My Scariest Travel Stories: Hello everyone, Drew Binsky here from my quarantine department in Los Angeles, California! I hope you’re all doing well and staying safe. Due to popular demand, I’m back with the third installment of my scariest travel stories from my adventures across 191 countries.
I want to make it clear from the outset that I don’t harbor any negative feelings towards the countries featured in these stories. These tales are simply about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I’m sharing them to offer you a glimpse into some of my more frightening travel experiences. Let’s dive into the first of three spooky travel stories.
My Scariest Travel Stories
1. A Terrifying Boat Ride in the Philippines | My Scariest Travel Stories
The Journey Begins
About six and a half years ago, while teaching English in South Korea, I took my first trip to the Philippines, which has since become my favorite country. I was traveling with a friend and we were exploring Siquijor Island, known for its enchanting beauty and mystical folklore. Unfortunately, our trip took a frightening turn on the last day.
Our flight from Cebu City to Brunei was scheduled for 8 p.m., and getting from Siquijor to Cebu City was a day-long ordeal. We had to start with a three-hour boat ride to Dumaguete City. We arrived at the dock at 6 a.m. only to find out that all the boat ferries were canceled due to bad weather conditions. Faced with the prospect of missing our flight, I managed to find a local who offered us a ride on a private bamboo boat.
A Bumpy Ride Across the Sea
The boat was tiny, with no life jackets and a motor barely strong enough to navigate the waves. Despite my reservations, we set off with ten people crammed into the boat. Initially, the sea was calm, but soon the weather turned. The wind picked up, the rain poured down, and the small boat bobbed precariously over the waves.
As we drifted in the middle of the ocean, the waves were crashing over us and I was soaked to the bone. With no land in sight and the boat struggling against the growing storm, it felt like we were in grave danger. What was supposed to be a four-hour ride stretched into eight hours of relentless fear. Thankfully, we made it to the dock, took another boat to Cebu Island, and then caught a three-hour bus to Cebu City. We arrived just 45 minutes before our flight. It was a harrowing experience, one I would not recommend to anyone.
2. A Dangerous Encounter in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo | My Scariest Travel Stories
Meeting a Shady Local Guide
Fast forward six months, and I found myself in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. I was introduced to a local guide named Jeff through a travel friend. Initially, everything seemed fine as Jeff picked me up from the airport and took me around the city.
We explored the sights and I was happy to cover the costs for gas, food, and activities, as I usually do. However, things took a dark turn when Jeff demanded a tip, despite having previously assured me that his services were free.
A Disturbing Situation
Jeff became increasingly aggressive, insisting that I owed him money for his services. I recorded our conversation where he expressed his frustration over not receiving a tip, despite having been paid for all the expenses. Later, Jeff showed up at my hotel demanding more money, and I had to involve the hotel security to keep him away.
Over the next few days, I was on edge, carefully avoiding Jeff and limiting my time outside the hotel to avoid any potential confrontations. It was a stressful and dangerous situation that taught me to be more cautious about trusting local guides recommended by acquaintances.
3. A Harrowing Case of Food Poisoning in Goa, India | My Scariest Travel Stories
A Trip Ruined by Bad Food
After finishing my teaching stint in South Korea, I embarked on a three-month solo backpacking trip across India. My first destination was Goa, where I was eager to try local cuisine. Despite considering a vegetarian diet, a local friend convinced me to try a renowned chicken curry restaurant.
A Nightmare Experience
Unfortunately, the meal left me with severe food poisoning. I was bedridden, weakened, and unable to make it to the bathroom. It was an excruciating experience that lasted for hours and led to a significant loss of weight. My time in Goa was marred by this illness, and I spent most of my remaining days recovering from this severe bout of food poisoning.
Conclusion Of My Scariest Travel Stories
And that wraps up the third sequel of my scariest travel stories. I hope you enjoyed these tales of travel mishaps, even though they highlight some of the more frightening aspects of my adventures. I want to emphasize that these experiences are not reflective of the countries themselves but rather of challenging situations that can arise while traveling.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through my scariest travel experiences. If you enjoyed this video and want to hear more about my travels, please click subscribe and follow along as I continue my quest to visit every country in the world. Have an awesome day, and I’ll see you soon!
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