"Peut on rire de tout ?
Peut-on rire avec tout le monde ?
A la première question, je répondrai oui sans hésiter.
S'il est vrai que l'humour est la politesse du désespoir,
s'il est vrai que le rire sacrilège blasphématoire que les bigots de toutes les chapelles taxent de vulgarité et de mauvais goût,
s'il est vrai que ce rire-là peut parfois désacraliser la bêtise, exorciser les chagrins véritables et fustiger les angoisses mortelles,
alors oui, on peut rire de tout, on doit rire de tout."
Pierre Desproges, Vivons heureux en attendant la mort (Seuil, Novembre 1983)
Deuxième question : peut-on rire avec tout le monde ? C'est dur… Personnellement, il m'arrive de renâcler à l'idée d'inciter mes zygomatiques à la tétanisation crispée. C'est quelquefois au-dessus de mes forces, dans certains environnements humains : la compagnie d'un stalinien pratiquant me met rarement en joie. Près d'un terroriste hystérique, je pouffe à peine et, la présence, à mes côtés, d'un militant d'extrême droite assombrit couramment la jovialité monacale de cette mine réjouie (...)
perso il y en a 3 avec qui j'aurais eu du mal et Bonne fête aux Parfait
Les évènements marquants un 18 Avril:
Elisabeth 1ère devient reine d’Angleterre en 1559, Jules Verne publie son premier roman “Cinq semaines en ballon” en 1863, Pierre Laval devient chef du gouvernement de Vichy en 1942, naissance de Olivier Besancenot facteur et homme politique français en 1974, naissance de Olivier Minne, animateur télé “Fort Boyard” en 1967, décès de Gustave Moreau à Paris, peintre français en 1898, décès de Albert Einstein, physicien, prix Nobel de physique en 1955, décès de Marie-France Stirbois à l’âge de 61 ans, femme politique française en 2006, naissance de Jean Richard à Bessines (Deux Sèvres), comédien, homme de cirque en 1921, naissance de Franz Von Suppe, compositeur autrichien en 1819, décès de Marcel Pagnol, écrivain, auteur dramatique et cinéaste français élu à l’Académie française en 1974, Michaël Jordan annonce son départ à la retraite en 1999, En Egypte, Nasser de vient premier ministre en 1954, Mariage du Prince Rainier de Monaco avec l’actrice américaine Grace Kelly en 1956, La Chine relâche, pour raisons médicales, le dissident chinois Wang Dan en 1998.
Rire, ça décoince, c’est bon, ça secoue le ventre, les côtes, les mâchoires.
Je peux rire des travers des autres quand j’y retrouve les miens, des défauts physiques des autres quand ils ressemblent aux miens, je ne peux pas rire des chagrins des gens aussi inconséquents me paraissent-ils. Aucune souffrance n’est risible, aucune et donc, pour moi, je ne peux pas rire de tout.
Je peux rire avec n’importe qui, si la situation s’y prête, c'est-à-dire pas n’importe quand.
Le rire est libérateur et salvateur, il est sain.
Le rire a besoin de complicité, il s’épanouit, s’égrène, cascade et retentit comme un écho, il a indéniablement une signification sociale.
Je ris d’un distrait, d’une maladresse, d’un lapsus, de moi-même. Je ris avec l’autre mais pas de l’autre, en tout cas, pas en public, car c’est inutilement méchant et vain.
Et j’en arrive à vf : l’humour est souvent présent mais parfois épais quand il se fait systématiquement au détriment d’un Autre qu’on ne connait pas, que l’on blesse inutilement pour un instant de rire.
Car si rire dilate, humilier de quelques mots bien sentis pour faire rire un petit groupe ne rend pas hommage à l’amuseur.
Le comique se doit d’être délicat et fin, sinon il ne m’amuse pas. Mon rire doit être spontané et exubérant, sinon il ressemble à une scie…même pas musicale, un vague hennissement.
Bref, au fait, pourquoi as-tu choisi d’ouvrir une telle discussion ? T’as le temps de me répondre, je ne viens plus beaucoup sur vf. Si je m’étranglais de rire, maintenant, souvent mon rire s’étrangle..
... l'une des raisons de ce message est que ce vendredi 18 avril 2008 m'a semblé être le bon jour de rendre un modeste hommage à ce drôle d'"écriveur" dont l'esprit nous a souvent fait défaut ces dernières vingt années ...
En ce qui me concerne, je fais partie de ces extrémistes qui pensent que, oui, on peut rire soi-même de tout... mais je suis la première à lancer une Fatwa contre celui ou ceux qui se rient de moi !
Le rire est non seulement un état d´esprit, une attitude mais parfois même un réflexe de survie !
Dans la queue de la boulangerie, devant le miroir chez le coiffeur, une fiche de paye, le carnet de note des mômes, les résultats des élections, devant le comptoir d´une compagnie qui t´annonce que ta place, en fait, n´en est pas une parce que... surbooking!, sur VF, que sais-je !
Autant le rire peut m´enchanter, me ravir, me combler, me transcender, autant il peut aussi me glacer, me transpercer, m´attérrer, me consterner.
Car, pour moi, le rire n´est pas la chose la mieux partagée au monde. C´est une notion trop subjective !
Donc, non, on ne peut pas rire de tout avec tout le monde. C´est très compliqué et subtil l´humour.
Car il peut être inoffensif, bienveillant ou anodin. Mais il peut aussi devenir argument, ruse, arme, voire canon !
Au fait, l´humour est-ce le rire, le sourire, l´ironie, le comique ?
Une entrée, un dessert, un plat principal ?
Quand on parle de manger......il peut être ganache peu sucrée, voire douce-amère, croquante et onctueuse, sans agressivité pour le palais.
Mais il peut être aussi relent grossier, mordant, amer, aigre, âcre ou piquant.
Je fais en tout cas partie de ces gourmandes qui s´en régalent toujours, prêtes à faire des kilomètres un dimanche pour en trouver un stock dans un fond de boutique qui me dépanera !
Mais au fait, Maitairoa, désirais-tu simplement rendre un hommage à Desproges, ou ouvrir un débat ?
Tu vas voir que notre avis ne t´intéresse peut-être même pas !
On efface tout et on recommence alors...
N’en parlons plus. Hommage à Desproges, c’est entendu..
Alors rajoute aussi Garcimore et également, même si c’est tout relatif, Einstein, morts tous les deux un 18 avril et m'vla contente. Eux, personne n'en a parlé .
Je vais aller aussi chercher les morts célèbres du 21 avril, y'en a peut-être un qui conjugue l'humour et le voyage ou l'humour en voyage !
"Je vais aller aussi chercher les morts célèbres du 21 avril..."
Plus ça va plus, plus ce post gagne en originalité ! (je me répète)
Pondy Chérie, regarde ce que j´ai trouvé:
Notre grand « comique » national, Jean Racine, est mort le 21.04.1699
« Œnone
Juste ciel ! Tout mon sang dans mes veines se glace !
Ô désespoir ! Ô crime ! Ô déplorable race !
Voyage infortuné ! Rivage malheureux,
Fallait-il approcher de tes bords dangereux ? »
(Phèdre)
Comme ca, je t´ai avancée, tu peux commencer à lancer les recherches pour le 22.
Ps : le 21.04.2008, à 15h12, il y a un des escargots de l´élevage de ma fille, qui est mort accidentellement, après qu´elle l´ait malencontreusement piétiné.
"Bon Voyage", petit mollusque à coquille spiralée...
Pas d'accord !
Lorsque hier j'ai ouvert cette discussion, mes mirettes se sont agrandies d'étonnement (comment ? Racine ? ici ?) et un frisson de joie m'a envahie à la lecture des alexandrins.
Tu te rends compte ! Les sublimes vers de Racine sur vf, un miracle.
Merci à Glatch donc (grâce à elle j'ai passé la soirée à me remémorer ces longues tirades que j'adore).
Il y a juste plusieurs façons de percevoir l'intervention de Glatch : tu en exprimes une, j'en exprime une autre.
Encore heureux que nous ne pensions pas tous exactement la même chose, que nous ne réagissions pas tous exactement de la même manière, ..., que nous ne soyons pas les clones les uns des autres, non ?
Déplacé ?? déplacé ???
Jamais rien à voir ??? à quel degré !!!
N'y aurait il ici, que de la place pour tes petites versifications ??
Et ton lobbying pour garder ta tribune (de hors sujets notoires) ? l'as tu oublié ??
Ne peut on se déboutonner un peu, se débrider, délirer, en dehors de tes critères ??
Peut etre une piste sur les causes de disparition des messages d'Agathe ?
Que j'adore (moi aussi !)
Je disais juste que ça m'agace de voir des posts détournés de leur réflexion d'origine, j'ai bien le droit de le dire quand même !
Sachez enfin monsieur que j'apprécie grandement les délires et les fantaisies et qu'il est bien regrettable que vous ne fassiez preuve ni de l'un ni de l'autre dans votre message aux allusions plus que perfides et totalement mensongères...
Dolma
un chemin et la caresse du vent, alors je pars en voyage...
Apres deux ans de fidelité à Vf je commence à me lasser .....et j'y suis moins accro depuis quelque temps ...., les beaux textes de Pondy, Mamina, les chroniques de Glatch, la verve de Raoulx et biens d'autres encore me manquent !!!!Certes vf c'est avant tout les voyages mais quelques parenthèses agréables sont les bienvenues .
""Le bonheur, ça n'est pas grand-chose, madame, c'est du chagrin qui se repose."
Léo Férré
Bonjour,
pas d'échauffement pour moi ! cool de chez cool !
Mais il est probable que si je n'avais pas fait partie des gens sollicités à l'insu de leur plein gré, en MP, pour une action de lobbying, concernant votre différend avec la "modération", sur lequel j'ai d'ailleurs prèché en votre faveur, ma réponse n'eut point existé ??
Pourquoi 2 poids, 2 mesures ??????
__
* *** .... les délires et les fantaisies et qu'il est bien regrettable que vous ne fassiez preuve ni de l'un ni de l'autre dans votre message aux allusions plus que perfides et totalement mensongères...
* ***
désolée d´être en retard sur ce (hors)sujet, mais j´ai éte prise toute la journée par l´enterrement du petit mollusque de ma fille (cf. mon message hors-sujet d´hier).
On l´a incinéré dans l´intimité et jeté les cendres dans la cheminée. Le temps de raccompagner les invités... et me voilà.
Chère Dolma, pour une fois que je ne me trouvais pas trop hors-contexte (d´ordinaire la modération se charge de me le faire "remarquer" avant les autres forumistes, c´est de bonne guerre), voilà que tu me casses le moral. La journée avait si bien commencé avec la pluie qui tombe en trombes en Bavière et la presse qui ne titre pour une fois pas sur les Chtis (cf. un sujet voisin) !
Pour ma défense, je me contenterais de dire que.....ce n´est tout de même pas de ma faute si Jean Racine est mort un 21 avril !
Soyons un peu sérieuses, non ? ou plutôt évitons de l´être, je t´en conjure !
Tu as, tout comme moi, bien lu le contenu de ces messages, on y parle d´hommage à un humoriste et de rire. Je ne vais pas me lancer dans un débat sur la fonction thérapeutique ou cathartique du rire.
Tu me diras, pourquoi pas ?
Je ne prétends rien du tout, ni faire rire, ni surtout agacer, simplement (au même titre que toi) participer légitimement à ce forum et y prendre du plaisir.
Je reprendrais pour finir le constat de Don Juan qui disait à l´autre... que "nous étions tous des imbéciles et qu´en aucun cas je ne constituais une exception."
Ps : Merci vraiment pour ta MP qui m´a touchée. J´y répondrai aussi.
Merci à Glatch donc (grâce à elle j'ai passé la soirée à me remémorer ces longues tirades que j'adore)
Mais de rien Anàssa,
tout le plaisir est ... partagé !
Moi qui m´étais justement replongée dans la relecture de Phèdre, tu penses bien que je n´ai pas raté le coche de le caser sur ce post..... qui s´y prétait si bien, n´est-ce pas !
Si Rabelais ou Molière étaient morts un 22 avril, on aurait pu profiter de leur verve humoristique sur VF aujourd´hui, mais il faut nous rendre à l´évidence... je n´ai trouvé que Richard Nixon mort un 22.04 !
Même si elle nous récitait la liste des départements avec les sous préfectures, ou une table de multiplication, je resterais bouche bée !!!
On l'adore !!!
Mais ... prem's !!
Mon Coeur,
je n´ai jamais appris à l´école la liste des départements et encore moins des sous-préfectures, alors s´il te plait! arrête de me ridiculiser sur ce forum.
Je sais que 69 (oh ca va, arrête), c´est Rhône-Alpes parce que toutes les Renault et les Peugeot arborent un 69 quand j´attéris; je sais qu´à Caen, on ne crache pas sur le Calva et qu´au Maroc, les "chevals" hénissent, mais pour le reste...
Moi aussi "je/on" t´adore mais... sommes-nous sur le bon forum?
Je ne me fais pas de soucis, on ne va pas tarder à nous le faire savoir....
Comment oses-tu te plaindre des plus adorables interventions du forum ?
IooI mon...,
comme je le disais à Anàssa, je n´ai trouvé que Richard Nixon mort un 22 avril.
On en va quand même pas se parler Guerre Froide, nous qui nous adorons ?
Que proposes-tu ?
Une navette spatiale ?
Certes vf c'est avant tout les voyages mais quelques parenthèses agréables sont les bienvenues
Chère Venezia,
où es-tu allée pêcher que sur VF, on parle de voyages !
Par contre, regarde, la parenthèse est ouverte et personne ne l´a encore refermée... profitons en.
bonjour Agathe
et oui je pêche ...tous les jours!!! et ne souleve pas trop le poisson!
mais de grâce continue. (Ton post va me faire paraître sur les perles de Vf !!Gloups ..Il y a toujours quelqu'un à l'affut...)
""Le bonheur, ça n'est pas grand-chose, madame, c'est du chagrin qui se repose."
Léo Férré
Lorsque j’ai envie de m’évader, de prendre un peu de temps rien que pour moi, de lire quelques pages empruntées aux voyageurs, de rire de bon cœur devant leur humour, de me régaler de jolis mots, je me connecte à VF, l’œil aux aguets aux noms de Iooi, Yanguizzi, Eversmile (carnet sur le Yémen génial !) Raoulx, Wapiti, Pondy, Dolma, Timouss, … et bien d’autres encore dont Glatch…. Là, je me pose, je frémis d’impatience en sachant le plaisir que j’aurais à la lire, souvent même, j’éclate de rire devant tant d’impudence, voire d’imprudence, non mais quel culot !
Ce sont tous vos petits mots, intelligents, drôles, cultivés, plein de tendresse, parfois plus acides, un brin agacés qui donnent à ce forum toute sa saveur...(les autres… il suffit de ne pas les lire !) Difficile de trouver un équivalent « internet » qui donne à un groupe la possibilité de réagir, de s’opposer, d’échanger, de rire, de s’amuser pratiquement en « live », les blogs sont plus compliqués… c’est bien pour ça d’ailleurs qu’on y revient à VF !
Donc, en attendant, continuons à alimenter « les pensées et réflexions des voyageurs » ou les « divers » ou les…. Il y a toujours un sujet intéressant qui permette d’intervenir ou à détourner pour nos spécialistes !
Et sachons rire de tout, de nous-mêmes en premier lieu…. Mais pas avec n’importe qui, faut pas exagérer non plus !
Affectueusement,
La liberté, c'est un cadeau qu'on se fait à soi-même - (L.Gauthier)
ah ben la gnaedige glatch elle est en forme!!!!
c est quoi ces histoires de lobbying?
je pense en avoir une idee vu que je connais les manieres d agir qu ont certains forumistes qui tissent leurs toiles en douce mais j aimerais quand meme qu on m explique clairemment pour le coup, si ca n embete personne bien sur.
merci d avance et la glatch on est tous avec toi!!!!!😎
mon message n°6
Les évènements marquants un 18 Avril:
décès de Albert Einstein, physicien, prix Nobel de physique en 1955,
exces de lecture en diagonale ?
ou de l'humour en rapport avec le post ?
Bien l'bonjour,
Alors rajoute aussi Garcimore et également, même si c’est tout relatif, Einstein, morts tous les deux un 18 avril et m'vla contente. Eux, personne n'en a parlé .
pas d´histoire, en aucun cas!
Je cherche à connaitre la mienne depuis 40 printemps alors je ne vais pas te raconter l´automne qui a failli revenir sur ce post!
On se prend tous les pieds dans la Toile à un moment ou à un autre, c´est tout ce que je rajouterai (ca va te faire gamberger ca, non?).
C´est un plaisir de te croiser sur ce post, cher Naps, mais... es-tu sûr au moins d´avoir la dose requise d´humour pour prétendre le faire ? (ca, ca va t´énerver)
Pourrais-tu nous aider à avancer et nous trouver quelqu´un d´intéressant mort un 23.04 ?
j´ai souri sur toutes les photos d´identité, j´ai sacrifié tous mes doigts manucurés à l´encre de la Polizei pour les empreintes digitales, j´ai promis que je ne serai ni désobligeante ni impertinente mais
"O désepoir ! O crime ! O déplorable race! Voyage infortuné !..."
je n´ai toujours pas de visa.
Donc, en attendant, continuons à alimenter « les pensées et réflexions des voyageurs » ou les « divers » ou les…. Il y a toujours un sujet intéressant qui permette d’intervenir ou à détourner pour nos spécialistes !
Ma chère Mamina,
et si on faisait un réunion ?
Ps : si tu m´avais ouvert les yeux et dit plus tôt que je faisais preuve d´impudence et d´imprudence, je n´en serais peut-être là, sans visa à 15 jours du départ!
oah tu sais die glatch, ma question etait perfide car je connaissais deja la reponse figure toi.
je sais, j ai l air bete comme ca et vu que mes ecrits ne brillent pas leur style recherche, ni par leur style poetique et fleuri, ni par leur jargon ampoule on a tendance-probablemment a juste titre-a me prendre pour un simplet mais il faut bien voir un truc:
mise a part le fait qu heureux les simples d esprits car le royaume des cieux leur est acquis, ceux ci jouissent en plus d une capacite supplementaire, a savoir un bon sens populaire qui bien que basique n en reste pas moins tres fiable et leur permet souvent de separer le bon grain de l ivraie.
ceci dit je ne vais plus dans cette rubrique en effet, la je n y suis passe que par hasard(peut etre attire par tes traces, va t en savoir😛), car cette rubrique est celle que j appelle
"la rubrique des non voyageurs" qui ne refilent jamais une infos ni ne posent aucune question sur les autres rubriques mais viennent donner leur avis sur tout et rien ici et adorent declencher des polemiques alors qu en fait ils se sont trompes de forum vu qu ici c est un forum de voyage, fait par et pour les voyageurs...
quelqu un d interessant mort un 23 avril?
y a bien eu les funerailles de cervantes(l auteur de don quichotte)ce jour la, mais il etait mort le 22.
sinon je vois pas mais tu sais que je suis un peu limite...😕
vu que mes ecrits ne brillent pas leur style recherche, ni par leur style poetique et fleuri, ni par leur jargon ampoule
Boah, si tu dis ça suite à la remarque du gars Muhammad dans "cousin et tantine", ben tu te plantes.
Pour sûr qu'il ne parlait que de la mise en forme "déficiente" de tes notes (ponctuation, majuscules, titres et autres enjolivures), parce que pour le style et la verve, on est tous d'accord, y'a rien a changer.
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!
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...)
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