Risking it all: what we do on vacation that we’d never dream of doing at home
Going on vacation offers us the chance to kick back and unwind, and while it’s great to let your hair down while you’re away from home, is it worth throwing all caution to the wind and taking risks that you normally wouldn’t? If you feel like it’s time to embark upon a long-overdue overseas escapade, make sure you look after yourself and the rest of your party – and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t skimp on the cost of your vacation by cutting out the single trip travel insurance policy that could just end up saving your life.
Drink & banned substances
Even though we know that excess drinking and/or drug-taking is risky even on home soil, doing it in foreign climes increases that risk 100-fold. When it comes to drink, you could drink something uncharacteristically strong, your drink could be spiked with drugs, you could react badly to drink in excessive temperatures or you could decide when you’re drunk that the sea looks like a great place to swim. And they’re only a few of the problems you might encounter. Whatever the scenario, alcohol renders you extremely vulnerable, which is especially risky an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people and in an unfamiliar situation. In the case of illegal substances, you simply don’t know what you’re taking, and often, you won’t know what the penalty for being caught is, and you could end up being thrown into a Thai jail for the rest of your days without a trial or any sort of access to the outside world.
Extreme sports and activities
Many resorts provide guests with a massive choice of adrenaline-fuelled extreme sports and activities. From bungee jumping to skydiving, paragliding, deep sea diving, abseiling, rock climbing, diving, base jumping, and everything in between, you’ll usually be invited to take your pick. And while at home you’d use your shrewd judgement to decide whether or not the company you’ve chosen to go with is reputable, you may momentarily forget yourself while on vacation, and get caught up in the moment.
Transport
If you’re used to wearing a seatbelt while driving or being driven back home in the US, then why shouldn’t you while on vacation? It makes no sense. Anything in the world can happen (just like at home, and it’s probably safe to say that you’re at greater risk of injury or death in countries where the driving laws are more lax and the state of the roads and in worse condition than those back home.
So wherever it is you decide to go on your vacation, make sure you always bear your safety and the safety of your other party members in mind at all times – no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
