22 October 2013

Angola

Looking for an unusual holiday location? What about Africa? And specifically what about Angola? It is a beautiful country with miles of scenic south Atlantic beaches and a rich array of wildlife. Formerly colonised by the Portuguese, it still retains attractive echoes of that "benevolent" occupation. Oh, but hang on a minute, hadn't we better find out what life is like for visitors to Angola's exciting capital city - Luanda?

Let's investigate  measured and well-researched foreign travel advice from the British government:-

There is a high level of crime in Luanda. Muggings, particularly to steal mobile phones and other valuables, and armed robberies can occur in any area at any time of the day or night. Areas popular with foreigners are particular targets.

Incidents of rape have been reported in popular nightlife areas, as well as in private homes. Don’t travel alone at night.

Avoid walking around Luanda, especially after dark. Avoid wearing jewellery or watches in public places. Don’t change or withdraw large sums of money in busy public areas. Avoid walking between bars and restaurants on the Ilha do Cabo, and avoid crowded places like markets.

Theft from stationary or slow-moving cars is common in downtown Luanda. Keep valuables out of sight and don’t use mobiles or laptops while in traffic. A high proportion of the civilian population is armed.

When driving, be very wary if another car signals you to pull over. Thieves use the pretext of a minor traffic incident to get you out of your car either to steal it or to rob you.

So, Las Vegas? The Costa Blanca? A remote Greek island? No way! Reading between the lines of the carefully considered travel advice above you can see how much more exciting Angola would be as a holiday destination.

12 comments:

  1. Miss Angola there certainly makes a bloke miss Angola, doesn't she?

    Your post reminded me that the daughter of some friends of mine worked for the U.N. in Liberia during some of the late unpleasantness there. The parents were worried sick, but the daughter was having a blast, oblivious to it all. Now she is safely back in absolutely safe and benign New York City.

    I know this post was aimed at Hippo, but can I help it if I'm the first to comment?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Ha! Loved your play on the word "miss". I look at the government advice for some countries I have visited - Chile, Cambodia etc and it seems like scare-mongering. I am not surprised that the young woman you mentioned enjoyed her time in Liberia.

      Delete
  2. Ouch ~ I would hate to get on your wrong side YP, I would fear a big FAIL on my exam paper.
    When I made the move out of inner city Brisbane to regional Queensland because of break ins and robberies happening in our neighborhood, my first on site induction at my place of work in Townsville promptly told me that TSV had the highest rate if crime in QLD. And of course Cairns is purported to have a black trade in drug trafficking and money laundering between PNG and the mainland.
    Did I mention that Cairns and Queensland are beautiful places to holiday too?
    BTW when will you be holidaying in Angola? I am guessing it is not one of the 50+ stamps in your passport?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is funny how official perceptions can be so wildly different from real life experience of a place, Nevertheless, I am not planning to go to Angola in the near future. Hippo would kill me after this!

      Delete
  3. A rather stained attempt at a post - It is obvious all you really wanted to do was post your pin-up girl. 3/10.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just be grateful I haven't posted the photo of Miss Bay of Plenty (1974)!

      Delete
    2. Oh, I don't know Katherine, out of ten I'd have no hesitation giving that girl one.

      Delete
  4. Don't forget Miss Universe, she was Angolan too.

    http://hippo-on-the-lawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/luanda-nightlife.html

    Back in the good old bad old days, we all ran around with pistols in our bum bags. Car hijackings were common, home robberies, assaults, wild sex parties, orgies you name it, they happened on a daily basis. Then the government banned foreign nationals from carrying guns and it all stopped.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BTW, isn't that the Miss Angola Pin Up? Not Angola, the country in Africa but Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

      As an aside, I LOVE telling Americans that I have done over twenty years in Angola,

      They always say, 'Fuck! What for, murder? No wonder you look wasted!'

      Delete
    2. Hell's bells - if that what inmates of Angola Prison look like, I'm heading for Louisiana to commit an act of gross indecency. Mind you - it could be a ladyboy called Graham!

      Delete

Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

Most Visits