Hello dear readers! I am sending out this bonus post to bring you this very important update. There has been some concern over the the fact that I’m traveling through these parts (Asia, I’m in Asia right now) with a deadly virus on the loose. I’ve had friends who were planning to travel the area, contact me out of concern, wondering whether or not it was safe to do so. Coronavirus is a hot topic right now, and has become the second most popular icebreaker after the worn-out “Where are you from? How long are you traveling for?” questions. 

Yes, coronavirus is very dangerous. Stay away! Lock yourselves in your homes with a lifetime supply of surgical masks and hand sanitizer. 

Meanwhile I’m going to spend the next month enjoying having the sights all to myself. Ah, it is a beautiful time to be traveling. 

Six years ago I visited Angkor Wat, an ancient temple complex that Cambodia is best known for. Six years ago it was glorious, and also completely packed with Chinese tourists. People would  reserve their places on the lakefront the night before, just to get the famous, sunrise-over-the-main-temple shot. By the time the hoards of normal tourists showed up at 5am, there was only room left at the very back of the crowd. I remember watching the sun rise from a spot off to the far side in the midst of some trees. 

This year, I visited again. Yes, the temples were that magnificent, that I was willing to brave the crowds again. Only there were no crowds. I didn’t bother bringing my camera because I had known that I would be taking photos of everyone’s heads, but you known what? I was only the third or fourth row back, and in a nice, central position. The rest of the vast lawn, usually jam-packed with millions of dollars worth of the best cameras money can buy, was empty. 

I stumbled across a post later that day that displayed some before and after photos of popular tourist spots affected by the Coronavirus. “Wreaked Havoc” and “Devastating” were two phrases used to paint a grim picture of how the virus is destroying tourism. 

Keep it up, media, please keep it up. Because this is the Asia I never thought I would get a chance to see, the one before the region became completely overrun by tourists. 

I’m still not answering my original question though. Is it safe? I’m not a scientist. I have no idea what this thing is capable of. I can read numbers though. The World Health Organization posts a daily Situation Report on their website which you can find by clicking here.

As of February 23, 2020, there have been 1,769 total confirmed cases of the virus outside of China, resulting in 17 deaths. Meanwhile, an average of 3,287 people die in car accidents worldwide EVERY DAY. We’re not getting all fussed over people driving to work everyday though, no, that’s just considered a part of life. 

That is not to say that traveling with coronavirus out there is completely carefree. Malaysia is on particularly high alert: a friend I met in Thailand had been forced to extend his travels while the wedding he was meant to be attending was postponed. Face masks are being passed out like candy in areas with high numbers of travelers flowing through, such as airports and border crossings. I did get a particular kick out of everyone being forced to wear a surgical mask crossing the border form Thailand into Cambodia, because we wore them for all of a couple minutes while standing in line, before having to take them off again so that the officials could make sure our faces matched our passports. Many business employees are being forced to wear masks to work all day. Some of the more cautious tourists are wearing their masks while out in public as well. Thanks for not spreading all your other germs. 

I avoid places with high congestion for the most part though. My past few weeks have been on a journey to find the last undeveloped islands in Southeast Asia. Places where you can forget about the real world, viruses, car accidents, and the latest fears being spread by the media. I am pleased to report that such places are still out there, and you are in for a treat with the content that I have planned. So get your fruity cocktails with the little umbrellas ready, because I have some sunny posts coming your way. 

As we do jump back to normal posts, keep in mind that I am backtracking to before the coronavirus became an issue. I do have one lovely island with pre-virus crowds to bellyache over. News of coronavirus didn’t even reach my ears until Koh Mook, and that is still a few posts away… I probably won’t even mention the virus again in unless something exciting happens, because it has been that much of a non-issue. 

Bottom line: This virus is a bunch of hype over a very small issue. But you probably shouldn’t be taking health advisories from a travel blogger.