I would like to ask @Bretrick a question

Ruthanne said:
Hi @Bretrick !

Can you tell me about any of your trips or adventures? I love your stories!
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In 1980, as an 18 year old from a small country town in Tasmania I went on a cruise with some friends to Fiji, Noumea, etc.

On the Ship it was okay but the moment we landed at Suva I was accosted by all and sundry pressuring me to buy their wares. One local persuaded me to accompany him to a jewellery shop and I had this high pressure sales person on my back the whole time.
I continued to say I did not want a watch so the sales person tried a different tack.
"You want Girl? I have girl for you out back, you come with me out back up stairs, we get you girl."
"I do not have time for that, the ship is leaving sone"
"You want boy? We have some nice boys upstairs"

I ran out of the shop and ran back to the ship. It was a frightening experience for a naive 18 year old.

In 1990 I went to Malaysia with a friend for a 2 week self drive holiday.
Landing at Singapore, proceeding to the train station, having to use an open squat toilet visible to other men, getting off the train at Johor Bahru, we went at Hari Raya/Ramadan, the amount of people there was overwhelming.
I could not have done it on my own. My friend was a seasoned traveller, the culture shock was almost debilitating for me.

In attempting to locate the hire car office we went into the Hilton Hotel.
Whilst my friend was making enquiries, I was viewing the scene outside the Hotel. Here I was inside this palatial building, outside there seemed like millions of people living in poverty. I was appalled at the spectacle.

When I arrived back home I vowed never to leave Australia again.
Why leave Australia? 10 lifetimes would not be enough to experience all there is here
 
I agree with your statements about Suva, Fiji.
I was in Suva a year & a half ago. I found it to be a very depressing place. Dirty, much abject poverty everywhere & even worse outside of town. People selling anything & everything along the streets often sitting on the roadway with their stuff spread out everwhere. It was overcast & showery the whole time I was there which didn't help the mood. I always thought Fiji was this place that would look like paradise - not like a crap-hole! Many of the outer Islands that are part of Fiji are stunningly beautiful but not the main Island where Suva is the Capital.
 
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