In this age of zero-commission cards and fee-free accounts, I’m curious why some travelers still prefer to set off with a wallet stuffed with bills and exchange money on the spot.
I get it for those whose income comes from undeclared activities, but what about everyone else?
Between the risk of theft, scams at exchange counters, and fees that often end up being higher, I’m really puzzled.
The last time I traveled with a wad of cash was because I had to pay for accommodation in cash only, the local currency was the dollar (easy to exchange at a very low cost), and I was still paying some fees.
I’m still wondering about my next trip to Argentina because the situation there is very specific, but otherwise?
Is it an allergy to modern payment methods?
A budget so tight that an extra 20 € (the fees some local banks charge for withdrawals) on a 2000 € budget would be impossible to manage?
I like to have between 500 € and 800 € in cash.
It’s comfortable, gives me a safety margin.
Even though I have several cards, it’s not uncommon to have to resort to the second or third one to get what I need.
I rarely have more than 50 € on me, so I’m a bit lost here.
It’s not uncommon to have to try the second or third one to get what you want.
For me, it’s more about two or three different ATMs than two or three different cards.
Some countries prefer Visa, others Mastercard.
It’s definitely better to have both.
I rarely have more than 50 euros on me, so I’m a bit confused.
Same here.
Why does having cash on you bother you?
For me, it’s more about two or three different ATMs than two or three different cards.
Some countries prefer Visa, others Mastercard.
It’s best to have both, really.
For unpredictable reasons, it often doesn’t work—beyond just the Visa/Mastercard divide.
I usually carry four cards.
Lots of places in Madagascar, West Africa, Central Africa, etc. Even other, more touristy African countries, of course...
I’d add that if you risk running into money problems—which you’ve mentioned and is absolutely true—you can just as easily have issues with payment cards: the bank blocks them, you hit your limit, they get eaten by an ATM, or you simply lose them or have them stolen. Aside from loss and theft, all of these have happened to me. Sometimes leading to pretty stressful situations.
Bottom line: having a bit of cash can be a cushion in all these cases.
So I prefer to mix payment methods and have that cash buffer on top of other options.
Well, you do you, and I’ll do me—I have no problem carrying cash, it doesn’t stress me out, and I accept the risk without breaking a sweat.
What’s the issue?
I also carry cards like yours—several, always, at least three.
Do I need to activate option three for a payment?
It happens, quite often.
Twice in the last twelve months: once in Georgia, once in Ukraine.
ATMs with safety rules: always during business hours of the bank that issued the card I’m using.
Currency exchange offices are often the best option—near train stations and markets, always commission-free.
I never notify my banks about my travels; it’s none of their business.
Michel
Why does having cash on you bother you?
But I *do* have cash on me.
It’s in the form of a plastic card, but it’s still money.
I can buy almost anything with it in France.
Abroad, it can be different, so I withdraw cash.
200-300 € at a time.
For unpredictable reasons, it often doesn’t work, beyond the Visa/Mastercard divide
If it’s happened to me 4 times since I started traveling, that’s really the middle of nowhere...
Plus a few scares from my bank, which I now notify when I leave.
You didn’t answer the question, though.
You have a backup in case.
I’d add that with 500/800 or even 1000 € in cash, you’re pretty far from a suitcase full of bills—unless you’ve got a tiny suitcase or the amount is in loose change...
We’re also not that far off from the cushion you yourself say you withdraw in cash, in chunks of 200/300 €.
Cash? Simply because bank fees are often prohibitive outside Europe. And, given my budget, I don’t need a suitcase to carry the bills... I have a Visa card just as a backup in case...
Even other more touristy African countries, of course...
Which ones?
I’m thinking of going to Tanzania.
Aren’t there any ATMs there?
So far, I haven’t needed to bring euros to South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, or Morocco.
Yet, there are plenty of discussions on the forum about exchanging money in those countries.
That’s what I don’t get.
Why take euros when the local system works just fine?
You and Tatra mentioned having a backup stash.
Sure, even if a quick call to your card service can help, and if you’re traveling in a group, the odds of getting robbed drop significantly.
But what about the rest?
For normal situations?
Why all these discussions in the Southern Africa section about exchanging money upon arrival?
There are ATMs everywhere in South Africa.
Enough in Namibia and Botswana too.
Plus, the exchange rate is terrible at places that offer it.
So… what’s the deal?
Payment cards: the bank blocks them, limits are exceeded, they get eaten by an ATM, or you simply lose them or get robbed.
Yeah, theft, loss, and the bank blocking the card (which is why you should notify them beforehand).
Personally, I don’t care if my card gets stolen—it’ll be replaced for free.
Losing 800 €, though… that’s another story.
Exceeding the limit? I don’t see how.
They’re pretty high, after all. And super easy to adjust.
I get the feeling that needing cash is mostly a solo traveler thing.
I think I’d also bring a small backup stash if I were traveling alone, since the risks are higher.
But I’d only use it as a last resort.
ATMs and card payments would still be the norm.
Well, you do what you like and I’ll do what I like;
Yeah.
The real question is why?
Currency exchange offices are often the best option—near train stations and markets, always commission-free.
Really?
I’ve never seen anyone work for free.
Sure, the sign says “no commission,” but since the exchange rate isn’t the best, it usually ends up costing more than using next-gen cards—especially if the local bank doesn’t charge for withdrawals, and there are still plenty of those.
Plus, it’s possible to travel in many tourist-friendly countries (like I do living in France) with almost zero cash. In those cases, card payments are the most advantageous, except in places where under-the-table cash is the norm.
Then again, in Venezuela (and maybe now Argentina), the currency has become so worthless that exchanging money outside the official system is pretty much the only good idea.
I experienced that in Romania back in the Soviet days.
It’s an interesting experience in every way—so long as it stays the exception.
Same in Myanmar.
Cards were basically useless, or nearly so.
You really had to budget carefully.
You’d start off being stingy out of fear of running out, then swing into feeling rich depending on how much cash you had stashed.
Okay, we haven’t made much progress on the original question (currency exchangers vs. cards in the era of free, fee-less cards), but a few ideas have emerged to explain why some people still carry cash. (In addition to the famous card, of course.)
- Safety net for travelers (especially solo ones?)
- Countries with failing or even nonexistent banking systems in certain regions (Africa, but others?)
- Banking systems perceived as oppressive
The tone you're using is odd; it gives the impression that you're judging people, that you have some sort of score to settle with I don’t know what or who...
La question est juste pourquoi ?
Because I feel like it and want to do it that way. What exactly do I need to justify?🤪
Ah bon ?
Je n'ai jamais vu personne travailler gratuitement.
C'est sûr que sur l'affiche est écrit pas de commission mais comme le taux de change n'est pas le meilleur, finalement ça revient plus cher que les cartes nouvelles générations surtout si la banque locale ne facture pas le retrait et il y en a encore beaucoup.
You do need to keep an eye on the exchange rate, but often, in the places I visit, it’s very close to the bank rate. They make their profit over time—it’s their business.
Et puis il est possible de voyager dans de nombreux pays touristiques comme je vis en France c'est à dire avec quasi zéro cash. Et là le paiement cb est le plus avantageux dans tous les cas hormis dans les lieux où l'argent au noir est la coutume.
Again, do what you like, but you can also let others do what they prefer without making them feel judged. What’s your issue, exactly?
- safety net for travelers (especially solo ones?)
- countries with failing or even non-existent banking systems in some regions (Africa, but others?)
- banking systems considered oppressive
So, we’ll add... A taste for bills, coins, and currencies—for what they represent in value and culture... ATMs’ tendency to charge fees on top of the bank’s foreign-exchange fees... Budget control...
There are plenty of reasons that might not make sense to you.
You say that if there are ATMs, you use them to withdraw 200/300 euros in cash; alright, okay.
The difference: I travel solo or with family with 500 to 1000 € in cash before taking the flight.
Roughly, the difference is that I board the plane with money and don’t need to withdraw any upon arrival. A few hours of jet lag, it seems to me, and a few hundred euros. Mentally, it feels pretty much the same to me. Or does it?
There are parts of Tanzania where you won’t be able to pay by card. Same goes for some areas in Kenya. I’m not talking about Madagascar, West Africa, the DRC, or Burundi... It all depends on what type of hotel you’re staying at and what kind of trip you’re taking.
Losing your card or getting it stolen becomes a hassle, at least until you find a solution if you don’t have any cash at all. I prefer having cash. And I’d rather have some in advance before leaving so I don’t have to deal with that later.
For limits, it depends on the bank, I guess. But it annoys me sometimes having to keep track of how much I’m allowed to withdraw per day, per week, per month. Same for payments, which aren’t always the same amounts. It’s something you can plan for, but it’s the second time it’s caused me problems due to unexpected large expenses.
For everything else, I think I manage things the way you described: ATMs and card payments as much as possible.
The tone of a debate that should normally unfold without emotion given the topic.
A factual tone.
What exactly do I have to justify? Crazy.
Why justify?
If I ask you why you like wine, for example, do I ask you to justify yourself?
Well, it’s not gonna be easy to discuss anything if we can’t talk about anything, if no one can share their opinion on anything.
we’re very, very close to the bank rate.
Very, very close but not at the rate.
So, a loss of money compared to the card.
Let’s move on.
In your case (not unique), using exchange offices wouldn’t be to save money.
A taste for bills, coins, currencies, for what they represent in value and culture...
But apparently, it’s more about the pleasure of handling real currency.
Uhhh... if you withdraw from an ATM, isn’t that real currency too?
So, I still don’t understand.
ATMs tend to charge fees, on top of the bank’s foreign exchange fees on the card...
The introduction stated that the bank’s foreign exchange fees on the card were zero.
This offer is available from many reputable providers.
This isn’t about advertising for one or the other.
However, the fees from the ATM where you withdraw are a point in favor of exchange offices if they offer a good rate. (We’ve seen earlier that "no commission" doesn’t mean anything)
But that’s not always the case, far from it.
Let me take my example from Southern Africa.
Exchange offices offer bad rates.
Economically, it’s more advantageous to withdraw from an ATM with fees.
And yet, travelers continue to use them.
What could their motivation be since it’s neither cheaper nor about the pleasure of paper money, since you get that in both cases?
Budget control...
I don’t quite see the link between exchanging at an office and budget control?
Whether you exchange 100 € or withdraw 100 €, it’s the same amount to spend, right?
And budget control means going for the best value.
If it’s the ATM, why exchange at all costs? (and vice versa...)
what’s your problem anyway?
Where did you read that I had a problem?
I’m just trying to understand the *why* behind things.
The very title you chose ("Currency exchange while traveling: why keep carrying suitcases of cash?") frames the topic and carries a point of view. There’s nothing factual presented upfront, then.
I’m not entirely sure if the discussion is about cash payments vs. card payments or ATM withdrawals vs. exchanging money at a bureau de change. I suppose it’s a bit of both.
In the countries I frequent the most, the exchange rate at bureaux de change is so close to the interbank rate that you’d need to exchange thousands of euros for the difference to be significant.
I don’t know.
I find exchange offices more complicated.
Crowds, sometimes theft, calculations to avoid getting ripped off.
And they’re not always easy to find.
Plus, 200 euros isn’t 500 or more.
My reasons for using a card are convenience—it’s done in 10 seconds—safety (theft, loss, scams from exchangers), and then the price.
I’ve lived through the era when paper money and checks were the main payment methods, but personally, I don’t miss them.
It all depends on what type of hotel you’re staying in and what kind of trip you’re taking.
True—a road trip with mid-range accommodations in somewhat to very touristy areas will be easier with little cash than a backpacking or cycling trip staying with locals in countries where tourism is still in its early stages.
But that still doesn’t answer why choose an exchange office in Botswana or Brazil?
Last time I was in Namibia, a tour group was queuing at the airport to exchange money.
The rate was so bad that even with a greedy bank, it would’ve been better to withdraw from an ATM.
Why weren’t those people at an ATM?
Do tour operators force them?
Do they get kickbacks?
Wouldn’t it be faster to plan a stop on a street full of ATMs?
I think everyone has their habits, and it’s really hard to change them.
Though, not entirely.
To bypass the exchange controls introduced by Mitterrand, I remember my grandmother hiding a few rolls of bills inside medicine tubes in her suitcase during one of our summer European road trips. 😄
Otherwise, it would’ve been dry bread and water for the whole trip! !
Though, come to think of it.
To get around the exchange controls introduced by Mitterrand, I remember my grandmother hiding a few rolls of bills inside medicine tubes in her suitcase during one of our summer European road trips. 😄
Otherwise, it would’ve been dry bread and water for the whole trip !
You just gave me an idea 😛
I just read a discussion about Cuba, where I’m heading very soon, and people coming back say the ATMs don’t work... So, cash it is, as I always do.
Another reason is that, like me, a lot of people hesitate to switch to online banks. Every year I tell myself I’ll take the plunge, but I still haven’t. Probably my old age, I guess...
Anyway, that doesn’t solve the problem of ATMs that don’t work or trips to remote islands where there are no ATMs and they only accept cards with a hefty commission.
I totally agree that carrying around euros in cash to exchange later isn’t very useful anymore—except, of course, for Argentina among the countries I know, but that’s a really special case (seriously, a *very* special case!).
Still, having a small cash cushion doesn’t hurt.
I once had an ATM in Bolivia eat my only card, and I managed okay with just an unplanned night in the middle of nowhere, but I can imagine how much worse it would’ve been if that happened at some random airport right after landing. The trip would’ve started on a super stressful note.
Lesson learned: always have at least two cards and/or some cash!
For those who really don’t like using cards—and to avoid the stress of hiding bills all over the place—transferring money to yourself from France is often a handy alternative...
I like exchanging as I go, visually tracking my budget. Having 500 or 1000 € on me doesn’t bother me at all—I find it reassuring.
You mentioned financial gains.
Nope. At best, it’s just a few crumbs; at worst, a loss.
I’ve often canceled ATM withdrawals at the last second because of the exchange rate they forced on me. With cash, it’s straightforward. I travel to countries where you can exchange money everywhere—in shopping malls, stores, you name it...
Distrust of banks—the big enemy?
Sure, why not, depending on your perspective.
Oh, I’m not *that* left-wing...
I’ve been using online banks since—well, *forever*, I think since 1996 with Banque Directe back in the day. My salary gets paid into ING, and I have accounts with AXA, Fortuneo, Boursorama, and BforBank. So much for being allergic to banks. 😏
Which bank offers zero fees? (I read an interesting thread where Groschat made a big deal about the Max card.)
Personally, I’m a bit like Tatra—I always have cash on me, anywhere from 50 to 1000 €!
But honestly, I always carry cash even when I’m not traveling. (I’m not changing my ways!)
Daisy, good evening!
In Cuba, a little tip I’d give you is to withdraw money directly from banks with your card—and especially your passport, as they’ll ask for it... You might wait a bit, that’s true, but you won’t have to worry about your card getting stuck in an ATM!
The commission and withdrawal fees are deducted from your account upon return, around 3%, and your card must be Visa or Mastercard!
To exchange your cash, you can go to *cadecas* or banks; double-check the amounts and take your time counting! And don’t forget the receipts.
Personally, I bring cash that I hide well, and it works great because there’s no commission when exchanging!
There you go, *buen viaje* Lillie
Thanks, Lillie. I’ve always been used to bringing cash—and my card just in case.
I did note that I should recount everything... Not easy after hours of flying when you step off the plane, but I’ve already been burned in Bali, so I’ll be careful...
Another reason is that, like me, many people hesitate to switch to online banks. Every year I tell myself I’ll take the plunge, but I still haven’t done it
Thanks for your honesty. 🙂
Even though I’ve taken the plunge, I still have an account with a physical bank.
Otherwise, when I travel, I like to take the cash I need for the day and not carry my debit card around, risking it getting stolen and finding myself in deep trouble...
But you risk losing or getting your cash stolen just as much, don’t you?
And then, that’s all you lose.
Not a useless piece of plastic.
I’m stuck with a crappy bank that charges huge fees outside the eurozone
Can’t you take the leap either?
So it’s not a generational thing since you’re not exactly ancient like us.
Since I travel on a tight budget, I’m always afraid of losing cash.
I only have one bank and a Visa Premier card that’s more than enough, but the cool thing is the Cyrus card my bank gives me for free. With this card, I can withdraw cash easily.
So, I withdraw with Cyrus, pay by card when possible, or use cash if nothing else is available.
I was a bit nervous in Albania, but it turned out to be a country where I found ATMs everywhere and plenty of places to pay by card.
I can’t afford to have five banks like Tatra, though ;)
Otherwise, I like to take the cash I need for the day when traveling and not carry my credit card around, risking it being stolen and finding myself in deep trouble..
But you risk losing or having your cash stolen just as much, right?
And then, you lose everything.
Not just a useless piece of plastic.
I’m stuck in some stupid bank with high fees outside the eurozone
Can’t you take the leap either?
So it’s not a generational thing since you’re not that old.
I’m with La Banque Postale, and I’m opening an account with Boursorama because La Poste is really annoying me with their fees... plus, at Boursorama, I can get a Visa Premier with no fees!
I take the cash I need for the day. So at worst, I don’t lose much if it’s stolen.
There’s still the risk of being robbed when arriving at the airport, of course. You do what you can.
Usually, I have both. The credit card just in case and some cash. But in Malta, for example, I didn’t take my credit card out.
I didn’t bother looking for cards with no withdrawal fees; they all charge around 2% for payments and the same for withdrawals outside the eurozone. I’m fine with that.
What kind of cards do you have? What benefits do they offer, at least for international withdrawals?
The only one that's free only if I spend enough is AXA’s.
All the others—two Premier, two Gold—are free. Sometimes, though, you’ve got to remember to use them once a month; for example, I use one to pay my Free mobile subscription for 2 € every month.
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"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?
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
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...)
Hi there, I’ve been traveling for 18 years now, at least 6 months a year, and as the years go by, I actually enjoy coming back to France more and more—a feeling I struggled with at first. I mean, we always think the grass is greener elsewhere.
But in the end, I find meaning in that saying about how there’s no place like home. I still love traveling just as much, but now my trips are shorter, and I enjoy spending more time in our beautiful country, even though I don’t hesitate to criticize it.
How about you? How do you handle coming back from your travels?
A few years ago, I went with a group of friends to lend a hand at a small rural school near Thiès, Senegal.
It was a relaxed but hardworking atmosphere—hands in the mortar, laughter, exchanges, and everything that a COOPERATION project can bring.
Today, the little project is flying on its own.
Wanting to explore Senegal’s riches, we set off for some tourism in the Siné Saloum. One girl in our group fell ill (a malaria attack), and we decided to take her to see a doctor at a large tourist complex nearby. Despite her condition, we had to "show our credentials" (if I may say so) just to get in. She was treated and has been fine since.
This "stop" at a Club Med-style resort with a Teutonic twist—resembling Le Grau-du-Roi but fancier—was a horror show for us: pools, massive artificial basins dyed blue, pink, or green (!!!!), animators shouting around wet T-shirt contests or coconut tree climbing, and sunburned (or sun-pinked) *toubabs*.
The entire hotel was surrounded by a huge wall, behind which a small souvenir-seller slum had sprung up, worthy of Dakar’s outer neighborhoods.
On leaving, we saw a minibus of guests returning from an "excursion," loaded with masks, fabrics, and djembés—African souvenirs?
Maybe those will be *theirs*?
What impression did the kids clustered at the hotel gates get?
What about the Black servers in "traditional African costumes," serving cocktails and ice cream nonstop?
For me, who experienced Africa very young and in the bush, this remains a haunting image.
On VF, this kind of vacation doesn’t seem to be the norm among users, and that’s exactly why I signed up.
Have you ever experienced this kind of interstellar travel?
Do you understand the Martians?
Are their motivations peaceful?
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