I'm planning a big trip somewhere in the world this year. The wife is pushing for South Africa, which sounds cool, but I have major concerns about safety. Anybody been there?
South Africa
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I think Lethal Weapon 2 can tell you everything you need to know about South Africans.
I know that isn't helpful, but I couldn't help it.
Besides South Africa, what else is on the table?
It seems like the trip to Mexico doesn't really fit with the other two, because of travel distance. I think Australia would be a fun choice, but I don't know anything relevant about South Africa.
In another month I can tell you more about the Florida Keys.
I'm going to dive with Great White Sharks and those are the three best spots to do so.
Florida keys are fun. Fishing is good.
That sounds crazy, but I like your style. If I tried that I think I would end up swimming in a cloud of brown water.......if you know what I mean.
Not a big fisherman, but some deep sea fishing would be fun. Catch me a lunker.
I caught a sailfish on our visit, it was a lot of fun reeling that thing in. If you have a chance, check out Little Havana in Miami. It's pretty cool.
My wife has always wanted to go on safari and there is a famous wave I wouldn't mind surfing in SA, so we can knock those out if we go there. I just need to figure out if it's safe (crime-wise) or not.
Australia would be cool, it's just so big and the dive spot is way out in Western Australia so it might be difficult to squeeze everything we would want to do into one trip. We will be leaving the kids here so we'll be limited to 7-10 days.
Mexico is close by and might be the best diving, but it's a total of five days on a boat and the wife wouldn't join me.
I would suggest New Zealand. Although, I had a roomate for some years who was from south africa, and I believe that you can find some safe spots for travel.
Sooo you are worried about South Africa being dangerous, but you are going to go diving with sharks..............:wideeyed:
I know it sounds silly.........
I'd rather jump in the water with a shark than deal with some of the criminal types that I've heard are in abundance in SA. It's the same reason I don't go to Tijuana anymore or certain neighborhoods here in Southern California.
I've had several folks recently tell me it's perfectly safe, then I went to the US Govt travel page for SA and they list all sorts of concerns. I'm just trying to figure out if the govt is going over-board or if the safety connern is real.
I personally haven't been to SA yet but it's on the list for the future. Know people from SA and others who have gone and it sounds like the same advice I'd give anyone coming to Chicago. Stick with the touristy areas in J'Berg and other big cities and you should be fine. Should be fine on safari. Check out some rugby if you go.
I've been to Aus (Cairns for diving, Sydney) & NZ (Queenstown) and had a blast.
Went to SA last year. I spent most of my time working in Johannesburg and that is definitly not the place to go...dirty and full of crime. I was working with a big accounting firm down there so all of thier stuff was in gated areas that were fabulous and very safe but getting from point A to Point B was pretty hairy. You pull up to stop signs and there are signs that say "High Incidents of Carjacking have been reported in this area...keep windows up and valuables out of site". Capetown is a different story as they keep it very clean and it has a very western feel. The beaches are really nice and its very modern. The flights to SA are pretty brutal....9 hour flight followed by an 11 hour flight was about all i could take. I diden't have time for a safari but they say the ones down by Capetown are safe and well worth it.
Wherever you go....have fun!!
Wherever you go....have fun!!
I've been to South Africa a few times for work. I'll echo the last reply on Capetown...one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to with Table Mountain as a backdrop to the harbor. Great bars and restaurants near the harbor too. Plus just over the mountain to the east is Stellenbosch, their wine region with vineyards and plenty of Dutch style houses and architecture.
I'd go back in a minute and never felt at risk.
We just got back from a short trip to the Island of Madeira. What a place! Absolutely spectacular scenery, perfect weather, no crime, not really "touristy", just authentic, friendly people who are very friendly. The weather is right around 65-70 degrees. Food was fantastic and it was also reasonable. Only thing it doesn't have are the sandy beaches. Would go back in a heartbeat!
Thanks. The more I speak with people the more it sounds like if you stay to the tourist areas and don't wonder off on your own you should be o.k. Didn't think about the wine country, could be something to look into. Cape Town would be the hub of the trip, the shark diving is right there and it sounds like they have safaris in the area. Table Mountain is an option as well. I would just need to figure out how to get over to Jeffrie's Bay / Port Elizabeth.
