Would You...

[BoostedNihilist]

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[North Shore]

Ahhh.....Plan B for me...how about Nigeria - now there's a nice, peaceful country.

Are you going to work or for a vacation?

[bob sacamano]

I thought I was gonna see a girl's picture...

I've been to many war torn countries, and spent lots of times during wars, but something about wars in africa that really turns me off.

To answer the question, no I wouldn't.

Now for the others who may visit this thread, so they don't get dissapointed like I did...I'll put this.

[g5]

Yes I would... her I mean.

[Dust Devil]

I thought I was gonna see a girl's picture...

I've been to many war torn countries, and spent lots of times during wars, but something about wars in africa that really turns me off.

To answer the question, no I wouldn't.

Now for the others who may visit this thread, so they don't get dissapointed like I did...I'll put this.

Might have to do her Desksgo style and throw a brown paper bag over that face though.

[BoostedNihilist]

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[Uncle Leo]

I knew I shouldn't have dipped into my bag of luck to chase women.

Boosted

Knowing you personally...

SO many people in Canada do not like you. Why not share that with the impoverished nations that so desperately need 31 flavours of brutal.

[xsbank]

Get a hold of "the list" from External Affairs and find out what they say........

[xsbank]

No.

There are battles on the streets — and there’s no tonic for the gin

David Brown Mombasa, Jonathan Clayton and Rob Crilly in Nairobi
Supplies of tonic water ended on Wednesday and the next day there was no milk for the tea. Tourists from many European countries are being flown out as the tribal-based clashes lead to shortages of food and fuel and growing fears about public safety.

Mombasa yesterday experienced the most serious rioting since the disputed presidential election as the estimated 6,000 British holidaymakers and 30,000 expatriates in Kenya became increasingly isolated.

In a conciliatory gesture President Kibaki said that he would accept opposition calls for a rerun of the disputed election if a court ordered it. “We would accept even another election as long as the Constitution is followed. If the courts decide it, we would accept that,” said Alfred Mutua, the President’s spokesman.

Raila Odinga’s opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) maintains that the courts are packed with allies of Mr Kibaki, who has been in office for five years, and says that legal appeals could take years. Nonetheless, the comments from the Kibaki camp, which has so far refused to acknowledge international concerns regarding the election’s validity, are the first sign of a tentative willingness to move forward.

The US dispatched its top African envoy and Archbishop Desmond Tutu expressed hope for a peaceful outcome after three-hour talks with the President and leader of the Opposition. France, which became the first Western country to say openly that the result was rigged, and other African nations joined international calls for an end to the violence and a negotiated settlement. More than 350 people have been killed in the riots.

As the diplomatic wrangling continued in Nairobi, where opposition attempts to stage another rally failed, British tourists remained in Mombasa. “We are stuck here while the Italians and Dutch are being flown home,” complained Lisa Baber, 39, beside the pool of the Nyali Beach Hotel on the outskirts of Mombasa. “Our reps just refuse to tell us what is going on. They say it is just a problem with supplies. But the hotel staff tell us what is happening.”

On Thursday the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised against all non-essential travel to Kenya and tour operators have suspended all holidays until at least Monday. The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and France have also advised against visiting Kenya. For those who had already followed the winter sun, things are getting difficult. “The hotel is starting to run out of everything. Tonic water, milk, fruit, fuel,” said Mrs Baber’s husband, Dave, 46, a pig farmer from Bristol. “The menu gets smaller every day and fewer staff are coming to work. The rep tried to get us home yesterday but couldn’t find us a flight and we are waiting today to see if they might fly us to the Seychelles.”

Guests at most hotels on the coast south and north of Mombasa have been told not to leave the premises even for the safari trips that are the key component of many holidays. Hazel Pargeter, 39, from Stockport, became caught up in one of the country’s first riots after taking the Likoni ferry to a New Year’s Eve party in Diani Beach, south of Mombasa.

“There were eight minibuses carrying tourists and we just waited by the side of the road while it was all happening,” she said. “If it bothers you, go to Spain, not Africa. The frightened ones are those that only know Africa from television and think we are all going to be hacked to death.”

While the British guests enjoyed the empty sunbeds and contemplated another evening without any T for their G, their continental European counterparts were being driven to the airport under police guard.

“We were told we were being evacuated even if we didn’t want to go,” said Schokher Greta, a tailor from Amsterdam who arrived at Moi international airport in a convoy of coaches carrying Dutch citizens from Le Soleil Beach Club. “The Belgians went on Wednesday, the French yesterday and today it’s the Dutch. It will just be the English left.”

The airport handles the bulk of international charter flights to Kenya and 60 per cent of foreign tourists stay on the coast. There was only one international arrival yesterday, from Italy, compared with six most days. “The planes are coming in empty, just with the crew, to get people out,” an airport spokesman said.

At Mombasa’s port the crippling impact on the wider economy was demonstrated by the 3,000 shipping containers, which importers are too scared to collect. A quarter of the supplies are destined for the neighbouring countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Along with food and fuel there is also a shortage of money because the cash-in-transit companies have told banks that they cannot supply most areas because of the insecurity.

Soon after 1pm the centre of Kenya’s second city was hit by its most serious rioting to date after prayers at the Sakina Jamia mosque, only a few miles from the tourist hotels.

Within a hundred yards about 600 protesters were confronted by dozens of armed police at the junction of the main Kenyatta Avenue through Mombasa. One officer threw a canister of teargas at the parade but the wind sent the gas blowing back into the police. A second canister successfully engulfed the leaders of the march and scattered the crowd.

Police officers fired live rounds repeatedly into the air and more teargas canisters and stun grenades into the protesters. Najib Balala, spokesman for the ODM alliance in Mombasa, with a wet cloth over his face to relieve the effects of the teargas, told The Times: “What they are doing to us is wrong but we will not stop because we are fighting for democracy.”

[sky's the limit]

Gotta say I'm with XS on this one...

Not now. Save it for later, just not worth it. Life is looking very cheap there at the moment.

stl

[chipmunk]

Right now, I'd wait and let Kenya calm down.

I've visited and worked in many African countries over the last 10 years and can appreciate your statement about once you've been there, you always get that "itch" to go back...

Even without taking the tribal clashes, violence, food shortages, etc into account, I think a trip there now would leave a bad taste in your mouth about the country. Although the rural areas of the country would most likely be much more calm and safe, you can't avoid Nairobi. In Nigeria (I was working there in Fall 2006 with the same travel warning that is out about Kenya now - however the unrest there was in one area only and it was easy to avoid) my constant worries about safety overshadowed the beauty and culture of the country and I have absolutely no desire to ever go there again.

The part that would scare me most is how hard it may be to get out of the country if you really need to. Also - will your travel/evacuation insurance cover you in case you want/need to get out of the country?

If you do go, I'd recommend you buy a local cell phone and have the Embassy/Consulate info at hand, as well as your own backup plans.

Stay safe.
Cheers!

[kitin]

Errr...No...Kenya isn't the country i have in mind to travel on..

[xsbank]

All your travel insurance and health insurance is "null and void" if there is war or insurrection or similar. Go to Cancun.

[BoostedNihilist]

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[g5]

Good luck dude. Looking forward to hearing your adventures.

And with regards to Oprah, I'd just stick it in her mouth, but she ain't got a chance at the title.

[Blakey]

you're stuck on an island.. all alone.. and oprah swims up

Would you?

Boosted

Well, at least your ration problem has been solved for quite some time!

Martin Hartwell

[BoostedNihilist]

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[BoostedNihilist]

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[Driving Rain]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7193532.stm
UK tourism to Kenya ban extended
All UK charter flights to Kenya have been suspended, up to and including next Monday, 21 January, the Federation of Tour Operators has said.
The suspension comes amid continuing Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to the country.

More than 600 people have died in unrest that followed the disputed presidential election in the east African country.

In addition to those killed, some 250,000 are feared displaced.

The Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) said it would be offering customers alternative holidays or refunds of any money already paid.

It said it would continue assessing the situation based on advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


We are hopeful that people will still want to go to Kenya and will flock back once the situation improves
Somak Holidays

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways have continued to operate scheduled services between the UK and Kenya since the trouble erupted.

But charter flights have not taken any passengers from the UK to Kenya for at least two weeks.

The FTO estimates it has some 50 customers still in Kenya, but says they are due to return at the weekend.

There will soon be few Britons left holidaying in Kenya if the charter ban continues.

Violence has mainly been confined to urban areas, which British tourists tend to avoid as most visit the big game parks or luxury Indian Ocean beach resorts, but they have to pass through Nairobi and Mombasa.

Kenya is missing out on one of the busiest times of the year for tourism from the UK.


It is estimated that Kenya, which depends on tourism, has lost up to £500m during the turmoil.

Jake Grieves-Cook, spokesman for the Kenya Tourism Federation, said the image of Kenya had changed from "giraffes, welcoming people and stability" to "the lunatic with a machete sharpening it on the road".

The big winners from the Kenya troubles are other long-haul destinations, particularly those offering the sort of wildlife packages for which Kenya is famous.

Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa are among countries all likely to benefit from any long-term Kenya holiday ban.

One of the largest tour operators to Kenya, Somak, has begun arranging alternative holidays.

"We have quickly brought out a new India brochure, but we are hopeful that people will still want to go to Kenya and will flock back once the situation improves," a spokeswoman said.
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Have a ball.

[BoostedNihilist]

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[Bubbaganoosh]

you're stuck on an island.. all alone.. and oprah swims up

Would you?

Boosted

Well, at least your ration problem has been solved for quite some time!

Martin Hartwell

Look for the nearest harpoon gun