Appuyé qu'il était contre l'arbre qui soutenait sa viellesse, le viel homme plissait les yeux face au soleil naissant et n'éprouvait que du soulagement face au dernier bout de chemin qui lui restait à parcourir ici bas......
Depuis quelques jours, il avait entrepris ce dernier périple sur la montagne qui faisait face à son village, sachant que de celui ci il ne reviendrait pas, et partageant avec son âme la satisfaction de quitter un monde qui décidemment ne lui avait rien apporté....
Les villageois l'avaient bien vu enrouler sa couverture, mettre quelques grains de riz dans son mouchoir, faire une dernière fois ses prières devant l'autel des ancêtres et tremper ses lèvres dans le ruisseau qui traversait le village depuis des millénaires et dans lequel il avait maintes fois sauté avec ses amis d'enfance.....
Amis d'enfance.....morne expression pour désigner des êtres qui avaient partagés avec vous l'espace d'une vie le contenu de tout un village afin de concilier vie familiale, travail et plaisirs des jours qui passent......
Ce qu'il avait préféré, c'était cette absence quasi surnaturelle d'attention dans laquelle son départ s'était effectué, pas de regard, pas un mot, pas une aide....le retour à un état d'indifférence dont finalement toute une vie est faite.....
Lorsqu'il avait foulé le sentier qui le ménerait à la montagne ou il avait choisi l'heure de sa mort, il ne s'était même pas retourné face à la vie qui continuait son emprise sur tous ces gens qui avaient partagés avec lui toutes ces années, pourquoi faire.....pour leur annoncer quoi.......la vie n'est faite que de solitude dans l'adversité de chaque jour et il est démoniaque de croire que tout un chacun respecte son prochain jusqu'à vouloir partager avec lui ses souffrances.......qui oserait dire que la vie est ainsi faite qu'il faille s'intérésser au sort de celui qui a décidé de l'heure de son départ.....
Maintenant, il se retrouvait là seul, face à face avec cette nature qui elle seule avait su l'accueillir, légérement engourdi par le froid matinal, mais peut etre était ce aussi le manteau de la mort qui commencait à l'envelopper tout doucement......
Il ne se posait plus de questions sur le sens de sa vie, à quoi bon, la sagesse des personnes agées est justement de comprendre qu'il ne sert à rien de bousculer le corps et l'esprit des gens afin de se concilier leur bonne fortune......juste maintenant lui semblait il reconnaître dans ce léger halo la présence de quelques âmes qui lui rappelait quelques bribes de sa vie......son chien Kiti, sa vielle mère Eta, cette jeune femme qu'il avait aimé d'un amour passionnel et qui était parti trop tôt, ce qui peut être lui avait donné cet empoisonnement de la vie qu'il avait vécu par la suite........
Il était bien là .......une légére torpeur l'envahissait, son âme commencait enfin à atteindre un état de plénitude qu'il avait tant recherché sa vie durant, cette communion qu'il avait appellé de tout son être tout au long de son destin et qu'il pensait pouvoir obtenir de son vivant......cruelle désillusion de ceux qui pensent que les âmes des vivants sont faites pour communier dans la sérénité des sens et qui arrivés au bout de leur vie se rendent bien compte que la plénitude des âmes ne s'acquiert qu'au bout d'un long chemin pavé de toutes sortes d'incompréhension .......
Il n'avait aucun remords de quitter ce monde, juste lui semblait il qu'il aurait peut être pu.......
Très triste..........trop touchant............que dire de plus si ce n'est le fait qu'une fois de plus t'as su nous faire passer des émotions et vraiment très fortes. J'en pleur.......je ne trouve même pas de mots pour qualifier ce que je ressens après cette lecture........pour cet homme c'était le bonheur que d'acquérir enfin la mort mais c'est si émouvant à lire..........
Bisous🙂
Souriez et la vie vous semblera bien plus belle ;)
la vie n'est faite que de solitude dans l'adversité de chaque jour et il est démoniaque de croire que tout un chacun respecte son prochain jusqu'à vouloir partager avec lui ses souffrances...
non là Alan, je ne suis pas d'accord...Les démons t'ont habillé de noir et t'ont barbouillé l'ame...
Mais le texte et le vieil homme sont beaux alors on t'excuse...Mais c'est vrai qu'au moment ou on doit s'appuyer contre un mur ou contre un arbre, le dernier voyage n'est pas loin. et tu as bien transcris le passage.
Et pour cette traversée vers l'inconnu, j'aurais bien aimé qu'un chien l'accompagne, fantome de Kiti....
Parfois dans la vie on se sent si mal et on est tellement pessimiste que finalement la mort nous semble une bénédiction du ciel............on pense que c'est une issue, on se sent fatigué de tout on pense qu'il ne vaut plus la peine de se battre alors on se laisse envelopper par ce désir de partir...........mais ce n'est pas une solution, non il faut affronter la vie et ses contraintes parce qu'une fois les tourmentes passées on peut être améné à vivre de beaux moments de belles rencontres et experiences.
Dernière aube..........pourquoi? Pourquoi la première chose qui nous vient à l'esprit lorsque l'on va mal c'est partir? Parce que l'homme se laisse abattre et préfère fuire..............vous devez trouver ce message assez triste par rapport à ce que j'ai l'habitude d'écrire mais j'explique juste comment moi aussi je me suis sentie à une periode de ma vie.............et c'est pour cela qu'aujourd'hui j'essaie de profiter de la vie à fond car je sais par quoi j'ai passé et la mort m'a frolé mais aujourd'hui je suis heureuse de dire que je suis bien là alors je veux raisonner ceux qui sont encore de l'autre côté.............ne vous inquiètez pas je vais très bien mais je dis juste que je comprends alors je me sers de mes experiences pour aider les autres à sortir de ce trou.
Alors Alan sache que ce que tu as écrit ne peux que me toucher et pour cause j'ai déjà ressenti le même mais aujourd'hui je ressens que du bonheur alors tu vois c'est possible d'être au bout du gouffre et de finalement se relever et vivre!!!
Alors vivons car beaucoup de gens ont besoin de nous, ne soyons pas égoistes!!!! N'est ce pas beau de vivre? Connaitre l'amour, l'amitiè, la passion, les joies? Alors pourquoi se priver des bonnes choses lorsqu'ont peut les obtenir? Il nous suffit d'y croire et de demander de l'aide ensuite on s'en sort et on a envie de partager pleins de bons moments avec ceux qu'on aime!
Bisous🙂
Souriez et la vie vous semblera bien plus belle ;)
Le vieil homme malgrès son âge se repose auprès d'un grand arbre qui le protège du soleil, il veut simplement se reposer avant d'affronter ces vallèes qui lui restent à parcourir.......il n'abandonne pas....il se pose contre cet arbre et se met à rêver........il se voit grimper ces vallèes avec difficultés mais l'envie d'y arriver........il sent qu'il faut qu'il continu de marcher il a l'intime conviction que quelqu'un ou quelque chose de beau l'attend...........
Alors il se reveille prend sa canne et repart, sur sa route il rencontre des personnes qui se disent amis mais ne font que lui barrer la route..........mais c'est un homme sage alors il ne se met pas en colère surtout qu'il s'est qu'il doit arriver à son but pour obtenir cette chose qui l'attend.............c'est cet espoir qui lui donne la force d'avancer...........
Un grand orage éclate et il se met à pleuvoir "j'abandonne" dit-il "pourquoi tant de diffiultés?" et une petite voix lui dit "parce que les meilleures choses s'obtiennent avec efforts...." alors le voilà repartit et ainsi à chaque moments de doutes une petite voix l'encourage pour avancer...........
Jusqu'au jour il arrive enfin au sommet de cet vallée, et que voit-il? Une grande lumière, il pense "suis-je mort?" mais non pourquoi toujours croir que la vie ne nous apporte que la mort et des malheurs? Alors il s'avance et s'aperçoit que cette lumière n'est autre qu'une femme...........oui une femme elle a le même âge que lui et ses rides se perçoivent parfaitement mais dans sa tête c'est une adolescente...........celle-çi lui tend la main et lui glisse à l'oreille "t'as souffert, tu t'es battu, t'as pleuré mais aujourd'hui c'est enfin fini, je suis là et plus jamais tu ne pouras souffrir..."
C'est la fin de la journée alors ils assistent tous deux à un magnifique couché de soleil sur cette vallée d'un vert et d'une fraicheur si intense.......ils se tiennent par la main et l'homme se dit "oui j'ai douté, j'ai souffert mais j'ai gardé au fond de moi la chose la plus importante: l'espoir. C'est ce qui m'a aidé à marcher et à atteindre mon but"
N'est ce pas meilleur? Certe ton texte est d'une beauté incontestable mais ce n'est pas parce que c'est difficile qu'on ne peut pas y arriver😉 compare nos deux histoires et tu verras, au départ les deux hommes avaient les même conditions et ils se resemblent mais une chose les differencient: l'un avait l'espoir et l'autre pas..............quelle fin préfères-tu? Et les autres forumistes qu'en pensez vous? Je ne parle pas de la beauté du texte car là c'est sûr c'est Alan qui gagne mais pour la philosophie et la morale de chacune...............
Bisous🙂
Souriez et la vie vous semblera bien plus belle ;)
Je connais cette vieille femme avec cette âme d'adolescente......et c'est pas du jeu, car bien sur si elle intervient là pour le dissuader de s'en aller, ce n'est pas " fare " car rappelle toi qu'il est au bout de son chemin tout simplement, et qu'il ne demande qu'à partir tranquillement et sereinement......il a eu largement le temps de s'apercevoir de la piètre qualité des échanges humains sur cette planète et de l'incohésion totale des rapports entre personnes soi disantes " faisant partie d'une même communauté "........
Moi, je trouve bien qu'il se soit rendu compte de tout celà avant de partir pour le grand voyage, ça le rend justement plus serein..........et si tu lis bien ma dernière phrase, il met quand même en doute sa capacité à avoir su appréhender le cours des choses de la vie........
Juste pour ne pas tomber dans une vanité excessive......
"la piètre qualité des échanges humains sur cette planète"???
Je ne crois pas que tu penses vraiment ce que tu dis, là...
Ton texte est bien beau Alan, mais quelle noirceur...
Fainéanter dans un monde neuf est la plus absorbante des occupations... (N.Bouvier)
😕.....Si, j'en ai des exemples chaque jour devant les yeux.....et ça me pèse de jour en jour.....et si tu fais attention tu seras d'accord avec moi, mais tu sais bien.......
Mais j'avoue qu'il y a des exceptions et que grâce à celles ci, on arrive à supporter quelque peu l'indigence de nos vies et que le voyage, quel qu'il soit ( je met de l'eau dans mon vin là.....) peut nous permettre d'échapper à tout ce fatras d'incompréhension et de misérabilisme excessif dans lequel nous nous noyons chaque jour davantage.......
Mais je confirme qu'il y a de belles lueurs à entretenir.......
Allez, il faut que je réponde... Un peu tard, certes, mais je réponds.
C'est incontestable, ce texte est très beau. La version de notre petite fleur n'est pas mal non plus, et on voit là quelqu'un d'optimiste. Mais le côté sombre de cette histoire ne me semble pas si triste, ni fataliste. C'est une manière de sourire à à ce pour quoi on refuse de pleurer encore et encore, inutilement.
Cela dit, la mort, ou dernier aube, fait partie de la vie, c'est le dernier voyage, il vaut la peine d'être vécu. Pourquoi le provoquer, il vient de lui même. Et pour ce qui est de ta réponse disant que la vielle adolescente aurait dû intervenir avant, je la trouve trop facile. C'est à tout un chacun de savoir aller à sa rencontre avant de commettre l'irréparable. Il n'est jamais trop tard. Et puis, si tu la connais si bien, c'est qu'elle a été là et que tu n'y a pas prêté suffisemment attention. Qui d'autre que le vieil homme peut avoir envie de passer outre les dures réalités "officielles" afin de s'offrir Ses réalités "officieuses" !
Sentiments partagés, donc. Sujet complexe et touchant, effrayant et libérateur. La mort, la fuite... ? Il m'est difficile de trouver les mots.
En tout cas, je sais que le jeune homme que tu es est conscient de trop de beautés sur ce monde, trop de défis à relever, trop de choses à partager... donc tu ne corresponds pas à ce vielliard en bout de route !!! Tu n'as pas fait la moitié de la tienne !
Oui c'est gentil comme réponse, mais je ne considère pas la mort comme un fléau et celà principalement quand on arrive au bout de sa vie et que l'on se prépare à être accueilli dans le grand paradis blanc ......
Ce vieil homme va quitter la vie en ayant conscience qu'il ne laissera guère de remords ou d'envie derrière lui, juste de l'indifférence et là est sa force je pense car il aura réussi à traverser les épreuves de son karma sans attirer l'attention sur lui et celà ne peut être que bénéfique pour la pérennité de son destin parmi les Dieux .....
Parler de " réalités officieuses " ne me concerne pas, tant est que celles ci sont inventées par l'homme pour mieux essayer de s'approprier l'esprit de chacun afin de mieux asseoir son pouvoir sur l'humanité en général .....
J'adorerais pouvoir un jour m'asseoir contre un arbre et n'avoir rien à regretter, et pouvoir contempler le monde à mes pieds en me disant que là ou je suis passé je n'ai laissé aucune amertume, aucun remords et aucune envie .......
Juste fermer les yeux pour rejoindre ceux que j'aime et qui m'ont précédés ......
Mais c'est déjà de l'amertume, un remords et une envie ......
J'ai eu l'occasion de lire une histoire du même genre mais qui précisait :
Ce viel homme ... la coutume des indiens est ainsi... préparait son petit ballot et allait terminer son parcours sur les hauteurs de la montagne... seul sans bruit... en retraçant sa vie... ses joies... ses peines mais surtout en ayant la certitude d'avoir transmis...
Aucun remord... aucune pensée négative vis à vis de ses voisins... aucun regret... seulement prêt pour le grand départ !
Et il y en a une autre qui peut être interprêtée d'une autre façon :
La jeune femme qui l'avait tant aimé et qui s'en était allée sans bruit... il se sentait prêt... peut être que la sagesse lui donnerait l'autorisation de la rejoindre !!!
Seul... son esprit irait la rejoindre ! son corps appartenait à la nature... il avait encore beaucoup à faire... accepter la réalité quelle soit cruelle ou non... voir avec son coeur... désirer de tout son être... laisser faire les choses, la nature... avoir le courage d'affronter... être tout simplement un homme qui serait en mesure de voir la femme qui lui propose de le soutenir... de le secouer pour mieux réagir !
Bref, être plus ouvert à la réalité accepter un soupçon de positif... accepter une lueur d'espoir...
Vivre... la nature est emplie de richesse... elle est le remède à tous les maux !!!
Se donner les moyens de réussir son rêve... " Où que tu ailles, vas-y avec tout ton coeur". CONFUCIUS
Oui je sais j'ai vachtement réfléchi pendant mon voyage ;) En fait surtout au chili il y a pas mal d'hotels type auberges de jeunesse, avec salle de bains…
«Qu'en un lieu, en un jour, un seul fait accompli Tienne jusqu'à la fin le théâtre rempli». - Dimanche matin, petite aube frileuse - La cuisine - odeur de café…
Https://youtu.be/... L'hôtel est réservé, 12, 13 juin, ghetto de Venise. La saveur d'iode et de goémon se propage dans les papilles. L'ambre du très vieux…
Je viens poster un message ici (en espérant que cela soit le bon endroit?!!) car j'en ai marre. Je viens chercher des réponses à mes questions, ou du moins je…
Le septième ciel Le "goût des autres", "la preuve par deux", "voyage et amour", ", vivre, travailler, voyager- être"" partir et ne jamais revenir", " voyage et…
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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