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Travel and security

  • Bernd
  • 2 days ago
  • 3 min read

Opinions differ on the topic of travel safety. If you're in the wrong place at the wrong time and possibly make the wrong decision, even a supposedly safe travel destination is of no use. Therefore, such surveys should be treated with caution.



An old tank on the grounds of a museum in Vietnam.


9 basic rules


Careful planning of your trip minimizes the risks. However, they can't be completely eliminated. If the worst happens, don't cling to your possessions; everything is replaceable, except your life.


  1. Take photocopies of your passport and take a photo of it, then save the image on your phone and/or in the cloud.

  2. Most travel insurance is unnecessary, except for one: travel health insurance.

  3. Check your vaccination status.

  4. Take some cash and deposit it in the hotel safe along with your documents.

  5. Leave expensive jewelry at home.

  6. Put together a first-aid kit for your destination. Wound ointment is a must. Even minor injuries can quickly become infected in tropical countries.

  7. Avoid deserted, unlit streets at night. Take a taxi.

  8. Don't walk through slums.

  9. Don't take photos of people or apartments without permission.



According to Safeture, as of 2024,


the 15 most unsafe countries to travel to are:



The shadow of a man in the darkness.
Shadows in sight.

  1. Haiti

  2. Venezuela

  3. Afghanistan

  4. Nepal

  5. Papua New Guinea

  6. Yemen

  7. Libya

  8. Mali

  9. Iraq

  10. Myanmar

  11. Pakistan

  12. South Sudan

  13. Democratic Republic of Congo

  14. Syria

  15. Burkina Faso...


To be fair, the information on the most unsafe countries varies depending on the source.


Also worth mentioning: Ukraine, Central African Republic, Niger, Palestine, Iran, Sudan, Somalia...





The 20 safest travel destinations


The Global Peace Index is clear:


The picture shows a knight's armor.
It's actually ridiculous what people come up with.

  1. Iceland

  2. Ireland

  3. Austria

  4. New Zealand

  5. Singapore

  6. Switzerland

  7. Portugal

  8. Denmark

  9. Slovenia

  10. Finland

  11. Czech Republic

  12. Japan

  13. Malaysia

  14. Canada

  15. Netherland

  16. Belgium

  17. Hungary

  18. Australia

  19. Croatia

  20. Germany







Who would have thought that Germany would only rank 20th? In 2023, we were still in 15th place.


The index is continuously updated. You can check it here:




So what?


That's the theory, though. When it comes to security, most people think of the crime rate in a country. In reality, however, this also includes factors such as environmental pollution, environmental disasters, transportation conditions, emergency services, and more.


A very improvised jetty on the edge of a river.
Sometimes there is no way back.


Iron gate with the inscription Security.

I've rarely felt truly uncomfortable during my travels. However, I would make one exception: Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, truly one of the most dangerous cities in the world. It ranks seventh among the most dangerous cities.


There, the streets were empty from 4 p.m. onward. People finish work on time to get home before dark. The city exudes an immense negative mood and desolation that is etched on people's faces.


As I walked through the city streets during the day, a concerned security guard called me over to the iron fence of a hotel he was working behind. He warned me emphatically not to walk the streets alone.








In the end, I was relieved to be able to leave the country safely and head back to Australia.


Even if it may not seem that way to you, in poorer neighborhoods, cleanliness is important. No matter how small the shack, people love order and hygiene. Even if the doors are open and provide a glimpse into the interior. Don't photograph the residents' privacy, and certainly not their misery.


A small, narrow side street in a slum in Manila.


The worst case scenario


In all my years of traveling, I've been mugged three times. In the vast majority of cases, it was about money, so don't play the hero. The attackers usually disappear once they've got the valuables. So, except for one situation, I got off lightly. Wrong place, wrong time.


The projectile of a fired weapon.

The situation is quite different for you when it comes to politically or religiously motivated attacks. Or when the attack is simply directed against you personally for base motives.




In such a situation, only a black belt in Mikado or a guardian angel can help. You can't hope for help from your surroundings.



A young man stands threateningly with his legs wide apart in front of a boy lying on the ground, who has his arms crossed protectively over his head.

This happened in Berlin in the 1990s, when two young men attacked a homeless man at Bahnhof Zoo.


I was standing at the bus stop with others, and people looked away, shocked. I intervened. They threatened me. However, I was physically fit and fast at the time. And the police station was only 100 meters away. That convinced the guys to leave.


No one needs to have their teeth knocked out, but getting help is the least everyone can do.







Last but not least: No go´s




Close-up of a red glowing traffic light man.

  1. Don't discuss politics.

  2. Respect religious sentiments, even if you don't share certain views and practices.

  3. Don't be stingy; maintain composure and be compassionate.

  4. If, contrary to expectations, you get into an argument, stay calm.

  5. Even if you're told it every day: You're not irresistible.

  6. There's something like a dress code, especially in other countries. Show respect.



 
 
 

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