Reality vs Instagram
We try to be as honest and transparent in our blog pieces as much as possible. However, there is a game afoot – Reality vs Instagram! Since Instagram started, and technology becoming more advanced, there have been more and more fake pictures out there that doesn’t match the reality. It’s another reason to pack those bags and visit these places yourself.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a nicely placed photograph too, but as well as this, we tend to show the reality of each location also.
In this piece, we will cover several top tourist attractions that we have vacationed in, which, lets say, has a side you don’t always see in the glossy brochures. This is a Reality vs Instagram check.
Mauritius
As one of our most recent trips, we thought we would start with Mauritius. Indeed, this got us thinking again about the reality vs Instagram syndrome.
When people think about Mauritius, they usually recall from the glossy brochures or Instagram ads, a honeymooners paradise. Perfect blue skies, dreamy sandy beaches, with a cocktail in hand.
The weather
This can be the case. If you aren’t dependant on the weather. The weather in Mauritius isn’t always reliable for sunshiny days. Indeed, downpours are the norm even in the ‘season’. It’s a tropical Island, with lots of green, for a reason.
Beaches
Well yes, there are some nice beaches in Mauritius, although very narrow they can be long. So, if you haven’t got use of a private beach, you can always walk the length of the public beaches to find your quiet spot in paradise. Or, maybe if you aren’t fussy, you can just plonk down beside the masses. On a positive note, there was surprisingly not a pile of sunbeds covering the sands.
Convenience
Cocktail? Now you’re talking. However, this can prove difficult in Mauritius, though, if you aren’t staying at a fancy hotel on the beach getting waited on hand and foot. There is a lack of beach bars along the shore line, so you may just want to bring your own refreshments. Off course you can get plenty of cocktails at the bars / hotels when you go looking. However, don’t expect dicky bow waiter service all along the seafront.
Animals
Nature, and it’s wonderful wildlife, can abound in far off places. We have dreams of seeing exotic creatures, roaming wild, in their natural habitats. However, humans like to make zoos and imprison animals. Sadly, you have the animal cruelty entertainment in most tourist attractions. This is a dark side in the Reality vs Instagram game. A picture with a trapped, malnourished, animal isn’t my idea of fun. Be careful to research, supporting attractions that understand other animals’ need for freedom, and actively seek to coexist with nature’s wonders.
Attractions
One particular tourist attraction that stood out, was the famous The Seven Coloured Earths. Have you ever seen that geological formation found in the Chamarel plain of the Rivière Noire District in south-western Mauritius? We were excited to see this ‘wonder of the world’. If you go by Instagram photos, you will expect to see a sand dune rainbow!
In reality it’s several different shades of brown and dull red. Filters have a lot to answer for!
To harsh on Mauritius? Not really. It’s better to be honest so expectations are better managed prior to arrival.
Welcoming
Now, we aren’t saying there was no one in Mauritius that was friendly. There certainly was. We met some lovely people. However, it wouldn’t be my top ten most friendliest places in the world. This may be different if you’re staying in a resort you don’t leave. Remember staff in these places get paid to smile to the tourists.
Dominican Republic
Yet another sought after honeymoon destination, advertising a relaxed friendly island. Let’s go look closer.
Fancy a swim?
Even though the beaches on first inspection are filled with pretty powdery sand, wide and long (that’s if you don’t go lay outside a hotel you aren’t a resident off), the water can be very difficult to get to because of a thick, several metres, barrier of seaweed. It’s worse than Holbox. The turquoise water is also awash with it. There seems to be a daily, losing battle, to try and clear the sargassum as JCBs, men with rakes, and bin lorries all muck in.
However, It can depend where you are in the island. The small, more local, village of Bayahibe seemed to be different. From memory, and our photos, we can’t really remember seeing much in the small bays around the village.
Animal cruelty
Whether its using animals in tourist attractions, or dragging the animals to the spot you’re laying on, you will find locals prowling the beach with the likes of drugged birds or monkeys in hand. Frustratingly, some not very wise visitors pay to get pictures taken with the traumatized and degraded animals. These Reality vs Instagram moments make our blood boil. If stupid tourists didn’t fund this, then it would stop.
It’s not hard to understand that monkey’s don’t tend to be on leads or wild parrots don’t normally sit on a person’s shoulder the whole day long. In fact, a quick web search, on the handy devises that the majority spend hundreds of pounds to attach to, will assist in understanding the seedy side of these “attractions”!
Ladies of the night and razor wired properties
Don’t be surprised if you see prostitution going on outside your hotel in the evening. These women (or ladies boys) tend to hang around establishments were they think can make the most money. Tourists spin money bags in their eyes. A bit of sleazyness and criminal activity is nothing new around the world. What the glossy pics don’t show is tall walls, fences and razor wire nestled amongst the palms.
Flying high – a fun Reality vs Instagram
No we aren’t talking about the illegal kind, although there is plenty of that about in the Dominican (always watch your drinks). We thought we’d through in a fun element to this piece and talk of Montana Redonda.
If you dare, pop yourself on one of the swings. They are huge, sturdy apparatuses that allow one to swing way out over the grassy edge. It is thrilling like a rollercoaster ride but does require a bit of a push at times lol. Hold on tight!
Looking at most of our photos, you’d be forgiven to think we were professional acrobats or have a magical touch.
For all these props, it’s all about the angle. There are professional photographers there if you need help, but it’s at a price. We used our own phones and it was easy enough to work out. Can’t always believe what your eyes are telling you. In saying that, we had a great, fun, day in that playpark in the sky.
Holbox
Ah island life. It’s close proximity to the Yucatan Peninsula means that it’s easy to accessable.
The sunbeds & the Sargassum
Most of the sand is compacted and hard to walk on. So much so that people can cycle on it. Sargassum, as with a lot of the area, is a ongoing issue. Indeed, hotel and bar staff can regularly been seen with their big orange rakes out.
Then you have that of tourism. The place is saturated. Those that already hog the shoreline, fill it with loungers and umbrellas because people apparently have lost the ability to throw a sarong down and lie on the beach.
You can still find a spot if your up early and on your game.
Transport
When researching online, a lot of people said Holbox is a car free island. It may be a ‘car free’ zone, but do not think you will come here and be completely free of traffic. In fact, there are some cars and trucks on the island, used to clear waste, deliver goods, owned by some locals etc. On top of that, what many other writers fail to tell is that there are plenty of golf carts, motorcycles, and ATVs motoring around! Some of the drivers have scant regard for pedestrians so be careful.
The narrow road goes along the length of the beach, so when laying soaking up the sun, you can soak up some fumes to.
Other than waking, the other mode of transportation is a bicycle. The ‘roads’ are sandy, dusty, dirt tracks with potholes everywhere. Be prepared for a bumpy ride. When the rains come they are almost unusable. Think of a quagmire of gloopy cement with large puddle pools and you will get the idea.
Sayulita
Ask most people and they won’t have heard of Sayulita, the little surf beach town in Mexico. We stayed there over a year, during the pandemic. Especially because it was free. In Sayulita it had an inside joke, ‘What is covid?’ When the rest of the world shutdown, it opened after 2 months (the cartels knew the score).
We will always remember Sayulita fondly and definitely one day go back. However, after living there for over a year in various seasons, we started noticing cracks, so we scratched under her surface.
So, if Sayulita ever gets more popular with other visitors other thank Mexicans, Canadians and Americans this is what you got to know.
Drugs
Watching two tourists girls barely standing, in broad daylight one afternoon, we saw it first hand how badly drugs were affecting them. They were emaciated and vunerable as they hung around with some unsavoury characters. Just to be clear, we’ve seen this kind of thing in European countries too, as well as the UK. Their drug of choice was Ketamine apparantly. It can be bought off street dealers or in a pharmacy. A pill popping Reality vs Instagram!
Like anywhere in the world, keep away from trouble, avoid drugs, dodgy people, trust your instincts and use common sense.
When looking for an antiseptic cream in a pharmacy, we shouldn’t have been surprised to be offered a menu pulled out from under the counter. To our amusement, it had all sorts on it, such as uppers and downers, anti depressants, sleeping pills, diet pills etc. To add to the amusement and astonishment, you could buy one and get one free!
Theft
Reading Sayulita People’sFacebook page, you will come across warnings and stories of theft happening. This is mostly thugs grabbing an opportunity when you aren’t looking. It’s usually easy to pass on items like phones or wallets they steal. Hearing one story on Sayulita people, the local girl explains that when she tripped unexpectedly, the perpetrator noticed the opportunity and ran off with her bag which had fallen to the ground!
Be aware, when you’re at the beach or a restaurant etc, never leave your bags or valuables unintended. Some thief’s have been known to hide behind the trees at the beach, then pounce when you aren’t looking!
Murky
During rainy season, on most roads you will basically be walking through murky puddles and streams ankle deep.
Infact several times the actual river has been at it’s highest. The water formed waves as it traveled ferociously through the banks of the river and into the ocean but also spilled over the sides, entering into neighborhoods causing damage.
Best to take your flip flops off and embrace it, or if you’re lucky enough get someone to give you a piggyback. Thanks Knox lol
Parties
Mexicans love their music and it’s loud! It’s not unusual to have a car park up on the road. Swing the door open and blare the stereo full blast. These people are not only teenagers, they’re mostly in their 50’s! It’s even worse when it’s in full swing at 3am.
Construction
Buildings are popping up on almost every spare space in Sayulita. Which means construction is big business and occuring everywhere. The Reality vs Instagram pictures of a building site, or one sliding down a collapsing ridge, will not make it into the glossy magazine but may make the news!
Sayulita may be busy now, even for low season, but if things continue to grow at a rapid speed, it will unfortunately lose its charm and become saturated.
Although, some houses are very tempting and pretty I must say! You will find many built on precarious edges!
Houses aren’t cheap here due to the rich American clientele coming over the years, prices have rocketed into the millions.
Disney – Paris- A reality vs Instagram eye opener
The iconic palace, with adventure, thrill rides, fun, happy people, favourite characters, dancing etc etc. All synonymous with Disney and expectations are bred on these thoughts and dreams. The reality?
There is a distinct change of course in the terminology used here and the deeper it gets the more repugnant the corporation becomes. If I had anything in my stomach, there is the possibility that I would be sick. Alas, I can’t even do that as I was also sick with hunger in this hell hole. A Reality vs Instagram nightmare.
Disorganised Disney
For now, I will start with disorganised: The touted numbers ranged between 40 and 50 thousand people (there is a likelihood of more as people were still coming into the outer areas of the complex at 16.30 when we could stand it no longer.) And this, certainly to a novice like me, far exceeded what the 2 parks could actually cope with. I would be interested to know the legal capacity for it or why authorities would allow for so much?
The management should take note from other large events (sports, gigs etc) on how to manage such large numbers. At the bag check, the scrum to get one’s bags looked at was anything but properly directed. Indeed, there were no orderly queues to direct people to specific points. There was a lack of stewards to do this and it showed. Rather than High Vis, it was a case of invisibility.
Sell, sell, sell
Even we got caught up in the fun of buying mouse ears and taking photos.
Down the rabbit hole
We learnt alot, away after our trip to Disney, as we took a trip down the rabbit hole, researching extensively, and found Disney has a very dark side.
Bursting the marshmallow bubble of Disney was almost unbelievable.
Disney definitely had dirty little secrets.
The rescuers (naked woman in the window).
Walt Disney himself was a free Mason, which is evident in many of the Disney movies. If you look closely all the characters and films display Masonic symbolism in their costumes. Additionally, there are references to Freemasonry throughout his works—from Bambi’s father being named “The Great Prince of the Forest” (which is one of the titles given to Masons) to Donald Duck wearing a Masonic ring in one short film—which could point towards his involvement with Freemasonry.
The worst though is to come, with sexual references in the films. Remember, Disney is supposed to be for children.
The little mermaid
These children are subject to symbolism and parents are not even aware of it. Some blatantly show it in plain sight, others you don’t notice unless you slow the film down. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Disney has got pulled up on several of these scenes, some get recalled, but by then it’s too late. Disney knows rightly what they are doing. Sinister.
Enter at your own risk
There has been many injuries, deaths, suicides at Disney. Everything from malfunction of rides, stabbings, explosions and sexual harassment. There is even rumours of a secret underground tunnel. You won’t really hear about it on mainstream media as Disney likes to pay hush money to it’s victims and any cases getting taken to court goes unnoticed. One of the darkest Reality vs Instagram places imaginable.
Mykonos
Our first trip to Mykonos Island had us blown away. We were spoilt though, as we had a fancy boutique hotel, with our own private outdoor area, an indoor/ outdoor pool, and a wrap around balcony with ample seating and sunbathing space.
This made our trip as the beaches aren’t that spectacular. Also doing Mykonos on a budget isn’t as fun, because Mykonos is all about glamour and exuberance!
Second time around, we halved our budget and stayed at La Maison Blanche. The accommodation was cute enough, but didn’t match that of Apanema due to lack of privacy, zero service and being further out from the town. You surely had a trek. One doesn’t want to be dripping with sweat in their finery. The Reality vs Instagram factor can be high here.
When you go to Mykonos, you gotta go big or go home to really get what it’s all about.
Drugs
Not surprising, being a party town, that Mykonos has it’s fair share of drugs. Like always, don’t leave your drink unattended and always say NO to any drug pushers.
Reunion
Reunion surprised us how much we enjoyed it. The delicious croissants, free sights, the ability to learn more French, the scenery and much more. Although to have your Reunion Island trip go smooth, there’s something you should know.
It’s all about the timing
Piton de la Fournaise and many of the other attractions are undoubtedly attract hordes of tourists. So if you want to enjoy the sights, stress free, then you got to go early. And, when we say early I mean, like even before the crack of dawn. People rise extremely early here, as the sunrise is early, and most times there were traffic jams at 6am! The Reality vs Instagram dial can be adjusted.
You won’t get your perfect pictures if you’re not an earlier riser, unless off course you edit the crowds out of your snaps!
Portugal – The Algarve
There were some stunning sights on the Algarve, however, these are the points they leave out in the glossy Ads.
Sargassum
We thought the Caribbean was mad for it’s Sargassum, but the build up of seaweed on some of the coves, like Praia da Prainha, absolutely covered the sand basically to the sea. Indeed, this made it an impractical bathing spot.
The ugly high rises
Our apt complex didn’t look the prettiest. It was also surrounded by other ugly tower blocks which looked a bit rundown. It certainly didn’t have that local charm of, lets say, Naxos, Greece.
Construction
Then if there wasn’t enough high rises, you got the construction building more. It seems every inch of space is a potential for more building work. It can be like living on a construction site, literally.
Let’s focus on the positive
When you open your eyes, or live in a place, rather than just on vacation, it’s easy to see a not so prettier side of a destination. These places we mentioned aren’t on their own. Everywhere has their flaws, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the positives aspects. And, a flaw to someone else, could be beauty and a highlight to others.
To get a more in-depth read of the locations we mentioned, just click on the links above in each piece.
Also you maybe interested in:
General tips while on the road
American roadtrip – tips and reviews
