Hi Keussef, I think I’ve "worn out" my friends and family just like you have with my travel stories. Whenever I discovered a new country I loved, I wanted to describe it, tell its story, and bring it to life through my words, photos, and videos. For about 10 minutes, it was fine, and then I’d hear: "Oh yeah, same for me—when I was in Mexico..." and someone else would chime in, "That country reminds me of Vietnam where I went last winter..." I quickly stopped talking about my travels. Now, I’ve been living in a Southeast Asian country for 22 years, and when I read tourists’ blogs about this place, I’m stunned because it’s nothing like my daily life here. Probably because the magic of travel and discovery has faded. After 15 days in a country—even staying with locals—tourists think they know it. Apart from the scenery, they’re often way off the mark. Oh well! These days, when I visit a new country, I read books and travel guides (always helpful), but never blogs. I’ve really had it with blogs and travel stories.
In the end, I don’t talk about it much directly—I share my blogs, post photos on FB when I travel, and then... if someone wants to talk travel, sure, otherwise... I keep it short (more from experience than choice). But I *do* love sharing...
I’ve been living in a Southeast Asian country for 22 years now, and when I read tourists’ blogs about this place, I’m stunned—it’s nothing like my daily life.
Okay, but that’s debatable. After all, everyone has their own perception of things—that’s the very nature of subjectivity. If the opposite of subjectivity is objectivity, then every form of perception or thought would be nearly identical from one person to another, and we’d end up with a civilization of cloned individuals. That’s what North American and mainstream culture want to impose on us. It makes sense—if everyone does the same thing (like traveling via Airbnb, among other things), it becomes industrial tourism.
Apart from the scenery, they’re often way off the mark. But hey! Nowadays, when I visit a new country, I read books and travel guides—always helpful—but never blogs. I’m really fed up with blogs and travel stories.
I don’t agree—everyone has the right to their own perception, even if tourists seem "off the mark." That’s just a form of snobbery.
"A travel blog is like a slide-show evening that lasts six months."😎
hmmm, it seems the purpose of this work wasn’t understood... 🙂
The point here is to discuss travel in general—with a touch of sarcasm and irony.
Not to say whether slide-show evenings are good or bad...
Moral judgment is about declaring things right or wrong—that’s black-and-white thinking...
And using irony to talk about travel is a multifaceted way to question our lifestyles and society.
"A travel blog is like a slide-show evening that lasts six months" is a quote from the book that had me laughing, just like the rest of it.
I think I got the point of the book.😎
If your comment wasn’t aimed at me, my apologies;
but if it was, I don’t feel concerned by "whether the slide-show evening is good or bad, moral judgments, black-and-white thinking"...
And to lighten the mood on the Forum (where I’ve been coming less and less, except when it rains😎), here’s one last quote from the book’s epigraph:
"Those who’ve traveled the world can make their conversation last a quarter of an hour longer."😎
Jules Renard.
You admit it yourself. You want to talk about your travels, but you don’t want to listen to other people’s.
Personally, ever since I started traveling, I can’t stand people who bring every conversation back to their own trips. The worst part is, I might be doing the same thing—since I haven’t lived in France for a while, my daily life and everything I’ve experienced lately has all happened abroad.
"Mais il n'y a plus pauvreté si il y a contentement. Ce n'est pas parce que l'on possède peu que l'on est pauvre, c'est parce que l'on désire plus." Sénèque
Well, got it and read it. It reads quickly, in one go, and it's really fun. I loved it.
A gift not to give to someone who takes themselves too seriously.
Still, from my point of view, there's a big difference between telling (or imposing your photos, etc.) to a group, family, or captive friends (like at the end of an evening)
and
writing a blog, posting a travel journal, or making a Facebook album: people can choose to look or not. Nothing is forced on anyone (unless you're being impossibly pushy , but then, if you want to annoy the world, nothing's impossible).
Totally agree with you about the difference between "imposed" stories (from family, friends, etc.) and those published online where everyone has the freedom to read... or skip right away!
The book that inspired this topic is not only well-regarded but also turns out to be short—any longer, and it would’ve definitely been a snooze!
But I’ll admit that among all the travel books I’ve read, some have given me wings and inspired me, while others really bored me... just like the constant media presence of their authors.
The art of boring the reader with a lazy little sum.
And then, Debureaux, with such a surname, are you even qualified to talk about travel?
Are you really in a position to address travelers in the imperative a hundred and fifty times?
To pile up worn-out clichés haphazardly?
Does quoting Barbey protect you from being boring yourself?
The funniest sentence—though I suspect it’s a typo, it’s so light as a feather compared to the rest, which is written with a bazooka—is on page forty-six. It’s the one sentence that might hint at a shred of self-deprecation from this traveler:
Declare the contents of your backpack. A peacock flute, a dagger, a hammock, a bear spray, and a few pairs of underwear...
And bam!
Alright, Jean, I’m off to read your Mauritian travel journal to see how many pitfalls you’ve fallen into. 😉
Your post is really funny and well-written, bravo!
That typo with the original "peacock" flute was hilarious—I didn’t even notice it when I read it!
About my latest (and previous) travel journal, of course, you can spot a few of the most common pitfalls of travel writing... some of the ones mentioned in Debureaux’s book.
Hello,
I’m adding my two cents to the discussion.
This thread—and this book—that I’ve just discovered make me wonder if I, too, have fallen into the trap.
Personally, I write my travel journals first and foremost for a handful of loved ones back home, either because I know they’d love to share in my experiences but can’t, or to ease their worries:
- Aren’t you afraid to travel alone?
- At your age, do you really think it’s wise to go to such remote places?
- And with your illness? What if you lose your meds or they get stolen? You’d be as good as dead. You forget that without them, you should’ve been gone long ago...
I reply that without my meds, I *would* die—but not overnight, so I’d have time to catch a flight before taking that final trip.
About my age, I tell them about Alexandra David-Néel and all the travelers I meet on the road who are much older than me and give me a real life lesson.
My career choices have fulfilled me but also kept me tied down, never allowing me to take the long trips I see others boasting about in their impressive resumes.
A week here, two weeks there—they’ve visited the whole planet, but what do they *really* know about the collection of countries they claim to have done?
As for traveling solo, it’s sometimes frustrating not having someone to share the adventures—or misadventures—with. Otherwise, day to day, I say I’ve had a few bad experiences with travel companions that ruined my happy solo days. Maybe traveling with someone is harder than going alone?
But I’m getting off track...
So, I’ve never published anywhere.
However, at the request of a few people here on VF, I decided to give it a shot.
https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7727390&idl=3028470&idl2=7067620&idl3=7811510999�
With such a delay that, in the end, I’m recounting a trip from three years ago. Why that one? It just happened that way. I didn’t want to start with the most recent. As for the oldest, it’d be interesting—more for me than for my readers—to revisit it and see how India, and especially *myself*, have changed.
And if I’ve been called out multiple times for my words or my style, it’s because they don’t leave people indifferent.
The advantage of publishing here on VF is that those who aren’t interested can just move on or simply stop reading me.
Traveled the world?
Traveled your own monotony!
There’s also:
Travel? The pretense of existing.
And again:
Travel? The dizziness of fools.
(That last one’s from Céline).
Pretty accurate, right?
Amor Fati: Ne rien vouloir d'autre que ce qui est. F. Nietzsche.
Philippe.
Traveled the world?
Traveled your own monotony!.
There’s also:
Travel? The pretense of existing.
And again:
Travel? The dizziness of fools.
(this last one is from Céline).
Pretty accurate, right?
Traveled the world?
Traveled your own monotony!
There’s also:
Travel? The pretense of existing.
And:
Travel? The dizziness of fools.
(That last one’s from Céline).
Pretty accurate, right?
...let’s just say it works less well with spelling mistakes...
Traveled the world?
Traveled your own monotony!.
There’s also:
Travel? The pretense of existing.
And then:
Travel? The vertigo of fools.
(this last one is from Céline).
Pretty accurate, right?
Maybe for some gloomy minds, incapable of seeing anything else.
🤪
"La vie est un voyage qui se vit au présent ou jamais ...."
The present, like travel, is just an isolated act in a play...
Without the journeys that came before or the surprises yet to come, it’s completely devoid of story...
But that’s another topic 😉...
Well said.
That’s what we call a simulacrum—a kind of hyperreality.
But yeah, that’s a whole other topic 🙂
Hello,
I’ll add my two cents... it seems pretty clear online—especially with blogs or even travel journals on forums—that the posts that "tell their trip" (or should I say "tell their life") tend to get the most attention. Some well-made info-sharing sites do well too, since they’re genuinely useful. But the ones that keep coming back to the forefront are those where the author puts themselves front and center, sharing their own story. They’re not just showing a photo or video of a landscape—they’re showing *themselves* in that landscape, and that makes all the difference.
Whether you like it or not, there’s clearly a deep need for recognition in these authors, and for some, barely concealed narcissism. Just look at those who turn it into a career: the focus isn’t really travel anymore—it’s all about them. The number of glowing comments some stories get shows that, yes, a lot of people love living vicariously, reading these accounts and showering praise on strangers.
Talking about yourself, putting yourself out there, and sharing travel stories in the first person works *really* well. Posting about your trips is like putting photos of yourself online (Instagram, Facebook, etc.). No one’s asking you to do it, but the success it brings means nothing’s stopping you—and you’re even encouraged to keep going!
We shouldn’t criticize those who live vicariously or don’t experience things firsthand. And we shouldn’t judge those who constantly share their lives, since it clearly works and people can’t get enough.
But instead of calling them boring, maybe we should ask: Do those who constantly talk about their lives—who feel the need to do it on forums or elsewhere—just have oversized egos? Are they narcissistic and self-centered? Does it reveal something pretty unhealthy, something very much in line with our "me, me, me" era and the selfie obsession? Boring? Maybe. Narcissistic and pretentious? Almost certainly.
Personally, I find it pretty logical not to read stories from someone I don’t know at all. And I find it kind of strange when someone feels the need to share their life, their vision, their adventures—basically making their private travel journal public.
But as someone else said, on a forum, you can just skip what doesn’t interest you.
Of course, this is just my opinion.
there is undoubtedly a deep need for recognition among these authors, a barely concealed narcissism for some.
I totally agree—narcissism is something I brought up on this forum a while back.
When people become too narcissistic (which is what marketing and self-help culture push for), the risk is falling through the other side of the mirror—since, metaphorically, narcissism is all about staring at your own reflection.
Long story short, if you fall through the other side, you might just lose it. 😎
Just look at those who manage to turn it into a career—the focus isn’t really on travel anymore; everything ends up revolving around their own little world.
I completely agree.
Just look at how many glowing comments some travel stories rack up,
Totally agree, and constantly dishing out praise is right in line with that overly positive, typically North American mindset—but that’s a whole other topic. Critical thinking is disappearing…
and talking about yourself, putting yourself forward, sharing your travels in the first person works really well...
Coming to tell your travel stories is like posting photos of yourself online (Instagram, Facebook, etc.). Nobody asks us to do it, but given the success it meets, nothing stops us from doing it—we’re even encouraged, and we get caught up in the game!
Hello,
If it’s meeting with some success, then it must be bringing something to readers.
Talking about yourself and achieving success that way... that’s the dream!
Personally, I find it pretty logical not to read the stories of someone I don’t know at all... and I find it quite strange that someone feels the need to talk about themselves and flaunt their vision, their life, their adventures. Basically, to make their private journal public...
If everyone saw things like you do, there wouldn’t be many writers 😉
As for me, when it comes to online travel journals (which, for the most part, don’t claim to be literature), I don’t mind at all if they’re very personal, narcissistic, etc... as long as the author has a personality that brings something to me, of course.
Obviously, reading the private life of someone I find tacky (each to their own definition) doesn’t interest me at all.
To wrap up, I’d say that reading someone’s private life online isn’t any more or less interesting than reading a stranger’s opinion on this or that subject... Sharing your opinion publicly in front of a crowd of strangers seems just as narcissistic to me.
If everyone saw things like you, there wouldn’t be many writers 😉
hmm, isn’t there a bit of a contradiction here?
In my opinion, the era of "writers" is over—what matters now is the number of books sold in bookstores or big-box stores.
Obviously, reading about the private life of someone I find tacky (everyone has their own definition) doesn’t interest me at all
As a suggestion, there are ways to make a text more engaging, like using literary devices.
But we shouldn’t overlook the substance either
Of course, I completely understand that strangers' personal travel journals can be interesting, and I’ve actually noticed that people enjoy them, so it’s great that they bring something to those who love them...
I’m especially thinking about the blogs that pop up every day, where you can immediately tell the real goal is recognition (creating multiple social media accounts, plastering portrait photos, selfie videos, etc.). And very often, at the start of these sites, you can read things like, "I created this blog to inspire people to travel" or "I created this blog to keep my loved ones informed," etc.—things that, on the surface, have nothing to do with spending all day on social media, working on SEO, or doing everything possible to get famous and rack up as many views as possible...
In short, there’s a huge inconsistency in these people, a certain intellectual dishonesty, and a bit of hypocrisy in claiming they’re not following a trend when it’s clearly what the times demand...
As for personal journals published on forums, it’s a bit the same thing. If you ask them why they come to share their lives like this, they’ll often say it’s to "share." But is there really any sharing in oversharing?
And finally, debating a topic and telling your life story—unless I’m mistaken—aren’t the same thing. Sure, giving your opinion means believing, somewhere, that it has value or that you’re right, I’ll give you that... It’s hard for humans to escape their own little condition. And it’s true that we rarely change our minds.
But debating a topic isn’t the same as making yourself the subject of the story. That’s the whole difference.
About writers, you’re mistaken (if I may say so) because most writers tell a story. Autobiographies are less common, often written by others, and usually about people who’ve made an impact... with a few exceptions, of course.
An unknown person who writes a book saying "me, me, me" and just tells their life story—if they’re nobody, they generally don’t sell books. They end up on a forum, as you’ve noticed yourself.
If it’s meeting with some success, then it must be bringing something to readers.
Talking about yourself and finding success that way... that’s the dream!
Aren’t blogs and travel journals just replacing paper guides? A really detailed travel journal is a ready-made itinerary for a future traveler. Some people don’t like planning their trips, others don’t have the time. As for going with an agency, to get good prices, you have to travel in a group. When I used to go to China regularly, I lost count of the DMs I got asking me to suggest a route from one city to another for a given timeframe. "I don’t have time to deal with it," I was told every time. As if *I* had the time to cook up other people’s trips... A recent, well-detailed travel journal or a regularly updated blog is a godsend for those who can’t be bothered to put in the effort.
I’m especially thinking of the blogs that pop up every day, where you can immediately tell the real goal is recognition (creating multiple social media accounts, plastering portrait photos, selfie videos, etc.). Very often, at the start of these sites, you can read things like "I created this blog to inspire people to travel" or "I created this blog to keep my loved ones informed," etc.—things that, on the surface, have nothing to do with spending all day on social media, working on SEO, or doing everything possible to become famous and get as many views as possible.
Yes.
I’ve noticed this especially on YouTube, where some people have this outdated ambition to become stars by creating a channel, even though they have nothing interesting or original to show.
In short, there’s a huge inconsistency in these people, a certain intellectual dishonesty, and a bit of hypocrisy in claiming they’re not following a trend when it’s clearly what the times demand.
Without judging so negatively (I read too few travel journals to do that), it’s clear there’s a trend around the "travel journal."
Living in Auvergne, I discovered this through the Clermont Travel Journal Fair.
I noticed that keeping a travel journal is often an activity in itself, sometimes a bit disconnected from the actual trip. For example, the illustrations are often done by an artist who isn’t the writer, based on photos and without having been there.
I think writing a travel journal and traveling are two things that can be quite different.
Some people here have even presented themselves as more legitimate to participate in the forum because they publish travel journals.
But seeing the world through the eyes of a travel journal keeper isn’t necessarily more interesting, in my humble opinion (just like only seeing it through a camera viewfinder is a particular approach and not necessarily very enriching).
True, Mariecurry, online you can easily skip around and pick what interests you from personal sites here and there. And happily stop at a blog that’s really worth it—whether for the gorgeous photos, an original take, or a real artistic investment 🙂
(By the way, I encourage everyone to check out your site and the amazing photos there!)
Oh, but that wasn’t the point. Especially since these photos are old.
In blogs and travel journals, there’s everything: the best and the worst. It’s up to each person to sort through them. On VF (since we’re here), there are some excellent travel journals. I’ve said it before—I’m in awe of the work put into them because I know it’s anything but easy to write one. Some have a way with words, others have a great eye, and the luckiest have both. And then, let’s be honest, there are the others. Whose work might be more debatable. That doesn’t mean we can blame them, though. Posting a travel journal might be narcissistic, but it’s also brave. You’re putting yourself out there, after all. The same goes for blogs.
Creating a blog, sharing your travels online—it’s the trend these days. The internet gives you a platform, so why not use it? When I read VF, I often feel like I’m on a "site for old-timers." A little closed off to innovation, to technology. And especially to the idealism and energy of youth.
Personally, I agree with you, and you’ll probably agree that among the flood of what we call travel blogs, there are several different styles:
those that lean more toward practical guides (more useful in my opinion),
those that are more of a marketing tool (like lists of countries and things to see there, even if the author’s never set foot in them, the top 10 cities to visit here, the top 10 activities to do there, etc.)—here, the author’s just trying to make money off their site.
those that end up just recounting their trip like they would to their family, without giving any practical info that’s useful to others.
those that mix a bit of everything,
those that focus on photos, those that focus on videos... in short, there’s something for every taste.
Lumping an amateur practical guide together with a personal travel journal is, in my opinion, a mistake that a lot of bloggers make when they put together lists of blogs to follow.
The people who create travel journals here are more like the "selfie blogs" where the author just talks about their life...
That’s the kind I was referring to when I mentioned narcissism or oversized egos. The ones who actually help others are different.
As a "blogger" (I prefer the term "travel site writer") and having a few travel journals under my belt here, I thought I’d join the conversation.
First off, when you love talking about travel, the internet is great because at least you’re not bothering anyone—only those who want to read do, and on a travel forum, writing a travel journal seems appropriate, especially when there’s a "travel journals" section 😛
After that, a journal will either resonate or not. I think most people who write them here do so in an authentic and spontaneous way—you either connect with it or you don’t.
I enjoy sharing my travels, though not all of them (for example, I’ve never written about my trip to Florence because I found it dreadfully ordinary). I try to share my impressions, practical tips, photos...
I think a travel journal lets you travel vicariously, research a destination, or even relive a past trip when you know the place.
Plus, you can read a journal out of curiosity and discover places you wouldn’t have considered before!
As for blogs, I’m not sure the most narcissistic ones are the most successful. Maybe on social media or for "round-the-world travelers," but for Europe? Nah, people mostly look for practical info.
I created *le mieux* to share info, tips, photos (which are what they are), and describe the places and monuments/museums I’ve visited.
I don’t talk about my life—I might show up in photos sometimes, but that’s different. I’m a quiet person, so it’s a change 😇
Want to be read? SEO performance? Well, I won’t lie—if I take the time to write detailed articles, it’s not just for me. So yeah, I’d rather be read (but not necessarily *seen*). That said, I don’t make a living from it, so it’s clearly not the reason.
Just to be clear, blogs that are all "look at me in front of every monument" annoy me to no end, and I rarely read them.
I had a good laugh at Mariecurry’s comment about "the old folks’ forum" 😛 Sometimes I feel like I’m among the youngest (I mean active members, not the ones who ask a question and disappear), but honestly, I get along better with older people. At least that was the case for a long time—now that my peers are getting older and maturing, it’s better.
But when I see what’s trendy with "young people"—smartphones, LOLcats, excessive self-promotion, and all that—I don’t mind chatting with older folks 😮
Another chance to congratulate you on the quality of your work and the care you put into it... 😇
More generally, what do we care if a blog is narcissistic, monetized, or full of mistakes, as long as we’re not forced to read it? By learning to separate the wheat from the chaff, we’ll always find blogs that are interesting, well-written, and either informative or enjoyable.
Personally, I don’t mind if they sell Levy, Musso, or Bussi in train stations—as long as no one forces me to crack open their books...
I had a little chuckle at Mariecurry’s thought about "the forum for oldies" 😛 Sometimes I feel like I’m among the youngest (I mean the active members, not those who come to ask a question and never return)
It’s not about age, but mindset. I’m surprised to read how easily people forget they were also 20 or 30 once. Is an intergenerational discussion on VF really impossible? It’s clear they all turn sour so quickly. It’s sad.
Anyway, I’ll close this parenthesis.
Have a good (and rainy) day, everyone.
hi there!
I checked out your site, *la petite souris*. It’s one of the few travel-oriented sites (like mine) designed, of course, for personal use (keeping memories) but with real value since it’s geared toward others—sharing practical info.
I also agree that if you don’t like pulp fiction, no one’s forcing you to read it...
Basically, we’re all saying the same thing. The difference, obviously, is that if you write travel journals in a forum yourself, it’s natural to justify it by saying it’s useful—and as we all say, whether people agree or not, there are plenty of readers for this stuff. So yes, it’s clear it has its place. Maybe I’m too critical of those who read them and travel vicariously.
At the end of the day, it’s kind of the same thing: those who just want to escape will read your travel journals, while those who want to go somewhere will check out your "practical guide" site.
Personally, I just allow myself to be harsher toward people who only talk about their own lives—because on TV, in real life, or online, it drives me nuts...
And I’m also talking about inconsistency: people who love reading about others’ lives without knowing them often can’t stand meeting someone full of themselves who only talks about *themselves*. So to the question, "Are we boring with our travel stories?"—if you translate that to "Am I boring you by talking about my life?"... the answer is yes!! If you’re not sharing anything beyond "me, me, me," then yes, it’s boring...
When I read VF, I often feel like I'm on a "site for old people."
Well, it makes sense since "older" people generally have more means and, for the long-time members, more time—two pretty essential things for traveling...
VF also probably isn’t representative of wealth distribution. The upper-middle class and the top income brackets are way more present than other groups.
And most of all, like in "real life," we end up grouping together based on our interests, political views, and especially our ways of traveling.
A little closed off... to the idealism and energy of youth
I think it mostly makes us laugh because, as you wrote later, we’ve all been idealistic and carefree ourselves.
because on TV, in real life, and on the internet, it drives me nuts..
You can just skip it.
If you read, watch, or listen, it’s because you’re interested.
Even if that interest might just be masochism.
but with real usefulness since it’s aimed at others, sharing practical info
Practical info is like an IKEA furniture manual.
Essential or not depending on your lifestyle (some travel freely, just like some skip the manuals).
Besides, we don’t all travel the same way.
Every piece of practical info has its audience but isn’t universal.
Except for things like opening hours, administrative formalities, etc.
But you can find that stuff anywhere.
Personally, I find practical travel journals tedious.
I might pick out a detail using search engines, but I won’t read the whole thing.
Personal travel journals are more interesting to me—when they’re well-told and on a topic that grabs me.
They can be very self-centered. That’s not an issue as long as it’s not boring to read.
Yes Attila, as I mentioned just before
-"if we write our own travel journals in a forum, it’s natural to justify it by saying it has its uses,"
But when you're actually planning a trip and its itineraries, the practical info is what saves you time on the ground and helps you avoid potential scams.
A review of a destination—what we felt here or there—is subjective and really only concerns the person who wrote it.
And once you're there, everyone’s free to think what they want and imagine the itinerary they prefer. That’s why, between the two, practical info seems more useful to me...
It might be less "interesting," but it’s more useful.
Still, enjoying reading them—I’ll give you that—everyone does what they want at that level. As for the original question of whether it’s boring, I think yes, you think no, but ultimately, it’s less useful than a ton of practical info that, unfortunately—and contrary to what you say—you can’t find just anywhere. And yes, you’re right, a "personal" travel journal is very often self-centered. Everyone’s free to appreciate (or not) people who are focused on themselves...😛
, practical info is what helps save time on the spot and avoid potential scams.
Except that what’s useful for X won’t be for me.
And vice versa...
What’s a long-distance hiker’s or cyclist’s feedback going to bring me?
What’s a budget traveler’s feedback—whether by necessity or lifestyle—going to bring me?
What’s a packed-with-activities review going to bring me if it ends with the address of a McDonald’s?
There’s more than one way to travel, more than one type of traveler.
I often criticize practical reviews for being limiting.
it’s what helps save time on the spot and avoid potential scams... A ton of practical info... you can’t find everywhere
So it’s mostly important for those who plan every detail, who don’t like the unexpected.
Concretely, a review about a destination, what we felt here or there, is subjective and really only concerns its author.
A novel, an essay, an autobiography too, then...
Should we burn them all to keep only dictionaries, cookbooks, or DIY manuals?
You’re confusing the pleasure of reading with the search for information.
Some people only need one, others need the other or both.
They’re different perspectives.
A travel journal can inspire you to take a trip, while a practical review can reassure you about making it happen.
In both cases, you connect more easily when the author travels like you do.
Yes, yes, Atilla, that's what we all say here—everyone does what they want... but clearly, you don’t get it. It’s not about traveling down to the millimeter; it’s about knowing a little more about the place you’re visiting. Practical information isn’t "restrictive"; it’s just information.
I’m not saying you have to burn everything either—I wrote "everyone does what they want at that level"...
and no, I’m not confusing the pleasure of reading with the search for information. I’m saying that sharing information is more useful, and recounting your life or your trip is more subjective.
We should avoid caricaturing what others say or over-intellectualizing things when we’re talking about simple stuff. And we should understand what people are actually saying. All we need to do is answer the original question: are travel journals boring or not? I say no, you say yes...
That’s it, as far as I’m concerned, I’ll stop here because this could go on forever like this.... Thanks
It’s just about answering the initial question: are travel journals boring or not? I said no, you said yes..
Quite the opposite, actually.
Anyway, it really depends on who’s writing it. Some people can post all the photos or list all their favorite spots they want, but it’ll never have the appeal of a well-written piece.
I really enjoy reading travel journals, and I also sometimes look for practical info—there’s something for every taste!
What’s great about the internet is that everyone can pick what they prefer. No one’s forced to read anything, and it’s a space of freedom where we can still express ourselves without too many constraints.
As for the average age on VF, I’d say it’s mostly that "young people" don’t use forums (or fora) anymore—they prefer social media. They also favor smartphones, which aren’t as suited to long discussions like the ones here.
Young people travel too. Maybe just differently...
Je lis les carnets de voyages, certains sont franchement intéressants, d'autres lassants, mais je me pose aujourd'hui la question: pourquoi fait on un carnet…
Étant adepte du stop et n'ayant jamais utilisé de carton avec ma destination marquée dessus, je me demandais si cela était utile? Outre le fait que j'ai…
Rentrée de voyage depuis hier, à chaque fois, j'ai la même sensation de revenir dans cet horrible train train quotidien! je ne suis pourtant pas partie très…
Hello everyone on this forum!
I know in advance that what I'm about to say here won't please everyone, but honesty is a virtue, isn't it?
Here's the thing: for many years now, I've noticed a habit in French-speaking posts of using abbreviations left and right, as if to show that we're "in the know." Let me explain with a few examples:
- - In discussions about Peru, I see "Aguas" for "Aguas Calientes." And if it's Mexico, well, it'll be "Aguas" for "Aguascalientes"!
- - For Guatemala, "travelers" will say "Guaté." Come on, saying "Guatemalas" would maybe be the undeniable sign that you know nothing about the country???
- - Back from Indonesia, many will talk about how familiar they've become with the country's language: "bahasa." Of course, everyone will know what you're talking about, but it still gets on my nerves because the language (one of the many languages) of Indonesia is "bahasa Indonesia." "Bahasa" actually means "language," and you'll find this word of Indian origin ‘Bhāṣā’ (it's Sanskrit originally) outside Indonesia too: in Thailand, for example, any language will be "phasa" as in "phasa thai" (official Thai), "phasa isan" (what's spoken in northeastern Thailand), "phasa angkrit" = English, etc.
Am I an incorrigible nitpicker? Maybe. But I'd also find it ridiculous if a foreigner came and told me they visited "Monte" during their trip to France, when it was actually Monte Carlo.
I read a lot in English and don't think I've encountered such a habit among English speakers.
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
This is my 15,000th post, and it's a message I would have preferred never to write.
Patrick—Yangguizi—won’t be returning from his trek in Uganda. His health betrayed him in the mountains.
Like many of you, I laughed until I couldn’t anymore at his travel stories. I met him in Shanghai, then in Istanbul... We scoured restaurants—he was an incredible expert on world cuisines. We relived Korea, China. Always brilliant, so sharp, so funny, so down-to-earth. Being even a little bit his friend was something to be proud of. I think I envied him.
Patrick is still out there, of course...
He found his happiness running across the world. He’s on his path. He never doubted that "the traveler doesn’t even know if he’ll return one day."
Not sure this would’ve suited him, but his departure devastates me.
Alright,
Farewell, you foreign devil. Safe travels.
hello to all travelers with their eyes wide open to the desert...
I’ve always wondered what I was "doing" on this earth. And why my father, who died a few months after I was born—a former youngest French resistance fighter—joined the First Saharan Motorized Company in Atar and spent the rest of his life repairing army engines in Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali (which didn’t exist under that name back then), Morocco, and finally Algeria, where my mother was born and raised. (Believe me, it’s not "cool" being the child of a soldier in a country occupied by France, and even less so the child of a "pied-noir.")
Of course, I never got an answer: the dead don’t talk, and the army doesn’t either.
But here’s the thing—I had photos...
So naturally, one day I hit the road. I wanted to see, to understand.
It’s thanks to VF that I was able to do a little research on crossing the Morocco-Mauritania border, and I’m grateful to its members, just as I’m grateful to all those who welcomed me on the road for 14 years.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been wondering if I should talk about this or not...
It turns out the Mauritanians changed my life by asking for my help... And that started as early as February 2012... (Did I owe them something? No answer to that question.)
Ah, the irony—they saw me coming. But when you’re handed sick children and begged to do something, what would you have done? I’d worked in a hospital, so I knew a bit about the rules to follow. I didn’t hesitate.
And well, over all these years, I met doctors, surgeons, and together we organized care, evacuations of children, training for surgeons—even trying to stop children from having to travel outside their country. It was never easy. I’d like to thank those who supported us, as well as *La Chaîne de l’Espoir*, *La Fondation Face au Monde*, and everyone who built bridges between our two countries.
Unfortunately, despite the constant efforts of Mauritanian doctors and surgeons, some children couldn’t be helped in time. Today, I want to talk about four siblings—orphans of their mother—suffering from congenital glaucoma causing irreversible blindness. Their case was entrusted to me in 2020, just weeks before the big lockdown. We couldn’t do anything for them then, but when their father asked me for a gift, I rushed to my computer and wrote a story.
Through a tale, the children take a great journey, explore their country, and fulfill a dream. I never thought this book would be published—it was, in 2023.
This book pays tribute to Mauritania. It’s a message for those who know nothing about the hardships of life there, carrying both the harshness and beauty of an immense desert where you can travel by 4x4, bike, on foot, or by camel in complete safety. It bears witness to the kindness of Mauritanians toward travelers.
As a woman traveling alone in my vehicle—a now-rusted old Mercedes that no longer runs—I had the most beautiful encounters of my life there (I’ve seen other parts of the world...). The blind children of Choum, Atar, Nouadhibou, and Nouakchott will forever be in my heart.
Volunteer readers transcribed the book into a free audio version for the visually impaired. It’s available in sound libraries in France, the *Fondation Valentin Haüy*, and the Swiss Romande library.
I made my last trip to Mauritania in my old 4x4 to distribute the book everywhere, especially to its heroes and the school for the visually impaired in Nouakchott.
After that, I thought it was time to close the chapter because I no longer have the means or the strength to travel.
My publishers chose this title for it: *The Blue Eyes of the Desert*.
This publication helped a mission of Swiss volunteer ophthalmologists come to operate on glaucomas in Mauritania. I’m thrilled because they come back every year!
This adventure is ending, yes—everything must come to an end—but ultimately, it was born here, on the VF site!! So yes, I had to say it: THANK YOU!!!!!
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
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!
"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.
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