Out of 4 pages, more than half had nothing to do with the country/topic.
The mods closed the thread—why not ban off-topic members and clean it up instead? Instead of closing a thread that had 2 REALLY interesting videos!
Because in my thread, there will be more videos to come...
If you close it as soon as a few members go off-topic, letting some former prostitute who’s never set foot in the country tell a guy who spent 10 days there what’s true or not about Afghanistan...
If all the anti-Taliban folks tell you *Le Figaro* or others do a better job than this YouTuber... LOL
Journalists often haven’t even been there—they just copy each other or write articles via ChatGPT...
*Le Figaro*, for example, gets millions in subsidies to churn out garbage... And now this young guy deserves to be silenced?
The thread is just closed to new messages.
The ad you're making for this YouTuber and that dictatorship is still online, along with the links to access it.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de voter !
At this rate, we might as well close topics about North Korea, Iran, the Maldives... they're also dictatorships...
If we can only talk about certain countries, then...
Yeah, I get it—you shouldn’t have an open mind and should just stick to what our government and media tell us.
If they tell me again that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction and we need to invade the country, then it must be true.
The bad guys are *them*, there’s only one truth, I’ve got it.
(I’m laughing about it, though, because it actually makes me sad. Especially since the world takes sides without even watching these videos. The comments on YouTube are light-years away from those posted on this forum—go figure…
P.S.: Even though I’m replying to you, I don’t have anything against you, just to be clear. ;) I just think it’s a shame that as soon as a post goes off-topic, it gets closed instead of cleaning up the mess. It’s so *very* French, in the end!)
Over 4 pages, more than half had no connection to the country/subject.
Good evening, unfortunately yes—I’m sorry to see this discussion closed because I really enjoyed it. All this because of a number of forum users who became hysterical, lost all self-control, and started calling each other "cagoles"...
Yes, I understand, you shouldn't have an open mind
Hey, when it comes to lacking an open mind, I think you’re a prime example
You start a topic that’s so interesting, and as soon as the discussion doesn’t go your way, you declare you don’t want to respond anymore
Even worse, you ask for members to be kicked off the forum—is *that* what having an open mind looks like??
Personally, I watched all of Tibi Jones’ videos about Afghanistan (and I remembered what he said several times): "that he was far from agreeing with everything happening in the country" . And of course, he never showed everything he disagreed with.
If he had filmed it, the Taliban would’ve destroyed his videos before he even left the country.
And pointing fingers at a sex worker who was forced into it at 12 years old—that’s your idea of being open-minded?? 🤡
We want Voyage Forum to remain a travel forum where future travelers can find information that will be useful to them, not insults.
Hello,
The topic was tricky, but the opposing viewpoints were, of course, well-mannered, argued... and perhaps opened up new perspectives.
So why not strengthen moderation—or ask it to do meticulous work—and only delete posts that systematically derail a discussion, whether it’s purely informative or a bit more reflective like this one?
With their bright red flag, you can see those users coming from a mile away 😕
There are plenty of informative travel forums out there...
VF has that little something extra that makes it unique, setting it apart from blogs, FB accounts, Instagram... or other travel forums that retreat into a self-proclaimed bubble.
This precious space for expression shouldn’t be threatened by certain people who confuse freedom of speech with logorrheic chaos.
Lately, many new users have chosen to leave the forum, disappointed by the harsh responses. We can't afford this.
Best regards,
Hello,
Actually, if insulting and disrespectful messages were removed, new users would find interesting things to read. They wouldn’t flee.
If the option is to close every discussion where there are / too many (how much is "too much"?) disrespectful messages, then we should reconsider the "Miscellaneous" and "Travelers' Thoughts" sections, where it often turns into a free-for-all (understandably, since the point isn’t to share tips but personal opinions). That would be a shame: it’s mainly the disrespectful messages that bother people, very rarely the topics themselves.
We should also think about what to do with forum members who have a knack for annoying, frustrating, dodging to better put others down, or attacking to avoid being questioned—all with a baffling egocentrism...
Is this showing politeness and open-mindedness? Is this respecting a journal and those who read it?
What are your sources for making such statements?
It's too bad you don't realize this isn't about personalizing the exchange to continue the closed discussion...
But rather about broadening the reflection on the usage modalities of the lock... without, of course, encroaching on the administration's prerogatives, which, naturally, cannot be discussed.
Personally, I really like how the moderators on this forum manage discussions. It's the first time I've seen a certain freedom of tone being accepted, which seems like a good option to me and allows members to express their differences in their own way.
The opposite—"groupthink"—meh, not great.
I also think, seeing that some people want to "tighten the screws" and penalize anything that goes off track, that this proposal is a double-edged sword.
Because if moderators, while staying impartial, focus on who’s going off track or who’s being disrespectful to another member first, the boomerang effect would kick in
I also notice (and this is personal) that I’ve often been criticized for writing too much, talking too much, or for the few travel anecdotes I’ve shared. The people making these criticisms are everywhere in discussions, opening blogs, creating travel journals, etc. (which isn’t my thing). It’s always the same old story of the shoemaker with bad shoes or the beam in one’s own eye that they refuse to see
I’ve only been here for two months, even if the person who dug up my old username with the intention of hurting me got it wrong —you can see my old messages where everything was fine because no one was attacking me.
I really like how this forum is managed, even if I admit I’m bothered daily by some people pushing for a fully repressive approach (probably the same ones who click the "report" button for ages )
Le Figaro, for example, receives several million euros in subsidies to produce garbage...
Be careful what you write—it’s borderline defamation against a media outlet. You could be sued for that...
The French justice system doesn’t mess around!
I even got PMs telling me I risked a lawsuit and that one was coming my way.
I offer my sincerest apologies to Le Figaro (mentioned randomly), to the forum, and to all members.
On that note, deleting my account—you self-righteous folks threatening me with lawsuits over a post says a lot about your worldview...
You posted a discussion in "Miscellaneous"; in any case, it was placed there—or moved there—I’m not sure.
As such, a discussion in "Miscellaneous" is, by nature and by initial choice, outside the scope of travel advice, stories, recommendations, good addresses, or tips. It’s different from discussions posted under a destination like "Afghanistan" or a theme or travel style.
You didn’t post those videos to get travel advice about Afghanistan, did you?
Some travelers go there, but the videos themselves aren’t about travel—they’re reports on the country... which can invite controversy.
I’m skeptical that it would scare anyone off when it gets more detailed and turns into a verbal sparring match between members who’ve been interacting here (or sometimes elsewhere) for about 20 years.
The debates in question didn’t seem to turn into condemnation, let alone insults, at least from what I read.
It’s normal for moderation to close the discussion if they feel it’s become pointless, exhausted, and no longer adds value to the site—and they don’t want to spend all night on it.
As for questions, requests for information, or new members, I do my best to respond when I’m knowledgeable or have a clear opinion.
These questions, requests, and new members’ contributions have become much rarer. Is it because some were poorly received or treated harshly?
It’s possible, of course, though it didn’t stand out to me. But the real reason is ChatGPT and similar tools. The expertise of a destination specialist or someone knowledgeable about administrative or legal aspects has become less necessary—people find answers elsewhere.
I had actually posted in the Afghanistan section, but the site sent me an email saying it was moved to "Miscellaneous"...
PS: Stop sending me PMs telling me I could be sued for defamation. I get it—don’t mess with the media! It’s crazy how there are things you can’t say or do. If someone had told me I’d be threatened on VoyageForum! 😮
ChatGpt kept giving me total nonsense every time I asked it...
Maybe for basic stuff, but otherwise, it's not up to par !
ChatGpt is helpful when you already know the answers yourself and can correct and guide it, but people tend to take it at face value and rely on it too much.
It gets a lot of things wrong.
"VoyageForum was founded by Luc Vandal, a Quebecer passionate about travel. He launched the site in 2000, initially as a personal project to help travelers exchange practical tips.
Luc Vandal managed the site himself for a long time, actively involved in moderation, improving features, and building relationships with members. He’s known for promoting an independent, community-driven vision of travel, far from purely commercial or traditional tourism.
The forum then grew in the 2000s and 2010s, becoming a must-visit spot for French-speaking travelers, especially those backpacking or going on round-the-world trips.
If you want, I can look up what became of him or if he’s still involved with the site."
ME: Yes.
"Here’s what I found about Luc Vandal, VoyageForum’s founder, and his journey after creating the site:"
🎬 Luc Vandal after VoyageForum
After his online start with VoyageForum, Luc Vandal moved into the film industry as a producer based in Quebec. He claims over 30 years of experience in cinema film.ru+10Films du Québec+10Cinoche+10.
In March 2012, he joined the team at Production de la Coop Vidéo in Montreal, a cooperative of screenwriters, directors, and technicians promoting auteur cinema within Quebec’s emerging scene Cinoche+2Cinoche+2Films du Québec+2.
Since then, he has produced or co-produced several notable films in French Canada, including:
YearTitle2022Bungalow2020La déesse des mouches à feu2016Les mauvaises herbes2011–2017Films like Le problème d’infiltration, Marécages, Romaine par moins 30, Another Silence, Liverpool Cinoche+6Cinoche+6film.ru+6
He’s still very active in this field as of 2023, notably producing Bungalow as a French-language film "
ME: Are you kidding me?
Not at all—and I get why you’re surprised. It’s true this can be confusing: there are two people named Luc Vandal, but they’re not the same. Thanks for pointing that out; it’s important.
What I'd really like is for everyone to stop trotting out the same old clichés that don’t mean anything—you know, the self-righteous, sheep-like, groupthink stuff.
It makes me feel like I’m talking to Francis Lalanne, and that doesn’t inspire me—like, not at all!
So, I’d really appreciate it if you could expand your vocabulary and step off the beaten path. 🙂
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de voter !
What I'd really like is for everyone to stop coming out with the same old clichés that don’t mean anything at all—like "well-meaning," "sheeple," "groupthink," etc.
What do you mean by "groupthink" exactly?
I’d love to know.
How do you precisely define this way of thinking?
Is there a manual for it?
To me, "groupthink" doesn’t mean anything significant—it’s just another buzzword.
So I’d appreciate it if you’d expand your vocabulary and step off the beaten path. 🙂
What does "stepping off the beaten path" even mean?
Again, it’s an expression everyone uses, especially when creating travel journals.
There isn’t a single travel journal or discussion thread that *isn’t* titled "off the beaten path."
You need to develop your argument further.
At this point, I feel like I’m talking to Francis Lalanne, and it’s not inspiring me—like, not at all!
Sorry, but I don’t listen to this guy—I just know he had one or two hits.
I prefer listening to France Culture programs.
That said, I’ll rush to check him out now.
And it's the same Attila who, without knowing my life, tells me to integrate into society as if I weren't already part of it. 😄
As for those travel journals where practically none venture off the beaten path, the stories are almost hour-by-hour, day-by-day accounts of their stays (basically just diaries), and yet they’re the ones saying I talk too much. 😄
And then there’s Marie-Chantal, who calls me a liar without any proof when I share my actual off-the-beaten-path travels—like guerrilla zones, swamps in narco territory, places no tourist has ever set foot (kind of like yours, Mathews).
What’s up with these people who accuse others of their own behaviors? 😄
I really hesitated to respond to your mixed-up message, because controversy isn’t my thing, but since there’s already been a reaction, I’ll chime in.
I wonder who you’re addressing—should I feel concerned?
And I don’t get the reference to F. Lalanne; I only know him by name, not his personal history.
Do we need scholarly vocabulary to post on the forum? If so, it’ll be out of my reach—what a shame, I’d say.
As for well-trodden paths, is it really necessary to travel to the ends of the Earth to meet that criterion?
Anyway, it’s a message that needs deciphering.
what’s the "single thought" in your opinion?
I’d really like to know.
How exactly do you define this way of thinking?
Is there a manual for this thought?
To me, "single thought" doesn’t mean anything significant—it’s just another piece of jargon.
You should ask the people who use these expressions.
To me, it has a negative connotation.
Whoever uses these expressions is telling others they’re idiots.
what does "stepping off the beaten path" mean?
It’s just a cliché that means being a little original.
I wasn’t.😅
I don’t listen to this person
No big loss.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de voter !
To those who use the offensive expressions mentioned.
And I don’t understand the allusion to F. Lalanne
Phew, that means he’s been forgotten.
Rather reassuring.
Let’s just say he was a fan of the three expressions mentioned.
Do you need scholarly vocabulary to post on the forum?
I disagree with you because "blah blah blah" instead of "you’re a sheep" doesn’t seem like scholarly vocabulary to me.
And it doesn’t have a pejorative connotation.
As for well-trodden paths, is it necessary to travel to the ends of the Earth to meet that criterion?
Not at all.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de voter !
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Regarding the amount of tobacco you can buy during a trip in the European Union and bring back to France, we can't really talk about a "duty-free allowance," because the rules around how much tobacco you can bring back to France aren't straightforward at all under French law.
Hello everyone! 🙂🙂,
A BIG thank you to all the travelers who sent us postcards this year—my students are becoming real geography whizzes!!!!!!!! I’m renewing my call for your kindness this year! We’re also working on food, so if your postcards can make our mouths water with local dishes, traditional meals, or typical recipes, that’d be amazing!!
Here’s a quick recap of the project:
I’m reaching out to all travelers and globetrotters on this forum. I’m a teacher in Creuse, working in a ULIS program (which welcomes children aged 6 to 12 with disabilities into a mainstream school). This year, I’m starting a school journal project that will involve the kids in many different topics. A big part of the journal will focus on opening up to the world, diversity, travel, countries, culture...
I’m launching a call to invite as many of you as possible to send us a little postcard (from France or anywhere in the world!) to take us on a journey and help us discover new places, countries, and horizons—much more fun and exciting than a regular geography textbook! One section of our journal could be called "We received mail from " and would be an opportunity to research that location and share what we learn with our readers (a super enriching activity in class).
The project starts in September 2025 but has no real end date, as this journal and world discovery initiative will span several school years (the kids stay in my ULIS program for multiple years). Postcards can be sent anytime—throughout the year, across seasons, even during holidays! (The kids will find them when they return.)
I hope this idea appeals to as many of you as possible and that you’ll spread the word to your fellow traveler friends. Make us dream, take us on a journey!!!
For those who’d like to write to us in a language other than French, no problem—quite the opposite!!
Thank you in advance for your participation(s)! Below is our address. Feel free to leave your own address on a corner of the postcard if you’d like us to write back! 😊
The ULIS program students
Bonnat Elementary School
12 rue Georges Sand
23220 BONNAT
Thank you, and see you soon, I hope! 😁
Julien
Many of us have noticed that bugs have been making it difficult to navigate the forum lately.
I’ll let Kate and Ticapi explain the issue:
I went to your profile to check out the Thailand travel journal, and when I clicked on it, it brought me back here again. All week, I’ve been dealing with bugs like this—it’s really discouraging from continuing on VF.🙁
I had the same thing happen, and multiple times. For me, it was Montagnard’s latest journal that kept coming up no matter which discussion I clicked on.
BOLIVIA: THE COUNTRY ON THE BRINK (What's Really Happening)
A dramatic saga is unfolding before our eyes in the Andes. Between suffocating blockades, clashes, an international airlift, and historic political decisions, Bolivia has just experienced 48 hours of rare intensity.
Here’s the full breakdown (economic, social, and political) of the last 48 hours:
For travelers and tourists: the article also includes an important note about the upcoming publication (starting tomorrow) of the precise status of roadblocks, route by route.
I’ll post the full update here on Voyage Forum!
Don’t miss this in-depth analysis. History is being written before our eyes! https://www.petitherge.com/bolivie-paralysie-et-ultimatum
I just discovered a great show on Arte.
It's called "7 en route": seven young European journalists travel around Europe in a fully converted bus, making reports on every city they visit. It's amazing! 🙂
Yesterday, for example, they were in Rome, Italy, and the reports included things like the world's smallest restaurant—a super romantic spot for two. There was also a report on the king of paparazzi in Italy.
They have to pick topics that let us discover the little quirks of each country. And at the end of each episode, we get to see the finished report.
It's such a great show, mixing journalism, travel, and discovery—basically, a must-watch!
It airs in the evening starting at 6:50 PM (I think), and it started this past Monday, July 14th.
If you watch it, let me know—we can chat about it!
I left my heart’s country eight days ago and returned to my adopted one—or was it the other way around? Scotland-Morvan, Morvan-Scotland, I’m not quite sure anymore.
After a quarter without dragging my slippers around here, even though I’d loudly declared I had no interest left in this site, here I am again!
My imagination never stays fallow for long. Just enough time for my inner land to rest. It gets overgrown with fresh nettles, the kind you can pick without getting stung. Then, it’s time to till the fragrant earth and let the story grow.
I hesitated over where to set this story.
Maybe the Highlands, maybe the Hebrides, maybe the Orkney Islands, maybe the Shetland Islands. All of Scotland is myth—easy to embroider.
But in the end, no. I’d almost be too afraid to bare my soul.
The story will take place at home. Simple, practical.
1)
This morning, I was up well before dawn, feeling a bit grumpy, but nothing a bowl of coffee won’t fix. I love my bowl, and no one dares take it. It’s porcelain, edged with intertwined blue flowers. On the bottom, it says "Revol." The factory has existed long before the Revolution. It was my great-grandmother’s bowl. She drank roasted barley from it during the war, then her Leroux chicory.
Last year, a little guy dropped it. My bowl broke into three pieces. A black anger vibrated deep inside me. The little boy was so upset, on the verge of tears. How could I scold him!
I picked up the three pieces and took Little Boy in my arms. His hair smelled of the light, sweet sweat of toddlers. A gentle hug that healed—his budding sorrow and my anger—everything vanished, and time carried on.
Today, my bowl is even prettier. Man fixed it using the traditional kintsugi technique, except he didn’t use gold powder or lacquer but superglue, and he delicately painted the cracks with woad blue. And my bowl is even more beautiful now.
I’m lingering, I can tell—it’s just that a story wraps itself in life, and life can’t be told in the snap of a finger. Life is long. Like in architecture, you start with a rough sketch, called a "sous-cul" (the initial pencil drawing), then you make a tracing, which is the work itself, the one you later carefully roll up in a wooden tube.
Life is like that: you erase, you start over, you use the nub of the pencil until it’s tiny, but you keep going—dreaming, loving.
"Living is a full-time occupation, a unique adventure. Always a surprise and a wonder, which sometimes turns into astonishment. And, from time to time, happiness."*
Alright, enough digressing—this introduction is definitely too long.
Tomorrow, I’ll get to the heart of the matter.
(I hate that expression; it feels like I’m cutting into someone’s skin.)
I’m Yann, a 28-year-old TikToker who loves traveling!
Since I’ve been to several destinations, I’d love to get a flag from each one as a sort of trophy. But from what I’ve seen online, a lot of sites sell them with what looks like really poor quality...
So I’m reaching out to you all to share a site you usually use—help me start my collection! :)
hi there
I’d love to get some opinions—I’ve never used Airbnb before.
They’re offering a key handover via lockbox.
Any tips or advice?
Is it reliable?
Best,
Hi there, I’m Laura, and I’m looking for a few people to answer some questions so I can understand your travel wishes and challenges. It won’t take long—I can chat here, by email, or by phone. Don’t worry, I’m not selling anything! 😊
On this forum, we talk a lot about trekking in the Himalayas, but I’d love to share another side of Nepal: its spiritual, cultural, and religious atmosphere, especially in Kathmandu.
Nepal, much like Tibet and Bhutan, is deeply connected to the Himalayas—the ultimate sacred mountain range. This small country exudes a calming vibe, shaped by a strong spiritual dimension. What I loved most was the unique sensory experience you get there. Walking around temples and tantric monasteries, a distinct scent fills the air—aromatic plants used for ritual fumigation. Locals mainly burn Himalayan juniper, cedar, sandalwood, and other local essences. This fragrant smoke is a way to purify the space and reach the deities, and you’re constantly enveloped in these aromas.
Another striking aspect is the sound. As soon as you step outside, you hear bells ringing in front of temples. People ring them three times before praying to announce their presence to the deities. Nepal is also the birthplace of singing bowls and sound meditation practices. In Kathmandu, you can easily find meditation sessions or "sound baths."
The spiritual dimension is everywhere: a Hindu sadhu practicing asceticism, a lama in deep red robes with his mala, turning a prayer wheel while murmuring "Om mani padme hum." Newar Buddhism, Tantrism, and Hinduism coexist harmoniously in daily life.
For those who love exploring a destination through its culture and spirituality, Nepal is an unforgettable place. What was your spiritual experience in Nepal like?
Hi,
I’m landing in Quebec and then heading to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I’d like to rent a pick-up. My question is: does this vehicle come with a cover and is it secure enough to store luggage in? I’ve heard two conflicting opinions. Thanks
I just installed the Maps.Me app on my phone. I only recently found out about this app. I’m traveling in 2 weeks and a few days, and I’m a bit stuck on how to use it.
I’m from the Montreal (Quebec) area, and I’d love to know if there’s a kind soul out there who could help me get started and use the app at least minimally.
If there are private lessons available, I’d be interested in those too.
Like many others, I’m overjoyed to hear that VoyageForum is reopening! I’ve been waiting hopefully for this, and it’s wonderful that it’s finally happening!
I just couldn’t bring myself to actively participate in other French-language travel forums—their format and way of doing things never appealed to me as much. I really hope that VF’s structure, categories, and interface won’t change too much despite the handover, because I’m very attached to them. Through thick and thin, the site has held strong—it’s amazing!
In a previous message, François mentioned that there were positions to fill ahead of the reopening, including moderators...
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this and hoping to send in my CV.
Now, after reading the latest message, it seems like the team is already fully formed. But are there still a few spots left to fill?
I’ve been a VF member for 20 years (since 2004). I’d love to contribute to this wonderful adventure as a moderator if VF would trust me with the role. If the team is open to reviewing it, I’m ready to send my CV. Could you let me know the next steps?
I’m planning a 3-week trip to Japan in May with Voyage Privé. The package includes a 5 GB eSIM, but my phone isn’t new enough to support it. VP told me I could buy a SIM card when I arrive at the airport.
Sure enough, I’ve seen online that this is possible with different providers.
I only need it for checking routes, looking up addresses, train schedules, etc.—basically using Google Maps, TripAdvisor, and similar apps. No heavy downloads or major internet use. All hotels should provide free Wi-Fi for that, right?
Has anyone got any tips for me on this? What have you tried, and how much did it cost?
Thanks for your help!
I’d like to know if you can buy reef-safe sunscreen sprays at 7-Eleven. If so, how much do they cost? We’re traveling with backpacks, so we’ll either buy 100ml here or in Thailand.
I wanted to share a really unpleasant experience from our last trip booked with Promoséjours and organized by FTI.
We booked an 8-day/7-night stay in Egypt, from June 8 to 15.
The flight initially scheduled was changed a week before departure to take off at 10 PM from Paris CDG.
In the end, it took off with a 1-hour delay and included an unmentioned stopover in Marsa Alam.
We landed in Hurghada at 4 AM and arrived at the hotel at 6 AM.
So, we spent our first night on the plane.
For the return trip, surprise—the flight was moved up. We left the hotel at 10:30 PM on Friday the 14th to take off at 2 AM and land at 7 AM at Paris CDG.
So, we spent our last night on the plane too.
After sending a complaint letter to Promoséjours / FTI, they replied that the first and last days can be dedicated to transport (which I already knew) and that no matter how many nights you book, you’re not guaranteed to spend them in the hotel—it could just as well be on the plane.
I’m really questioning this.
Isn’t there a law that protects customers in cases like this?
Because when I do the math, the first and part of the second day were spent on transport, same for the second-to-last and last day. And I paid for 7 nights for a stay that only lasted 5.
Anyway, I just want to say thanks to them—thanks to their two sleepless nights in transit, I’m coming back even more exhausted from a trip that was supposed to be restful!
I also want to warn anyone booking through this agency about visas for Egypt.
At booking, they told me the visa was included in the price, then they sent me an email saying I’d have to pay for it on-site at 25 €.
Once there, we were directed to a special line for FTI customers, and guess what? They charged us 30 €!
Basically, they’re great at making sure you *enjoy* your vacation—mostly by enjoying your wallet!
If anyone has dealt with this kind of situation and won their case, I’m all ears.
Hi there!
I’m heading to Thailand for two months.
So I thought I’d get a Thai SIM card to use Google Maps for getting around cities, mostly.
Here’s my question: will this SIM affect my apps? Or will they work the same as with my Orange SIM?
Is there any setup I need to do, or can I just pop in the Thai SIM?
I’d also like to switch back to my Orange SIM now and then while I’m in Thailand—on the same phone. Will I need to reset the phone, or will it reconnect without any issues?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Best,
Huiclos
Hi, I’d like to know where we can buy beer or wine in Chefchaouen and around Merzouga. We’ll be doing a circuit and staying at the Parador Hotel in Chefchaouen and in a bivouac in Merzouga.
Thanks for any info you can share!
Hello everyone,
I’m reaching out to all travelers and globe-trotters on this forum. I’m a teacher in Creuse working in a ULIS program (which welcomes children aged 6 to 12 with disabilities into a mainstream school). This year, I’m launching a school journal project that will involve the kids in many different topics. A big part of this journal will focus on opening up to the world, embracing differences, travel, global cultures, and more.
I’m putting out a call to invite as many of you as possible to send us a postcard (from France or anywhere in the world)! The goal is to help us "travel" and discover new places, countries, and horizons in a way that’s much more fun and exciting than a geography textbook. One section of our journal could be called "We received a letter from ," where we’d research the location and share what we learn with our readers—a really enriching activity for the classroom.
The project starts in September 2025 but doesn’t have a strict end date, since this journal and world-discovery initiative will span several school years (the kids stay in the ULIS program for multiple years). Postcards can be sent anytime—throughout the year, across seasons, even during holidays! The kids will find them when they return.
I hope this idea appeals to as many of you as possible, and that you’ll spread the word to your fellow travelers. Help us dream and explore!
For those who’d like to write to us in a language other than French, no problem—quite the opposite!
Thank you in advance for your participation! Below is our address. If you’d like us to write back, feel free to leave your address on a corner of the postcard! 😊
ULIS program students
Bonnat Elementary School
12 rue Georges Sand
23220 BONNAT
Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon! 😊
Julien
🙂
Hi there! I have to leave Ivato/Antananarivo on December 16th. I have a lot of ariary that I’d like to exchange for euros since I might not be coming back to Madagascar (after this 21st trip). I think the exchange office at Ivato also buys ariary back. If any of you have seen the rate for this buyback in advance, thanks a million!
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a website that would let me plot my travel route in advance so I can print it out. The idea is to create a map with a little “me” on a bike that my parents can move along as I progress, since I’m planning to cycle all the way to Nepal.
If any of you have done something similar or know of a good tool, I’d love to hear your tips!
Thanks in advance! 😊
I'm looking to buy an ultra-lightweight 50/55L travel backpack with a suitcase or front opening.
Does anyone have any brand and/or model recommendations?
Thanks,
Emma
Hello. We’re a retired couple heading to Sri Lanka from January to March. After the November floods, I’d like to know if we can offer hands-on help to the locals, maybe pack some clothes or other items people might need in our luggage, and who we could give them to. Thanks for any info from those on the ground.
Be careful when sailing between Somalia and northern Madagascar.
It appears to be Somali pirates who have widened their search in the Mozambique Channel, far from their usual attack zone, since, to my knowledge, there are no Malagasy pirates.