Tu as certainement entendu parler de ces gens, dans les années 80, qui étaient en taule à Goa pour détention de stupéfiants....que les flics du coin avaient déposé dans leur chambre d'hôtel, dans l'espoir de négocier, en vue du bakchich, à ce qu'on dit ? c'est possible qu'ils y soient encore en taule...
je en dis pas qu'il n'a pas rempli ses bouteilles, je dis que on ne sait toujours pas si c'est lui qui les as remplies,
qu'il les aie remplies ou pas, vu d'aujourd'hui"hui, c'est plus le sujet,
Michael blanc etait trafiquant, il avait monte une boutique en pleine economique a bali pour la renflouer goa bali avec le matos dans les bouteilles bingo.........
Ben non, je ne me débouche pas les oreilles, elles vont bien merci!
ensuite mon texte, tu devrais savoir que j'ai pas pu l'inventer, gros nigaud,
si j'invente alors je vais dire des grosses bêtises,
maintenant , il y en a 2000 frenchies derrière les barreaux de par le monde, accusés de trafic de drogue, d'enlèvement, d'espionnage (iran!) ouarf, et ils en bavent, et de cela, il y a toujours des gens pour s'en émouvoir, et toujours d'autres pour être accusateurs et dans ce cas souvent donneurs de leçon aux pauvres naïfs sensibles!
moi, je veux pas spécialement avoir raison, je dis ce que je pense, et c'est marre,
le reste c'est du jugement de valeur, et ca ne m'intéresse pas,
si tu veux avoir raison, alors no problème: tu as raison! glop, glop..
bonne nuit
l'important c'est pas d'avoir raison, mais de bien dormir!
"Beaucoup pense cela ! " vachement scientifique comme argument!
tout le monde pense beaucoup, partout, sur tout, et quoi ?
Au fait, il faut e -n- t au bout de pense, c'est un pluriel.
C etait une grande gueule, j avoue que ca nous a pas deplu quand il s est fait serrer a l 'inverse christian audigier a joue profil bas payé les bonnes personnes 5 mois apres il etait dehors......
C etait une grande gueule, j avoue que ca nous a pas deplu quand il s est fait serrer a l 'inverse christian audigier a joue profil bas payé les bonnes personnes 5 mois apres il etait dehors......
.....+ 1 : les histoires comme ça il y en a des tonnes qui se racontent à Bali....les colombiens scotchés avec plusieurs kilos de coke qui ne restent qu'une semaine en taule, tel patron d'un bar en vue qui paye tout de suite plusieurs centaine de millions et qui évite la fermeture, bref avec (beaucoup) de cash on évite la surpopulation carcérale.....
Les 2 zimbabweens serres a serpong avec 15 kilos d hero 13 mois plus tard dehors , sauf que les 2 benets y retournent les indos gueulent , le colonel a la teloche ` desole vous savez tous les noirs se ressemblent on s est trompe ` 2 jours plus tard premiere page de tous les journaux les 2 zimbabweens sont morts du sida en prison.....
j ai vecu 4 ans en indonesie , ca passe a la tele sergap polisi etc etc des emissions ou tu vois les flics indonesiens en action ils abattet les gens ca choque personne vu que les indos lynchent les voleurs
tf1 c'est mieux que rien
tu préferes un pays ou y a pas d'info?
meme sur tf1 y a des journalistes qui donnent leur vies en faisant leur job, faut y penser
Bien évidemment mais ce n'est pas avec l'information diffusée par les grands médias que l'on monte un dossier sérieux. Dans l'affaire Blanc, nous ne disposons que de la vérité médiatique française et celle de sa maman... navré mais on ne critique pas un pays et ses institutions avec si peu ! Je travaillais avec des Indonésiens à Lombok quand on a commencé à voir fleurir sur le net des pétitions pour soutenir un homme dont les signataires ne savaient rien. Ces démarches étaient très peu appréciées !
Mais si !!
En France on a eu droit a "Mickael Blanc a ete condamne a perpetuite pour detention de drogue en Indonesie, soutenez-le, votez la petition !". 😉
(juste pour exagerer l'illogique de la chose, ce serait comme dire "X a viole une femme au Japon, il a pris perpetuite la-bas, soutenez-le, votez la petition")
Ce qu il raconte sur les Africains condamnes - sortis de prison - recondamnes n a rien d extraordinaire, c est arrive a Mr Wong le chef pirate de Batam. Condamne, sorti de prison grace a la corruption et re-enferme a cause du scandale (reportage Thalassa !!!). Et l affaire Gayus recemment ? Un detenu qui va voir des matchs de tennis a Bali, qui se fait chopper et c est le seul qui est puni... La justice et la police Indo sont corrompues jusqu a la moelle, meme le parti du president et le KPK charge d eradiquer la corruption. C est de notoriete publique. il suffit de lire la presse indo en VO ou en anglais voire La Gazette de Bali.
le pakistanais qui tenait le business de l hero ajakarta , les flics lui disnet `on ne peut plus te proteger` il continue et finit au trou , 3 mois plus tard renvoye au pakistan parce qu un etranger qui a des problemes psychiatriques doit sortir
Et alors ? Chaque prisonnier français dans le monde est innocent quand on lit ou regarde les médias français... pour ces journalistes, souvent de gauche, ne voient-ils pas là une forme de néo colonialisme ?
La justice et la police Indo sont corrompues jusqu a la moelle, meme le parti du president et le KPK charge d eradiquer la corruption. C est de notoriete publique. il suffit de lire la presse indo en VO ou en anglais voire La Gazette de Bali.
Là n'est pas le problème... Michael Blanc a été arrêté en possession de drogue et condamné. Les explications données n'ont convaincu personne. Le discours de l'avocat et de la maman consiste à dire que les prisons indonésiennes sont un enfer. La corruption évoquée n'est qu'un rideau de fumée.
Je l'ai déjà écrit plusieurs fois sur ce forum depuis 4 ans, les comités de soutien augmentent les difficultés pour faire transférer Michael Blanc vers une prison française. Quand on veut négocier, on n'insulte pas son interlocuteur. Donc ceux qui signent les pétitions devraient réfléchir... pour ma part, je me moque qu'un trafiquant de drogue français purge sa peine dans l'enfer des prisons indonésiennes.
Quant à lire les journaux en VO, après avoir travaillé en Indonésie, saya juga berbicara bahasa Indonesia (sedikit) ! Mais hormis le fait de "se la jouer", ça ne change rien au fond du problème... la presse, fut elle qualitative, n'est pas détentrice des dossiers judiciaires de manière exhaustive...
Ce qu il raconte sur les Africains condamnes - sortis de prison - recondamnes n a rien d extraordinairei.
c est mort du sida 2 jours plus tard qui est etonnant, les flics avaient descendu 5 nigerians apres ils montraient la photo aux autres pour les faire avouer plus vite....
Si je résume ce que tu nous dis, l'Indonésie est un pays où la corruption et l'injustice sont généralisées, donc, Michaël Blanc est innocent ! C'est peut-être parce que des occidentaux raisonnent comme toi que certains Français font ce qu'ils veulent... malgré les avertissements.
salut
je ne connais pas les tenants et aboutissants de l'affaire Blanc
en ce moment le pays affronte bcp de problèmes liés aux nouvelles drogues dont le crystal et quand ils attrapent un bulé c'est sur qu'il va morfler pour les autres. Parfois payer des pots de vin ne suffit pas la preuve avec ce type qui en est à plus de 10ans
Et alors ? Chaque prisonnier français dans le monde est innocent quand on lit ou regarde les médias français... pour ces journalistes, souvent de gauche, ne voient-ils pas là une forme de néo colonialisme ?
...
Pourquoi tu ramenes la gauche la-dedans ? Aucun rapport, encore un fantasme , un delire sans fondement. Pour Thalassa et le reste de ce que je citais ce n etait pas pour frimer ou autre, c etait juste parce que quelques posts plus tot tu declarais qu il t en fallait plus pour condamner les autorites et les institutions d un pays. Tu as passe 2 ans en Indo et tu ne t es pas rendu compte de cette corruption generalisee?? Ouah! Tu as du frequenter des Indos d une mauvaise foi extraordinaire ou d un chauvinisme exacerbe...
Tu as passe 2 ans en Indo et tu ne t es pas rendu compte de cette corruption generalisee?? Ouah! Tu as du frequenter des Indos d une mauvaise foi extraordinaire ou d un chauvinisme exacerbe...
Mais quel est le rapport entre l'affaire Blanc et la corruption ?
Mais quel est le rapport entre l'affaire Blanc et la corruption ?
Ferais-tu semblant de ne pas comprendre ?
Le rapport, c'est qu'en Indonésie certains se font prendre avec de la drogue et ne passent que quelques semaines ou mois en prison parce qu'ils ont su et pu payer les bonnes (mauvaises ?) personnes et que d'autres comme Blanc sont enfermés depuis des années.
Les intervenants qui déclarent dans une discussion de forum que le débat est clos m'ont toujours fait rire.
Ben non, tu ne peux clore le débat, la seule chose que tu puisses faire, c'est ne plus intervenir, mais c'est difficile, n'est-ce pas ?
Les intervenants qui déclarent dans une discussion de forum que le débat est clos m'ont toujours fait rire.
Au moins c'est positif !
Ben non, tu ne peux clore le débat, la seule chose que tu puisses faire, c'est ne plus intervenir, mais c'est difficile, n'est-ce pas ?
Très difficile... et je ne suis pas le seul, n'est ce pas ?
Sur le fond, le sujet initial nous parlait de l'innocence de Michael Blanc... ce débat est clos car aujourd'hui, les soutiens à Michael Blanc se plaignent que lui n'a pas pu bénéficier de la corruption (généralisée d'après eux). Excuse moi je trouve que l'évolution du débat n'est pas très correct envers l'Indonésie.
Ce pays est souverain et même si ces lois peuvent nous sembler excessives, elles sont l'émanation d'un peuple. Je l'écris plus haut mais je trouve que critiquer la justice d'un pays étranger comme c'est le cas dans ce sujet c'est faire preuve d'une forme de néo colonialisme car les soutiens se mobilisent uniquement pour un occidental et non pour les victimes indonésiennes de la justice indonésienne.
Là tu mélanges tout, on peut très bien respecter les lois d'un pays et critiquer la corruption de ceux qui sont chargés des les appliquer.
Coupables ou non, il est anormal que pour des faits similaires, des condamnés passent des années ou seulement quelques semaines en prison selon qu'ils ont ou non pu utiliser la corruption.
Je ne mélange rien du tout. Les signataires de pétitions en faveur de Michael Blanc se moquent du sort des Indonésiens ! On peut très bien se battre pour qu'un pays évolue dans un sens mais ici, ce n'est pas le cas...
critiquer la justice d'un pays étranger comme c'est le cas dans ce sujet c'est faire preuve d'une forme de néo colonialisme
pas besoin d'etre neo colonialiste pour critiquer les execution d'homo en iran ou ailleurs
c'est qu'un exemple parceque il y a bien d'autres hontes partout
pas besoin d'etre neo colonialiste pour critiquer les execution d'homo en iran ou ailleurs
Dans le cas présent, ceux qui signent une pétition de soutien à Michael Blanc ne moquent des Indonésiens... et ça, ça change tout ! Il s'agit donc d'une demande d'un traitement plus favorable pour un Français par rapport au traitement réservé aux Indonésiens... tu saisis la nuance ?
je te souhaite le meilleur, et surtout de jamais te "faire serrer" toi aussi,
il y aurait des gens mal intentionnés pour s'en réjouir, encore,
tu sais comme le monde est vilain, quand il veut!
Je suis en pleine réflexion de projets! J'aimerai créer un site en ligne depuis bali pour ensuite vendre ces produits en France (en grosse quantité, une sorte…
Je me lance dans une entreprise de vente de costumes sceniques et jevoudrais faire faire la confection a bali suivant des modeles que je concois. en effet, j…
Je souhaite importer des objets et meubles de Bali ou Java. Avez-vous des contacts fiables là bas pour me mettre en relation avec les bonnes personnes sur…
Je suis un collectionneur Belge de poupée "Wayang Golek" de Java. Étant dans l'incapacité physique de me déplacer, je cherche un contact sur place (guide,…
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.
Not sure if this is the right section, but just wanted to warn future travelers...
Where’s Cape Vidal?
It’s in iSimangaliso, an independent park in KZN Wildlife, stunning and just a stone’s throw from St Lucia (KwaZulu-Natal, Maputaland).
It’s the beach spot at the end of the Eastern Shores road. You can swim, fish... but watch out for waves, currents, and sharks...
There’s a really nice game drive where you can get out of your car at certain points, especially at Cape Vidal.
That’s where the camp with bungalows and campsites is.
The vervets and samango monkeys (endemic to the area, and the males are pretty big) can be a bit of a nuisance if you’re trying to braai...
They’re super persistent and not shy at all—don’t let them intimidate you, and stay alert because their speed at snatching food is impressive.
Anyway...
I’m reporting two recent attacks by these hyenas... who were *not* in a playful mood...
The first one happened at night—a hyena tried to bite a camper’s nose off in their tent... and succeeded.
The other night, a camper returning to their tent in the early hours was violently attacked by two hyenas... and they had a close call!
So, if you’re camping there, be careful...
Measures are being taken, but for now, it’s a bit risky.
A white rental Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 carrying foreign tourists was attacked at the entrance of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in the village of Bekopaka, western Madagascar, yesterday. So far, there’s been no response from the central government to curb these repeated armed attacks—usually between Malagasy people, but this time targeting foreign tourists.
After an engine failure in mid-2016 on a long-haul flight from BRISBANE to LYON, I developed a persistent aviophobia that I’m struggling to shake off. It’s becoming more and more of a hindrance.
Up until now, I’ve been using an avoidance strategy (for example, avoiding destinations that would require any other mode of transport than a car or train), but lately, it’s become really limiting.
I’m looking for a therapist—either in-person or via video call—who could help me get past this hurdle.
