Continuing the current dangers of foreign travel theme, I feel compelled to share with you a common yet lesser documented danger.

I recently posted an article about a certain transport dilemma in Bolivia , and swiftly followed up by questioning the accuracy of cautionary ‘CYA’ captions pasted in so many of our guidebooks . In essence, I asked if it’s prudent to blindly follow these warnings to the letter without first conducting our own additional, independent research on so-called danger hotspots.

One would think with so many excessive warnings and cautions, Guidebook authors would have had all bases covered, so to speak, a long time ago. But no, it seems that the travel penmen (and ladies) have been whipped up into such a frenzy conveying the risks of Bilharzia and Bear Attacks that they have tended to overlook another (arguably more prevalent) danger associated with foreign travel. We are talking electrics, or, to be more precise, dodgy electrics.

We would do well to remember that not all countries have the same prohibitively stringent electrical regulations as, for instance, the US or the UK. And, as an ex-electrician and regular traveler, I can vouch for this. To list every form of electrical danger would take a lot more time than I am willing to spend on such a subject, so instead I shall cut straight to the main offender – the budget hot shower.

Hardcore backpackers need not worry, as cold water versions obviously present no immediate dangers other than slimy floors and the odd leech. Flashpackers and luxury travelers may also rest easy as the extra dollars they are willing to fork out could well afford them an adequately funded, safe installation within their guesthouse or hotel. It’s the in-betweenies that more often than not fall foul of this phenomenon. Those that spend the minimum necessary to upgrade from torrents of cold water to trickles of hot water in backpacker flophouses should be very, very afraid. Well, if I were to heed my own advice about sensationalism in the second paragraph, they should at least a little concerned…

Remember that, as with most things, you get what you pay for and in this instance you may well get an additional surprise. When opting to crash in a budget flophouse, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that one may encounter a budget installation or two.

But don’t let this put you off the odd treat altogether. If its hot water that you want in the mornings, then go for it – but do exercise caution.

Rule number 1 is don’t fiddle with any setting on the shower head with the electric on, the water running, and you underneath it. Rule number 2 is don’t fiddle with any setting on the shower head with the electric on, the water running, and you underneath it. In theory it should be safe, but that’s not always the case.

If the shower does become a little more invigorating that you had anticipated, then be sure to (politely) let the proprietor know afterwards. They simply may not be aware of the problem, and may rectify it before someone else gets the same treatment in days to come. Even if managers don’t do anything about it, it’s not because they haven’t been made aware, and you can rest easy knowing that you have done your bit for future guests. Karma.

Alternatively, if after reading this you subsequently get spotted in the shower wearing nothing but rubber gloves and a big, cheesy smile, then all you need do is claim that you are simply safeguarding yourself against yet another danger associated with foreign travel.

Stay clean, stay safe, and have fun. Adios.

Often we hear about the dangers associated with foreign travel. Lonely Planet guidebooks and Rough Guide series devote pages to them, and insurance underwriters no doubt get their kids through college on them.

From the moment we set off we are left believing that if the earthquakes don’t get us, it’s inevitable that the robbers probably will. Just have a scan through the Dangers and Annoyances pages of, for instance, any Central American Guidebook and you’ll see exactly what I mean. The reader will be obliged to re-check the front cover to ensure they haven’t picked up a copy of Dante’s Peak by mistake. Read the Travel Guide to Indonesia and it’s exactly the same, but this time with The Poseidon Adventure.

Now, I must make it clear that whilst I’m not pooh-poohing or pointing fun at these guidebook warnings, or the devastating effect that the subsequent realisations have on those directly or indirectly affected by such misfortunes, we must endeavour to remind ourselves that just because the risk of crime or catastrophe may be higher in other parts of the world it doesn’t mean they aren’t a forgone conclusion, and it won’t automatically happen to us. It’s a sorrowful fact that bad things do happen, but their discharge may not be quite as pervasive as some of the travel guide warnings lead us to believe. Everybody wants to cover their own ass – this includes Guidebooks and, if you read the last sentence again carefully, me too!

When planning a trip it’s imperative that one does more in depth research into countries hazards than simply flicking through the dangers section of the associated Guidebook. By all means take note of them, but cast your net a little wider whilst researching. The internet is the best up to date resource we have, and it would be folly not to pimp it for all its worth. Here are a few resources to consider when in the search of the truth.

Personal Pages – A valuable yet often overlooked resource – we’re talking Travel Blogs here. Study entries for your targeted countries, and, of equal importance, glean what you can about the author. For this, it may well help to read any past entries about places that are familiar to you. In doing so the reader may gain a better understanding of the accuracy of this basic form of reportage. Does the author appear reckless? Is it all a little exaggerated or too flowery? Do they seem too easily pleased? Inversely, do they come across as incessant moaners? These personal influences are all factors that will give each blog its inevitable spin. If you see a trend emerging then either keep this in mind or simply move on to the next blog in your list.

When reading an entry, be objective. Look for indications of possible dangers. Do the authors give the impression of unease at any time? And, if so, what caused it?

Another important factor is the date it was published, so check post dates. For obvious reasons, focus where possible on the most recently written threads. They don’t have to be written in, say, just the last week or month, but clearly the most up to date accounts are preferable. Not dissimilar to our home countries, things change just as swiftly abroad.

The next two internet resources have similar things in common. They are both extremely current, both exceedingly useful, and both begin with ‘F’. Yet, in another way, they couldn’t be more different.

Forums – These long time traveler favourites see a meeting of minds like no other. Some surfers bring years of knowledge to the table, others bring enough hot air to successfully complete a round-the-world ballooning challenge. Despite the presence of these cockroaches they can still be a productive resource.

Many safety questions maybe already be answered within the Forum or at the very least have links toward appropriate sites. But, failing that, post your question and wait for the inevitable reply. Travel Forum surfers are generally a helpful bunch and even if they don’t know the answer they may be able to point you in the direction of someone who does. Again, like with all other internet resources, it’s still prudent to gain as many different opinions as possible to ascertain the general consensus. Just because one person ‘claims’ to have single-handedly trekked across the Darien Gap it doesn’t mean by any stretch of the imagination that it’s a safe or wise move to do so – remember to keep the bullsh*t detector switched to ‘filter all’.

If you can rise above the odd bit of bitching, backbiting and one-upmanship that does unfortunately occur in these places then you will have the world at your fingertips. Two good starters that receive constant heavy traffic are BootsnAll and Lonely Planet, with Fodors, Bug, TravelersPoint, TravBuddy, and TravellersConnected being worth a look too. There are plenty more worthy forums out there, so Google them up and make them work for you.

Foreign Office Website – The second ‘F’ word is noteworthy not only for the regularly updated information, but for insurance purposes also.

Be sure to check the small print of your insurance policy as you may well find that, unbeknown to you, your chosen insurance could be invalid for travel within certain countries.

A number of companies use the FO Website as their reference. If the FO advise against travel, for whatever reason, to a country then you may find that if something nasty happens during your time there that the insurers will have a custard pie – with your name on it – ready and waiting to be deployed. So, read the small print.

Of course, Travel Guidebooks do still offer some useful planning information, especially for those short on time, but we would do well to remember that they are just a guide – and not a holy scripture, or an unyielding authority that must be adhered to at the expense of all other resources.

Among other things, a big part of travel is about discovery, but just how much can we actually discover if we continually abide by each printed rule and recommendation in a Guidebook? One, single book. Even during planning, surely its better to gather as much information as you can – independently, and from the widest possible variety of sources – to help put you in the picture. If you don’t, you may just miss out on something special.

This deadly 35 mile stretch between La Paz and Coroico – rightfully nicknamed El Camino de la Muerte, or The Road of Death – is estimated to claim the lives of 200-300 users every year. It’s easy to see why this highway has been labled ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Road‘.

And it’s even easier to understand why tragedies along this particular Bolivian road are so frequent. The coalescence of 900 meter sheer drop-offs, wickedly tight hairpin bends, narrow gauges, and unsealed roads littered with debris from the hillside above simply compound its inherent treachery. And the rain and thick fog that can swiftly envelop the mountainside doesn’t help much either.

“But what about guardrails?” I hear you holler. Guardrails…? No bastante, amigo.

But where there is danger, so shall you find thrill seekers. In recent years, Bolivia’s road of death has seen a considerable increase in the amount of people that actually traverse it for fun.

Now, if you think the buses sound like suicide in a tin then I urge you to read no further.

The foolhardy, or otherwise charmed individual, can now risk meeting their maker along the road of death in another altogether more novel way. Gravity assisted Mountain Biking. Yep, I’m serious.

Adrenaline junkies can now sign up for this white knuckle extravaganza with one of several adventure companies operating within the area. Further information on this extreme downhill mountain biking can probably be Google up by typing “Bicycle”, “Insane B*stard” and “Death wish”.

As for me, I’d prefer to cross my fingers, stuff my backpack full of four leafed clovers and lucky rabbit’s feet (lucky, of course, unless you happen to be that rabbit) and stick with the bus. Activities along the highway of death are clearly best left to those with nerves as robust as their travel insurance.

I do, however, reserve the right to change my mind. It’s been reported that a new road, also connecting La Paz to Coroico, in almost finished. This latest development will no doubt come as welcome news to those that ply Bolivia’s Road of Death, and, of course, to the growing number of daredevils that fancy their chances on this increasingly popular downhill racetrack.

After a quick toot on the web I have a few links about Bolivia’s Road of Death for you:

Firstly, I would like to thank Marko Petric for the use of his pictures of Bolivia’s Road of Death. These photos, plus others, can be found on his Webpage.

For more information and pictures of the Road of Death, and a fistful of other dangerous highways, read Avi Abrams article on the world’s most dangerous roads here.

Please note: If you are already thinking of hopping on a flight and subsequently hitting the track, you may wish to read this, too.

To some, the thought of setting off into the unknown with little more than the pack on your back and a good book for company may sound like purgatory, but others wouldn’t want it any other way. So, should you travel solo, or with others?

Both ways have their own merits, yet equally, they both have their pitfalls. Having done both, here’s my take on the pros and cons of solo travel, along with tips to successfully go it alone.

First of all, let’s get really negative.

The ‘L’ Word – It is sure to vary from person to person, but every solo traveler will experience a lonely moment or two. Its inevitable. There are ways, however, to deal with this. During these periods, endeavour to be a little more proactive. If you are in an area exposed to substantial backpacker traffic then why not book on to a group tour for the day, or check into busier accommodation such as a hostel? A quick company fix may be all that’s needed to shoo away the demons.

If, however, you do have a particularly fervent social inclination, take this into account when planning the trip. It may be wise to focus more on established backpacker trails with their boundless opportunities for intercourse er, discourse. Furthermore, whilst on the road, make it a consideration when picking accommodation to look for places that have communal areas so to increase the possibilities for interaction.

Fancy Yankee Dollars – A subject close to every backpacker’s heart. Traveling solo means spending more of them. It’s all too common for many places to charge by the room, not the amount of people. Single rooms, if on a different tariff, will not usually come in that much lower than a double. Accommodation-wise, over time it does work out more expensive to travel alone than if you were to split room costs with your companion. Its fact that leaves me feeling cheated, embittered, and generally a grumpy old man – which is probably why I find myself traveling alone in the first place. There’s sometimes the option to share with others, but if its solace you want then the bullet has to be bitten. Bah, humbug.

Beast of Burden – Like hand grenades, there are other things also made for sharing. Medical kits, toiletries, and books are but three examples. But if there is no-one to share them with, you must carry them yourself.

Safety – It’s indisputable that traveling alone may involve slightly greater risk than traveling with others – but we must keep this in perspective. There will be greater safety in numbers, but, for the solo backpacker, a few extra precautions taken on the road will reduce the risks significantly. For instance, if avoidable, don’t plan to arrive in a new location at night, travel on busy public transport – preferably with other people you have become acquainted with – and attempt to blend into your surroundings as much as feasibly possible.

Your Best Friend – You will be joined at the hip (almost literally) to your pack. Where you go, it goes. There’s no leaving it at the roadside with your buddy while you pop into shops for drinks etc, or while dashing around a station looking for the right kiosk from which to buy your next bus ticket. Forward planning is needed. Do any necessary running round with your pack safely at your accommodation – it may mean checking out transport hubs a day prior to departure, and shopping for food before you leave the guesthouse – but a little prior preparation will negate this ‘backpack handicap’ considerably.

Remember though, a solo trip is not all doom and gloom. Far from it. In my opinion, embarking on a solo trip has profound positive aspects that far outweigh the few negatives.

Ok, now’s the time for the good stuff.

Independence – In the words of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart “They can take our cheap double rooms, but they can never take our freedom!” – Well, it went something like that, anyway. The liberty that one ultimately achieves from solo travel cannot be underestimated. Unfettered and free to go where you want, when you want. No debates, no compromises. Amen to that.

Make new friends – If you are on your own, you will meet more people. It’s as simple as that. A solo traveler is infinitely more approachable than an established group. In addition – from the other side of the fence, so to speak – those on their own will be much more likely to spark up a conversation with others than if they were already engaged within their own immediate sphere.

The Intimidation Game – Not only will you meet many different people, but those you meet will be more inclined to open up in a one on one situation. It’ll aid in understanding more about the people you encounter and the places, cultures, and customs within your locale. In addition, local folk may be more inclined to invite a solo traveler to eat with them, or even to put them up for the night. It’s infinitely more likely to happen than if they were one of many in a herd of backpackers.

Hitch Without Hitches – Full buses? Not a problem. One person, with one backpack, can almost always squeeze in the tiniest of corners on transport. Also, with a little encouragement, transport staff will be generally more likely to allow 1 more to hop on than if there were at least twice as many people with twice as much baggage. This goes the same for hitching and all other means of getting yourself from A to B.

Grow – This is the biggie. By its very nature, traveling solo will also play a key role in your own personal development. Not only does the solo traveler have greater time to reflect and learn more about themselves, but this obligatory self reliance will engender a great personal confidence as you learn just how much you are capable of achieving.

Going it alone isn’t for everyone – and it does have its downsides – but hopefully this low-down will enable those currently planning a trip to make a better informed decision.