Bratislava kewlz

Something about Bratislava is just essentially cool. It's not effortlessly cool. No, everything around you shows you that Bratislava is trying way too hard, but somehow it succeeds all the same. One of the perks of having an online travel blog is that I get to share awesome stuff like this with the world. So here's some things that lifted my luggage. 

• Bratislava street art is a bizarre love triangle of Banksy-esque stencils, daring acts of upper-storey balance and defiantly confusing English. The graffiti is that awesome kind of meaninglessness that actually makes you think.
  Seriously, is that a truth about gorilla? It's like freaking Huckabees, man. How am I not myself?

• The tram tickets are for man or dog. And I thought it was weird being asked to buy a ticket for my bike. 

• People aren't afraid to be tourists. 

The language is impossible so blending in is not an option. Own it! 

Popular tourist scams for backpackers to be aware of

Ah, the good old-fashioned Tourist Scam. Fun aren't they. Most backpackers are sensible, wary folks but if you're a new traveller or just generally having bad luck you can fall victim to one of these very quickly. 

If you do plan on backpacking, especially if you plan to travel to Thailand, it's important to be aware of the tourist scams you may face. So, for both amusement and advice, here are a couple of the popular ones you may encounter and will hopefully now know to avoid. 

The "It's closed for lunch/naps/prayer" scam (popular in Thailand)

Upon approaching one of the main sites in Bangkok (most commonly the Grand Palace), you will probably start to hear this phrase a lot from "helpful" locals. Someone will ask what you're heading towards and upon being advised they will tell you it's currently closed. But never fear, they can help you! You can go visit a few other sites instead and it will only cost you 20 baht for the Tuk Tuk! Wonderful! Not so much. If you get in this Tuk Tuk, you will instead be driven well out of town to visit a gem shop or tailor for a lengthy sales pitch. 

Key things to watch out for: The phrases "Happy Buddha Temple" and "Sleepy Buddha Temple", 20 baht Tuk Tuk rides (never in a million years) and of course "It's Closed!"

The "Can I take your photo?" scam (popular in Europe and particularly Rome) 

An "oldy but a goody" scam that's been updated to keep up with the times. Someone posing as a fellow tourist will offer to help you out by taking your picture for you in front of whatever monument you're visiting. They'll then take off with your camera. Simple, right? It's making a comeback at the moment in many places. 

Key things to watch out for: Fellow "tourists" carrying very, very cheap, disposable cameras. 

The "Money and Passport" scam (popular everywhere - currently big in Vienna) 

A pair or group of police officers will ask to see your passport and money. They then examine it and return it to you, minus half your cash. Refuse? Threats of fines and arrest. The best solutions is offering to walk with them to a police station or threatening to scream loud for actual police. They'll let you be on your way.

Key things to watch out for: This should be obvious. If they want to see your passport and money? They're not real police. Real undercover police officers in "plain clothes" will have better things to do than stop tourists for ID. 

The "Donation" scam (popular everywhere) 

Oh god, this one. You can even get done by this in your home country. Someone will approach you on the street, in a bar, etc and ask for a donation for a charity. The reason it works is that we all feel too awkward and rude to check whether or not the charity actually exists. It's almost always bogus. If you want to be a good person, donate to registered charities via their websites or do a general donation to Amnesty or Oxfam.

Key things to watch out for: a person actively targeting tourists (real charities avoid tourists) or a sign-on sheet showing what other people have donated as a "guide."

The "Wrong Ticket" scam (popular in European metro stations)

This one's difficult to anticipate or avoid as it's usually done by actual station staff. When heading for an exit, you'll be stopped by security and asked for your ticket. You'll then be told it's the wrong ticket or invalid for travel and told there's an on-the-spot fine. Even worse, they'll often not speak English but just say "wrong ticket" and just tap a sign. The fine is usually 40 euros. This is exactly what happens when you do have the wrong ticket so it's sometimes difficult to know if you're being scammed or are actually in the wrong. 

Key things to watch out for: Nothing, unfortunately. Best thing to do is be super careful when buying your ticket and remember to validate it. If you know you're right, stand your ground.