On resorts and cruises

So this year, we have been on a Mediterranean cruise and also spent some time at the Pangkor Laut Resort (INSERT LINK) in Malaysia. I have noticed a strange trend in both the places. In both places (ship and resorts), you are stuck in a limited space and are sort of “forced” to do the activities provided by the “vendor”.

For example, the PLR is gorgeous. We were staying in the sea villas located on stilts on the ocean, like traditional Malay villages are designed (of course their houses are not as big or air conditioned with a butler service). The resort has a theme of “one island - one resort”, so the only people allowed on this tropical rainforest island are the members of the resort. Also the resort has a limited number of rooms. For the first day or so, there was the wow factor, cos everything was so cool. But soon you start running out of choices. There are two restaurants open for lunch and three for dinner. Soon the “activities” on the resorts start to wear one out! Hence my rule of thumb for future travels, while visiting a country is to do a good chunk of the initial travels in the regular parts (Tioman in the Malaysia case, where we chilled out in regular beach chalets and ate on the cheap and had loads of fun diving and mingling with other tourists) and then spend the last few days (not more than three) at the best resort in the country (only if it is worth staying there, like PLR is Pavrotti’s get away). Also, I noticed that people in resorts tend to be snobby, cos I think they are spending shit loads of money. Hence they have the “I am an important person” air around them. The socializing tends to be on the lower side (not non existent), compared to the regular “backpackers place”, where we met quite a few interesting people!

The summary, avoid cruises till you turn 60 (Alaska and Galapagos cruises exempted) and don’t stay at resorts for more than 3 days.