-Ici, les filles se baignent dans la mer en jean's
- Ici, les enfants jouent au foot au milieu du carrefour
- Ici, on joue au foot sur la piste d’atterrissage et on regarde passer les avions sur le bord de la piste sous un parapluie pour se protéger du soleil (Phu Quoc)
- Ici, lorsqu’il n’y a pas assez de place sur le trottoir pour les tables des cafés, on les installe sur la chaussee
- Ici, lorsque la police arrive, on rentre toutes les tables et chaises à l’intérieur en moins de 10 secondes , afin d’éviter une amende ou une confiscation pure et simple du matériel
- Ici, on rame avec les pieds
- Ici, un autocollant stipule qu’il ne faut pas s’accroupir sur les toilettes (position viêt) mais s’asseoir
- Ici, un autocollant indique que le stockage de durian est interdit dans les frigos des hôtels pour cause d’effluves nauséabondes
- Ici, il y a des fleurs en plastique dans les chambres d’hôtels
- Ici, la télé est en vitrine
- Ici, on garde le polystyrène autour de la télé pour montrer qu’on l’a acheté neuve
- Ici, quand on achète des disques, on rentre sa moto dans le magasin
- Ici, les fourmis mesurent 2 cm et les bananes 4.
- Ici, il y a des motos-taxis (xe ôm)
- Ici, à la télé vietnamienne, tous les dialogues masculins et féminins sont doublés en vietnamien par une même voix, féminine généralement
- Ici, les capes de pluie moisissent
- Ici, on trouves des « lézards » de 25 cm au dessus de notre lit
- Ici, on dort dehors sous une moustiquaire, face à la mer, à côté des bananiers et parmi la faune locale
- Ici, il vaut mieux verifier les additions dans les « restos » , car elles sont faîtes au pif
- Ici, tous les prix se négocient : au marché, les cyclos, les xe-ôm, les locations de motos, les chambres, les additions, les clopes, les bouteilles d’eau, les billets de bus, le gonflage des pneus… L’essence et les billets de train, eux ne sont pas négociables
- Ici, à Phu Quôc, on dîne à 18h30, on se couche à 21h et on se lève à 6h
-Ici, si tu te mets a 7h du mat a un passage piéton dans l'espoir qu'on te permette de traverser , tu as de forte chance d'y être encore a 19h et personne ne se saura arrete pour te laisser traverse !!
-Ici , quand tu traverses a un passage piéton , il faut regarder devant , derrière , a droite , a gauche ...
-Ici , meme dans un sens unique , il y toujours une moto qui remonte un sens interdit !!
-Ici, on mange des oreilles de cochons en lamelles, du vermicelle d’anguilles, des pattes de poulets ou de canards, du porc cru fermenté dans des feuilles de bananiers, des œufs couvés, du potage au sang (tiêt canh)…
- Ici, on mange à n’importe quelle heure du jour et de la nuit, et qu’est-ce que c’est agréable un Hu Tiêu à 2 h du matin !
- Ici, au feu rouge, il y a une personne qui agite un drapeau « arrêt » pour faire comprendre aux motos ce qu’un feu rouge signifie .
- Ici, il y a des comptes à rebours au dessus des feux rouges
- Ici, on boit des jus de caramboles, de fruits du dragon, de rambutans, de fruits du jacquier, de durian…
- Ici, pour faire 100 km en train il faut 3 heures
- Ici pour faire 100 km en bus il faut 5 heures
- Ici, on rentre sa moto dans sa chambre d’hôtels, mais on ne la met pas encore dans son lit.
-Ici, on monte jusqu’à 5 sur la même moto
- Ici, il y a des cale-pieds sur les vélos (famille nombreuse oblige)
- Ici, la musique gueule dès 4h30 du matin… et des fois elle s’arrête à 4h15… le lendemain
- Ici, quand on va dîner sur le trottoir, quelqu’un vient garer votre moto
- Ici, les bus s’arrêtent entre 2 voies au milieu de l ‘autoroute
- Ici, c’est dangereux de s’arrêter au feu rouge
- Ici, il n’y a pas de bretelles de sorties sur l’autoroute, on la coupe c’est plus simple
- Ici, on coupe les blocs de glaçons à la machette sur le trottoir
- Ici, on ne freine pas si les poules traversent la rue, on les écrase
- Ici, on mange du chien, mais surtout à la fin du mois lunaire, çà porte chance
- Ici, un festin coûte 3 euros
- Ici, on monte dans des Peugeot 203
- Ici, il peut avoir jusqu’à 1 mètre d’eau dans les rues et plus encore
- Ici, on transporte les cochons sur les motos
- Ici, on se met à gauche pour tourner à droite
- Ici, il peut y avoir 5 magasins au même numéro. Inversement on peut passer du numéro 124 au 357 sans raison… apparente
- Ici, on a des feux arrière en forme de cœur et la marche arrière joue « la lettre à Elise » lorsqu’elle est enclenchée
- Ici, pas de moto, pas de filles,
- Ici, à belle moto, belle fille
- Ici, on peut se faire peser, se faire couper les cheveux et se faire raser sur le trottoir,
- Ici, les trottoirs sont destinés à tout (garage moto, vente, cuisine, petites tables de café, faire la sieste), sauf aux piétons
- Ici, une « bière » (Saigon) coûte 10 000dong (0,28 ct Euros)
- Ici, les cafards mesurent 6 cm et sont champions du monde de marathon…. Impossible de les avoir !
- Ici, on achète des clopes à l’unité
- Ici, les rond-points sont là pour décorer
-Ici, quand quelqu'un a un accident, tout le monde s'arrête pour regarder, personne pour aider Ici, c'est celui qui fait la queue de poisson qui a raisonIci, si tu veux de la menthe dans ton sandwich, on ira la laver pour toi dans le mekongIci, les laves-linges ne lavent pas, ILS SALISSENT !Ici, tu ne parles pas anglais, tu commentes ton langage des signesIci, le périphérique de nuit, c'est un lieu super romantique pour les couples vietsIci, il n'y a pas de vêtements blancs, ou alors, pas longtempsIci, les masques anti-pollutions sont tous faits en peau de slipIci, les prostitues emmènent leur mère manger au resto avec leur clientIci, tu ne sauras jamais si les gens se parlent cordialement ou s'ils s'engueulentIci, si tu montes dans un bus, il y aura toujours quelqu'un qui te demandera qui tu es, d'où tu viens, qu'est ce que tu fais ici, et qui te remerciera d'avoir parle avec luiIci, ton meilleur ami, c'est ton klaxonneIci, la moyenne d’âge des vendeurs de chewing-gum, c’est 5-6 ans.Ici, on aime bien mettre des pleins phares à la place des feux arrières, ... juste pour faire chierIci, des que tu as l'intention d'acheter quelque chose, tu deviens le mec le plus beautiful du mondeIci, conduire à contre sens, c'est normalIci, les trucs qui ressemblent a des tomates, ça fait pleurerIci, il ne faut jamais faire confiance a une sauceIci, Dalida n'est pas morte (ne leur dites pas, ça leur briserai le coeur)Ici, il n'y a que deux activités: le bowling et le karaokeIci, conduire une moto pour la première fois, c’est pas forcement une bonne ideeIci, il y a des retransmissions de parties de jeux vidéo à la téléIci, les restaurants de rue ont des tables de 30 centimètres de haut et des chaises de 20 centimètres de hautIci, avec 5 euros tu manges pour une semaine (midi et soir)Ici, être bronze, c'est mocheIci, les femmes se couvrent totalement (bob, lunettes, voile sur le visage, et gants qui remontent jusqu'aux épaules) pour ne pas bronzerIci, si on te fait un appel de phare, SURTOUT ne croit pas que c'est pour te laisser passerIci, les chiens ne dépassent pas 30 centimètresIci, on ne rend pas de services, on fait du bénéficeIci, l’heure de la gym, c’est 5h du matin. Ici, si tu vas chez le coiffeur, tu te feras masser les piedsIci, tu peux toujours négocier un prix au moins a la moitie de celui annonce.Ici, il faut 15 secondes pour prendre ta commande et 1h pour t’amener ton platIci, on prend le thé sur la voie ferre (non désaffectée)Ici, plus ton numéro de téléphone contient de chiffre 2, plus il coûte cherIci, 25% des fenêtres donnent sur un murIci, les femmes rêvent de grossirIci, on engraisse les enfants (au KFC) pour montrer qu’on a de l’argentIci, il y a des balayeurs au milieu de l’autorouteIci, quand il pleut, ça inonde les maisons.Ici, la taille du véhicule est inversement proportionnelle à la taille du chargement transporteIci, quand tu as choisi une ceinture qui te plaît, tu peux avoir la même avec le logo de la marque que tu souhaitesIci, la Biafine est ta seconde peauIci, les boites de nuit ferment à minuitIci, on mange son sandwich (d’une main) en conduisant sa moto (de l’autre) , ou on telephone en conduisant
Ici, quand tu vas acheter des vêtements, tu auras un employé qui te suivra partout et qui cherchera pour toiIci, cracher consiste à se passer la gorge au karcher et à le signaler avec force aux personnes environnantes.Ici, sur toutes les poubelles c’est écrit : « Happiness for everyone »
" Calme comme la montagne , mouvant comme le flot de la rivière ..."
Ici, en lisant ce message, çà m'a donné envie de retourner au Vietnam😉
Le trait et à peine forcé...on s'y croirait, merci!
Et moi j'enfonce le clou.... je vis ça tous les jours 😄 et ça va durer des mois..... - et pourquoi pas des années......Ah le bonheur existe ... même au ras du sol pour manger, même en traversant au milieu de l'anarchie motorisée....et les horaires - 18 h pour diner, 21 h pour se coucher et 5 h pour se lever, c'est plus vrai que nature .!!
Le vent et les turbulences sont l'oeuvre de Dieu, mais la voile et le gouvernail nous appartiennent..
Voyager c'est aller de soi à soi, en passant par les autres (proverbe touareg)
Mon âge que vous estimez au pif... ne m'empêche pas de m'amuser à Barcelone... et là, c'et tout à fait autre chose, à chaque moment les plaisirs, la variété de tout rend heureux..et c'est une vertu que je sais cultiver...
Le vent et les turbulences sont l'oeuvre de Dieu, mais la voile et le gouvernail nous appartiennent..
Voyager c'est aller de soi à soi, en passant par les autres (proverbe touareg)
bjr
oui c'est tellement vrai que ça donne envie d'y retourner encore et encore .............;
un bemol cependant la biere qui vaut 10000 dong c'est la bia hoi ( en 2007 elle était a 2000 dong) la saigon biere verte ou rouge en bouteille vaut plus que cela (env 25000 selon le lieu) cette petite rectification pour ne pas perturber un éventuel futur visiteur qui veut estimer le cout de son voyage en se basant sur le prix de la biere😎😎😎
ceci dit la bia hoi ce n'est pas ma tasse de thé mais les gouts et les couleurs ..............??
par contre j'aimerais bien faire un tour dans la 203
cdlt
kaoua
Bonsoir
Je peux vous assurer que la saigon beer est a 10000dg rue Bui Vien (quartier routard), vous la consommerez sur le trottoir assis sur de petites chaises plastics et je connais meme un resto qui la propose a 9000 Dg 🙂
sinon elle se vend au alentour de 15000 Dg , ceci dit les bars "branches" la proose a 20 ou 25000 Dg ..
Mais comme vous dites , on ne se base pas sur le cout d'une biere pour preparer son voyage ...
Cordialement
Bientot la suite 😉
" Calme comme la montagne , mouvant comme le flot de la rivière ..."
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
A saigon comme ça ?? etiquette verte ou rouge , où est elle a ce prix dans bui vien vite vite je meurt de soif
Celle-là, c'est la Saigon Do (Rouge), je préfère la Saigon Xanh (Verte) qui a goût identique aux bières blondes d'Europe.
Il ne faut pas vous disputer sur le prix.
Au VietNam, il y a tous les prix, cela dépend du restaurant, du café où l'on vous sert la bière.
Je la paie effectivement entre 9 000 VND et 20 000 VND. Dans les milieux chics, on vous sert pour 45 000 VND.
Dans le quartier routard, les prix varient également entre le café restaurant pour touristes et la petite épicerie.
Sur la rue Pham Ngu Lao, j'ai payé la bouteille d'eau "la Vie" 6000 VND (j'ai demandé le prix en vietnamien avec une formule de politesse que les Viêt Kiêu ont tendance à oublier).
Au pied de la tour Bitexco, le prix de la petite bouteille d'eau "la Vie" est à 4500 VND. Comme je n'avais pas 500 VND, on m'a vendu pour 4000 VND.
Les touristes ont tendance à rouler la mécanique, ils ne trouvent jamais les prix que je paie généralement.
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
je viens de boire une biere que je ne connaissais pas:
la bia Saigon special a 10.000d a KonTum
elle a un format plut petit mais elle doit faire 33cl egalement
elle est de couleur verte
dommage qu'au VN on doit boire la biere avec un glacon.
les VN ont des frigos mais la biere reste dehors
si vous n'aimez pas mes informations, ne les lisez pas, lisez autre chose, mais respectez les car elles serviront a d'autres
Ici, au distributeur de billets, on se colle a vous et on regarde par dessus votre épaule avec jalousie combien vous êtes en train de retirer..
Ici, a l’hôtel, beugler en viet d'un bout a l'autre du couloir, toute la nuit, pendant que la télé gueule des chansons viets a 3 sous a travers les portes ouvertes, a 2 h du mat, est considéré comme normal.
Ici, se lever pour aller poliment expliquer a son voisin ( viet bien sur) de faire moins de bruit car vous êtes dans un hôtel, qu' il est 2 h du mat, et qu'il y a des règles de bienséance en société, a fortiori dans un lieu public, est considéré comme une impolitesse de véritable malotru.
J'en ai des centaines d'autres en stock.😉
Y nghia cua tu ''Viet" la... RAC!
L'ennui dans ce monde , c'est que les idiots sont surs d'eux et les gens sensés plein de doutes.Tout esprit profond avance masqué .
tres souvent j'ai reprimande des vietnamien bruyants a l'hotel...la regle, ne baissez pas les yeux..le vietnamien aboie mais ne mord pas..
et finalement gardez votre colere dans la poche
si vous n'aimez pas mes informations, ne les lisez pas, lisez autre chose, mais respectez les car elles serviront a d'autres
- Ici , le casque est obligatoire depuis seulement décembre 2009
- Ici , la tenue populaire pour les jeunes filles c'est le short (élégant)
- Ici , la tenue traditionnelle c'est le Ao Dai (j'adore)
- Ici , la tenue de référence pour une categorie de femme , c'est le pyjama 2 pièces (pas vraiment excitant)
- Ici , pour les fêtes de fin d'année et le Têt on entend partout la chanson "Happy new year" ABBA toujours a la mode 35 ans après ... en France c'est petit papa Noël
- Ici , les gens urinent dans la rue , sans se soucier des passants , la pluie fera la lessive 😠
- Ici , les vélos pousse te proposeront une visite de la ville d'une heure pour one Dollar , (cool)
- Ici , a l'arrivée les mêmes vélos pousse te réclameront ten Dollars , (pas bon du tout )
- Ici , si tu payes pas ce que te réclame le vélo pousse , il se met a hurler comme un demeure , pour alerter toute la population et ça marche a tout les coups , en fin de compte 8personnes/10 payent le prix exige 😕
- Ici , le premier mot qu'on apprend aux enfants , ce n'est pas Papa Maman , mais Money money 😮
- Ici , ton compagnon de chambre peut-être un rat (hôtel Hanoi 04/2012), les blattes pas mieux
- Ici , rien ne se perd , on récupère , on répare , on revend
- Ici , quand il pleut , c'est pas le moment de traîner dans la rue
- Ici , après la pluie tout redevient normal , comme si rien ne s'était passe
- Ici , quand il y a un embouteillage a un carrefour , chacun trouve sa place pour passer, vélos, motos, taxis, bus
- Ici , avec la police ça ne rigole pas
- Ici , on te sert un bol de riz et on te rend la monnaie avec les deux mains 😏
- Ici , la population est très jeune et des enfants , en veux-tu en voila
- Ici , si tu veux te faire arracher une dent a l'hôpital populaire, c'est pas la meilleure idée, tu fais la queue comme tout le monde ...21 personnes devant la personne que j'accompagne ...et au suivant🤪
- Ici , tu dis YO avant de boire une bière
- Ici , tu bois la bière avec un glaçon
- Ici , le gros lot a la loterie nationale , c'est 1 500 000 000 Dg (environ 55000 Euros)
- Ici , les gens ne se disputent pas quand ils se font une queue de poisson , ils continuent leur route
- Ici , dans certains restaurants , il y a presque autant de serveurs , que de tables
- Ici , tous salaries doit reverser 10% de son salaire au gouvernement (mieux que 75% en France)
- Ici , tous les ré de chausses , sont occupes par un commerce (Saigon)
- Ici , face a mon hotel, les ouvriers travaillent 7/7 jours et parfois la nuit pour couler une dalle en beton
- Ici , tout le monde a un téléphone portable
- Ici , si tu prends le bus long trajet , tu as intérêt de prévoir des boules caisse
- Ici , même avec des boules caisse , difficile de dormir dans un bus
- Ici , tout le monde connais la chanson Dona Dona Dona , surtout les plus jeunes ...
- Ici , il n'y a pas de code de la route , c'est la loi de la jungle
- Ici , chaque jours la fourrière réquisitionne des centaines de motos
- Ici , les bus doublent en pleins virages , ça passe ou ça casse (trajet Saigon-Dalat)
- Ici , le coq est partout sur les trottoirs , enferme dans une bulle de grillage ou parfois en liberté
- Ici , même les chiens mangent du chien (les restes)...🤪
- Ici , tu manges pour 15 000dg , soupe, Tra Da(the glace) compris
- Ici , 16 bananes coutent 13 000dg
- Ici , l'ananas coupe en quatre pret a etre consomme coute 12 000dg
- Ici , beaucoup de jeunes filles rêvent de l'occident
- Ici , la moto a plusieurs usages , transporter , promener , dormir ...
- Ici , la sieste est le moment le plus privilégié de la journée 🙁
- Ici , ..................................................................
- Ici , ............................................................
- Ici , etc, etc, etc 😉..........................
" Calme comme la montagne , mouvant comme le flot de la rivière ..."
bonsoir
- La Saigon bière à 10 000dg rue Bui Viên , se trouve au N71,73,75 et en face au N 94,96,98 , vous pouvez pas vous tromper , c'est le seul endroit de cette rue qui est squaté par une foule d'étrangers , surtout le soir 😎...
- Puisqu'on y est le restaurant qui vend la même bière à 9000dg , se trouve rue Lê Lai au N 212/7 proche du feu rouge , c'est la rue parallèle au parc et à Pham Ngu Lao, on y cuisine du poisson et des crustacés a toutes les sauces et bien d'autres choses à tr��s bon prix , resto fréquenté en majorité par des Viêtnamiens et très populaire (quand il y a beaucoup de Viêtnamiens dans un resto , c'est qu'en général c'est bon et que les prix ne sont pas excessifs ... 😏) ce resto est ouvert uniquement le soir .
- Le restau à 15 000dg se trouve en bout de Dê Tham à gauche rue Cô Bac au N42 , riz + pas moins de 20 plats au choix +soupe + Trà Dà (Thé glacé) à volonté , ouvert midi et soir
- Dans cette même rue vous trouverez fruits , légumes .... a bon prix , (bien sûr après négociation .. 😇 )
cordialement
" Calme comme la montagne , mouvant comme le flot de la rivière ..."
ICI... à moins que je n'ai loupé une ligne......je précise : il ne faut jamais vider sa mini tasse de thé, sous peine de la voir se réemplir immédiatement... et il y a deux jours, j'ai passé le plus belle nuit blanche qui soit : du matin, j'avais bavardé avec mes amis de la rue et ils m'avaient servi .. une multi petite tasse de thé, du normal et du nhan tran... costaud, aux obsèques d'une voisine, on nous a offert... le même.... au décuple, en revenant re-petite tasse, et pour me remettre de la fatigue, on nous a offert à l'hôtel..... je ne vous dis pas quoi....... - alors, ne jamais vider sa tasse, sinon nuit remplie de moutons garantie!!!!!!!
Pour happy new year, je confirme à la puissance 10, on en a eu partout, Abba nous a charmés chez Sen à Ho Tay, dans la rue, dans le bus, etc..... mais c'est toujours aussi super..... -
Bah, ici, au Vietnam , la vie est super 😏
Et merci à vous de l'avoir si bien rappelée et dépeinte .......
Le vent et les turbulences sont l'oeuvre de Dieu, mais la voile et le gouvernail nous appartiennent..
Voyager c'est aller de soi à soi, en passant par les autres (proverbe touareg)
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
enfin une discussion conviviale sur le VN qui n'est pas encore polluée par les parasites que je ne nommerai pas
A mon avis çà va pas tarder....😉😉😉 ne désespère pas!!!
Pour bien aimer un pays il faut le manger, le boire et l’entendre chanter. (Michel Déon)
Et est ce qu'ici les gens traversent des 4 voies où ça roule dans tous les sens sans attendre le moment propice en estimant que tendre la paume de leur main en direction du bus qui leur fonce dessus a un effet un peu comme la nana des 4 fantastiques qui stoppe des rayons lasers avec son champ de force?
Et est ce qu'ici quand on emménage dans un nouveau lieu on achète un rice cooker en priorité (pour le matelas on verra ça plus tard)?
Et est ce que quand tu va aux toilettes dans un endroit un peu classe il y a toujours les même 3 mecs dont le seul travail, vu l'état général du lieu, est juste de te refiler un minuscule morceau de papier-q après que tu te sois lavé les mains?
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Et est ce qu'ici les gens traversent des 4 voies où ça roule dans tous les sens sans attendre le moment propice en estimant que tendre la paume de leur main en direction du bus qui leur fonce dessus a un effet un peu comme la nana des 4 fantastiques qui stoppe des rayons lasers avec son champ de force?
Et est ce qu'ici quand on emménage dans un nouveau lieu on achète un rice cooker en priorité (pour le matelas on verra ça plus tard)?
Et est ce que quand tu va aux toilettes dans un endroit un peu classe il y a toujours les même 3 mecs dont le seul travail, vu l'état général du lieu, est juste de te refiler un minuscule morceau de papier-q après que tu te sois lavé les mains?
Bonjour,
Il n'y a pas de moment propice pour traverser une quatre voies au Vietnam : c'est une question de chance, d'habitude et de confiance dans la conduite et l'adresse des Vietnamiens - Depuis dix ans, je n'ai pas eu le moindre choc... ou alors je suis douée pour me faufiler et m'arrêter juste avant l'impact, ou alors ce sont eux qui le sont😕
- un cookerice, bien sûr en premier car le matelas, d'ailleurs il est souvent remplacé par une natte ou un machin si mince qu'on sent le plancher ou le bois de la planche, donc ce n'est pas prioritaire... faut manger avant,
quant aux nha vê sinh.... alors là, c'est la grande misère... encore heureux qu'à défaut de propreté.. et même de papier, il y ait un box réservé aux européennes, sinon, 'est toutes ensemble... et alors là, franchement, ça m'est arrivé dans des coins reculés....et j'aime pas trop😏
Cordialement - Kimtwo
Le vent et les turbulences sont l'oeuvre de Dieu, mais la voile et le gouvernail nous appartiennent..
Voyager c'est aller de soi à soi, en passant par les autres (proverbe touareg)
quant aux nha vê sinh.... alors là, c'est la grande misère... encore heureux qu'à défaut de propreté.. et même de papier, il y ait un box réservé aux européennes, sinon, 'est toutes ensemble... et alors là, franchement, ça m'est arrivé dans des coins reculés....et j'aime pas trop😏
Je vois l'ambiance...
poussent ensembleu poussent ensembleu poussent poussent.
Oooops🤪
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
La démonstration est faite que c'est simpliste de faire l'amalgame,
Hé, ce n’était que de l'humour......je n'ai rien voulu démontrer, je m'amuse simplement.😉
Vous savez certaines "manies" ou attitudes sont universelles (les doigts dans le nez par exemple), il n'y a pas de quoi en prendre ombrage.
Rions ensembles de nos travers, la bonne humeur est si rare de nos jours.
Bien cordialement😉
Pour bien aimer un pays il faut le manger, le boire et l’entendre chanter. (Michel Déon)
"Rions ensembles de nos travers, la bonne humeur est si rare de nos jours"
c'est bien vrai parce que c'est quand meme plus intéressant que la tendance qui va vers
ici il y a des kfc et mc do à tous les coins de rue
ici tout le monde parle Anglais
Ici tout le monde porte un maillot de foot
etc etc
Profitons des particularités tant qu'elle existent et résistons contre l'uniformisation du monde.
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Profitons des particularités tant qu'elle existent et résistons contre l'uniformisation du monde.
Tout à fait d'accord, mais pour le béret, çà craint😉
On en trouve aussi en Argentine et en Australie, bon , les Russes , les Esquimos et les Papous n'en ont pas, çà laisse un peu d'espoir😏😏😏😏
Pour bien aimer un pays il faut le manger, le boire et l’entendre chanter. (Michel Déon)
Réflexions de voyageurs › Cambodge / Vietnam · 24 replies
À propos du Vietnam et de certaines arnaques 2 août 2009 à 12:45 Bonjour tout le monde! A propos du Viet Nam. Je ne m’adresse à personne en particulier. Je…
Je suis en train de déjeuner dans mon restaurant favori tout en discutant avec le patron et ami favori, quand un jeune rasta lourdement sac-à-dossé s’adresse…
Je vous invite a decouvrir ma province balneaire au centre du Vietnam: Quang Ngai, cette annee ma province s'est bien amenagee: montagne, campagne, mer sont…
J’ai pas mal bougé au Vietnam ces dernières années, du delta au sud, aux villes un peu agitées, aux petites îles aussi... mais ce qui me reste vraiment, c’est…
Évidemment, ceci ne concerne pas toutes les moines d'Asie du sud est, mais disons qu'en 6 mois de voyage à discuter avec les locaux et à voir des choses bien…
Hi! It was totally by chance that I stumbled upon VoyageForum (an ad online and a story lol), and I’ve been reading some really old posts from 2011 about Thai massage schools—discussions on how to get by, accommodation, prices, etc. It reminded me of my own experience: I kept things simple by staying with a local family during my entire trip. I only shared all the expenses with them, which, I’ll admit, was super cheap… and I often traveled with them, which naturally opened a lot of doors for me. To start, at the school in Salaya, my Thai friend immediately connected me with Teacher Phong (the school’s mentor and teacher of teachers, a former monk). I was supposed to join a group session with other foreigners, but for some reason I don’t know, I got two days of private lessons for free with this expert… incredible! And on top of that, he loved France! It was an amazing experience. I "discovered" massage by chance—the Thai family just told me: "Try it, you’ll see!" (I’d had a pretty intense massage in the capital before 😅… but the next day, I felt unbelievably great!))
Every morning, I’d take a taxi (chosen by the Thai family at prices that beat all the competition) to this school—I’ve forgotten the name of the little village now… right in the heart of the countryside. Then, in the evenings, I’d keep practicing massage on all the family members… and they’d teach me Thai at the same time!))
Since then, I’ve practiced a bit, with lots of positive feedback. Following Teacher Phong’s advice—he thought my pressure was deep, firm, and precise—he strongly encouraged me to take this seriously.
I love Thailand so much. It’s a whole different way of living… and it’s a real blessing, even if I couldn’t live there full-time. Anyway, that was an unforgettable memory, and sometimes the Thai family and I still say hi—from 2011, 2013… right up to today!
Hi everyone,
I’m Loulou, a French expat who’s been living in Southeast Asia for about fifteen years, currently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A passionate walker at heart, I’ve trekked in Nepal (Thorung La, Mardi Himal), India, Vietnam, and I’m still planning new hikes (Char Dham, Langtang, Annapurna).
I’ve just published my first travel journal, recounting three months of walking and encounters across India. A portion of the sales goes to an educational center I support in Kep, for children whose parents work in the salt marshes.
I’m also working on a second book about Nepal with a musician friend, focusing on the Mardi Himal trek—two independent perspectives on the same journey.
Happy to swap stories with you about the Himalayas, India, Southeast Asia, or just the urge to hit the road and walk far from home.
Safe travels,
Loulou
Who’d like to share their best and worst travel memories in a few lines?
For me, it’s watching the TAJ MAHAL at sunrise and getting chased by dogs at the top of a mountain pass in GREECE on the way back from ISTANBUL.
THANKS GUYS
"It seems to me that poverty would be less painful in the sun" wrote Aznavour...
Not sure...😕 Who can prove that people in hot countries are happier than others?
What do you think?
Is it better to live in Montpellier than in Lille?
Are the Pygmies happier than the Inuit?
Are Canadians less happy than the people of Louisiana?
Are there more French expats in hot countries?
And your travels? Do you choose your destinations based on the climate?
Do you rejoice when a bit of sunshine appears?
Hi everyone, just this once I’m not posting for a travel story, but to share a thought for Venezuela.
If you didn’t know—since it’s not making headlines—the country was hit by two 7.5-magnitude earthquakes last week. Over 2,200 people have died, more than 50,000 are missing, and some coastal towns have been completely destroyed.
Maybe when the scale of the humanitarian crisis becomes clear, our media will cover it a bit more... especially since earthquakes with this many casualties usually make the front page, but there’s been nothing in France.
So here’s a thought for this country, which, whatever you think of its politics, is a true jewel of South America, both for its landscapes and its people.
hi there
I’d like to invite you to discover my coastal province in central Vietnam: Quang Ngai.
This year, my province has really improved its infrastructure—mountains, countryside, and sea are all authentic here.
No harassers or thieves, and no Russians either.
A local lunch costs around 1 €.
A *** hotel room is about 25 €, and you can find hotels right on My Khe Beach.
We have a specialty: *banh xeo*—10 crepes for just 1.5 €.
You can rent motorbikes to explore the province and maybe visit the many ethnic minorities.
I live here—I’m not selling anything, but I can help if needed (my father-in-law is a traditional Vietnamese doctor and he’s very skilled).
Hi everyone! 😉
I’m Typhaine, 35 years old. Five years ago, I left France for a solo round-the-world trip—no planes, just a van, hitchhiking, cycling, and even a canoe in the Amazon! Today, I work as a naturalist guide in Argentine Patagonia.
Wherever I go, my compass stays the same: observing and photographing wildlife, which I deeply admire and respect.
My project: I’d love to share this experience through a sustainable, authentic, and immersive nature tourism initiative. But to build something meaningful, I need to understand how other nature enthusiasts experience their own adventures.
If you:
Are over 20 years old
Have a true passion for Nature
Have already taken at least one trip lasting more than 3 nights (in your country or abroad) in your life
Promise: I’m not selling anything, this isn’t marketing. Your answers are 100% anonymous and will only help me shape this wild project.
A huge thank you to everyone for your help and kindness! Looking forward to chatting in this thread 😛
(Dear admins, this is purely a collaborative effort for my project study, with no commercial purpose. Thank you so much for your support!)
Photo: Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), female on the left and her cub on the right. Photo taken by me in Alaska, Denali National Park.
It’s something we often notice in this forum—and many others—this behavioral shift.
A long-time member, or even a new one, asks a question.
They get one or more answers, some brief, some detailed, and then... nothing???
Not even a simple thank you!!!
From what I’ve gathered, if the answers don’t align with what they wanted to hear, it seems natural for the asker to just disappear!! 😕
Unless—(and I fear this is the case)—basic politeness is no longer part of our society????
I spent 3 weeks in Bali last summer (+ 3 nights on Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java). So I wanted to see what ChatGPT could suggest for comparison...
Here’s the prompt I gave:
"You’re a local expert guide for Bali.
- Plan a 20-day itinerary for Bali with a side trip to Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java without staying overnight.
- I’m traveling with my wife, and I love visiting historical sites, hiking, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, and exploring rice terraces...
- For the duration of the stay, I don’t want more than 8 places to sleep, and I’d like to stay at least 2 days at each stop to avoid unpacking too often. Except for the last night, where I’m okay with just one night near the airport.
- I prefer neighborhoods that are walkable and try to avoid typical tourist traps, though I don’t want to miss the must-see spots. So suggest a mix of iconic sites and hidden gems.
- Recommend hotels or guesthouses with a budget of 50 to 100 € per night, including breakfast. Make suggestions in areas popular with travelers, specifying the vibe (I prefer quiet), and consider safety and proximity to attractions.
- For lunch and dinner, suggest two to three restaurants that are well-rated by customers.
- Give me a day-by-day program with details on travel times, visiting times for each point of interest, and recommendations for transportation (taxi, train, bike, etc.).
Estimate the total cost of the trip, including accommodations, food, transportation, and activities, and suggest two tips for saving money in each category.
- Don’t make anything up—be realistic about travel times, take into account the opening dates and hours of sites, and give me the entry fees for places to visit.
- Ask me all the questions until you’re 95% sure you understand what’s being asked. Don’t generate your response until you’ve understood."
The AI asked for a few clarifications:
"Great request—I can build you a really optimized and enjoyable itinerary, but to be 95% sure I hit the mark, I need a few key clarifications (this will really influence the pace, areas, and accommodations)."
In the end, it proposed a program very close to what we actually did.
I’ll skip its accommodation and restaurant suggestions...
Its proposal:
"Ubud (4 nights) => we did 5 nights
Sidemen (2 nights)
Amed (3 nights) => we’d planned 2 nights
Gili Meno (3 nights) => we did Gili between Sidemen and Amed
Munduk (3 nights) => we did 2 nights before Pemuteran
Pemuteran (3 nights) with Ijen => we did 4 nights
Sanur (2 nights + 1 last night) => we chose Jatiluwih instead of Sanur
It suggested "activities" (and accommodations too):
IN UBUD:
- Walk around central Ubud (1–2h)
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- Tirta Empul
- Gunung Kawi
- Massage / market / slow café
IN SIDEMEN:
- Rice terrace hike (2–3h)
- Cooking class
IN AMED:
- Snorkeling
- Japanese Shipwreck
- Beach + relaxation
- Volcano sunset
ON GILI:
- Snorkeling at Gili Meno Turtle Point, Nest Underwater Statues
IN MUNDUK:
- Jungle & waterfall hike - Munduk Waterfall + Melanting Waterfall
- Loop: 3–4h (perfect for your level)
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
- Twin Lakes
IN PEMUTERAN
- Snorkeling: Menjangan Island
For Kawah Ijen, it detailed the day well:
👍 from Pemuteran = best possible option
12 PM: leave hotel (we left at 10 PM)
1 PM: ferry
3 PM: arrival in Java + transfer
11 PM: start ascent
2 AM–6 AM: volcano
Return to Bali around 11 AM–12 PM (we got back at 4 PM)
👍 still very intense, but doable with an agency
💰 ~80–120 €/person all-inclusive
IN SANUR:
- Relaxation
- Quiet beach
- Proximity to airport (30 min)"
I’ve kept the habit of blowing my nose in the sink and then washing my hands—a custom I picked up in India. Sometimes, non-travelers are shocked when they catch me in the act... 🤪
Also, when I run out of toilet paper, it doesn’t bother me—unless I’ve got company over... 🤪
Just got back from walking a friend’s dog (while they’re on vacation), wearing a djellaba and Tibetan boots... 😏😏😏 Oh, for sure, if I’d run into locals, I probably would’ve shocked them? 😏
Anyway, as long as I’m not spitting on the floor at a restaurant or squatting on the side of a highway with a water bottle in hand...
After taking a little trip around the world, I came back a few months ago with an idea in mind.
I mostly do diving, and I love observing animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
During the trip, I realized it was quite complicated to know where and when to see certain species.
For example:
where to dive with sharks or manta rays
where you might get a chance to swim with whales
I even discovered thresher sharks during my trip… I didn’t even know this species existed before, even though they’re incredible to see.
We spent a ton of time searching for info all over the place, especially on social media, without ever getting a clear picture.
So I started putting all this together on my own, in the form of a map, to make it easier to visualize where to go depending on the seasons.
I recently put a first version online (it’s called Fauneya).
There are probably mistakes, inconsistencies, or things to improve, and that’s partly why I’m posting here.
I’d really love to know how you all go about planning this kind of trip.
As part of my Master’s thesis, I’m currently conducting a public survey on a topic that concerns all of us when planning a trip: artificial intelligence and the role of human contact in travel planning.
These days, we’re using more and more digital tools to find ideas, compare options, and book trips... but is the role of human advisors still essential? At what moments? And for what types of trips?
The survey is anonymous and takes about 7 minutes.
It’s aimed at anyone who travels (or has traveled) for leisure, whether you plan everything yourself or go through an agency.
While browsing the forum to gather info for my upcoming trip to Thailand, I often see the terms "traveler," "great traveler," and also "tourist"—so what’s the nuance for you?
I've traveled quite a bit in Vietnam over the past few years—from the southern delta to bustling cities and even some small islands—but what really sticks with me is the north, the high mountains.
Up there, there's something different—maybe slower, more raw. The morning markets with ethnic groups, women in traditional clothes, the colors...
The stilt houses, kids following you and laughing for no reason, the terraced rice fields—it almost feels unreal at times, so vast and quiet, yet so human and simple.
You often hear that Sapa has become too touristy, and that's partly true, especially in the center. But as soon as you move a little farther away, everything changes quickly. The landscapes open up, encounters feel more natural, and you rediscover something truly authentic.
I think it's that contrast that struck me—the difference between what you imagine before going and what you actually discover when you take the time.
And you—what memory do you hold onto from Vietnam? A particular place that touched you more than others?
Hello,
We’re finalizing the plans for our upcoming trip to China in May 2025. The second-to-last stop will be in Zhangjiajie, where we’ve planned to stay for 2 full days before heading to Shanghai.
We’re traveling solo using local transport and have arranged to stay in the city of Zhangjiajie.
We’ve seen that there’s a lot to see:
Tianmen Mountain, the Grand Canyon and the glass bridge, Zhangjiajie National Park, and that the sites are quite far apart with fairly expensive entry fees.
We’re thinking of dedicating one day to the national park and the Grand Canyon (glass bridge) and one day to Tianmen Mountain.
But we’re not sure if this plan is realistic—any thoughts would be much appreciated!
I should be serving a warming drink to the participants in the discussion about gardens and parks that provide us with beautiful photos, I could mention the delicious buttery scent wafting from bakeries in the thread about returning to France, but my heart, its powerful pulse that nourishes my entire being, is elsewhere.
Dasht-e Lut, Yazd, Esfahan, Bam, Kerman, Qeshm, Hormuz—a melody, a prayer at the heart of desire.
A dream, an unattainable fantasy? No. Not anymore.
A very serious Italian travel agency is organizing this trip for 6 people this winter. I’m signed up, I’m going, I’m living. Maybe.
"But you’re completely crazy!!!!"
I know... I know that every civilization, every society has a vital need to create scapegoats to define and justify itself, pathetically. And Iran is one of them, top of the list. I laugh or sigh, and it doesn’t bother me.
But that unchanging red, deep red and garnet, so beautiful in itself, in all the Western chancelleries repeats, whispers, shouts: don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, you’re putting yourself in danger and we can’t do anything for you. You’ll be turned into mere bargaining chips, into arguments for endless negotiations. Fear must be instilled, its power absolutely preserved, no concessions made to the enemy. The information (how many French hostages, real or fake, compared to the number of travelers?) is always lacking.
Traveling becomes a merciless confrontation between desire, the vital pulse, and anxiety, its ghosts.
Hi everyone, here’s our itinerary. Arriving on the evening of December 13th. Departing on January 7th.
Thanks in advance for your tips and valuable feedback.
Manila – 1 night
Coron – 4 nights
Coron to El Nido cruise – 2 nights
El Nido – 4 nights
Port Barton – 5 nights
Flight from Puerto Princesa to Vigan
Vigan – 2 nights
Sagada – 2 nights
Banaue – 2 nights
Bagabag – 1 night
Manila – 1 night
I’ve only booked the flight to Manila and the Manila/Coron flight so far. Is it possible to book boat trips, accommodations, and the Puerto Princesa flight last-minute?
Really disappointed with Costa Rica! Pura vida? The scam of the century!
(Costa Rica pure emptiness).
The country where animals are free and people are in cages.
3 weeks in December in this country and never again. Imagine the trailer of a movie that seems interesting, and when you go see it, you realize it’s a flop and the best moments were in the trailer.
Well, that’s exactly how we felt with Costa Rica pure emptiness.
My wife and I have traveled quite a bit and didn’t expect to be so wrong about a place.
On the main routes, we visited:
San José
Alajuela
Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo (Caribbean side)
Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio (Pacific side)
And a few short stops in intermediate towns.
Our dissatisfaction grew gradually like this:
When we arrived at the hotel, the taxi dropped us off on a small street in front of a white metal gate with ground-floor windows barred. We looked at it skeptically, but the sign matched.
He approached the gate, rang the bell, the buzzer sounded, and the door opened slightly. The hotel wasn’t bad for the price, a 10-minute walk from downtown, but with a "Fleury-Mérogis" vibe guaranteed.
So far, so good.
After showering and regaining our bearings, we headed downtown.
What started to unsettle us on the way was seeing houses with bars on the ground-floor windows and even on the second floor.
At first, we thought the hotel’s neighborhood wasn’t great.
Downtown San José:
It’s a generic city, not very exotic, with a pedestrian street and a small mercado where you can eat local food without frills. Very few tourists—if any—which let you blend in with the locals. We had lunch and struggled to make ourselves understood because, aside from one or two shops, English wasn’t spoken.
On the way back to the hotel, we took a different route, and while chatting and strolling, my wife pointed out a beautiful two-story white house completely barricaded like Fort Knox.
From that moment, we started noticing the facades of houses and buildings, and wow, it was creepy—most looked like prisons, some even with barbed wire.
Though put off, we told ourselves it was probably a big-city thing and the rest of the country couldn’t be like this.
So far, so good.
We relaxed at the hotel and had a drink at the bar. Night falls early, around 5:30 PM. By 7:30 PM, we headed back downtown for dinner. A bit unsettling for a capital—downtown was almost deserted, and aside from fast-food chains, very few restaurants were open, with hardly anyone on the streets.
Bars with security guards out front.
I won’t say we felt unsafe that night, but once it got dark, we realized the bars on the windows weren’t for nothing. First day in, and our impression was already mixed.
The next day, we explored the city and surroundings, and our feelings didn’t change.
So far, so good.
Off to Cahuita by bus—4 hours of travel.
The landscapes are very green but quickly become monotonous. The road runs alongside the forest and passes through a few towns and villages, and even in the countryside, there were just as many prison-like houses.
The bus dropped us off at Cahuita’s terminal station—only four of us got off. It’s a village, or rather, a small town. Cahuita is basically one straight road and a perpendicular one, and honestly, doubt started to creep in.
A few restaurants that add 13% tax and 10% service charge—so 23% extra. We dropped our stuff at the hotel and went to explore. In 20 minutes, we’d seen it all. We had lunch and planned to check out the famous park.
Entry is by donation—well, the "entry" is a joke. There’s a path along the forest by the sea, and that’s it.
Nothing’s going right anymore.
We thought it was a total scam, but since we hadn’t gone far, we decided to come back the next day to explore further.
We returned to the hotel, relaxed, and around 8:00 PM, we went out for dinner. Only two restaurants were open, and the streets were deserted.
Creepy!
The next day, we explored the so-called park more thoroughly and really got it.
A path along the forest by the sea—2 hours there and 2 hours back, where you see animals that feel like showing their faces.
A total joke—"all that for this?"
The beach was full of wood debris and coconut husks. We wondered if the photos online were edited because the sea, very rough, wasn’t the azure blue we’d seen in pictures.
But calling this a park is a joke—it’s like a new concept.
When we thought about the reviews online, we started to suspect that professionals with interests in the country were monitoring and countering any negative feedback that could harm their business.
Too bad we didn’t check the negative reviews beforehand—we did while we were there, and it helped. We wondered if we’d become too demanding after all our travels, but no—when something’s bad, it’s bad.
Manuel Antonio’s park is even more ridiculous—there’s a short path along the sea for about 500 meters, and then nothing. You have to climb through mud and hack your way through the forest. We ended up barefoot because the mud was up to our calves. All that to see a raccoon and a few parrots flying overhead.
We didn’t expect Noah’s Ark, but we’ve seen more animals in Bali, Mexico, and Thailand while visiting temples or just walking around than in these so-called parks!
Puerto Viejo, not far from Cahuita and supposedly livelier—well, it couldn’t be worse!
According to Lonely Planet, it had a Caribbean vibe and wild nights, but maybe that was a long time ago. The good reggae music playing everywhere isn’t enough.
In the evening, Puerto Viejo was a bit livelier than Cahuita, but that’s not saying much. Very few tourists—if any—no night market, just two or three shops open selling $20 T-shirts. Same vibe as San José.
No big deal—we enjoyed the beach and the sun, which was reliable.
Our itinerary was supposed to include Tortuguero Park, but after talking to other travelers who’d just been, we changed our minds, knowing we’d be visiting Manuel Antonio Park on the Pacific side.
To get back to the Pacific side, you have to take the bus and go through San José again—5 hours this time—then switch bus terminals and another 4.5 hours to Quepos.
A stopover town to get to Manuel Antonio’s beach and park!
A town just like the others we’d seen—deserted as soon as the sun sets, and not exactly bustling during the day either. (Where are all the tourists?)
Still as many bars on the windows and that feeling of being in the wrong place.
7 km later: Manuel Antonio beach and park.
The beach is very beautiful and quite large, but don’t expect turquoise blue water—the waves stir up the sand, giving the water a brownish color.
Along the beach, shops and restaurants for about 300 meters, and then nothing. At night, after sunset, the town shuts down too.
Manuel Antonio Park is highly praised for its wildlife, so we were eager to see it. When you express dissatisfaction with Cahuita or Manzanillo parks, the response is always, "But you should’ve gone to Monteverde or Manuel Antonio!" No matter what you do or say, they’ll tell you, "You should’ve gone there or here."
Back to our famous park—entry was about $16, and contrary to what we’d heard, it wasn’t crowded!
Guides at the entrance with spotting scopes offered their services for about $30.
The park: a mix of boardwalk and dirt paths through the forest, sometimes running alongside beautiful coves and beaches.
As soon as we entered, a crowd was taking photos of a deer eating leaves.
A little further on, a guide with a group of five stopped. The guide raised his arm and set up his spotting scope! He showed them, about 100 meters away, a hummingbird perched on a branch. Some, looking through the scope, exclaimed, "Oh my God! Amazing! Incredible!"
For a moment, we thought they’d discovered a unicorn or were in Jurassic Park and had just crossed paths with a T-Rex!
The concept is comical—looking at a bird or another animal through a spotting scope because it’s too far away. Isn’t that what TV is for?
For our part, we saw monkeys, ants, an armadillo, an iguana, and the backside of a sloth climbing a tree. Amazing, incredible!
We stayed a few days in Manuel Antonio to enjoy the beach, changing hotels often because prices varied wildly from one day to the next for shameful services. On top of that, they’d quote a price in dollars and convert it at their discretion—thieves!
Alajuela, a city near the airport, has a two-story mall and a local market downtown! No interest except its proximity to the airport.
What we liked:
The climate and, in hindsight, San José—the most authentic city we visited.
What we didn’t like, in addition to what we’ve already mentioned:
Costa Ricans aren’t very friendly or communicative. English is barely spoken, not even by doctors at Quepos Hospital, where my wife ended up with food poisoning (thanks, Google Translate). The widespread obesity among Costa Ricans, who eat like Americans. The insecurity. The eco-hipsters who leave their $150 lodges in minivans with guides to visit parks and other sites, then return to barricade themselves in their fortresses at nightfall (oh my God, amazing, incredible). The blue signs at the entrance of towns that accept this payment method: "We accept American Express." Parking lots that become paid just because a guy is watching your car. Prices displayed in dollars. The cost of living (hotels, restaurants, taxes). Landscapes that are too green and not flowery enough. Beaches—nothing exceptional. Pollution in cities where big American trucks rule. Sewage dumped directly into the sea. Aside from the jungle, there’s nothing to visit—no ruins, monuments, or anything worth seeing.
In short, my wife and I think the hype about this supposedly eco-friendly country is overrated. It’s just the trendy destination of the moment. There are much better, cheaper, and more authentic places.
In hindsight, we keep the good memories and our beautiful photos, but if we had to do it over...
Before signing off, a little message to those who don’t like hearing opinions different from theirs:
Well, some things aren’t up for debate. And to those who’d have us believe that in 3 weeks, we don’t have the right to criticize a country or express our feelings—how can you praise it in so little time? What a scam. Costa Rica is a money pit. Pura vida? Pure cosmic emptiness.
If you like spending your evenings barricaded in your cozy hotel after dark, this country is for you.
For everyone else: run!
Hello,
Since the war between Russia and Ukraine, nothing is simple anymore for traveling to Belarus due to sanctions.
No more direct flights from the EU to Minsk.
Driving is a huge hassle, especially crossing through Poland at the only open border in Brest—you can wait 2, 3, or even 4 days just to get through by car.
The least painful driving option is to come via Lithuania and cross at the only open border, with a minimum wait time of 8 hours, sometimes up to 20 hours or more!!
Controls are very strict and annoying on both the Lithuanian and Belarusian sides. Avoid bringing alcohol, food, or cigarettes—everything will end up in the trash, especially when leaving Belarus for Vilnius, where the Lithuanians are tough, even with EU citizens.
The joy I once knew when visiting my wife in Minsk is sadly over—it’s now a real ordeal.
The fastest solution is to fly. My wife travels to France by taking a bus to Kaunas in Lithuania, where you can catch a flight (though not daily) to Paris Beauvais or Charleroi in Belgium with Ryanair, for example.
For the return trip, it’s the same: a flight to Kaunas and then a direct bus from the airport to Minsk.
The bus crossing is quicker than driving—the 250 km journey, including border checks, takes about 6 to 8 hours for buses leaving Lithuania around midnight, but controls are still strict at the border.
The biggest challenge is finding flight schedules that align with the bus routes between the two countries, given the unpredictable border crossing times.
Now, my wife travels via Charleroi in Belgium (near Brussels), and you can take a train to Paris. Alternatively, you can fly into Beauvais and take a bus to Paris (Porte Maillot).
For those driving, note that EU insurance and assistance policies no longer work in Belarus or Russia. You’ll need to get local insurance, usually limited to third-party liability (I don’t think full coverage exists?), as well as mandatory medical insurance. This is available at the border.
You now have to pay highway tolls—no more BELTOLL boxes. Instead, you pay a flat fee for the duration of your stay. Stop at the first gas station after crossing from Lithuania to fill up on fuel and cigarettes.
From what I know, Lithuania bans carrying more than 60 € in cash, but there’s no limit for USD (though it’s capped at $10,000??).
With a Visa card, you can now withdraw 1,000 rubles per week (about 270 €)—two months ago, it was only 500 rubles!!
For now, you can still pay by card in shops and gas stations.
However, major retailers like KORONA (which may be Russian-owned??) no longer accept foreign Visa cards.
Unfortunately, the additional sanctions announced by the U.S. on August 5, 2025, against Russia—and possibly Belarus—aren’t promising for the future.
After 20 years of visiting Belarus, I’m truly saddened to see the joy of living in this country with my wonderful wife turn into such a bleak situation, all because of human folly.
Hi everyone!
I’m putting together our travel itinerary for Veneto at the end of April. And the more I look and research potential sites to visit, the more I find!
We’ll only be there for a week—my family and I—including 3 days in Venice. So we have to make some choices...
I plan to rent a car when we arrive in Venice and head straight to Bergamo, which would be our first stop. We’d leave the car at the airport when we return to Venice so we can explore the city at our leisure.
What do you think:
1 night in Bergamo (a 2h15 drive from Venice airport),
1 night in Garda,
1 night in Verona,
1 in Padua, and
3 in Venice—would that be doable?
Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences! :)
Now that the curtain has fallen on the past year, it’s time to see what’s happening around here.
It seems pretty quiet, but I’ll read more in detail later.
First, I need to tell you all an anecdote.
My eldest little girl, in her third year of law school, was really scared she wouldn’t pass the year.
I told her:
“Trust yourself, you’ve worked so hard, and worst case, if you fail, you’ll just redo the year.”
“But I don’t think I’ll make it—they changed the rules, and if I mess up even one unit, I have to start all over.”
I knew her grades weren’t exactly stellar, and with what I was about to say, I wasn’t taking much of a risk.
“Here’s the deal, sweetheart: if you pass, I promise I’ll take you to India, just the two of us.”
I have to admit, India is a country I’ve talked about so much to all my grandchildren that in their minds, it’s become a magical, mythical place (hmm).
July had barely begun when my phone rang, her name flashing on the screen.
“Mamido, I did it!”
My promise came rushing back—oh no, oh no, oh no!
“Congratulations, sweetheart!”
A little shyly, she said:
“Is the India trip still on?”
And me, replying:
“Of course it is!”
And that’s that—a promise is a promise, or you risk losing that precious trust that keeps hearts warm and at peace.
We’re leaving in February. Only 8 days—yikes, the carbon footprint!
But we can’t miss her tutorials, or she’ll be kicked out.
Personally, that works just fine for me.
Going to India has become a challenge for me. It’s far, it’s exhausting, I sweat, I hate mosquitoes, the spices bother my mouth when I used to love them. There’s noise all the time—at night, the dogs bark nonstop, and we almost get run over. I’ll get lost in the streets because my sense of direction has vanished. I don’t like rice anymore. All that chaos and those cultural differences that once enchanted me now just overwhelm me.
But I promised.
The upside—and it’s a big one—Raman, the same driver I’ve had forever, will be at the airport with a sign with our names. We’ll stop at the same little shop for chai (or tea, plain and simple) with that aroma that intoxicates me, halfway through the trip.
It’ll be a tiny trip—staying with friends, I’ll show her a few places I love: Chidambaram, Mamallapuram, and the clinic where I worked. Then we’ll head back.
My little girl will go home to her parents.
As for me, I’ll leave right away for our Scottish island with Homme for our chilly winter.
How can you love a country so much you want to live there, then suddenly reject it, no longer able to appreciate what once made it special?
That’s the mystery of love, I guess.
I’ve visited the U.S. four times myself, including two long road trips. The last one was just this past August...
I won’t be going back. I already felt guilty last August, but recent policies have finally convinced me: the humiliation of Zelensky, authoritarian excesses, Gestapo-like methods for detaining people of foreign origin, the murder of innocent people (a mother shot dead), corruption, insane "tariffs," skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans, the abduction of foreign figures to secure oil, the requirement to disclose social media accounts, and now... threats and blackmail to forcibly take Greenland—a region that belongs to Denmark and thus the European Union!
The reality is that simply posting this could get me denied entry to the U.S.!
In this context, I just can’t keep spending money there. I loved my trips, but there are so many other countries with stunning landscapes to explore.
So I get why you’d want to travel there. I did, and I loved it. But once a country no longer respects any of the values that made us love it, why go?
How can we even consider traveling to a country that threatens to take one of our territories by force?
Hello everyone,
Controversial topic? Not necessarily—maybe just a reflection on a world to come.
I spent the last 15 days of August on a cruise in Greenland, from Kangerlussuaq to Tasiilaq.
I was utterly amazed by this unique world of rock and ice, the little houses in every color, a simple life that’s also complicated by isolation and climate, among other things...
I carry in my heart the kindness of the people I met, the raw and gentle majesty of the icebergs, the colors of the sky...
So, I can’t even imagine a massive presence of raw material prospectors, heavy machinery requiring roads to be built—if that’s even possible—changing their way of life... putting sled dogs out to pasture!
Do fast food and Greenland’s northern lights really mix?
I wouldn’t trade my memories for an ESTA!
All opinions are respectable, which is why this isn’t a controversy—but I’m sorry, I have a soft spot for *my* Greenland.
We’re a couple aged 58 and 63. We’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to South India in Tamil Nadu and a few days in Kerala. We traveled with a local French-speaking guide and his friend, the driver. They both live in Pondicherry. We spent 3 weeks with them in the most authentic way!
We covered just over 2,500 km and visited not only temples but also archaeological sites, museums, and small artisanal businesses making tiles, tea, sculptures, bronze, and silk spinning. We were lucky enough to visit a public school, attend a wedding, and even a death announcement in a small countryside village. We were fully immersed in the culture, food, noise, and colors—it was incredible!
The hotels and guesthouses we chose were very clean and mostly quiet. We’re returning from India with amazing discoveries!
We’re happy to share more info if you’d like!
M-Claire and Jean
This catchy and somewhat mysterious title comes from several questions I’ve been asking myself.
VF has been back open for a reasonable number of weeks and months now.
The number of visitors overall matches past averages, but the number of members online in the last 24 hours seems relatively lower than what we used to see.
Yet, to my surprise, I’m seeing fewer travel journals, way fewer messages, and way fewer questions.
I don’t see many new registered users online, and I notice a number of members who are logged in but either aren’t participating or have stopped participating.
Something’s not adding up for me because, in my opinion, VF is still appealing, and I don’t see which other sites could really compete.
Was there a real break between pre- and post-Covid?
Does it just take more time for some people to discover the site or learn that it’s active again?
Do people now prefer quick consumption on sites like FB or others I’m not familiar with?
Where have the site’s old-timers gone, and what are they doing with their time now?
What’s really going on here?
This isn’t exactly a traveler’s question... I’d like to know who handles the technical side of this forum?
I run a similar forum on a different topic (unrecognized children), and we’re dealing with a few technical issues that are slowly killing our forum... so I’d have one or two questions to ask 😊.
Also, I was wondering who created this forum... who the administrators or moderators are, etc.
I think this forum is great. Much better than Facebook, which I’ve been using since it shut down (so I’m happy to see it’s working again...)
LA saigon comme ça ?? etiquette verte ou rouge , où est elle a ce prix dans bui vien vite vite je meurt de soif 😉😉
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