A Pleasure Trip to Basra, Anyone?

I was referring to Basra the other day when I scrutinized Al-Ahram Weekly’s pitch to promote Sharm El-Sheikh (the we-have-more-troops & it-is-cheap argument), asking if that’s what makes a holiday, why not instead head to Basra that is also promoting itself as a holiday destination. By then, this lovely story couldn’t be accessed but the Guardians’ helpful support have already fixed the bug. Money Quote:

Stroll down the corniche at sunset and you can stop for kebab and ice cream, smoke a hubbly bubbly, play chess and listen to the water lapping below. And then, if you are a westerner, you can check you have not been followed, adjust your disguise, and signal to your bodyguard that you want to return to the hotel.

Basra declared itself open to foreign visitors this week but instructed them to be vigilant, dress like locals and hire armed escorts. "Then there is a 70% to 80% chance you will be OK," beamed Abdul Razuqi, the head of the tourism office in Iraq's second city.

In this perspective, Sharm is the safest place to be. Flights between Basra and London are due to start anytime soon. ‘Hubbly Bubbly?” – You have to be Brit to actually say that. Grrrh!