Travelfish #407: Don’t stamp down—step up.
That will teach me to open Facebook.
Hi everyone,
Hope you are all well. Here in Bali, we’re in that transition phase between the dry and set season. Bright blue skies one day, torrential rain the next. As such we’ve been fitting in as much beach time as possible before the weather sets in. At least I need to water the garden less.
Sunset from Kampot towards Bokor. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
Last week on pay to read Couchfish I covered Bokor Mountain, Kampot’s west bank, Salt and Pepper, Sihanoukville and I got started on Koh Rong.
On free to read Couchfish, I wrote about Spiderman. This one has received some colourful feedback and I recommend not reading it too close to meal time.
Over on Thai Island Times, David has a fascinating post out on how tourism and national parks have affected the indigenous people of southwest Thailand. It is well worth a read. Also, don’t miss his weekly wrap.
Lastly, our next long read is out in a few days, but in the meantime, in case you missed them, try Tom Vater’s take on Ko Pha Ngan or Julia Winterflood on Bali.
Good travels!
Stuart
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Don’t stamp down—step up.
So this afternoon I was on Facebook. Yeah, I know, what was I thinking?
I came across a thread in a private group. The poster had been in a bad accident—and almost lost their life. The hospital bills were enormous. He made a large payment, but the repayment scheme for the rest was beyond his means. So, he was asking for advice.
Late light on the river, Kampot. Photo: Nicky Sullivan.
Just to be clear, at no point was he asking for money—all he was after was advice. According to the poster he didn’t have insurance as he’d lost his job due to Covid19 and with that went the insurance.
As I type, some three hours after he posted the initial request, there have been over 130 replies. So be fair, some have, as requested, given actionable advice, but others, well they do my head in.
The others are best summed up with this one, the last in the thread, which just popped up, which I’ll quote:
“No insurance hey? Ask your friends for help, not complete strangers. Take out a loan. You had the accident. Shit happens buddy.”
Kampot pepper. So good. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
I don’t understand people who respond like this. The guy isn’t asking for money—there’s not (as far as I know) a GoFundMe or anything like that—it is a simple request for advice. Nobody is holding a gun to your head for dosh.
I know plenty of Travelfish readers are frequent travellers and (I hope!) have travel insurance. That said, even the most careful traveller can have their travels go sideways and the insurer sometimes not pay. Likewise I have plenty of friends who can’t afford insurance any longer as they’ve lost their job or are on cut wages. Life is complicated in this Covid19 world.
The best thing about Sihanoukville: Leaving. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
To quote another:
“You'll get little sympathy from the community because many more people are suffering worse than you. And even less sympathy if it was a motorcycle accident because too many foreigners come to XXX without any riding skills and ride like maniacs. you're alive, So stop complaining and work out the problem by yourself and with your friends and family.”
To quote my Mum: “if you’ve got nothing useful to say, say nothing.”
One of the many great things about travel is you’re often put in a situation where you can help a complete stranger. It could be something as innocuous as giving advice on a place to stay—or far more consequential.
Perhentian Besar. A good spot to get lost on. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
I’ve had no shortage of complete strangers step up to help me. A stranger picking up shards of my teeth after being hit by a car in the UK. Random ojek drivers saving me mid–beating in Indonesia. A Scot collecting my blood in a bottle (in case I needed it—don’t ask) at a bar in Thailand after I was bottled. Sadly I have many examples. Life deals you strange opportunities to help (and be helped!).
I say, don’t stamp down—step up.
But this kind of gloating and railing on people in need, does my head in. Yes to a point maybe their own fault, or circumstance, but pointing that out is helpful how exactly?
If you can help—be it anything from a pat on the back, or some useful advice, or whatever, step up and do so. If you can’t, or don’t want to, please leave the Facebook keyboard pulpit at home and move on. Give us all a break.
And stay off Facebook!
Good travels
Stuart
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Eleven things worth reading
My Thailand bucket list
Prolific blogger Richard Barrow has a newish project, and it is a good one. “Welcome to My Thailand Bucket List where a group of travellers to Thailand, including myself, are sharing ideas of what you could add to your own bucket list.”
Singapore’s tourism sector faces a brutal test amid Covid-19 fallout
“And with the number of international visitors here plunging from 1.69 million in January to just 8,912 in August, the adverse economic impact is being felt not just by the tourism sector, but also related industries such as retail, and food and beverage.
The lost world of the lords of the sky
“The settlement issue is nowadays creating ethnic tensions like never before, running contrary to a history of Bamar-Shan intermingling that dates back to the 14th century.”
The serpent seekers of north Java $
“‘Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of such a high level of off-take, along with issues related to illegal trade and humane treatment of snakes.’”
It‘s time for cheap air fares to die
“Flying is awful, so why should we resurrect this model after the pandemic has passed?”
Myanmar’s second lockdown drives hunger in city slums
“A survey by ONow Myanmar of more than 2,000 people across the country in April found 70% had stopped working and a quarter had taken out loans for food, medicine, and other essentials.”
Controversial Chinese development project in Laos moves closer to govt approval
“The Vang Vieng New Development Zone, a $5.3 billion project claiming more than 7,000 hectares of land in one of the country’s most scenic areas, is now in its final planning stage.” Madness.
Deforestation threatens to wipe out a primate melting pot in Indonesia
“Despite much of the monkey’s range being protected area, its habitat is still shrinking rapidly due to large-scale deforestation for logging and agriculture, some of which is subsidized by the government.”
Thailand’s tourism sector struggles to rebound
“For many European tourists, it has become cheaper to vacation at home in the mid to upper market segments.”
Germany says Thai king cannot rule from there
“The protesters seek to reduce his powers under the constitution, which specifically allows him to exercise powers when he is outside Thailand without appointing a regent.”
Komodo dragon vs truck
“The photo has helped spawn the trending hashtag #SaveKomodo today, while a petition urging the revocation of development permits at the park has been signed by more than 341,000 people.” More madness.
Something to read
The Drinking Food of Thailand
Who wouldn’t need a bite and a drink about now.
Photo of the week
Hello Koh Rong. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
Thank you!
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Travel light!
Stuart & the Travelfish team