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  #1  
Old 2 Feb 2013
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What If ?
What if Morroco becomes the next terrorist hot spot considering its close proximity to Algeria and Mali it would seem that this could become a reality.

So my question is, where would you go to get that wild, desert experience as it looks like the whole of North Africa will be out of bounds for some time.

Any suggestions ?
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  #2  
Old 2 Feb 2013
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Isn't that in direct relation to your previous post?

It seems to me there is a lot of "blow things out of proportion" in your post.

Let me say it that way:
Did people avoid to go to Northern Ireland because of IRA?
Did people avoid to go to Basque country because of ETA?
Did people avoid to go to Turkey because of the PKK?
Did people avoid to go to Russia because of the Chenchen conflict?

No. First of all, the Sahara is a HUGE place and I highly doubt that you will easily met a "terrorist" in it (estimate number: 5000 to 3000... Sahara size 9,400,000 km²).
And like before, just listen to the advises, avoid dangerous areas and use common sense.

If you really fear too much the Sahara you can stile go to the Gobi, Namibia, Atacama, Negev, Dasht-e Kavir, Karakum, Rub' al Khali etc...

Deserts don't lack on this planet.
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  #3  
Old 3 Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by RoadTrekker View Post
So my question is, where would you go to get that wild, desert experience, Any suggestions ?
Simple, Australia mate!

Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent in the world. About 35 per cent of the continent receives so little rain, it is effectively desert. Australia's deserts, listed below.

Desert / State / Territory / Area

Great Victoria Desert Western Australia, South Australia 348,750 km

Great Sandy Desert Western Australia 267,250 km

Tanami Desert Western Australia, Northern Territory 184,500 km

Simpson Desert Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia 176,500 km

Gibson Desert Western Australia 156,000 km

Little Sandy Desert Western Australia 111,500 km

Strzelecki Desert South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales 80,250 km

Sturt Stony Desert South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales 29,750 km

Tirari Desert South Australia 15,250 km

Pedirka Desert South Australia 1,250 km

Cheers Dave
Last edited by Drwnite; 3 Feb 2013 at 01:54.
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  #4  
Old 3 Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by Drwnite View Post
Simple, Australia mate!
Yeah, the by far best place to get killed by the local terrorists.
There are to groups, whose only meaning on earth is to kill nonbelievers.
First, the by far biggest group, the kangaroo.
They come in all size and are very fundamentallistic, don't give you a chance to convert to their religion, they just kill.
Second,the emu, found only in parts of Australia, check the gouvernement warnings about where they live.
Both groups practice the suicide attack without using explosives, like all terrorists they are not very smart.
By the way, the Australians try to warn you about them so they use them as national symbols.



Thanks to my God, I'm a believer in the "testament of wearing protective clothes even in hot areas", I survieved the cruelly attack by a member of the "free the Cape Range of the grey nomads" group,part of the Exmouth chapter.

sushi



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Last edited by sushi2831; 3 Feb 2013 at 06:34.
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  #5  
Old 3 Feb 2013
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Mate,

You left out the Taipans, King Brown's and the Death Adders!

Not to mention the outback pubs and the locals!

LMAO!

Glad you survived to tell the tale!
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  #6  
Old 3 Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by RoadTrekker View Post
What if Morroco becomes the next terrorist hot spot considering its close proximity to Algeria and Mali it would seem that this could become a reality.
Highly doubtful that your view of things will become anything more than your opinion.

The events in Mali and Algeria are huge distances away, in much larger countries with significant issues in maintaining secure borders and effective policing

I'll still be getting my desert fix in Morocco this year and millions of other tourists will be visiting without any more worry than whether the tourist tat they just bought in the souk was a fair price
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Old 3 Apr 2013
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So where do you draw the line indeed, I grew up in the days when mainland UK was being bombed/ hoaxed, call it what you will. i spent two years in Libya shortly after the first revolution (Gadaffi became president), and worked in many of the hotspots in the world, including the Gaza strip, Eritrea, Ethiopia, to name a few.
There are some amazing people on this site, who are bright enough to know when to keep their heads down, when to travel, and how remain as inconspicuous as possible, yes it is a shame that you cannot just hit the road without any of the above considerations, but isn't that the point?
look at it another way, I live in rural Shropshire, not far away in Hereford, a few folks were stabbed, in brum, not a million miles away, a young girl was stabbed on a bus during prime commuter hours, not at three in the morning!!
Agro I know, but this is the world we live in.
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  #8  
Old 4 Apr 2013
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the UK has the highest rate of violent crime in the developed world so you are probably more at risk at home!!

but, in answer to the OP, I would head to eastern europe (as I already do quite a lot). You have to go a long way to find a desert but it is a fascinating place with fascinating people still with their own cultural identity, and for me that is the reason for travel. Not just a different way to get to the same place as the other tourists or to satisfy some strange urge to pit man and machine against nature!

The greater threat to freedom of travel in Morocco is likely to come from ourselves. The irresponsible behaviour of some travellers or tourists may well lead to restrictions on where you are allowed to go and your freedom of movement. Some, unfortunately, insist on treating other peoples countries as their personal playground, dustbin, or rally stage. This as the greatest threat.
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Old 4 Apr 2013
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Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post
Not just a different way to get to the same place as the other tourists or to satisfy some strange urge to pit man and machine against nature!

The greater threat to freedom of travel in Morocco is likely to come from ourselves. The irresponsible behaviour of some travellers or tourists may well lead to restrictions on where you are allowed to go and your freedom of movement. Some, unfortunately, insist on treating other peoples countries as their personal playground, dustbin, or rally stage. This as the greatest threat.
Here, here! Well said that man!!!
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  #10  
Old 4 Apr 2013
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I am with moggy re Eastern Europe, as my wife is from Slovakia, we visit Slovakia, Czech, and Hungary quite often, I would like to head further East, but she is not to keen due to the dominance imposed by the former USSR.
Slovakia has its problems, but you can walk around Roznava in the wee small hours and feel strangely safe, I enjoy my holidays there, the High Tatra mountains are great, and the architecture of Poprad and Kosice is well worth seeing, plus, and this is a big plus, Food, , and accomodation are very reasonably priced, it's a win win situation
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Old 4 Apr 2013
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Am I right in thinking Spain has Europe's only desert region? I'd head there, and you've got the added benefit that you can head to the Costas when you've had your fill and pick up a full English and a pint or nine of lager.

That should keep you well within the comfort zone.
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Old 5 Apr 2013
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Originally Posted by Exile View Post
I am with moggy re Eastern Europe, as my wife is from Slovakia, we visit Slovakia, Czech, and Hungary quite often, I would like to head further East, but she is not to keen due to the dominance imposed by the former USSR.
Slovakia has its problems, but you can walk around Roznava in the wee small hours and feel strangely safe, I enjoy my holidays there, the High Tatra mountains are great, and the architecture of Poprad and Kosice is well worth seeing, plus, and this is a big plus, Food, , and accomodation are very reasonably priced, it's a win win situation

my missus is the same, she's from belarus. every country you go to in eastern Europe they swear that you'll be murdered in any of the other countries!!

I think it's a hangover from the fear spread in the soviet era
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Old 5 Apr 2013
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We are thinking of travelling down through Belarus, Estonia and South, My wife laughed at your comment, and said that wife like her knows the truth, there are countries to avoid, me? I like to find out for myself now Transnistria that is a truly bonkers country!!!
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