Holiday Regrets

When on holiday, our inhibitions are inevitably low. Afterall, isnt that what being on holiday is all about - trying something new? For example, would you get in your car and not wear a seatbelt? Most people would agree that the answer is a resounding 'No!' So why then do we freely get into a rickshaw, leaving common sense behind and often risking not only our lives but those of our children – simply for the experience of riding a rickshaw; to try something new and to try anything once?

So let me ask another question. When we are home, we go to great lengths to support humanitarian and animal welfare organizations. So why then when on holiday do we turn a blind eye to some of these (often obvious) violations?

I’m not by any means trying to imply that every person goes wild on holidays and makes conscious decisions to support an activity they would otherwise strongly object to. But there is no denying that sometimes we do – often regretting the decision once the euphoria associated with the activity is gone and the reality of our contribution to the consequence sinks in.

I for one have made many decisions while on holiday which I have later grown to deeply regret. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am an animal lover. Although I’m still discovering for myself what that means to me, it hasn’t always been the case.

When I was younger, animals to me were the cute, cuddly, generally domesticated beings. I loved cats, dogs, rabbits, tigers, elephants – but not snakes, crocodiles, sharks and stingrays. I’m ashamed to say that as I’ve grown older, I haven’t always grown wiser.

Indonesia

Photo Credit @stylefrizz.com &
@forwallpaper.com

When I was 15, a friend introduced me a back alley shop that specialized in made-to-order shoes… of genuine snakeskin.

As you enter the shop, the first room stocks all available shoe styles. Once a style is chosen, you then take this with you to the back of the store which stocks a few (small) aquariums over-filled with snakes. At this point, staff measure the customer’s foot size, examine the shoe style chosen and point out the snakes that are ‘long enough’ to provide enough skin for the shoes.

I bought nothing from this store. Not because of my beliefs in animal welfare (at the time, I had no strong opinions), but because the snake I had chosen was not long enough to provide enough skin for the style of shoe I had selected. Lucky escape for the snake I thought. But realistically, all I did was delay the inevitable.
I did end up helping my friend make a purchase... A choice I regret. 

Sri Lanka

Of all the animals in the animal kingdom, elephants are by far my favourite. When I see an elephant, I have a strong urge to grab onto its trunk and give it a big hug! So why the heck did I agree to ride an elephant at an ‘orphanage’ in Sri Lanka? On the surface, the place seemed fine to me – the elephant I was to ride seemed happy and healthy. We went for a short stroll around a nearby village. Sitting on the elephants back, I noticed others. One elephant was swaying side to side with her head hanging low; looking rather spaced out. When I asked the handlers about this, their answer was even more chilling, “She’s just dancing Madam – don’t worry.”

Why didn’t I ask more questions? Why didn’t I insist on walking around to see the elephants before paying the ‘donation’? These are questions that will haunt me for a long time.

Australia

Now, I know what you’re thinking – first world country, full of animal lovers, all very vocal about animal rights. I have just two words – animal farms.

A couple of years ago, on a holiday in Australia, I went to visit a crocodile farm. In fact, if you read down to previous blog entries, I even recommend visiting it!

"We are a business"

One would think the name itself would tell me about what’s going on inside. Frankly speaking I had no idea and this was largely due to my own laziness. I had no strong love for crocodiles. After all, they would kill absolutely anyone on a whim – even their own!

Although I still have no love for crocodiles, I do feel guilty about visiting the farm and by extension, supporting it? If I am claiming to be an animal lover, I cannot in good conscience support an organization that breeds creatures for the sole purpose of providing designer shoes, belts and handbags.

Still don't believe me? Google Greyhound Racing Animals Australia. 

Thailand

Al Jazeera recently ran a documentary on the business of animal trade in Thailand. One of the businesses it discussed was the Tiger Temple; a place I have visited. Previous to visiting the Tiger Temple, I had done a lot of research on the wellbeing of these tigers. I felt satisfied that they were well treated and well looked after. I did read a few negative reviews about the place. But the language used in those reviews led me to believe they were an odd case and perhaps maybe had held a grudge about something.

Photo Credit @dailymail.co.uk

I went to the Tiger Temple feeling quite satisfied that I was giving my money to a good cause.

When I got there, I got to see and touch a gorgeous little tiger cub. He seemed happy and quite playful. However, as more people stepped up to touch the tiger cub and have a photo taken, the cub became restless and agitated. At this point, its what the handlers did that angered me. They gave the cub a slipper to chew on while they severely shortened the metal chain which tethered the cub to the ground.

I started to question everything I had read about this…sanctuary. As I walked around the grounds, I noticed that the cubs were out in the open – seemingly innocently playing. The adult tigers themselves are locked up in small ‘rooms’. Rooms that I felt would be small even for me was I to live there day in day out – and I’m less than a third of the size of an adult tiger!

In hindsight, I should have researched the place a lot more. I should have listened to the negative reviews and recognized them for passion rather than aggression. I not only regret having visited the Tiger Temple but I also regret convincing my previously skeptical friends into visiting it with me.

To anyone considering visiting the Tiger Tempe, I would strongly urge you to watch this Al Jazeera documentary.

I’m not here to be a vocal advocate for animal welfare. It is something I feel strongly about but I do not claim to know it all and jam that down anybody’s throat. I have only one request. If you feel strongly about an issue when watching it on TV from the comfort of your own home, whether it be personal safety, animal welfare or human rights, do not abandon this sentiment just because you’re on holiday. Its tough to stand up for what you believe in. Having said that, what would be tougher? Talking to the next generation about the way things used to be or telling them about a generation that fought hard to provide a great way of life? 
This is my lesson learnt from my holiday choices. And i'm slowly learning to ask some simple questions like, what is this article made from? How are these animals cared for? It's not someone else's problem. It's everybody's concern.

What are some questions that you ask when you're out and about?