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Came across this on google….. presume you guys know all about it………? ;-)
Adventure Travel site hits back at criticism
Added: (Sun Dec 11 2005)
Polo’s Bastards
Going where we ain’t supposed to.Media Release
December 2005
BEGIN
“Adventure Travel site hits back at criticism ”Adventure travel site Polo’s Bastards (https://polosbastards.com) has angrily rejected media claims that it promotes irresponsible travel.
The site, whose motto is ‘Going where we ain’t supposed to’ specialises in travel to dangerous places and has featured travel articles from countries such as Iraq, The Sudan, Congo and Afghanistan. It has also featured reports on surviving in third world gaols and how to stay healthy in poor countries.
“The media frequently tries to paint us as reckless and irresponsible,” says Polo’s Bastards editor, Lee Ridley. “The fact is the community we have built at Polo’s Bastards is amongst the most travel-savvy on the planet. Our writers include security contractors, professional war-journalists, aid workers, and even an Oxford professor – hardly a cross-section that could be classified as ill informed or cavalier.”
The rejection comes after the site was featured in several media outlets including the London Times and Norwegian media outlet – Nettavisen.
“The Times piece attempted to portray one of our writers who visited Iraq as a “war tourist”, neglecting to mention the fact that he actually worked and reported for a newspaper at the time,” said Lee Ridley. “It was inaccurate and a little unfair, but the tone was picked up by Nettavisen.”
“Portraying us in such a light is unjustified as the whole point of the site is to allow people to get quality information about these places so that they can make their trip on an informed basis. It’s about being safe!”
Recent articles on Polo’s Bastards cover such destinations as Congo, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan and can be found at https://polosbastards.com
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Business/Adventure_Travel_site_hits_back_at_criticism_45084.html
Spot on SRR… I was sooo angry!
Me, reckless and irresponsible?
I told them I did. I told them “I’ll have you know I’m a pillar of the community”.
If someone could just go missing on their next trip. Just long enough for it to get PBs a mention on the evening news, that’d be great!
Then they could fortuitously reappear to much jubilation and give PBs a mention in the ensuing media circus and, hey presto! – Double whammy!As you say, there’s no such thing as bad press.
8)
If someone could just go missing on their next trip. Just long enough for it to get PBs a mention on the evening news, that’d be great!
Then they could fortuitously reappear to much jubilation and give PBs a mention in the ensuing media circus and, hey presto! – Double whammy!I know I’ll go missing inThailand in April. It’s already planned, and I already know the reason and that will be the estrogen unit I will be traveling with, not muslim kidnappers. It happens every trip actually. Sometimes more than once a day. The problem with it hitting the news is that we actually enjoy it happening so much that we would never try to put the kebosh on it occuring.
The point that seems to be totally missed is the info you get here you can’t really find in too many other places, not to mention the individuals that provide the info have legitimate, timely, real world experience.
This is as I see it a symptom of the “Lonely planet” corporate mindset that is slowly but surely starting to impart it’s brainwashing methodology of what travel is or should be. Yuck I feel icky now.
Best,
StivYou know the funny thing is, although we give LP such short shrift, there’s a guy who I’ve contaced through the thorn tree forum, who is giving me some very useful info on a location that we have no one covering here at PBs.
So although the most damning criticism we’ve received has been from the TT, there are still evidently some people over there who aren’t blinkered and who don’t follow the pack. (Just in case you’re reading this, Mathieu!)
:wink:
So although the most damning criticism we’ve received has been from the TT, there are still evidently some people over there who aren’t blinkered and who don’t follow the pack.
I agree Lee and tend to peruse thier forums like all of the other forums I know before I hit the road somewhere.
In fact I really do think that there is real difference between the mentality of the people who frequent the forums and the mentality of the guide books. The books are good for some info and the travelers are good for other info.
That bieng said I’ve stopped posting at the TT because so many of the folks are genuine wankers on another plane as what you might find on the BFC ie BFC many folk who spew drivel and travel very little and like to c+p newsprint. TT loaded with folks whom are be all know it alls who live in an ultra PC judgemental sort of existance and will be the first to tell and judge you about what you do or don’t know. Gee maybe it’s alot closer to the BFC than I originally thought :shock:
On the other hand one of the best guides I ever had I hooked up with there. I’ve experinced the up and downside so to speak.
Best,
StivGood God! Stiv’s coming to Thailand-thanks for the advanced warning-I’ll contact some Karen friends of mine and they’ll kidnap him and take him back to Burma
Jimbo you are a man after my own heart. That would be superb!! It’ll give my gal pal a whole new set of reasons to bitch about traveling with me!! 8)
If and when she actually decides that I’m worthy of a glance at the itinerary (I’m always the last to know.) I’ll let you know if we can hook up for a meal and a drink or two (On me but you pick the place, I simply can’t wait to plop her ass in her first tuk tuk :twisted: ).
Even though it’s a package deal, more or less, there should be plenty of free time for that and the kidnapping, I’ve always wanted to see Burma.
Best,
StivLee
Trust you will post the offending articles in the Press room so we may all form our own opinions.
As RYP says, more people are killed in accidents in their own home than by accidents and incidents in ‘dangerous’ places. I slipped and fell in the shower at home (alright, home in Nairobi, not home in UK) about three years ago and cracked my head open and was lucky to survive. I don’t notice the Times posting any warnings about Shower adverts though!!V
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