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Whale watching has been a recent tourism darling & cash cow. When out on your boat you're never guaranteed to actually see one but I guess it's the thought that counts. Shouldn't there be a cash refund if you don't actually see 1?
Near Cebu in the Philippines the village of Oslob have solved this problem by feeding Whale Sharks krill daily to make sure they hang around so tourists are guaranteed not only to see them but to also swim with them
The greenies/do-gooders/whingers/environmentalists are horrified this is upsetting the Whale Sharks natural migratory patterns as they hang around the whole year enjoying their free breakfast
However it's interesting to note the tourists who turn up in Oslob with this mindset that the fishermen (now tourist operators) who feed the Whale Sharks are doing them harm - these tourists being the backpackers, hippies & arm-chair environmentalists - never stand on their principles & actually refuse to swim with the sharks
That's right, the two faced hypocrites 100% of the time will always protest at the top of their voice on Trip Advisor how cruel it is, yet will always take the attitude, "well I'm here now so I will do it, but you shouldn't!"
Whale watching has been a recent tourism darling & cash cow. When out on your boat you're never guaranteed to actually see one but I guess it's the thought that counts. Shouldn't there be a cash refund if you don't actually see 1?
Near Cebu in the Philippines the village of Oslob have solved this problem by feeding Whale Sharks krill daily to make sure they hang around so tourists are guaranteed not only to see them but to also swim with them
The greenies/do-gooders/whingers/environmentalists are horrified this is upsetting the Whale Sharks natural migratory patterns as they hang around the whole year enjoying their free breakfast
However it's interesting to note the tourists who turn up in Oslob with this mindset that the fishermen (now tourist operators) who feed the Whale Sharks are doing them harm - these tourists being the backpackers, hippies & arm-chair environmentalists - never stand on their principles & actually refuse to swim with the sharks
That's right, the two faced hypocrites 100% of the time will always protest at the top of their voice on Trip Advisor how cruel it is, yet will always take the attitude, "well I'm here now so I will do it, but you shouldn't!"
"Oslob"? Catchy name!
Good post, Tinkles. Just goes to show that without double standards, leftists wouldn't have any standards at all.
God, the panic within the Dems, MSM, and left must be horrifying...realizing that Joe is really the best they've got.
I enjoyed most places I've visited.. they were all unique and I got to see so much in Asia.
China - Enjoyed living in Beijing and Shanghai and visiting HK, X'ian, Suzhou, etc.. Except for the pollution, the experience was once in a lifetime. I feel like if I can survive there, I can survive anywhere. I didn't like the spitting, pushing, etc, but it was all part of the experience.
South Korea - I so loved living there and got to see a lot of the country as well. I ended up being best friends with a few Koreans and learning so much about the culture and language. I worked in public schools being an only expat in a school and learned how to be a Korean so to speak. I often went back after I left to visit friends both expat and Korean.
Vietnam - I took the train along the coast, visited the north and enjoyed it. I found the traffic very bad and a lot of big rip-offs to be had. I thought the beaches were gorgeous as well as the northern mountains and Sapa.
Cambodia - I adored the people of Cambodia. They were very giving and open to foreigners, even though they didn't have much. Angkor Wat was truly stunning and I spent time in Phnom Penh and the south. The food was okay, and the history was eye opening.
Thailand - I've spent many times in Thailand and lived there for a few months doing my CELTA. I love Thai food, the people and the natural scenery.. I always like to go back as I am familiar with a lot of Thailand now. The Thais I've encountered have been phenomenal. I did Thai boxing three different times in a few locations and worked alongside the locals on numerous times. I'm sure I'll return to visit or maybe work one day. I don't like the red tape and visa stuff though. Things always change and I would only go if the job was right.
Definitely give Taiwan a go. See this for my favourite city in East Asia. More liveable than any city in Thailand, and with a better climate than anywhere in Thailand.
^Cool.. I have a good friend who worked in Kaohsiung and said good things about it. They have some nice mountains and the east coast drive along the ocean is supposed to be lovely. I love the Taiwanese chain Coco bubble tea now all over mainland China.
Thailand for the people, great food, beaches, cost of living and ease of getting around.
Myanmar for stunning beauty, lack of development, people, relative isolation and low number of western tourists.
Thailand for sure. I know it well and can speak the language. Vietnam for history food, adventure and natural beauty, but the people are too aggressive to live there full time.
For me 'favourite' equates to most livable, so Hong Kong definitely, the rest are holiday destinations. Now as to where I have lived and worked:
PRC ( mainland China Shanghai and HK is not China despite the motherland claims as otherwise) Loved Shanghai as I was in the old French concession, lots of lubbly old historic houses, tree lined streets and the feel was not that of a claustrophobic city. The place is absolutely huge and smothering after a while, escaping to places like Hangzhou, mountains etc was the candy for me, Shanghanese are power/money hungry basically will rip you a new arsehole to get what they want.
Best past of PRC is no religious bs and the efficiency and resourcefulness of the people. You may bang on about the lack of human rights, pollution, disrespect for the environment, the bladdy commies but in all it is a one galaxy many planets country depends which city you are in. South China is the best because of the proximity to Hk, Cantonese are great peeps. 'Civilized'. Places like Beijing are gawdawful. Traveled extensively and learnt the lingo, Mandarin anyway as in HK Cantonese rules.
Singapore: A 'fine' city literally. Never really took to it as the Sings are elitist snobs, expensive, the city itself to me is like a hospital environment with the exception of a few areas. Skyline is ugly and nothing compared to HK or even SH, best part of Sing was driving over the border to Malay for grocery shopping. Interesting mix of cultures and modern but nah.
Malaysia: The Isamic shit got to me after a while, people are friendly, food is good, some fascinating places to visit like crocodile farms in Miri, beaches, but KL itself is horrible imo. Malay is now touted as a retirement destination don't see it.
Brunei: For a stint was tax free, all expenses paid and a good destination work wise for families. Islamic to the max, one guy was fired for sitting on a desk full of qu'rans and playing his guitar to the kids. Unless you joining the yacht club nothing much to do unless you're into bird watching or hash harriers, the beer runs to Miri or Kota Bharu were fun. Split weekend which meant Friday off, Saturday on, Sunday off so you couldn't really take the time to explore the environs and Brunei is tiny as in to Malay unless it was holidays and then most buggered off back to where they originated from.
Thailand: Burnt me out. The fake smiles, fake Buddhists, beggars, prostitutes, sexpats, scammers and cons, the inefficiency the general mind set and no Thai bashing here as not all are the same. Beautiful places, beaches, temples, food is brilliant and still one of my fave cuisines but after three years, nah, good holiday destination from HK but not livable imo for the rest of your natural life.
So that's my take on places in SE Asia to live and work in. Holidays in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Phillipines, Indonesia but not places I'd live in for sure good for a holiday though.
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