Bonjour,
La question est dans le titre. Si oui, comment la personne l'a-t-elle pris ? et quel budget y avez-vous mis ?
Parce que j'envisage de faire ce cadeau à ma moitié pour marquer son changement de décennie. J'ai dans l'idée de tout préparer, voir avec son employeur pour les congés, et lui annoncer la nouvelle le matin du départ. La surprise serait de taille, je pense qu'elle serait bien prise - en tout cas, si c'était moi, je serais... waow
Mais pour le budget, il faut que je prévoie 4 000 € 🏴☠️, entre les billets d'avion et autres transports, hébergements, repas (dont un dîner spécial pour le jour J), activités etc...
De plus, le problème est que son anniversaire tombe en hiver et il déteste, non pas le froid, mais la pluie, sans compter que les jours sont plus courts.
Donc soit je pars sur cette idée, malgré l'hiver, soit je me contente de lui offrir un bon cadeau pour un billet d'avion pour tel endroit, à lui de choisir la période, les activités et tout. La surprise serait moindre, il n'y aurait pas le dîner d'anniversaire prévu, du moins pas le jour même, mais le voyage se ferait selon ses souhaits.
J'aimerais avoir vos avis même si je sais que la décision me reviendra.
Merci
Bonjour, pour ma part, je trouve l'idée super ! En hiver, vous pouvez opter pour le Maroc . Soit à Marrakech si vous aimez plutôt les villes, soit Essaouira si vous aimez plutôt l'Océan, soit Merzouga si vous avez envie de dunes et de déserts. En vous y prenant à l'avance vous pouvez trouver de super plans.
En hiver, il y a aussi la Sicile qui est bien plus agréable en hiver qu'avec la canicule et les hordes de touristes. En louant une voiture vous pouvez vous concocter un super tour.
Sinon, jouer carrément la carte de l'hiver avec Prague superbe, plein de choses à y voir.
Catherine
" La lucidité est la blessure la plus proche du soleil" René Char
Merci pour votre réponse et vos idées de destination.
C'est vrai que l'idée de la surprise fait pencher la balance pour un voyage en hiver ; en plus on peut avoir de bons prix et on évite la foule de touristes.
Et effectivement, j'ai encore un peu de temps pour tout préparer.
Bonjour,
J'ai déjà fait ce genre de surprise, je n'ai pas eu de mal à l'organiser parce que je connaissais bien les goûts de la personne. Et ses goûts, à votre moitié ?
Quelles sont ses préférences ? Le climat, les paysages, la nature, la ville ?
Bonjour Libertad, merci de nous rejoindre.
Racontez-nous un peu, comment s'est passée votre surprise 🙂 ?
Moi, mon homme DETESTE la pluie, et le ciel gris aussi, c'est ce qui me fait vraiment hésiter. Après, il se pourrait qu'il fasse beau, avec la météo on n'est sûr de rien. Pour ce qui est du froid, pas de problème à partir du moment où on est bien couvert.
En fait je sais exactement la destination qui lui plairait (qui n'explose pas trop mon budget du moins) ; il est plutôt ville, même s'il aime bien la nature, les beaux ciels bleus et les beaux paysages, mais les randos et compagnie, c'est pas son truc - dommage pour moi ! Surtout il aime prendre son temps, donc faire un roadtrip en changeant de ville tous les jours, on oublie. J'ai prévu 3 lieux pour 8-10 jours, correct non ?
Je pèse les pour et les contre :
- Si je le fais en hiver
Les pour : l'effet de surprise, le repas d'anniversaire le jour J dans un lieu qui sort de l'ordinaire, les prix basse saison, les touristes peu nombreux, au moins une activité plus appréciable en hiver.
Les contre : l'hiver, avec risque de ciel nuageux et pluvieux, journées raccourcies, séjour pas trop long et tous les frais pour moi.
- Si je lui offre un bon cadeau pour le billet d'avion, repas anniversaire... :
Les pour : il aura le choix de la saison, des journées plus longues peut-être, on pourra voir ensemble quels lieux il veut, les frais pourraient être partagés (les plus importants à ma charge bien sûr) et du coup on pourrait rester plus longtemps et en faire plus.
Les contre : effet de surprise moindre, le repas d'anniversaire au lieu prévu mais pas le jour J ça n'aurait pas la même portée, des activités plus propices à une autre saison que l'hiver, des tarifs élevés et beaucoup plus de touristes.
J'essaye dès que l'occasion se présente de poser des questions qui semblent anodines, mais je n'ai jamais la même réponse, du style : "tu aimerais y aller en hiver ?" j'ai droit au "oui pourquoi pas", au "je sais pas, j'y ai jamais été en hiver", ou carrément "j'en sais rien"...
Ce voyage sera déjà un gros sacrifice niveau budget pour moi, je veux bien le faire pour cette occasion, mais si c'est pour l'entendre se plaindre de la pluie 🙁
Catherine et Libertad, je vous envoie quelques précisions en MP.
Bonjour Libertad, merci de nous rejoindre.
Racontez-nous un peu, comment s'est passée votre surprise 🙂 ?
Moi, mon homme DETESTE la pluie, et le ciel gris aussi, c'est ce qui me fait vraiment hésiter. Après, il se pourrait qu'il fasse beau, avec la météo on n'est sûr de rien..
C'est vrai pour la météo, nous ne sommes sûrs de rien.
Un choix vraiment difficile à faire !
S'il s'agissait de moi, je n'aurais aucune hésitation, je sauterais sur la surprise, ce serait ma priorité. Je l'ai déjà fait, plusieurs fois... je me souviens que la personne n'a su notre destination que lorsque nous avons embarqué. C'était un déplacement en avion. Mais je l'ai aussi fait pour un trajet avec ma voiture, j'ai même fait 2 surprises en 1. De mèche, mes enfants ne devaient pas dire à leur mamie où nous allions. Sauf que je ne leur avais pas donné non plus la réelle destination.
C'est peut-être un choix égoïste à faire car le plaisir de faire la surprise est prioritaire à la surprise elle même. Pour moi.
Bonjour Libertad,
La surprise me tente bien aussi. Je pensais ne le lui annoncer qu'une fois à l'aéroport, mais je pense qu'il vaut mieux qu'il puisse vérifier le contenu de sa valise, donc je lui remettrai une enveloppe avec une carte fait maison qui lui annonce qu'on prend l'avion à telle heure, 2-3 h plus tard à peu près. Et puis de fêter son anniversaire le jour J c'est quand même mieux que 3 mois plus tard.
Une telle surprise sera géniale dans la quasi-totalité des cas, mais quid des autres cas ?
Ce serait dommage au vu des efforts engagés (je pense notamment aux jours de congés à négocier avec son employeur), et le budget investi.
Pourquoi ne pas plutôt la jouer Rendez-vous en terre inconnue, lui dire qu’il doit prendre lui-même une semaine de congés (c’est une durée suffisante pour un voyage de rêve), voire un peu plus, lui annoncer que vous partirez pour son anniversaire et que l’endroit est une surprise ?
Tu joueras les Frédéric Lopez en lui indiquant juste ce qu’il doit emporter. À toi ensuite d’organiser le séjour et surtout le jour de son anniversaire pour que ce soit mémorable !
Pour la destination, et pour être à peu près sûr du climat, pourquoi ne pas opter pour une destination lointaine mais cheap : le Rajasthan ? Budget réduit, entre 20 et 30º, normalement pas de pluie, ça ne se refuse pas.
Bien sûr, tout ceci n’est qu’une proposition, et je ne m’offusquerai nullement si elle était balayée d’un revers de main 😛
🙂 Re- bonjour Jo effectivement, lors de mes première suggestions de destination, j'ignorais votre lieu de résidence, et je comprends bien que ces destinations sont totalement hors sujet vu l'éloignement.
Votre projet que vous m'exposez en MP m'a l'air bien sympa pourquoi pas le mettre en œuvre selon les modalités suggérées par Masterpo ? Ca resterait une surprise tout en limitant les risques de déception 🙂
Bonne cogitation 😛
Catherine
" La lucidité est la blessure la plus proche du soleil" René Char
Bien sûr, tout ceci n’est qu’une proposition, et je ne m’offusquerai nullement si elle était balayée d’un revers de main 😛
Bienvenue dans la discussion Masterpo, je ne refuse personne et ne rejette d'emblée aucune idée (je t'envoie un MP), et oui Catherine, désolée pour le manque d'info publique.
Je précise, ici sur le forum, c'est au cas où une connaissance passerait par là, ça serait bête de tout gâcher à cause de ça (le monde est petit, mais chez nous, c’est encore plus petit !).
Pour ceux qui nous rejoindraient, je n’enverrai pas de MP, mais je précise que nous ne vivons pas en Europe.
Autre chose : le problème n’est pas la destination, qui est toute trouvée, mais l’hiver, et surtout la pluie qu’il déteste. Or là où on irait, l’hiver est en général assez pluvieux.
Pourquoi ne pas plutôt la jouer Rendez-vous en terre inconnue, lui dire qu’il doit prendre lui-même une semaine de congés (c’est une durée suffisante pour un voyage de rêve), ?
L’idée est super. Mais soit j'invente en disant qu'on part 3-4 jours à quelques heures de chez nous, difficile de lui faire mettre dans la valise les vêtements chauds nécessaires (il fait moins froid chez nous que sur la destination prévue), soit je dis qu’on prend l’avion mais là il saura tout de suite où je l’emmène. C’est vrai aussi que de lui dire de prendre des vêtements bien chauds ET son maillot de bain, ça pourrait le faire cogiter !
Je ne pense pas avoir de problème pour ses congés, mais je peux lui dire de prendre 3-4 jours, de mon côté je vois avec son employeur pour les rallonger et on part 1 ou 2 jours plus tôt.
Je garde ces 2 idées dans un coin de ma tête !
lui annoncer que vous partirez pour son anniversaire et que l’endroit est une surprise ?..
Pour la destination, et pour être à peu près sûr du climat, pourquoi ne pas opter pour une destination lointaine mais cheap : le Rajasthan ? Budget réduit, entre 20 et 30º, normalement pas de pluie, ça ne se refuse pas.
MAIS son anniversaire tombe en plein hiver ! Et la destination ne peut pas changer, c'est celle qu'il voudrait. Il y en a d'autres, mais plus lointaines et le budget ne suit plus. Et sur la destination prévue, il pleut souvent à cette période ; après on pourrait très bien être gâtés par le temps, c'est quitte ou double. Et puis même s'il pleut, le fait d'être parti comme ça dans un claquement de doigts, atténuera peut-être la déception du temps ? On y est déjà allé en automne (moi en été aussi), il faisait vraiment pas chaud, mais très beau. Après la météo est tellement capricieuse depuis quelques années que peut-être on aura des journées ensoleillées ?
Y a-t-il quelqu'un qui déteste la pluie et qui pourrait donner son avis ?
Je me dis aussi que la 1ère idée est la bonne, ça se vérifie souvent, alors autant rester dessus et on verra bien, non ?
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Many of us have noticed that bugs have been making it difficult to navigate the forum lately.
I’ll let Kate and Ticapi explain the issue:
I went to your profile to check out the Thailand travel journal, and when I clicked on it, it brought me back here again. All week, I’ve been dealing with bugs like this—it’s really discouraging from continuing on VF.🙁
I had the same thing happen, and multiple times. For me, it was Montagnard’s latest journal that kept coming up no matter which discussion I clicked on.
BOLIVIA: THE COUNTRY ON THE BRINK (What's Really Happening)
A dramatic saga is unfolding before our eyes in the Andes. Between suffocating blockades, clashes, an international airlift, and historic political decisions, Bolivia has just experienced 48 hours of rare intensity.
Here’s the full breakdown (economic, social, and political) of the last 48 hours:
For travelers and tourists: the article also includes an important note about the upcoming publication (starting tomorrow) of the precise status of roadblocks, route by route.
I’ll post the full update here on Voyage Forum!
Don’t miss this in-depth analysis. History is being written before our eyes! https://www.petitherge.com/bolivie-paralysie-et-ultimatum
I just discovered a great show on Arte.
It's called "7 en route": seven young European journalists travel around Europe in a fully converted bus, making reports on every city they visit. It's amazing! 🙂
Yesterday, for example, they were in Rome, Italy, and the reports included things like the world's smallest restaurant—a super romantic spot for two. There was also a report on the king of paparazzi in Italy.
They have to pick topics that let us discover the little quirks of each country. And at the end of each episode, we get to see the finished report.
It's such a great show, mixing journalism, travel, and discovery—basically, a must-watch!
It airs in the evening starting at 6:50 PM (I think), and it started this past Monday, July 14th.
If you watch it, let me know—we can chat about it!
I left my heart’s country eight days ago and returned to my adopted one—or was it the other way around? Scotland-Morvan, Morvan-Scotland, I’m not quite sure anymore.
After a quarter without dragging my slippers around here, even though I’d loudly declared I had no interest left in this site, here I am again!
My imagination never stays fallow for long. Just enough time for my inner land to rest. It gets overgrown with fresh nettles, the kind you can pick without getting stung. Then, it’s time to till the fragrant earth and let the story grow.
I hesitated over where to set this story.
Maybe the Highlands, maybe the Hebrides, maybe the Orkney Islands, maybe the Shetland Islands. All of Scotland is myth—easy to embroider.
But in the end, no. I’d almost be too afraid to bare my soul.
The story will take place at home. Simple, practical.
1)
This morning, I was up well before dawn, feeling a bit grumpy, but nothing a bowl of coffee won’t fix. I love my bowl, and no one dares take it. It’s porcelain, edged with intertwined blue flowers. On the bottom, it says "Revol." The factory has existed long before the Revolution. It was my great-grandmother’s bowl. She drank roasted barley from it during the war, then her Leroux chicory.
Last year, a little guy dropped it. My bowl broke into three pieces. A black anger vibrated deep inside me. The little boy was so upset, on the verge of tears. How could I scold him!
I picked up the three pieces and took Little Boy in my arms. His hair smelled of the light, sweet sweat of toddlers. A gentle hug that healed—his budding sorrow and my anger—everything vanished, and time carried on.
Today, my bowl is even prettier. Man fixed it using the traditional kintsugi technique, except he didn’t use gold powder or lacquer but superglue, and he delicately painted the cracks with woad blue. And my bowl is even more beautiful now.
I’m lingering, I can tell—it’s just that a story wraps itself in life, and life can’t be told in the snap of a finger. Life is long. Like in architecture, you start with a rough sketch, called a "sous-cul" (the initial pencil drawing), then you make a tracing, which is the work itself, the one you later carefully roll up in a wooden tube.
Life is like that: you erase, you start over, you use the nub of the pencil until it’s tiny, but you keep going—dreaming, loving.
"Living is a full-time occupation, a unique adventure. Always a surprise and a wonder, which sometimes turns into astonishment. And, from time to time, happiness."*
Alright, enough digressing—this introduction is definitely too long.
Tomorrow, I’ll get to the heart of the matter.
(I hate that expression; it feels like I’m cutting into someone’s skin.)
I’m Yann, a 28-year-old TikToker who loves traveling!
Since I’ve been to several destinations, I’d love to get a flag from each one as a sort of trophy. But from what I’ve seen online, a lot of sites sell them with what looks like really poor quality...
So I’m reaching out to you all to share a site you usually use—help me start my collection! :)
hi there
I’d love to get some opinions—I’ve never used Airbnb before.
They’re offering a key handover via lockbox.
Any tips or advice?
Is it reliable?
Best,
Hi there, I’m Laura, and I’m looking for a few people to answer some questions so I can understand your travel wishes and challenges. It won’t take long—I can chat here, by email, or by phone. Don’t worry, I’m not selling anything! 😊
On this forum, we talk a lot about trekking in the Himalayas, but I’d love to share another side of Nepal: its spiritual, cultural, and religious atmosphere, especially in Kathmandu.
Nepal, much like Tibet and Bhutan, is deeply connected to the Himalayas—the ultimate sacred mountain range. This small country exudes a calming vibe, shaped by a strong spiritual dimension. What I loved most was the unique sensory experience you get there. Walking around temples and tantric monasteries, a distinct scent fills the air—aromatic plants used for ritual fumigation. Locals mainly burn Himalayan juniper, cedar, sandalwood, and other local essences. This fragrant smoke is a way to purify the space and reach the deities, and you’re constantly enveloped in these aromas.
Another striking aspect is the sound. As soon as you step outside, you hear bells ringing in front of temples. People ring them three times before praying to announce their presence to the deities. Nepal is also the birthplace of singing bowls and sound meditation practices. In Kathmandu, you can easily find meditation sessions or "sound baths."
The spiritual dimension is everywhere: a Hindu sadhu practicing asceticism, a lama in deep red robes with his mala, turning a prayer wheel while murmuring "Om mani padme hum." Newar Buddhism, Tantrism, and Hinduism coexist harmoniously in daily life.
For those who love exploring a destination through its culture and spirituality, Nepal is an unforgettable place. What was your spiritual experience in Nepal like?
Hi,
I’m landing in Quebec and then heading to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I’d like to rent a pick-up. My question is: does this vehicle come with a cover and is it secure enough to store luggage in? I’ve heard two conflicting opinions. Thanks
I just installed the Maps.Me app on my phone. I only recently found out about this app. I’m traveling in 2 weeks and a few days, and I’m a bit stuck on how to use it.
I’m from the Montreal (Quebec) area, and I’d love to know if there’s a kind soul out there who could help me get started and use the app at least minimally.
If there are private lessons available, I’d be interested in those too.
Like many others, I’m overjoyed to hear that VoyageForum is reopening! I’ve been waiting hopefully for this, and it’s wonderful that it’s finally happening!
I just couldn’t bring myself to actively participate in other French-language travel forums—their format and way of doing things never appealed to me as much. I really hope that VF’s structure, categories, and interface won’t change too much despite the handover, because I’m very attached to them. Through thick and thin, the site has held strong—it’s amazing!
In a previous message, François mentioned that there were positions to fill ahead of the reopening, including moderators...
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this and hoping to send in my CV.
Now, after reading the latest message, it seems like the team is already fully formed. But are there still a few spots left to fill?
I’ve been a VF member for 20 years (since 2004). I’d love to contribute to this wonderful adventure as a moderator if VF would trust me with the role. If the team is open to reviewing it, I’m ready to send my CV. Could you let me know the next steps?
I’m planning a 3-week trip to Japan in May with Voyage Privé. The package includes a 5 GB eSIM, but my phone isn’t new enough to support it. VP told me I could buy a SIM card when I arrive at the airport.
Sure enough, I’ve seen online that this is possible with different providers.
I only need it for checking routes, looking up addresses, train schedules, etc.—basically using Google Maps, TripAdvisor, and similar apps. No heavy downloads or major internet use. All hotels should provide free Wi-Fi for that, right?
Has anyone got any tips for me on this? What have you tried, and how much did it cost?
Thanks for your help!
I’d like to know if you can buy reef-safe sunscreen sprays at 7-Eleven. If so, how much do they cost? We’re traveling with backpacks, so we’ll either buy 100ml here or in Thailand.
I wanted to share a really unpleasant experience from our last trip booked with Promoséjours and organized by FTI.
We booked an 8-day/7-night stay in Egypt, from June 8 to 15.
The flight initially scheduled was changed a week before departure to take off at 10 PM from Paris CDG.
In the end, it took off with a 1-hour delay and included an unmentioned stopover in Marsa Alam.
We landed in Hurghada at 4 AM and arrived at the hotel at 6 AM.
So, we spent our first night on the plane.
For the return trip, surprise—the flight was moved up. We left the hotel at 10:30 PM on Friday the 14th to take off at 2 AM and land at 7 AM at Paris CDG.
So, we spent our last night on the plane too.
After sending a complaint letter to Promoséjours / FTI, they replied that the first and last days can be dedicated to transport (which I already knew) and that no matter how many nights you book, you’re not guaranteed to spend them in the hotel—it could just as well be on the plane.
I’m really questioning this.
Isn’t there a law that protects customers in cases like this?
Because when I do the math, the first and part of the second day were spent on transport, same for the second-to-last and last day. And I paid for 7 nights for a stay that only lasted 5.
Anyway, I just want to say thanks to them—thanks to their two sleepless nights in transit, I’m coming back even more exhausted from a trip that was supposed to be restful!
I also want to warn anyone booking through this agency about visas for Egypt.
At booking, they told me the visa was included in the price, then they sent me an email saying I’d have to pay for it on-site at 25 €.
Once there, we were directed to a special line for FTI customers, and guess what? They charged us 30 €!
Basically, they’re great at making sure you *enjoy* your vacation—mostly by enjoying your wallet!
If anyone has dealt with this kind of situation and won their case, I’m all ears.
Hi there!
I’m heading to Thailand for two months.
So I thought I’d get a Thai SIM card to use Google Maps for getting around cities, mostly.
Here’s my question: will this SIM affect my apps? Or will they work the same as with my Orange SIM?
Is there any setup I need to do, or can I just pop in the Thai SIM?
I’d also like to switch back to my Orange SIM now and then while I’m in Thailand—on the same phone. Will I need to reset the phone, or will it reconnect without any issues?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Best,
Huiclos
Hi, I’d like to know where we can buy beer or wine in Chefchaouen and around Merzouga. We’ll be doing a circuit and staying at the Parador Hotel in Chefchaouen and in a bivouac in Merzouga.
Thanks for any info you can share!
Hello everyone,
I’m reaching out to all travelers and globe-trotters on this forum. I’m a teacher in Creuse working in a ULIS program (which welcomes children aged 6 to 12 with disabilities into a mainstream school). This year, I’m launching a school journal project that will involve the kids in many different topics. A big part of this journal will focus on opening up to the world, embracing differences, travel, global cultures, and more.
I’m putting out a call to invite as many of you as possible to send us a postcard (from France or anywhere in the world)! The goal is to help us "travel" and discover new places, countries, and horizons in a way that’s much more fun and exciting than a geography textbook. One section of our journal could be called "We received a letter from ," where we’d research the location and share what we learn with our readers—a really enriching activity for the classroom.
The project starts in September 2025 but doesn’t have a strict end date, since this journal and world-discovery initiative will span several school years (the kids stay in the ULIS program for multiple years). Postcards can be sent anytime—throughout the year, across seasons, even during holidays! The kids will find them when they return.
I hope this idea appeals to as many of you as possible, and that you’ll spread the word to your fellow travelers. Help us dream and explore!
For those who’d like to write to us in a language other than French, no problem—quite the opposite!
Thank you in advance for your participation! Below is our address. If you’d like us to write back, feel free to leave your address on a corner of the postcard! 😊
ULIS program students
Bonnat Elementary School
12 rue Georges Sand
23220 BONNAT
Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon! 😊
Julien
🙂
Hi there! I have to leave Ivato/Antananarivo on December 16th. I have a lot of ariary that I’d like to exchange for euros since I might not be coming back to Madagascar (after this 21st trip). I think the exchange office at Ivato also buys ariary back. If any of you have seen the rate for this buyback in advance, thanks a million!
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a website that would let me plot my travel route in advance so I can print it out. The idea is to create a map with a little “me” on a bike that my parents can move along as I progress, since I’m planning to cycle all the way to Nepal.
If any of you have done something similar or know of a good tool, I’d love to hear your tips!
Thanks in advance! 😊
I'm looking to buy an ultra-lightweight 50/55L travel backpack with a suitcase or front opening.
Does anyone have any brand and/or model recommendations?
Thanks,
Emma
Hello. We’re a retired couple heading to Sri Lanka from January to March. After the November floods, I’d like to know if we can offer hands-on help to the locals, maybe pack some clothes or other items people might need in our luggage, and who we could give them to. Thanks for any info from those on the ground.
Be careful when sailing between Somalia and northern Madagascar.
It appears to be Somali pirates who have widened their search in the Mozambique Channel, far from their usual attack zone, since, to my knowledge, there are no Malagasy pirates.
Not sure if this is the right section, but just wanted to warn future travelers...
Where’s Cape Vidal?
It’s in iSimangaliso, an independent park in KZN Wildlife, stunning and just a stone’s throw from St Lucia (KwaZulu-Natal, Maputaland).
It’s the beach spot at the end of the Eastern Shores road. You can swim, fish... but watch out for waves, currents, and sharks...
There’s a really nice game drive where you can get out of your car at certain points, especially at Cape Vidal.
That’s where the camp with bungalows and campsites is.
The vervets and samango monkeys (endemic to the area, and the males are pretty big) can be a bit of a nuisance if you’re trying to braai...
They’re super persistent and not shy at all—don’t let them intimidate you, and stay alert because their speed at snatching food is impressive.
Anyway...
I’m reporting two recent attacks by these hyenas... who were *not* in a playful mood...
The first one happened at night—a hyena tried to bite a camper’s nose off in their tent... and succeeded.
The other night, a camper returning to their tent in the early hours was violently attacked by two hyenas... and they had a close call!
So, if you’re camping there, be careful...
Measures are being taken, but for now, it’s a bit risky.
A white rental Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 carrying foreign tourists was attacked at the entrance of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in the village of Bekopaka, western Madagascar, yesterday. So far, there’s been no response from the central government to curb these repeated armed attacks—usually between Malagasy people, but this time targeting foreign tourists.
After an engine failure in mid-2016 on a long-haul flight from BRISBANE to LYON, I developed a persistent aviophobia that I’m struggling to shake off. It’s becoming more and more of a hindrance.
Up until now, I’ve been using an avoidance strategy (for example, avoiding destinations that would require any other mode of transport than a car or train), but lately, it’s become really limiting.
I’m looking for a therapist—either in-person or via video call—who could help me get past this hurdle.
First and foremost, I hope this topic won’t just focus on my region—the South of France—and that those of you who enjoy exchanging ideas will share what makes your own regions special.
Personally, I’ve often wanted to push back when people call us vulgar (though I’ll admit I sometimes play it up). At heart, we pure-blooded Southerners just have our own way of expressing ourselves, which differs from other regions. We also get heated in conversations pretty easily (some researchers say it’s the influence of the sun and climate in general).
What some perceive as vulgar, we don’t see that way at all.
Do you want a uniform world with no differences? If so, how do you handle traveling to places with cultures completely different from your own?
In the travel community, the word "authenticity" comes up a lot, and it often takes priority in people’s searches.
In my specific case, speaking a purely regional language without having gone to school for it doesn’t help with understanding on this forum. That’s what creates what you call controversies—and what I call passionate exchanges.
It left me speechless and ended the conversation because, for him, that’s just how he sees things, and he refuses to debate it, sticking to his position. I’ll quote him, hoping he won’t hold it against me:
"For me, things like bullfighting, boxing, football, and MMA are just tangible proof that human evolution is still at a primitive stage."
For him, our Latin-origin bullfights are barbaric customs. For us *taurins*, we need to see men face wild beasts (bulls and *toros*) at the risk of their lives every day. Does that make us barbarians?
We’ve always had this need to confront death—it’s in our genes.
Take the example he gave about football: fans of the sport would be considered mentally underdeveloped. But what about a kid who’s passionate about the game and has that drive to be a winner, just like a boxer or athletes in other violent sports?
As a traveler myself, passionate about old stones and beautiful historic buildings, I’ve visited Rome but couldn’t fully appreciate it. Religion is everywhere, and I felt like I had a lead weight on my head realizing that millions of people worldwide have believed in a god for millennia.
I’ve also judged believers for basing their faith on archaic texts that don’t prove a god (or gods) ever existed—I still think that, but I’m open to being proven wrong so I can say, "You’ve convinced me I was mistaken."
- If everyone clings to their own ideas and positions, no discussion is possible, and that’s a shame.
I’ll take away two things from my forum interactions: some accuse me of being omnipresent when I just love exchanging ideas. My way of speaking is misunderstood (regional differences), even if I’ll admit I sometimes turn up the heat—or rather, the *aïoli* —which for me is just lively debates 🔥 (a regional specialty).
And my "mocking" side, which I really need to work on.
This topic isn’t just about me—I hope other forum members will share their own regional "specialties" . For example, in Alsace, some older folks switch to their local language when they don’t want outsiders to understand, and I still don’t know if it’s German or something else.
