Worst Travel Tales

This month’s themed travelling tales from our Facebook Page is

Worst Travel Stories

This time last year we started a monthly ‘travelling tales’ feature that’s posted on our Facebook Page. Its a free-for-all where everyone shares their travel stories ~ focused on a theme.

Because the first was Favourite Travel Tales’, and this is the year old anniversary, it seemed appropriate to celebrate with something related – so have gone for its antithesis ;)

Worst Travel Tales

Debbie Yeomans

“Staying in a motel in Malaysia that ran out of water so there were no flushing toilets :(

It was when I was in my late teens and there were six of us sharing a room, needless to say it made our stay very interesting.”

How not to use a toilet - Toilet Use Malaysia

Photo by willposh

 

Andy Peverill

“In June 1977 my wife and I were married and honeymooned on the River Thames UK. We ran out of money after the first week. River flooded and only private cruisers were allowed on river. We carried on and the rudder broke beyond repair. On our way home the boat crashed into a bridge. The best thing was that my wife’s father had stocked up with alcohol on the boat so we mostly drank our sorrows away. I handed back a very battered boat after two weeks and the father-in-law has not lent me anything since. Can’t blame him.

Despite being June, it rained then poured and was so cold when we went to bed I put socks on. When we awoke my feet were saturated because they had discovered a leak. My new wife did not find this romantic.

I bought a cheap straw hat for protection from the rain which was red. When wet, the dye came out and ran down my face and I resembled something from a Stephen King novel.

The first lock we entered was flooded so before mooring I took my wet shoes and socks off and jumped off the side to secure the boat. The water was 2 feet deep and above my knees – why I took my shoes and socks off remains a mystery to this day.

We got to a place called Abbingdon when the rudder broke and we drifted onto some submerged piles which were put there to stop ppl from mooring. I had to get into the water to lift the boat over the piles to get back onto the river.

A boat hook was lost prior to entering a lock but fortunately floated and met us on the over side of the lock. As we had run out of money my wife invited the new in-laws to take us out to dinner. On our honeymoon – now that was different.

Everyday of our honeymoon had its own tale to tell and what has been told is but a mere fraction – We laugh about it now and have been married for 34 yrs. Love conquers all as they say”

Boating down the river in the rain

Photo by Roger Marks

 

Annie Payne

“Losing a huge filling (sucking a butterscotch toffee at take-off) while flying to the UK & Europe for a 6 week holiday & having problems with hot & cold for the whole trip!”

Tooth Powder

Photo by viscousplatypus

 

Kaylene Higgs

“In Cuzco Peru I was paranoid of ‘electric showers’, which was pretty much just an electric element under the cold shower of running water, basic rule: water & electricity shouldn’t mix kept entering my mind…

Finding a cheap place with a ‘normal’ shower was quite difficult.

Our first night was spent in a room where the bathroom was that dirty I didn’t shower for fear of getting dirtier. We shopped around for another room and the next place showed us a nice room with normal shower but when we came back with our bags they gave us a different room… dirty + electric shower… I complained in my best Spanish and got yet another room but it was really dirty… not just a bit of dust (since you can’t flush the paper in Peru, a waste paper basket is provided.)… however not emptied between guests stays :( …made us wonder if they bother to change sheets…  skin crawls…

We went on our 4 day Inca trail Hike and on the last day before the sun gate there was an option to shower… I didn’t give a rats by this stage and sat under that electric shower until my money ran out.”

Electric Shower Head, South America

Photo by funkz

 

Andy Peverill

“A friend of mine that was accident prone – went on a skiing holiday to Switzerland. We all thought he would break a leg on the slopes but instead he was taken from the train on the way to Switzerland and taken to hospital where they removed his appendix.”

Train Switzerland

Photo by Simon Aughton

Linda Fairbairn

“Driving overland from Nepal to Europe, we were going slowly through a small town in Iran. A young lad on a bicycle, excited to see foreigners, started cycling along beside us on the inside lane. Smiling through the window of the front passenger seat, whilst madly pedalling to keep up, he failed to see a car that had parked and the occupant opening his door to get out – WHAM – He was gone.

We stopped to ensure he was OK but rather than seeing our concern his friends who had now caught up felt it was ‘our’ fault and we should pay for his bicycle damage. A gang of youths formed around us with demonstrative arm movements gesticulating as voices became raised – The atmosphere felt riotous as we edged our way back into the van, and as the boys used their bikes to placard us from leaving, we gently nudged forward through their shouting taunts until we broke free and made a bolt for it.

Feeling threatened is the worst.”

Iran Boy on Bicycle

Photo by Desmond Kavanagh

What ‘worst travel tale’ have you experienced?

Do tell in the comments below :D

 

Journey Jottings highlights holiday adventures

Mystery or Surprise Travelling Facebook Tales

Mystery or Surprise Travelling Tales was this month’s Facebook theme ~

Suggested by Em, a Journey Jottings Facebook ‘liker’, Em said

“Wish I’d been on a mystery trip, unfortunately hasn’t happened yet, looking forward to reading everyone else’s stories though”

So here we go…

The most amazing ‘Surprise’ tale was from Andy who (with his wife) laid on a ‘surprise’ wedding for his daughter -

 

Andy Peverill

My Daughter had chosen the man she wanted to marry, the location and the wedding dress. Finances held her back and so my wife planned the wedding as a surprise gift.

Both her and the groom were told half an hour before – The wedding went ahead and they are still happily married and in their fourth year.

We sent them to Fiji on their honeymoon as an extra surprise. They were told about that in the speeches.

[Editor's Note: Andy went on to tell me via Twitter... "The story did not end there - while they were away we did a makeover of their house. Spring clean and a big shop. All problems were overcome such as passports and on the day my wife had a girlie day to get my daughter's hair done. My daughter says the best bit was not having the worry about any of the planning. Funny really she is not big on surprises."

Andy was the winner of this month's giveaway ~ a pack of Journey Jottings products: Map Journals, Mail-It Maps and Magnets :)

 

Desolie Page

On my first visit to Europe, I chose a tour that would take me to the places I really wanted to see - Vienna, Paris, Venice, Lucerne. According to the schedule, we were making short stop at Verona, but it didn't 'click'.

So what a wonderful, delightful, fascinating two hours! I fell in love with it as soon as we arrived at the city gates.

Now on my 'must revisit and spend more time' list.

Photo by Dolan Halbrook

 

Linda Fairbairn

We got in the car and headed south - I thought we were going to go north.

We went east, towards the coast - I’d imagined we’d go west to the hinterland.

A shipping terminal came into sight and the back of a car ferry lowered like a draw bridge allowing us to enter what felt like another world, as we floated away sailing sublimely across the sparkling sea.

Who could believe we were a mere hour from home, not 50 km from Brisbane’s CBD and yet enjoying the sand, sea and spontaneity of a surprise birthday trip away :)

 

Photo by David Jackmanson

 

Zara Weston

How does the serenity of floating on still (and some not so still) waters [sound?].

Each sunrise and sunset different as the backdrop to the North Queensland mountains [floats past].

This experience was a gift to me.  Sailing with my dear friend Tom was something I will never forget.

Photo by by Matt Kieffer

Phil Smyrk

With a week ‘to kill’ in Athens we went down to the harbour and asked

“Which boat leaves first?”

“That one” said a Greek pointing to a ship.

We boarded, and were soon sailing across the Aegean Sea with no idea of where we were going.

In and out of islands and ports we admired classic Mediterranean villages clinging to cliff faces until we docked at a quiet quay, & disembarked.

Exploring on foot by day, savouring local cuisine by night, our mystery destination was more than we could have hoped or planned.

Photo by Nikos Roussos

Andy Peverill

One more for the pot - My wife and I needed a break and a bit of sunshine, so off to the travel agents and they sold me a holiday.

We had to go to Heathrow to collect our tickets for Spain. We ended up in Tenerife - a total surprise to me and the wife.

Great Holiday and only 300 pounds for 10 ten days.

Thought of that because it is our Wedding Aniversary on Saturday. And after 34 years I can still be spontaneous lol. My wife loves surprises and she has had a few over the years.

Photo by Joel Greijer

Have you been whisked away to a ‘surprise’  destination?

Or ended up somewhere totally unexpected?

Do tell in the comments below…. or if you’re still waiting?

Here’s your chance to drop a few hints ;)

 

Celebrations, Festivals & Carnivals ~ Facebook Tales

With Easter and ANZAC Day (in Australia)

our Travelling Tales theme this month is

Celebrations, Festivals & Carnivals

Kirsty Wilson

I enjoyed Easter in Malta once & that was an experience. We were staying with locals who knew it was important to arrive early for the Easter Parade. We claimed a position on a landing of some stairs, overlooking the street where the parade was to pass. Dusk arrived and the parade began. Amazing biblical costumes passed, lanterns and children’s eyes lit with curiosity and so did those from this Aussie traveller! I’d certainly not seen anything like it at home. Of course the surrounding historic sandstone buildings & cobblestone roads, added to the atmosphere.

Photo by re-ality

Sally Foley-Lewis

My husband went to Oslo for meetings (as a part of a project he was working on) and he sent me a text asking if I wanted to send a week in Oslo… of course “YES” was the reply. I landed in the middle of their National Day. It was great to see the parades of different community groups, see people dressed in national costume, enjoy the lovely weather.
{Not a Woodstock or running with the bulls however it was charming. I can’t recall any other festivals that I’ve been to.}

Photo by Ove and Lucia

Linda Fairbairn

The first we knew of the Thingyan Water Festival, which is Myanmar’s (Burma) New Year’s Day (held in April) was on the train from Rangoon to Mandalay when water bombs started hitting the windows as we approached small towns and villages alongside the track.
When we got off the train in Mandalay we were greeted by a bucket of water!
Its not a celebration full of colourful costumes or parades – It’s like one huge water fight!
The festival runs for 4 days during which time you are soaked from the moment you step out into public – and if you have camera gear… Leave it indoors ;)

Photo by Sofia & Tobias

Sandy Cummins

Mine is travelling back in time, as a young child, and the memories of Easter. Friday was waking up to the smell of freshly baked hot cross buns for breakfast and the children’s easter stories on the radio. Mother would have got up at the crack of dawn to make them from scratch. My grandmother was usually with us over Easter and I would run in early to wake her up so we could all have the fresh buns from the oven together. Next would be anticipation of Easter Sunday when the Easter Bunny would have visited over night and carefully hidden our chocolate treats around the house. Best ever was one year when all the individual pieces of miniature chocolate tea set in gold foil were carefully hidden for me to find. Those were the days!!

Photo by nettsu

Em Funnell

I remember when I was little and living overseas we used to have a night church service on good friday. It was always freezing cold nearing the start of winter. We would all have candles to hold as a special treat. Being so careful with the candle flame and trying so hard not to blow it out until the end of the service! After the service there were always hot cross buns and a hot spiced cider drink to warm everyone up. I can remember to this day the smell of the cloves and cinnamon spilling through the church. =)
Happy Easter everyone

Photo by Jonny Ho

Each month we have a Travelling Tales theme
on our Facebook page, where we encourage you
to share your experiences ~
If you missed out contributing to the post above,
add your tale in the comments below -
*highlighting your holiday adventures*
is fun for the teller of the tale and the listener.
So please share :)