened in the past due to turmoils in that part of the world? However, the current Syrian crisis has not really affected the itinerary of the Holy Land pilgrimages as these cover only Jordan and Israel.  Delmar Travel even has designed a package with mainly Israel, minimizing the cost for pilgrims.

Places that one needs to be in a tour group would include South Africa, Kenya, Russia and those areas where English is not spoken.  A walk-in traveler in a hostel -- if ever he/she can find one -- or in a restaurant, will find it next to impossible to get what he/she needs if English is not a language used by the people. (The first time I felt a claustrophobic panic was when I was in Moscow. I looked around the street signs and I could not read their script! I could really be lost in that situation.) Of course, one can argue in favor of online bookings yet these bookings give no assurance that nothing will go wrong once you are there. How will you solve a glitch when it happens?  Another thing, one must also be aware of dangers that are part of the whole destination, just like the dangers that are enmeshed with Metro Manila. Hence, it is best to join a tour group when in these places.  It comes out cheaper and more convenient altogether.

Exceptions to non-English speaking countries are Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, among the charming must-go cities) and France (Paris, Normandy, Provence among the top priorities to visit) because they have international chains of hotel brands that can help you book domestic connections and these are tourist attractions, so somehow, a FIT (free individual traveler) is safe to roam around at will.

I will be in Cape Town and Johannesburg -- with a tour group, of course! -- by June 07 till the 17th.  Looking forward to visiting Vasco da Gama's Cape of Good Hope in a bit, with its first class vineyards offering the best wines acknowledged in the gourmet world.

Travel safely and travel well!