un petit endroit dans Paris : les quelques m2 devant la Joconde (quand on arrive à s'en approcher au milieu d'une foule de touristes arnachés, casquétés et sacàdossé), c'est terrrrrrrrrriblement décevant, la chère dame est enfermée dans un coffre fort vitré, quasimment aucun contact émotionnel possible avec l'oeuvre. C'est vraiment le seul endroit qui m'a laissé cette impression de grande déception par rapport à ce qu'on entend sur ce tableau.
Poélise
S'il y a un endroit surfait, pour moi c'est bien celui-là:la Baie d'Halong (maritime j'entends): saleté, pollution, odeurs nauséabondes, touristes et vendeurs de tout et n'importe quoi en masse... Le rêve quoi!
ô rage ô désespoir je rêve de la baie d Halong depuis des années et compte y aller tres prochainement...... 🙁
Je pense qu il est possible d eviter les foules non? d emprunter des chemins détournés....... ??? (quelqu un peut il répondre OUi a ma question pleeeeaaaaassseeeeee...)
la joconde internationale est si peu de chose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!c'est de la truanderie!
je me gardais le meilleur(enfin "le meilleur", j'étais surement un peu influencée...)pour la fin et arrivée dans cette immense salle, la foule ammassée devant le tableau cadenassé exprimait à l'hunanimité la même froideur que son sourire...une deception triste et narquoise, complicité ephemere de la masse qui s'est faite balladée!!
coralie
"on se croyait journaliste, on n'était que passant ordinaire..."L'ESPRIT DU LIEU, JC GUILLEBAUD
Personnellement la baie d'halong j'ai adoré, c'est mon meilleur souvenir du vietnam. J'ai trouvé que comparé au reste de ce pays c'ets au contraire plutot propre et préservé (rare au vietnam les endroits naturels préservés) et c'est calme on est pas emmerdés (surtotu une fois que tu es sur un bateau).
Personnellement j'étais avec un copain on s'est retrouvés par hasard tous seuls sur un joli bateau en bois pendant 3 jours et on a fait du kayak pour explorer un peu certtains endroits de la baie. Je te le conseille, c'est plus cher qu'une croisiere classique mais ça vaut le coup. On a fait aussi par la meme occasion une rando dans la foret de l'ile de cat ba (pas sûr du nom) dans la baie et c'était magnifique. Le soir c'était poisson frais, crabes et fruits de mer pour le repas j'imagine que c'est la meme chose sur d'autres bateaux, plutot classe !
les couchers de soleil dans la baie d'halong sur le pont d'un bateau en bois c'est un de mes mes souvenirs de voyage préférés.
De toutes façons la joconde n'a pas trop d'interet si ce n'est le mythe qui l'entoure depuis des siecles.
Par contre le point positif c'est qu'une partie des visiteurs s'entassent devant ce tableau, ç fait plus de place ailleurs.
J'ai toujours trouvé ça rigolo, le louvre c'est immense et incroyablement varié et il y a encore des gens pour se préciputer devant la joconde ou devant la vénus de milo.
Les grands tableaux de la grande galerie (le radeau de la méduse par exemple et les autres moins connus) sont exceptionnels et y a pas grand monde.
beuh pourquoi tu dis ça c'est trop p'injuste ;) (je vais changer mon pseudo en caliméro....)
Tu sais c'est juste que je n'aime pas l'angélisme, dire pour tous les pays, tous les peuples que c'est toujours super génial je trouve ça fatigant. Cela dit je reconnais que je ne suis pas très diplomate...
En tous cas une chose est sure la baie d'halong c'est à voir.
Tiens d'ailleurs en voyant ta photo de présentation ça me rappelle des souvenirs indonésiens... vivement les vacances !!
Comme je vais quand meme pas écrire un message sans raler je dirais que le vietnam ça ne vaut pas d'apres moi l'indonésie au niveau nature. Par contre y a truc chouette c'est que t'as l'impression d'etre dans un film notamment dans le sud, la delta du mekong.
Tu connais la premiere phrase d'apocalypse now ?
c'est martin sheen qui dit "Saigon. Shit". Eh ben quand je suis arrivé à Saigon un 24 décembre c'est excetament ça que j'ai ressenti. (comprend moi bien ce n'est pas négatif, juste une impression d'etre sur une autre planete, dans l'humidité et la chaleur. c'est un bon souvenir saigon tiens, jamais vu un bordel pareil !!)
C'est pas plus mal non plus qu'il y ait de gros lieux touristiques vitrines pour attirer tout le monde.
Ca laisse de la place ailleurs et ça favorise les curieux.
La Joconde, au louvre, jamais personne ne regarde le tableau qui est juste à côté...
J'y ai passé des heures à nager dans une eau calme et limpide avec une amie japonaise et notre guide. Nous étions deux sur un petit bateau. On avait payé un peu plus cher - 60 USD pour 3 jour, location des kayak inclus- mais qu'est-ce que j'en conserve un bon souvenir et 60 EUR, c'est le prix d'une paire de shoes à Paris...
Continue de rêver à la baie d'Ha Long, et ton rêve se réalisera, bientôt j'espère...
Biz
Shaiia
Pour aller loin: ne jamais demander son chemin à qui ne sait pas s’égarer.
tes petits mots plus hauts que d autres m amusent généralement 🙂....
profite bien de ma photo d indo car je compte mettre bientot la mosquée bleue.... ou topkapi... ou.... je sais pas mais du turc!!!! ca va etre dur car je l aime mon stupa.....
Tu es sans doute le seul homme sur terre a dire SHiT un 24 decembre a Saigon 😉....... mais ce n est pas une critique hein??? SAiGON EST UN JOYEUX BORDEL ET C EST POUR CA QUE TU L AiMES!!!!!!
" le vietnam ça ne vaut pas d'apres moi l'indonésie au niveau nature. Par contre y a truc chouette c'est que t'as l'impression d'etre dans un film notamment dans le sud, la delta du mekong."
Je suis tout-à-fait d'accord avec toi concernant ta remarque sur l'Indonésie.
Et je ne vois pas comment on ne peut pas avoir la même idée que toi en arrivant dans le sud . Et si jamais l'idée de la guerre que ce peuple a connue n'était pas assez présente dans notre petite tête de touriste, ils se chargent de nous la rappeler régulièrement!!! 😕
Voilà au passage un des aspects du pays qui m'a sérieusement refroidie. Repenser à tout ce commerce me fait froid dans le dos.
Ce que je voulais dire c'est que Paris s'encroûte dans un espéce de conformisme où il n'y a plus de surprises ni la spontaneité que l'on retrouve encore à Barcelone, Madrid ou Berlin, ça commence à devenir une ville dortoir ou bien sur il ya une vie culturelle énorme, mais tellement "Parisienne", c'est à dire tristounette et surtout sans folie.....
À 22 ans, je suis entrée VIP au Queen sur les Champs Élysée, me donnant accès à une forme de ''gentille débauche''... Là, ils ont dû oublié d'être tristounet et sans folie! Faudra que tu ailles les remettre à l'ordre!
Quelques mois auparavant, j'étais dans la masse du 14 juillet aux Jardins des Tuileries... Des amies et moi on a commencé à faire le train au rythme de la musique et 5 minutes plus tard, il y avait des centaines de gens embarqués dans notre train et on ne voyait plus la queue... J'aurais dû leur rappeler d'être un peu plus conformistes et moins spontanés!
Je remonte le temps encore un peu, il y a 9 ans... À 18 ans, premier contact avec Paris et je passais beaucoup de moments seule à visiter... encore heureux que les Parisiens soient si peu spontanés car ce sont les moments ou ils m'ont le plus décontenancés par l'ardeur de leur drague, et la fréquence! En Amérique, on ne retrouve pas du tout cette spontanéité d'aller vers l'autre pour tâter le terrain, et si c'est fait c'est avec une telle discrétion que l'autre ne s'en aperçoit qu'après coup!
J'accorde que ce sont des expériences d'une touriste, mais j'ai l'expérience de l'Amérique qui est bien autre chose!!
Mais j'ai un autre point : Dans quelle grande ville ont-ils eu l'idée totalement farfelue de faire des Olympiades sur une artère des plus achalandées durant l'été? Ah oui, c'est à Paris, ou avais-je la tête! Quelle ville sans originalité et sans surprise!😛
C'est vrai, Paris est mon Amour pour 1000 raisons pas toutes rationnelles et je la défendrai aussi bien que mal... Peut-être que la vie quotidienne des gens qui y travaille s'y encroûte mais c'est un peu le propre du quotidien, d'être... quotidien! Et si tu as du mal à trouver se qui pourrait te faire sortir de l'ordinaire lorsque tu en sens le besoin, c'est probablement que ce que Paris t'offre (et elle en offre beaucoup à mon goût) ne répond pas à TES critères.
Mais bon... on a chacun nos points de comparaison, nos préférences, nos aspirations... Si Paris ne te comble pas, alors rends-la moi! 😉
''On ne peut contrôler le vent mais on peut ajuster les voiles''
''Pour chaque chose, une autre vie me semblait due''
A. Rimbaud
Quels sont les endroits tellement loués et mythifiés qui vous ont déçu et pourquoi ?
Bon alors, de retour d'Inde, je peux dire sans hesiter : le Taj Mahal ! Joli et un peu impressionnant, mais c'est clairement pas le plus beau truc que j'ai vu dans la region, au niveau architectural (le fort de Jodhpur, les temples jains de Mont Abu et Ranakpur, la forteresse de Jaisalmer, voire la ville rose de Jaipur, c'est quand meme plus chouette... je sais, mon dernier exemple est un parti pris un peu provoc, mais c'est ainsi que j'ai ressenti les choses... contrairement a beaucoup je suis vraiment tombe amoureux du vieux Jaipur).
De meme pour Fatehpur Sikri, pas loin d'Agra... La Mosquee est chouette, mais le site lui-meme ne vaut pas tripette. Le style est le meme qu'au Fort Rouge d'Agra, mais en beaucoup moins bien. En plus, je n'ai jamais ete autant harcele qu'a Fatehpur Sikri, vraiment desagreable.
Ces deux sites, c'est surtout un drole de racket, vu la qualite des monuments ! Ca ne vaut clairement pas 15 et 5 euros...
Eh oui. La Tour Eiffel est un furoncle sur le visage de la plus belle ville du monde. Des le debut des travaux, Maupassant en parlait comme de "cette haute et maigre pyramide d'échelles de fer, squelette disgracieux et géant, dont la base semble faite pour porter un formidable monument de Cyclopes, et qui avorte en un ridicule et mince profil de cheminée d'usine".
D'ailleurs, sans l'armee, qui l'a utilisee, elle aurait ete demontee, comme prevu, en 1909. Dommage.
Perso, je suis davantage décue par les gens que par les monuments...
Le Vietnam (j'ai adoré la Baie d'Halong :)) : "tu veux pas acheter une pelicule photo à 10$? T'achètes pas alors", avec un petit sourire narquois...
Les égyptiens, collants et tellement harceleurs qu'ils m'ont gaché mes vacances.
Les touristes qui prennent des photos à deux cm de la tête d'un moine méditant... Quel manque de respect...
Les européens qui ne quittent jamais leurs coins, quelle manque d'ouverture, de sympathie et d'acceuil... Je parle autant pour les parisiens, que les belges, que les hollandais etc.
Sinon des endroits surfaits? Je cherche et recherche dans mes souvenirs... Je pense (encore) au Vietnam, un endroit apelé "les Pagodes aux Parfums", deux heures de grimpette dans une chaleur moite épouvantable, pour visiter... Une grotte avec un petit Bouddha.
La Jameh Majid de Delhi, ressemblant à celle de Lahore au Pakistan mais, en plus petit et bien moins belle.
La tour Eiffel, mais qu'est ce qu'il y a de beau dans ce phalus d'acier de 300 m de haut???
(Le Mannekenpis? Qu'est ce que j'aime voir la tronche des touristes tout étonnés qu'il soit si petit 😏
La Jeannekenpis et sa cistite... A visiter le bar juste en face avec ses 2400 bières 😛)
Fainéanter dans un monde neuf est la plus absorbante des occupations... (N.Bouvier)
Sinon des endroits surfaits? Je cherche et recherche dans mes souvenirs... Je pense (encore) au Vietnam, un endroit apelé "les Pagodes aux Parfums", deux heures de grimpette dans une chaleur moite épouvantable, pour visiter... Une grotte avec un petit Bouddha.
Peut-être que cette grotte et son petit Bouddha avait une histoire qui t'était inconnue mais qui aurait donné de la valeur et une raison à cette si pénible expédition?
Les endroits, c'est toujours surfaits si on n'y trouve pas de valeur pour soi, mais il y aura toujours une valeur pour d'autres qui reconnaîtront et y attacheront une histoire ou un sentiment. Parfois faut savoir se laisser toucher par autre chose que ce qui peut être vu, non? 🙂
''On ne peut contrôler le vent mais on peut ajuster les voiles''
''Pour chaque chose, une autre vie me semblait due''
A. Rimbaud
C'est amusant parce que la pagode aux parfums est un de mes meilleurs souvenirs du vietnam, pays que je n'ai pourtant pas tant adoré que ça. Je me rappelle meme de l'escalier qui descend à la grotte à moitié dans l'ombre avec des drapeaux de priere partout, trop classe !
Mais je suis d'accord avec tes remarques du début de ton post (pas seulement concernant le vietnam).
PS: je pense que le temps a du aggraver ton souvenir parce qu'il y a nettement moins de 2 heures de marche je pense ;)
D'une manière générale, je ne me rappelle pas avoir vu un seul temple réellement beau en Chine, alors qu'il suffit d'aller en Corée et parait-il au Japon pour en trouver de très bien.
* *****
(quelques uns au hasard.N'ai pas de notes avec moi)
Le Shuanglin, près de pingyao, le Jincisi et le Chongshan si à Taiyuan, les deux temples de Shanhua à Datong......; à suivre....
Par contre, entre temps j'ai vu le temple Yuantong à Kunming, et j'avoue qu'il m'a suffisamment impressionné pour que je retire la phrase que tu as citée. 😛
Il est difficile, à mon avis, d'évaluer la beauté d'un endroit, d'un site....c'est quelque chose de trés personnel et si parfois, il ya déception, c'est peut etre parcequ'on idéalise trop cette découverte?????un peu comme les relations humaines;je pense qu'il faut savoir apprécier les choses pour ce qu'elles sont et non pour ce qu'on voudrait qu'elles soient.....comme les gens.Mais c'était juste une pensée personnelle.......🙂
Nos dirigeants n'ont que le pouvoir que nous leurs accordons. Ils ne peuvent exercer leurs tyrannie que dans la mesure ou nous l'acceptons.
Ma patrie, c'est le monde, ma famille c'est l'humanité!
(il faut etre honnete les temples que j'ai cités sont plus des musées que des lieux de prière.Ils ont l'avantage de ne pas être trop restaurés/clinquants ). Par contre dans un autre espace j'ai beaucoup aimé Ta'er si et Labulengsi : tres.."restaurés" mais beaux et encore (ou de nouveau...) lieux de pélerinage. Et au TIbet central, garde un souvenir unique de Jianzi (Guantye ??)
Je suis très ennuyé...😕 j'ai cherché et cherché... je n'en vois aucun! J'ai eu la chance d'aller à plusieurs endroits, les sensations que j'en ai ramenées sont variées et inégales, mais "surfait"... aucun! Je ne suis pas encore parvenu à ce stade auquel on peut éprouver un tel ressenti; est-ce bien est-ce mal..? Pour ma part, je trouve tristounet certains messages... Et je prends grâce à eux conscience de mon bonheur😛! Merci!😎
Tous les plus grands sites de la planète sont surfaits et surexploités, ou alors il faudrait vraiment les découvrir tout seul et à des périodes vraiment creuses.
C'est pas vraiment les sites qui en eux-mêmes sont décevants, mais l'abondance de touristes sur les lieux, et tout le merchandising qu'il y a autour.
Ainsi, j'ai été particulièrement " décu " par Ephèse, Pamukkale, l'Alhambra de Grenade, Pompéi et les chutes du Niagara. Il n'y a que la Place Saint Marc à Venise qui m'ait révélé tout son charme ... peut-être parce que je l'ai découverte vers 6 heures du matin, quand le soleil se lève et qu'il n'y a personne ... 😛
En fait, c'est souvent ce qu'il faut faire : découvrir les sites et profiter de ceux-ci à des heures très matinales ou en fin de journée. C'est du moins la règle que je m'efforce d'appliquer dès que je voyage quelque part.
Bien sur, cela n'enlève rien à la magie et la beauté des lieux cités plus haut et que j'ai malgré tout pu admirer.
Je lis cette discusssion depuis le début et ceci amène quelques réflexions...(je te cite Bob car tu résumes assez bien le début)
Tous les plus grands sites de la planète sont surfaits et surexploités, ou alors il faudrait vraiment les découvrir tout seul et à des périodes vraiment creuses.... (puis plus loin)
...Ainsi, j'ai été particulièrement " déçu " par... (suit une liste de sites)
Voilà peut-être les deux problèmes qui nous empêchent encore d'avoir ce regard d'enfant émerveillé par TOUT! (et je me mets dedans) à savoir:
1) On aimerait être le seul "possesseur" de la merveille qu'on a en face de soi
2) Cette merveille ne correspond pas à notre rêve.
Je m'explique. Quoi de plus magique que d'être seul au soleil levant devant un paysage (naturel ou humain) et de se dire "ce n'est que pour moi!" Et oui, les autres touristes gâchent ce moment. Mais notre présence ne gâche-t-elle aussi pas cet endroit vide? (mais alors comment savoir qu'il est magique?)
Et souvent notre imagination idéalise le lieu "magique" que nous attendons de voir depuis si longtemps...(le "Ah c'etait ça?").
Donc, pour résumer, si nous savons garder cet oeil neuf qui n'attend rien, n'exige rien mais qui regarde simplement, alors le monde ne sera jamais surfait.
J'aime cette phrase de Picasso qui dit que la beauté est dans l'oeil qui regarde... Ce n'est pas si bête.
Je crois aussi qu'il est important de garder notre faculté à l'émerveillement..lorsque nous sommes arrivés dans le Vercors j'ai été subjugué par les paysages..mais au bout de quelques mois je me suis dit "et dans quelques années est ce que je preterais encore attention à toutes ces choses qui m'émerveillent chaque jour??"
Comme nous l'explique si bien Sonam, j'essai de garder cet oeil toujours neuf afin de préserver la beauté, la magie du lieu.......il y a de ces jours où je passe, pressée et occupée par d'autres pensées..mais il y a aussi tous ces autres jours où je découvre chaque fois quelque chose de nouveau....
Nos dirigeants n'ont que le pouvoir que nous leurs accordons. Ils ne peuvent exercer leurs tyrannie que dans la mesure ou nous l'acceptons.
Ma patrie, c'est le monde, ma famille c'est l'humanité!
bonjour,
Hé tout à fait d'accord avec toi, je suis Nicois d'origine et j'ai quitté cette ville sans interêt , sans sécurité, pour vivre en Thailande, et je ne regrette pas,
J'ai encore un petit appartement à Nice, que je n'arrive pas à louer, il est situé à 300mêtres de la Prom, 😉
Pas de regret d'avoir vécu 25 ans à Nice ....... que du bonheur, mais pour rien au monde je ne voudrais dorénavant quitter ma ville de cœur qui est Phnom Penh .... et quasiment vous savez tous maintenant pourquoi .... 🙂
Vivre et mourir à Phnom Penh sera mon destin ...... tout ce qui se passe ailleurs ( en Europe ) semble tellement puéril ici et le mot " surfait " n'a vraiment aucun sens ici ..... quoique une certaine jeunesse dorée commence aussi à faire réfléchir, mais le quotidien de 70% des habitants est tellement loin de ce mot .....
tout ce qui se passe ailleurs ( en Europe ) semble tellement puéril
puéril ?! puéril ?!
c’est une blague ???
dites que les évènements en Ukraine (par exemple) vous laissent totalement indifférents, mais pitié, ne dites pas qu'ils "semblent tellement puérils"...😮🤪🏴☠️😠😕
tout ce qui se passe ailleurs ( en Europe ) semble tellement puéril
puéril ?! puéril ?!
c’est une blague ???
dites que les évènements en Ukraine (par exemple) vous laissent totalement indifférents, mais pitié, ne dites pas qu'ils "semblent tellement puérils"...😮🤪🏴☠️😠😕
Vous avez totalement raison ....... je ne l'ai pas dit ..... !! je n'ai cité aucun pays .....
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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!
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
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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