THE ZINE
  • Automotive
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Technology
  • Travel
THE ZINE THE ZINE
  • Automotive
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Technology
  • Travel
7K
0
  • Travel

Bitter Sweet Travel

  • June 28, 2011
  • 4 minute read
  • Atal Hakikat
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Drug trafficking, weapon trading, child slavery, disease infestations and organ harvesting are common occurrences in various pockets around the globe. These towns are run by the world’s most corrupt officials, populated by the world’s worst criminals and yet, sport some of the most stunning tourist attractions ever seen. What follows is a list of not only the world’s most dangerous thug occupied towns, but an insight into the fascinating culture clashes that us office hermits tend to forget.

Cape Town, South Africa
As the cultural centre of South Africa, Cape Town is undeniably beautiful. Located on the South Coast, the town is ranked the number 1 in the 2011 Travellers Choice tourist destinations. Yet, underneath this spectacular scenery, lies polarised wealth separations, which is often the result in a particularly high crime rate. Car hijacking is predominantly popular in Cape Town, along with the congregation of gangs, often to do with drug and weapon relations. Whilst the centre of Cape Town is wealthy largely due to excellent tourism, the fringe suburbs around the city such as Greenpoint, Salt River and Mowbray are poor and unsanitary. One of the most dangerous areas of Cape Town is Nyanga, with a staggering unemployment rate of approximately 70%, as well as constant breakouts of HIV AIDS amongst its residents. Caution must also be taken when using ATM’s as theft is common and attacks on tourists remain high. That being said, travelling is about getting out of our comfort zones, seeing the world that other people live in. As long and you keep your wits about you and don’t wander off alone, there’s no reason why this glorious city should be crossed off any ones bucket list.

Bogota, Colombia
Often referred to the drug capital of the world, Colombia is viciously affected by the ever growing trade of buying and selling drugs. This industry has had an immense impact upon drug related crimes, political turmoil and societal disturbance in its capital Bogota. Like all places, there are lovely regions of Bogota. The food is excellent and the views, like you can see in the picture, are spectacular. Yet it still remains the most dangerous city in South America. Situations have improved since the 1990’s especially in the north of the city, yet political warfare and issues with drug trading continue to linger within Bogota and its southern slum regions. Hopefully things will continue to improve down into the southern regions of Bogota, like they have in the North. Political rebel groups are still very powerful and kidnapping of tourists by similar groups is not uncommon. It is important to avoid highways on the fringe cities of Bogota as they are prime capturing regions and once kidnapped, authorities have little power and facilities to assist tourists in danger.

Mogadishu, Somalia
Somalia, on the south east coast of Africa suffers from the violence of civil warfare and as a result has left its capital, Mogadishu, a disaster zone. The country is extremely dangerous, particularly due to its constant battles with bordering country Ethiopia. Because of this ongoing battle, over half the city’s population has fled to safer African countries where bombings, gunshots and riots aren’t a daily occurrence. Those who chose to remain in the city have filled and now overflow local hospitals and refugee camps due to stray bullets and bomb explosions. In 2009 there was a significant increase in violence and suicide bombings, which had been a rare occurrence in the past and have left the streets in shambles with little remaining buildings. The city is unsafe for tourists and not a recommended holiday destination. Witnessing this third world country’s culture contrast is not worth the risk of your safety.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Famous for Baz Lurhmann’s Romeo and Juliet, the city of Rio de Janerio is almost as dramatic as the film. Civil gun wars are not uncommon, with approximately 30 people murdered a week, a lot of them the result of stray bullets and muggings. A lot of these issues can be derived from the cities gap between rich and poor of society with about 20% of Rio’s population living in shanty towns and slums. As the police in the city are often found to be corrupt, their pay is minimal which results in authorities threatening for bribery. It is common for tourists and locals to be framed for drug related crimes, leaving victims with bribery as their only option. Despite its corruption, Rio de Janeiro is the most visited city in southern hemisphere and is known for its natural settings. The city’s beaches like Copacobana and Barra da Tijuca are particularly famous and are highly popular during a Brazilian summer. The famous Christ the Redeemer landmark is shown numerous times throughout Romeo and Juliet and protrudes from Sugaloaf Mountain.The City remains one of the top tourist destinations and despite crime rates; it continues to be safe enough for sun loving travellers from all around the world.

As a traveller, it is important to keep in mind boundaries. Some we must push past, others desereve respect. It is the proper acknowedgement of what boundaries must be broken to have an amazing trip, and which are too great and therefore should be left well alone, that makes not only a smart traveller, but an alive one.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Atal Hakikat

Join Atal Hakikat on his realm of review guides online. An experienced writer covering topics from the latest technologies, automotive, food, beauty & more!

Related Topics
  • Travel
Next Article
Packing For Your Winter Vacation 1
  • Travel

Packing For Your Winter Vacation

  • June 28, 2011
  • Atal Hakikat
READ MORE
Previous Article
  • Travel

A Modern Day Nomad

  • June 28, 2011
  • Atal Hakikat
READ MORE
You May Also Like
history
READ MORE
  • Australia
  • Books
  • Outdoor
  • Travel

View The Visual History Of Australia’s Wondrous Waterways With, ‘Rivers: The Lifeblood of Australia’

  • October 14, 2020
  • Amelia Roach
Australian family
READ MORE
  • Australia
  • Children
  • Lifestyle
  • Living
  • Outdoor
  • Travel

Australian Celebs Lead The Way In Support Of The #RoadTripPledge

  • June 23, 2020
  • Amelia Roach
sustainable-escapes-lonely-planet
READ MORE
  • Travel

Sustainable Escapes

  • March 3, 2020
  • Amelia Roach
Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2020
READ MORE
  • Travel

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2020

  • November 14, 2019
  • Atal Hakikat
Burbury Canberra
READ MORE
  • Travel
  • Food

The Burbury Canberra

  • August 22, 2019
  • Atal Hakikat
The North Face: Practical Fashion 2
READ MORE
  • Fashion
  • Health & Fitness
  • Sports
  • Style
  • Travel

The North Face: Practical Fashion

  • August 1, 2019
  • Atal Hakikat
Patagonia’s winter range: fashion, function and sustainable 3
READ MORE
  • Fashion
  • Australia
  • Sustainable
  • Travel

Patagonia’s winter range: fashion, function and sustainable

  • July 21, 2019
  • Atal Hakikat
Six Senses Krabey Island Cambodia
READ MORE
  • Travel

Six Senses Krabey Island Cambodia

  • March 19, 2019
  • Atal Hakikat

Subscribe

Get the latest from The Zine

The Zine
The Zine is a Sydney based digital magazine covering technology, design, automotive, travel and wellbeing. We select unique content that inspires and creates a balance in our daily routines.
Menu
  • Automotive
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Technology
  • Travel
Tags
app apple Australia Australian Beauty bicycles camera car cars Coffee Denim Design ergonomics Exercise Eyewear Fashion Featured fitness food fragrance furniture health home ipad iphone kids kitchen Lifestyle Living Men organic perfume Phone recruitment Samsung shoes shopping Skincare smartphone Sony Style sydney Technology Travel Velosophy
Recent
  • famous soda co
    Famous Soda Co Will Satisfy Your Thirst All Summer Long
    • January 7, 2021
  • ocean-waste
    Save Your Money And Help Clean Our Oceans With ‘FlusheD ECO’
    • January 7, 2021
  • Australian skin care
    Natural Australian Skin Care Brands That Will Revitalise Your Skin
    • January 3, 2021
  • Google
    Google’s AI Technology Will Help Identify The Aussie Animals Impacted By Bushfires
    • December 22, 2020
  • husky retro style bar fridge
    The Husky Retro Bar Fridge Will Keep Your Drinks Chilled All Summer Long
    • December 22, 2020
THE ZINE
  • Automotive
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Technology
  • Travel

Input your search keywords and press Enter.