We all have that picture-perfect vacation in mind—perfect weather, luxurious accommodations, exceptional cuisine.
However, any seasoned traveler can attest that not all trips go according to plan.
But how do you see the glass as half-full when things have gone so horribly wrong? By finding the humor in it, of course!
Here is a great compilation of travelers who have gotten themselves into some pretty funny situations—and learned how to make the best of it.
So whether you need a good laugh or you’re preparing for your next unforgettable excursion, read on and put a smile on that stressed out face.
1. What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas
A group of friends and I wanted to visit the Entertainment Capital of the country for a week.
Planning the trip couldn’t have gone better. I found great airfare prices, a nice hotel for a remarkable rate, and had a whole week to eat great food and play around.
Everybody won a little money at the roulette table the first day, which made us all feel like high rollers with our $100 bill in hand.
All week went perfectly, up until everybody ran out of money at the end of the getaway.
We used our last $20 to get a taxi to the airport. Everybody was super exhausted from the late nights, early mornings, and eating way too many carbohydrates.
When we tried to check in, the airline representative gave us this look.
Turns out, we were at the airport the day before our flight.
How could this have happened? Naturally, since I was the one to book the flight, everyone gives me a look that makes me question whether I had friends in that moment.
We all ended up having to sleep in the cold airport, with no complimentary blankets to keep us warm.
Long story short, be cautious when booking a flight at 12:01 am, because arrival time can be a little hairy.
2. The Ride Of Your Life—Literally
A contributor to Hostel Geeks loves traveling to India, but says it is the craziest country to drive in.
“The streets are crowded, the cars share the road with cows, camels, horses, dogs, bicycles, huge trailers, tuk-tuks, buses and pretty much everything that moves.
The rules: there are no rules. They use their horn for pretty much everything and if you want to drive past someone you just honk your horn and drive around.”
The northern parts of the country are said to be the worst area for driving. When taking a taxi here, you are bound to see your life flash before your eyes.
In New Delhi, the Hostel Geek contributor had the same taxi driver for a couple of days while they dodged “cars and cows” around town.
Out of curiosity, or maybe just a last fleeting thought before impending death, he asked his driver, “What makes a good taxi driver in Delhi?”
Without blinking an eye, the taxi driver responds, “A good taxi driver needs three things; good breaks, good horn and good luck!”
3. Brave Culinary Adventure Goes Down The Toilet
Depending on where you’re traveling, what’s considered a culinary delight—or even edible—varies greatly.
In Japan, they enjoy milt—the sperm sacs of fish.
In Cambodia, they eat fried tarantulas.
And in Canada, they’ve got jellied moose nose—and yes, it is exactly what it sounds like!
Wondering Earl traveled to Vang Vieng, Laos with a couple other travelers, hoping to get the most out of this diverse and cultured country.
In an effort to do just that, they all decided to go to a local market and pick out various dinner items for one grand meal.
Seeing a local woman grilling something on an open flame in the market, Wondering Earl thought it would be a tasty contribution to bring back to the crew.
Upon closer examination, he saw that the woman had cut a rat right in half—nose, eyes, toes, tails and all—and was grilling each half.
Hesitating only for a moment, he decided to go for it. After all, he came here to try something new and adventurous.
Arriving back at the guesthouse, he says, “the others were not too thrilled with my choice,” so he dug in solo.
It wasn’t until AFTER he took his first bite that he noticed his dinner was moving!
Turns out the rat was filled with maggots squirming around. He immediately vomited, as only could be expected, and was sick to his stomach for days afterward.
Was it food poisoning? Or just the recurring thought of maggots wiggling around in his mouth?
One will never know.
4. Cruising Right Through Time
Cruises offer some of the most unique and comfortable traveling experiences one could ever have.
You get to visit multiple destinations all while being catered to like royalty.
Although, side note—if you want to come home looking like you spent more time beachside than buffet side, then you got to play the all-you-can-eat thing smart, which Proud American Traveler has previously shared.
Now, onto the story!
One sensational vacation, my mother, her friend, and my sister joined me for a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas.
My sister got a little excited about the daiquiris served to you while in the hot-tub, only to find that they didn’t mix as well as they sounded.
She went to go rest in the cabin, and ended up napping all evening while we danced, ate a 5-course dinner, and watched a epic stage performance.
We later woke up my sister to get ready to go to shore for a day in the beautiful Bahamas, telling her we were late—as we usually were.
She popped up out of bed, frazzled and confused throwing on a mix-matched outfit and staggering out the door with us.
We hustled her all the way down to where the giant doors open to let out passengers.
There, a cruise employee was keeping watch of the area, asking if we were lost.
My sister let out a giant moan, begging her to open the door for us, and that we knew we were late, but didn’t want to miss out on this once in a lifetime experience.
The employee chuckled, while explaining to my sister that it was only 9pm the night before we embark on our Bahamas experience.
At this point we couldn’t contain ourselves, and we all started laughing uncontrollably. We had tricked my sister into believing that it was the next morning, when she’d actually only been napping for three hours.
She was rightfully upset with us for a bit, but on the bright side, she was never late to another embark.
What good is a vacation if there is no laughter along the way? While fiascos can often seem insurmountable in the moment, when looked back upon, they often make the funniest stories and become the best memories.
Please tell us about any of your memorable fiascos in the comments section!
