We’ve been talking about how lucky we are that we got to Angaston before this whole Wuhan Flu thing broke out. It’s beautiful, prosperous, and full of happy, friendly people. There’s nowhere we’d rather be quarantined.
But what about the opposite end of the spectrum? There are a few places we wouldn’t want to be quarantined — places we’ve visited that we laughingly call “once in a lifetime” destinations because we never want to go back. Places that were bad when times were good.
It’s a short list because we’ve loved most of the places we’ve visited. But there are always a few exceptions.
Let’s review:
The Trans-Siberian Express. Seven days and nights with no contact with the outside world. No shower facilities. A toilet shared with everyone in our train car. A shared faucet that sputtered a weak stream of water into a filthy sink. Insufficient, overpriced food. Rude railway workers. Just imagine if you had left Moscow just before this thing hit and then ended up stranded when you arrived in China.
Sri Lanka. We actually loved Sri Lanka, but never felt really safe in the capital city. We arrived on a warm, balmy night and asked our hotel desk clerk if it was safe to go for a walk in downtown Colombo. She said, “Oh, yes. It’s very safe. Just don’t go beyond the security guards in the parking lot.” We took a pass. It’s just impossible to imagine being quarantined where it’s not safe to take a walk.
Madagascar. Gut-wrenching poverty and zero sanitation. Our hotel was surrounded by a wall and an armed guard roamed the courtyard. The airport featured a mob scene reminiscent of The Year of Living Dangerously. And who cares about the Wuhan Flu when there’s bubonic plague to worry about.
The Russian cruise ship. Heaven help anyone quarantined aboard this rusty old scow.
China. It goes without saying that you wouldn’t want to be quarantined for the Wuhan Flu when you’re anywhere near Wuhan.
If you have to be stranded somewhere, let it be the Barossa.
Absolutely.
Masterful planning.