those 4 or 5 pillars of this forum who are here 24/7.
Watch out, though—you’re heading that way yourself…
2 forums to read—given the level, it’s sorted in 5 minutes)
😄 Well, after the nice suit directed at the other forum, are we off to a start here?
Maybe we shouldn’t reverse the roles, huh 😏
If someone calls me out or tags me, I’ll respond—especially in the only thread I started 🤪 (I’m polite, me) 😇
Why We No Longer Offer Guided Tours “Walking With Lions”
December 1, 2016
By Discover Corps
Why We No Longer Offer Guided Tours “Walking With Lions”
Do a quick search for “Walking With Lions” and you won’t miss destinations offering animal lovers this unique opportunity for around $150 per person.
It’s easy to see why lion walks, lion cub petting, and other wildlife encounters have become so popular in recent years. After all, who wouldn’t dream of getting up close with one of the world’s most fearsome predators, or snapping an adorable selfie while cuddling fluffy cubs?
But how would you feel if you learned that once these cubs grow too old to be safely handled by humans, many are locked in cramped cages with dozens of other lions? And that they’ll eventually be killed by wealthy hunters who pay hefty sums to shoot their trophy.
This is the dark side of lion walks—something most of these attractions never tell tourists. It’s one of the many reasons Discover Corps decided to stop offering this type of excursion.
Walking with lions in South Africa
Why Walking With Lions Tours Are Harmful
Most people don’t realize the direct link between “Walking With Lions” tours and the canned lion hunting industry. Many attractions offering this interactive experience claim to be involved in conservation, research, rehabilitation, and releasing lions back into the wild.
Sounds like a perfectly ethical animal experience, right? But Chris Mercer, co-founder of the Campaign Against Canned Hunting, says the people behind these attractions deceive travelers in the name of greed and profit.
"Lion breeders outsource the cost of raising cubs by renting them out for petting, then, when they’re too big and rowdy to be petted, for walking with tourists. Once the lions are no longer fit to walk with tourists," Mercer explains, "they’re kept in miserable, squalid conditions until they’re sold as live prey to a trophy hunter. So every tourist who pays to walk with lions is contributing to the canned lion hunting industry."
But the problems these lions face start from birth. Cubs are taken from their mothers too early to be hand-raised and accustomed to human contact. As they grow, many are beaten or drugged into submission. So even if they’re not hunted, there’s little chance they’ll ever be released into the wild.
Walking with lions at Horseback Africa
Horseback Africa Tour
When Discover Corps unveiled its South African wildlife conservation experience earlier this year, I was struck by photos of a woman holding a lion cub. I knew Andrew Motiwalla, founder of Discover Corps, was deeply committed to responsible travel, so we discussed the center Washington DC would be partnering with: Horseback Africa.
"I knew many of these places bred cubs for hunting," Motiwalla said. "So when the folks at Horseback Africa told me they absolutely didn’t sell lions for canned hunting, I thought we’d found the perfect place to take our travelers."
With my background as a journalist specializing in ecotourism and conservation, I voiced my concerns about the legitimacy of these claims. We agreed I’d join the Discover Corps trip that summer, visit Horseback Africa, and share my thoughts on the experience.
It must be said that the facility immediately addressed the controversy around canned lion hunting with visitors. They insisted their lions were bred for conservation and never hunted. The question then became: if the lions weren’t bred for canned hunting, was Horseback Africa a responsibly run operation?
walking-with-lions-8
Why We Stopped
My issues with Horseback Africa began as soon as our introductory discussion ended and the lion walk tour started.
These “kings of the jungle” were kept in cramped spaces, in enclosures smaller than my modest garden. Yet the facility’s horses enjoyed vast pastures. The staff clearly adored the playful young lions (who are removed from walking tours after a year), but they had to hit them with sticks to stop them from behaving like… wild animals. One even tried to jump me from behind while I was taking photos.
But the breaking point came when we entered the cage where these adorable cubs were kept. They were so cute I struggled to resist the urge to pick one up, hug it, hold it close, and call it my own baby. I knew it was wrong. The other travelers in my group weren’t aware of the dangers of holding baby animals, and they squealed with joy as their cuddling dreams came true.
When I shared my findings with Andrew, he agreed with my recommendation that Discover Corps should no longer offer tours at Horseback Africa, regardless of their claims about not being linked to canned hunting.
"The more we learned about lion breeding," Motiwalla said, "the more we realized it’s simply impossible to let people hold cubs and then release them into the wild. As an organization proud of offering ethical travel programs, we decided we just couldn’t keep offering this type of experience."
Global White Lion Protection Trust
Of course, there are times when travelers can interact with animals responsibly. Discover Corps’ South African Wildlife Conservation Experience visits Maholoholo, a wildlife rehabilitation center. They work with “animal ambassadors” who’ve been so badly injured they can’t be reintroduced to the wild. These animals help raise awareness about wildlife conservation and offer the chance to take responsible big cat selfies.
We’ve also added a new partner to our South Africa tour: the Global White Lion Protection Trust. Founded in 2002 on nearly 1,700 hectares in the UNESCO-listed Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere Reserve, this respected NGO is dedicated to reintroducing captive-bred white lions into their natural habitat.
Under the leadership of Jason Turner, operations director and seasoned lion ecologist, the White Lion Trust plays a crucial role in conserving this rare species. White lions disappeared from the wild between 1991 and 2006, when the organization reintroduced its founding pride. Today, they have six white lions and four tawny lions spread across three prides in the Tsau Reserve. Their research helps conserve this species prized by hunters and enrich its genetic heritage.
Discover Corps travelers get the chance to visit the reserve and learn more about the GWLPT’s scientific approach to community-based conservation. As Andrew Motiwalla put it: "We believe this experience will give our travelers a deeper understanding of the critical situation facing lions in the region."
And even if you can’t walk with them or pet them, you’ll have a unique encounter you’ll never forget.
Okay, you’re usually more concise, but I applaud the approach:
We call things out because it’s necessary and it’s the right thing to do, but we also highlight good practices (shame the digressions in this post probably scared people off long ago), because thankfully, they exist.
Always the baby and the bathwater…
I’d even have added the link to the good players 😎
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Personally, I really don’t understand these practices at all!!
I ESPECIALLY don’t understand people who seek physical contact with wild animals.
Wild nature is beautiful (and unpredictable). I’m a huge fan of this African wilderness, and I’ve been lucky enough to go on many safari trips in Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, and Tanzania. Every time, it’s a journey into the unknown. That’s what makes it so magical. You might see almost nothing for 45 minutes—or even a whole day—and then suddenly, you’re face-to-face with a mother elephant and her baby, surrounded by a whole group of sisters, other females ensuring their protection. Or a lioness putting up with all the whims of her "little ones." How beautiful natural behavior is!! What’s the point of petting them (something that has NEVER crossed my mind)? At a reasonable distance, so as not to disturb them, spending 30 minutes or an hour observing their lives, their behaviors, and interactions is so much more interesting than 3 minutes of potential petting....
I wonder if these visitors/petters have ever actually been on a safari in real wild nature. ???
They’re probably the same people who only ever talk about that stupid "big five" expression (which drives me crazy when I read or hear it).
And of course, those same people never pay attention to African birds, even though there are hundreds of species, all worth admiring.
Reading your post (I really had no idea this petting practice existed...) just confirms that the relationship with wild animals in South Africa is pretty "special"!!! (Where I’ve never been). And that goes for so many other off-topic areas too.
I feel much more at home in the truly wild nature (for how much longer?) of southern Tanzania, like what you find in Ruaha or Selous (my favorite reserves).
Have a great week, everyone.
Greetings to all true lovers of wild nature in Africa AND/or here at home.
Personally, I really don’t understand these practices at all!!
Okay. That’s very much to your credit.
These are no doubt the same people [...] Besides, those same people never take an interest
The long informative post that sparked this discussion sheds light on an aspect of travel that those preparing a trip to this country—especially if it’s their first time—might completely overlook.
It shouldn’t—whether in this discussion or another where the author chose to stop abruptly—turn into a blacklist of those others who are imperfect, who don’t know what I know, who don’t behave as virtuously as me.
Mastery of a subject, whatever it may be, and the passion that comes with it, shouldn’t isolate... or make us forget that knowledge is always the result of a journey filled with wandering, mistakes, and trial and error.
Thanks to the Savoyard for asking the naive (um... 😛) yet still relevant questions that move the conversation forward.
Personally, I really don’t understand these practices at all!!
I ESPECIALLY don’t understand those people who seek physical contact with wild animals.
Wild nature is beautiful (and unpredictable). I’m a huge fan of this African wilderness, and I’ve been lucky enough to go on many safari trips in Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, and Tanzania. Every time, it’s a journey into the unknown. That’s what makes it so magical. You might see almost nothing for 45 minutes, or even a whole day, and then suddenly, you’re right there in front of a mother elephant and her baby surrounded by a whole group of sisters, other females ensuring their protection. Or a lioness putting up with all the whims of her "little ones." It’s so beautiful when it’s natural!! What’s the point of petting them on top of that (something that has NEVER crossed my mind)? At a reasonable distance, so as not to disturb them, spending 30 minutes or an hour observing their lives, their behaviors, and interactions is so much more interesting than 3 potential minutes of petting....
I wonder if these visitors/petters have ever actually been on a safari in real wild nature. ???
They’re probably the same people who only ever talk about that stupid "big five" expression (which drives me crazy when I read or hear it).
And by the way, those same people never pay any attention to African birds, even though there are hundreds of species, all worth seeing.
When I came across your topic (I really had no idea this petting practice existed...), it just confirmed for me that the relationship with wild animals is pretty "special" in South Africa!!! (Where I’ve never been). And that goes for a lot of other off-topic areas too.
I feel much more at home in the truly wild nature (for how much longer, though?) of southern Tanzania, like what you find in Ruaha or Selous (my favorite reserves).
Have a great week, everyone.
Greetings to all the true lovers of wild nature in Africa AND/or here at home.
...
Hello everyone.
First of all, I sincerely apologize if I interfered with this topic by somewhat derailing it while simply responding to those who were addressing me.
Second, I have to admit I’m struggling to get the hang of this site because it’s the first time I’ve seen a forum where you can’t reply to a topic directly without being forced to respond to someone in particular. I find that annoying because you can’t comment on a discussion like this one, for example, without quoting someone specifically. That’s just what I’ve noticed and what I regret.
Getting back to lions and other wild animals in general, having run a ranch in the tourism industry at one point and being deeply involved in wildlife in my region (and to answer Puma2A), who said they don’t understand people who want to pet lions, living day-to-day with other wild animals, most people have no idea what "wild" really means.
Far be it from me to criticize them because living in cities and having received an education far removed from animals in general, you can understand their completely unconscious approach to nature and its inhabitants.
We have the same issue on a smaller scale here in the Camargue, and thankfully, we’re there to explain in a few words that *Koh Lanta* or other TV shows, as well as stuffed animal toys, aren’t reality (otherwise, it would be a bloodbath among all those people who have no idea what a wild animal is).
Personally, I was recently in Kenya, which I first appreciated for its very mild climate, at least in the national parks at higher altitudes.
I was really anxious before my trip because I couldn’t preview the type of 4x4 that would be taking me around this beautiful country.
I was relieved to have one that was completely enclosed except for the roof, which opened slightly.
Being less than 2 meters away from lions staring right at me, I wasn’t reassured at all—even with a simple window between me and those giants, I had my doubts.
Plus, being stuck and surrounded by tons of other 4x4s, I didn’t find that serious at all (especially with elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos—no possible escape in case of attacks). Yet, I’ve spent a huge part of my life in danger behind old, rotten planks facing big cats, and it’s only with years of hindsight that I’ve finally measured the danger I was completely unaware of at the time. Goes to show you can give advice while making big mistakes yourself.
Anyway, in Kenya, I saw completely open vehicles where people were at the mercy of the wild (I don’t know if they paid more than others to be so exposed to these animals—apparently, lions used to safaris only see the mass of a 4x4 and not the people inside), with the instruction not to move.
For my part, I’ll remain doubtful about the safety (even though my guide’s rifle, neatly stored above the bull bar, made me laugh—by the time he grabbed it, he’d already be dead 😏).
People who want to pet lions or walk with them (or other creatures) have no idea what a wild animal is.
Now living in the forest, I can tell you that every morning during my sporty hikes, I’m very much aware of what a wounded boar chased by hunters’ dogs is like, or a sow with her piglets whose tusks are well over 10 centimeters long and could sever an artery in a second (bull horns are the same).
My only method is to make noise, talk loudly, or clap my hands if I encounter these creatures who are in their own home!!!
Then I admit I’m struggling to get the hang of this site because it’s the first time I’ve seen a forum where you can’t reply to a thread directly without having to reply to someone in particular. I find that annoying because you can’t comment on a discussion like this one, for example, which interests me, without quoting someone specifically. That’s just what I’ve noticed and I’m not a fan.
Nobody’s perfect, including this forum!
By clicking “reply” on one of your own previous messages in the thread, you avoid replying to someone specifically. 😉
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Okay, you usually keep it shorter, but I applaud the approach:
We call things out because it’s necessary and it’s the right thing to do, but we also highlight good practices (too bad the digressions in this post probably scared people off long ago), because thankfully, they exist.
Always the baby and the bathwater.
I would’ve even added the link to the good players 😎
I just copied the English version from these travel agencies.
A testimonial that didn’t come from me
Hi there,
As far as I’m concerned,
I’ve always stressed two things upfront.
Many people didn’t know, and in all good faith, they did it.
I don’t blame them at all.
They were taken advantage of because of their good faith.
That’s why I’m posting to warn them.
But when you *do* know, you don’t do it.
We remain responsible for our actions,
even when traveling.
If we accept that
everyone does what they want,
there are no more limits…
Having had the opportunity—
in a professional and ethical setting—to pet wild animals,
I understand that kind of fascination and the urge to satisfy it.
Hi there,
The AFSA (African Safari Adventure) is amazing—open-top vehicles!
A rare opportunity, really.
Run by true professionals,
with animals in a habituation process.
In a serious setting, you can see animals up *super* close—no glass between you and them.
It’s incredible!
Hello
The AFS is from the point of view, open vehicle
A near exception
With real professionals
Animals in a habituation process
In a serious setting, seeing animals very, very close without glass is possible
And amazing
And what about the walking safari!? Adrenaline-wise, it’s not bad either ¾
But maybe that’s not specific to the AFS?
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Anyway,
Even if we're going off the original topic,
Let’s talk about what’s really behind an activity that’s highly questionable but marketed incredibly well,
And why doing it isn’t a good idea, nor is promoting it.
We should condemn those who offer it,
Not those who’ve been misled.
A discussion space has opened up…
And it keeps the post’s theme in the spotlight…
Alright…
You’ve got to be motivated to reread all the messages…
Hello
From the point of view, open-top vehicle
A near exception
With real professionals
Animals in a habituation process
In a serious setting, seeing animals very, very close without glass is possible
And amazing
In my culture, I’m surrounded every day by seasoned professionals in their field, and every day they have accidents with more or less serious injuries, and sometimes deaths.
When it comes to wild animals, who can claim there’s no risk at all??
Sure, they take risks—that’s their job—but in the case of safaris, let’s not forget they’re bringing tourists along (they probably have insurance that covers them). Personally, despite their extensive knowledge, I don’t trust them.
I plan to go back solo for more safaris, but I’ll always have that fear—which you could also call "adrenaline." It depends ;)
In the other discussion, the author was aware of what they were doing. They would have written the opening of their travel journal differently if they hadn't been.
You then have to stand by your choices, defend your point of view, and accept criticism.
Unless you have information that wasn’t mentioned in their post, who can say for sure that the author was aware of what they were doing?
Personally, I reread theopening of the travel journal twice and searched in vain for what Michel85200’s first reply (a bit abrupt) was referring to. Because if you don’t know anything about the country, how can you guess that one of the places mentioned offers the criticized activity?
Unless you know the place—and how the author travels—why start with a criticism that assumes their intentions, without even giving them a chance to share their feelings or knowing if they might have reached the same conclusions as you?
Isn’t it better to build a bridge rather than a wall if you want to convince someone?
@Michel
As you pointed out:
A space for discussion has opened...
And it keeps the post’s theme in the spotlight...
I’m sure many people who wanted to pet a lion clicked on it thinking they’d find addresses, only to learn what’s really behind these commercial operations.
Some will still go, but others won’t.
And posts like this also make you question other animal-related activities.
If it’s like this with lions, there’s probably something fishy going on with...
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
The author did indeed remove the highlight of the activity, but this sentence is still there:
What follows is, of course, a reflection of my opinion and mine alone, which is therefore very subjective.
You’ll have no trouble understanding that my goal isn’t to debate my choice of destinations/activities, since everyone has their own model of tourism and their convictions.
Hardly any travel journal mentions in its introduction that its content might be controversial, and hardly any author asks their readers to stay quiet if they don’t like it.
Especially for a generally consensual destination.
I’d talked about what could be divisive in my introduction about the Faroe Islands, and I’d asked for some leniency in my first travel journal about Thailand.
But the Faroe Islands are a hot-button topic, and the Thailand section was really heated...
I guess he knew in advance he wouldn’t be very well received with his lion walk.
And that he knew what was lurking beneath.
Otherwise, when Michel explained what trap he’d walked into, he would’ve just replied...
Damn, I didn’t know.😱🍺
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
Few, if any, travel journals mention in their introduction that their content will be controversial, and few, if any, authors ask their readers to keep quiet if they don’t like it.
You’re forgetting the "report" button that many people use behind the scenes 😏
Personally, I already know that if I post something about my culture, especially in South America, it’ll be deleted within 24 hours—that’s for sure (despite travelers from all over the world searching for authenticity in their explorations) 😄
A few clarifications
In version 1
Later corrected
It mentioned
A day in X and Walking with Lions
Said it was amazing
In a PM
I asked if it was Walking with Lions or not
Expressed and briefly argued my strong reservations about this
Without questioning good faith
Begged not to promote this activity
He confirmed his initial intention to recount and provide the details for those interested
I didn’t push further on this post
There was no personal judgment
But the desire to initiate reflection after the fact
I think we can make a mistake without meaning to
errare humanum est
Perseverare diabolicum
And I think saying
"We shouldn’t judge others’ choices!"
Well, no
We’re not talking about small things but things that impact a situation
Otherwise
There are no limits anymore
The "report" button is for flagging disguised or obvious ads.
Scammers, that kind of thing.
For the rest, I don’t really see the point.
There was nothing like that in this travel journal.
Just someone sharing their trip and getting defensive when others pointed out the reality behind one of the activities they did.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
The report button is for flagging disguised or overt ads.
Scammers, that sort of thing.
For the rest, I don’t really see the point.
There was nothing like that in this travel journal.
Just someone sharing their trip and getting defensive when others pointed out the darker side of one of the activities they did.
The button’s there so people can report anything they don’t like—I’ve never used it myself, but on the other forum, that’s all people do (the last thread I started got me temporarily banned and deleted). I’d suggested boycotting the USA after Trump added Cuba to the list of terrorist countries (which ruined my plans for a trip to the States after my stay in Cuba). The thread blew up but kept getting reported even though it was totally within the site’s rules.
The moderation here isn’t quite the same as elsewhere, in my opinion. Sometimes I’ve experienced it, sometimes I haven’t—even when I probably deserved it. Occasionally, it comes down too hard on some people and not hard enough on others, but overall, they really do try to be fair and tolerant.
No matter what topic you plan to discuss, as long as you’re sincere and develop the subject well, I’d be surprised if you run into any bad surprises.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Moderation here isn’t quite like it is elsewhere, in my opinion. Sometimes I’ve been moderated when I shouldn’t have been, and other times I’ve gotten away with stuff I probably shouldn’t have. Occasionally, it felt like they came down too hard on some folks and not hard enough on others, but overall, they really do try to be fair and tolerant.
No matter what topic you’re planning to bring up, as long as you’re sincere and you flesh it out well, I doubt you’ll run into any nasty surprises.
Thanks, amigo! 😛 So I’ll stay 😎 After so many years of being silenced when you’re sidelined, I’ve learned to self-moderate and be less "quick to react" 😏 (plus, knowing a few regional words helps you slip through the cracks—on FB, the mods (7,500 of them, no less!) and AI are totally lost when it comes to Provençal or Languedocian. 😄
You’re the one who called me out, so read your own post again!!!
And does it ever happen to you to go off-topic and then come back to the subject? Ugh…
Small clarifications
In version 1
Corrected later
Appeared
Day in X and Walking with Lions
Said it was great
Your small clarifications are really helpful because they provide context that wasn’t clear from the initial read.
What’s confusing—and misleading—is that the intro message doesn’t mention any edits, even though I think that notice usually appears pretty quickly when you update a post.
And I think saying
We shouldn’t judge everyone’s choices!
Well, no
[...]
Or else
There are no limits
But I never said any of that. 🙂
Standing up for a belief is admirable,
but defending it with rhythmic chants, long, mesmerizing melodies that captivate and hypnotize, leaves a much deeper impression on people’s minds than a preachy lecture—
which is how you’re going about it...
Have faith... Trust in me... So I caaan... watch over them...
1/ I never said those words were yours
2/ initial message edited
3/ I’m stating facts
Facts, facts
Harmful activity, people exploited, lions condemned
No blah-blah
4/
It’s not about morality
Lions are dying because of this activity
It’s not just me saying it
It’s wrong
Do you think it’s okay?
After that, you can like or dislike how I try to inform people
But I’m trying
I’m not yelling at them
I’m giving info
In this case, it’s actually you who’s lecturing
By the way
Did you know about the issue?
Come on, let’s relax
Some tourists are even amazed by a dragonfly 🤪 because their minds are still at work after a year of slaving away like fadolis. Most are just happy to bring back photos and to have experienced what they call "the authentic." 😏
The solution is the interactive stuffed lion that roars when cuddled (in a video or photo, no one will see the difference) 🤪 They’ll be able to tell their loved ones how soft its fur really is and that it even nibbles to sharpen its teeth 😏
If I’m not on topic here, then I’ve got no clue what’s going on 😅
Hi everyone, just this once I’m not posting for a travel story, but to share a thought for Venezuela.
If you didn’t know—since it’s not making headlines—the country was hit by two 7.5-magnitude earthquakes last week. Over 2,200 people have died, more than 50,000 are missing, and some coastal towns have been completely destroyed.
Maybe when the scale of the humanitarian crisis becomes clear, our media will cover it a bit more... especially since earthquakes with this many casualties usually make the front page, but there’s been nothing in France.
So here’s a thought for this country, which, whatever you think of its politics, is a true jewel of South America, both for its landscapes and its people.
hi there
I’d like to invite you to discover my coastal province in central Vietnam: Quang Ngai.
This year, my province has really improved its infrastructure—mountains, countryside, and sea are all authentic here.
No harassers or thieves, and no Russians either.
A local lunch costs around 1 €.
A *** hotel room is about 25 €, and you can find hotels right on My Khe Beach.
We have a specialty: *banh xeo*—10 crepes for just 1.5 €.
You can rent motorbikes to explore the province and maybe visit the many ethnic minorities.
I live here—I’m not selling anything, but I can help if needed (my father-in-law is a traditional Vietnamese doctor and he’s very skilled).
Hi everyone! 😉
I’m Typhaine, 35 years old. Five years ago, I left France for a solo round-the-world trip—no planes, just a van, hitchhiking, cycling, and even a canoe in the Amazon! Today, I work as a naturalist guide in Argentine Patagonia.
Wherever I go, my compass stays the same: observing and photographing wildlife, which I deeply admire and respect.
My project: I’d love to share this experience through a sustainable, authentic, and immersive nature tourism initiative. But to build something meaningful, I need to understand how other nature enthusiasts experience their own adventures.
If you:
Are over 20 years old
Have a true passion for Nature
Have already taken at least one trip lasting more than 3 nights (in your country or abroad) in your life
Promise: I’m not selling anything, this isn’t marketing. Your answers are 100% anonymous and will only help me shape this wild project.
A huge thank you to everyone for your help and kindness! Looking forward to chatting in this thread 😛
(Dear admins, this is purely a collaborative effort for my project study, with no commercial purpose. Thank you so much for your support!)
Photo: Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), female on the left and her cub on the right. Photo taken by me in Alaska, Denali National Park.
It’s something we often notice in this forum—and many others—this behavioral shift.
A long-time member, or even a new one, asks a question.
They get one or more answers, some brief, some detailed, and then... nothing???
Not even a simple thank you!!!
From what I’ve gathered, if the answers don’t align with what they wanted to hear, it seems natural for the asker to just disappear!! 😕
Unless—(and I fear this is the case)—basic politeness is no longer part of our society????
I spent 3 weeks in Bali last summer (+ 3 nights on Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java). So I wanted to see what ChatGPT could suggest for comparison...
Here’s the prompt I gave:
"You’re a local expert guide for Bali.
- Plan a 20-day itinerary for Bali with a side trip to Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java without staying overnight.
- I’m traveling with my wife, and I love visiting historical sites, hiking, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, and exploring rice terraces...
- For the duration of the stay, I don’t want more than 8 places to sleep, and I’d like to stay at least 2 days at each stop to avoid unpacking too often. Except for the last night, where I’m okay with just one night near the airport.
- I prefer neighborhoods that are walkable and try to avoid typical tourist traps, though I don’t want to miss the must-see spots. So suggest a mix of iconic sites and hidden gems.
- Recommend hotels or guesthouses with a budget of 50 to 100 € per night, including breakfast. Make suggestions in areas popular with travelers, specifying the vibe (I prefer quiet), and consider safety and proximity to attractions.
- For lunch and dinner, suggest two to three restaurants that are well-rated by customers.
- Give me a day-by-day program with details on travel times, visiting times for each point of interest, and recommendations for transportation (taxi, train, bike, etc.).
Estimate the total cost of the trip, including accommodations, food, transportation, and activities, and suggest two tips for saving money in each category.
- Don’t make anything up—be realistic about travel times, take into account the opening dates and hours of sites, and give me the entry fees for places to visit.
- Ask me all the questions until you’re 95% sure you understand what’s being asked. Don’t generate your response until you’ve understood."
The AI asked for a few clarifications:
"Great request—I can build you a really optimized and enjoyable itinerary, but to be 95% sure I hit the mark, I need a few key clarifications (this will really influence the pace, areas, and accommodations)."
In the end, it proposed a program very close to what we actually did.
I’ll skip its accommodation and restaurant suggestions...
Its proposal:
"Ubud (4 nights) => we did 5 nights
Sidemen (2 nights)
Amed (3 nights) => we’d planned 2 nights
Gili Meno (3 nights) => we did Gili between Sidemen and Amed
Munduk (3 nights) => we did 2 nights before Pemuteran
Pemuteran (3 nights) with Ijen => we did 4 nights
Sanur (2 nights + 1 last night) => we chose Jatiluwih instead of Sanur
It suggested "activities" (and accommodations too):
IN UBUD:
- Walk around central Ubud (1–2h)
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- Tirta Empul
- Gunung Kawi
- Massage / market / slow café
IN SIDEMEN:
- Rice terrace hike (2–3h)
- Cooking class
IN AMED:
- Snorkeling
- Japanese Shipwreck
- Beach + relaxation
- Volcano sunset
ON GILI:
- Snorkeling at Gili Meno Turtle Point, Nest Underwater Statues
IN MUNDUK:
- Jungle & waterfall hike - Munduk Waterfall + Melanting Waterfall
- Loop: 3–4h (perfect for your level)
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
- Twin Lakes
IN PEMUTERAN
- Snorkeling: Menjangan Island
For Kawah Ijen, it detailed the day well:
👍 from Pemuteran = best possible option
12 PM: leave hotel (we left at 10 PM)
1 PM: ferry
3 PM: arrival in Java + transfer
11 PM: start ascent
2 AM–6 AM: volcano
Return to Bali around 11 AM–12 PM (we got back at 4 PM)
👍 still very intense, but doable with an agency
💰 ~80–120 €/person all-inclusive
IN SANUR:
- Relaxation
- Quiet beach
- Proximity to airport (30 min)"
I’ve kept the habit of blowing my nose in the sink and then washing my hands—a custom I picked up in India. Sometimes, non-travelers are shocked when they catch me in the act... 🤪
Also, when I run out of toilet paper, it doesn’t bother me—unless I’ve got company over... 🤪
Just got back from walking a friend’s dog (while they’re on vacation), wearing a djellaba and Tibetan boots... 😏😏😏 Oh, for sure, if I’d run into locals, I probably would’ve shocked them? 😏
Anyway, as long as I’m not spitting on the floor at a restaurant or squatting on the side of a highway with a water bottle in hand...
After taking a little trip around the world, I came back a few months ago with an idea in mind.
I mostly do diving, and I love observing animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
During the trip, I realized it was quite complicated to know where and when to see certain species.
For example:
where to dive with sharks or manta rays
where you might get a chance to swim with whales
I even discovered thresher sharks during my trip… I didn’t even know this species existed before, even though they’re incredible to see.
We spent a ton of time searching for info all over the place, especially on social media, without ever getting a clear picture.
So I started putting all this together on my own, in the form of a map, to make it easier to visualize where to go depending on the seasons.
I recently put a first version online (it’s called Fauneya).
There are probably mistakes, inconsistencies, or things to improve, and that’s partly why I’m posting here.
I’d really love to know how you all go about planning this kind of trip.
As part of my Master’s thesis, I’m currently conducting a public survey on a topic that concerns all of us when planning a trip: artificial intelligence and the role of human contact in travel planning.
These days, we’re using more and more digital tools to find ideas, compare options, and book trips... but is the role of human advisors still essential? At what moments? And for what types of trips?
The survey is anonymous and takes about 7 minutes.
It’s aimed at anyone who travels (or has traveled) for leisure, whether you plan everything yourself or go through an agency.
While browsing the forum to gather info for my upcoming trip to Thailand, I often see the terms "traveler," "great traveler," and also "tourist"—so what’s the nuance for you?
I've traveled quite a bit in Vietnam over the past few years—from the southern delta to bustling cities and even some small islands—but what really sticks with me is the north, the high mountains.
Up there, there's something different—maybe slower, more raw. The morning markets with ethnic groups, women in traditional clothes, the colors...
The stilt houses, kids following you and laughing for no reason, the terraced rice fields—it almost feels unreal at times, so vast and quiet, yet so human and simple.
You often hear that Sapa has become too touristy, and that's partly true, especially in the center. But as soon as you move a little farther away, everything changes quickly. The landscapes open up, encounters feel more natural, and you rediscover something truly authentic.
I think it's that contrast that struck me—the difference between what you imagine before going and what you actually discover when you take the time.
And you—what memory do you hold onto from Vietnam? A particular place that touched you more than others?
Hello,
We’re finalizing the plans for our upcoming trip to China in May 2025. The second-to-last stop will be in Zhangjiajie, where we’ve planned to stay for 2 full days before heading to Shanghai.
We’re traveling solo using local transport and have arranged to stay in the city of Zhangjiajie.
We’ve seen that there’s a lot to see:
Tianmen Mountain, the Grand Canyon and the glass bridge, Zhangjiajie National Park, and that the sites are quite far apart with fairly expensive entry fees.
We’re thinking of dedicating one day to the national park and the Grand Canyon (glass bridge) and one day to Tianmen Mountain.
But we’re not sure if this plan is realistic—any thoughts would be much appreciated!
I should be serving a warming drink to the participants in the discussion about gardens and parks that provide us with beautiful photos, I could mention the delicious buttery scent wafting from bakeries in the thread about returning to France, but my heart, its powerful pulse that nourishes my entire being, is elsewhere.
Dasht-e Lut, Yazd, Esfahan, Bam, Kerman, Qeshm, Hormuz—a melody, a prayer at the heart of desire.
A dream, an unattainable fantasy? No. Not anymore.
A very serious Italian travel agency is organizing this trip for 6 people this winter. I’m signed up, I’m going, I’m living. Maybe.
"But you’re completely crazy!!!!"
I know... I know that every civilization, every society has a vital need to create scapegoats to define and justify itself, pathetically. And Iran is one of them, top of the list. I laugh or sigh, and it doesn’t bother me.
But that unchanging red, deep red and garnet, so beautiful in itself, in all the Western chancelleries repeats, whispers, shouts: don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, you’re putting yourself in danger and we can’t do anything for you. You’ll be turned into mere bargaining chips, into arguments for endless negotiations. Fear must be instilled, its power absolutely preserved, no concessions made to the enemy. The information (how many French hostages, real or fake, compared to the number of travelers?) is always lacking.
Traveling becomes a merciless confrontation between desire, the vital pulse, and anxiety, its ghosts.
Hi everyone, here’s our itinerary. Arriving on the evening of December 13th. Departing on January 7th.
Thanks in advance for your tips and valuable feedback.
Manila – 1 night
Coron – 4 nights
Coron to El Nido cruise – 2 nights
El Nido – 4 nights
Port Barton – 5 nights
Flight from Puerto Princesa to Vigan
Vigan – 2 nights
Sagada – 2 nights
Banaue – 2 nights
Bagabag – 1 night
Manila – 1 night
I’ve only booked the flight to Manila and the Manila/Coron flight so far. Is it possible to book boat trips, accommodations, and the Puerto Princesa flight last-minute?
Really disappointed with Costa Rica! Pura vida? The scam of the century!
(Costa Rica pure emptiness).
The country where animals are free and people are in cages.
3 weeks in December in this country and never again. Imagine the trailer of a movie that seems interesting, and when you go see it, you realize it’s a flop and the best moments were in the trailer.
Well, that’s exactly how we felt with Costa Rica pure emptiness.
My wife and I have traveled quite a bit and didn’t expect to be so wrong about a place.
On the main routes, we visited:
San José
Alajuela
Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo (Caribbean side)
Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio (Pacific side)
And a few short stops in intermediate towns.
Our dissatisfaction grew gradually like this:
When we arrived at the hotel, the taxi dropped us off on a small street in front of a white metal gate with ground-floor windows barred. We looked at it skeptically, but the sign matched.
He approached the gate, rang the bell, the buzzer sounded, and the door opened slightly. The hotel wasn’t bad for the price, a 10-minute walk from downtown, but with a "Fleury-Mérogis" vibe guaranteed.
So far, so good.
After showering and regaining our bearings, we headed downtown.
What started to unsettle us on the way was seeing houses with bars on the ground-floor windows and even on the second floor.
At first, we thought the hotel’s neighborhood wasn’t great.
Downtown San José:
It’s a generic city, not very exotic, with a pedestrian street and a small mercado where you can eat local food without frills. Very few tourists—if any—which let you blend in with the locals. We had lunch and struggled to make ourselves understood because, aside from one or two shops, English wasn’t spoken.
On the way back to the hotel, we took a different route, and while chatting and strolling, my wife pointed out a beautiful two-story white house completely barricaded like Fort Knox.
From that moment, we started noticing the facades of houses and buildings, and wow, it was creepy—most looked like prisons, some even with barbed wire.
Though put off, we told ourselves it was probably a big-city thing and the rest of the country couldn’t be like this.
So far, so good.
We relaxed at the hotel and had a drink at the bar. Night falls early, around 5:30 PM. By 7:30 PM, we headed back downtown for dinner. A bit unsettling for a capital—downtown was almost deserted, and aside from fast-food chains, very few restaurants were open, with hardly anyone on the streets.
Bars with security guards out front.
I won’t say we felt unsafe that night, but once it got dark, we realized the bars on the windows weren’t for nothing. First day in, and our impression was already mixed.
The next day, we explored the city and surroundings, and our feelings didn’t change.
So far, so good.
Off to Cahuita by bus—4 hours of travel.
The landscapes are very green but quickly become monotonous. The road runs alongside the forest and passes through a few towns and villages, and even in the countryside, there were just as many prison-like houses.
The bus dropped us off at Cahuita’s terminal station—only four of us got off. It’s a village, or rather, a small town. Cahuita is basically one straight road and a perpendicular one, and honestly, doubt started to creep in.
A few restaurants that add 13% tax and 10% service charge—so 23% extra. We dropped our stuff at the hotel and went to explore. In 20 minutes, we’d seen it all. We had lunch and planned to check out the famous park.
Entry is by donation—well, the "entry" is a joke. There’s a path along the forest by the sea, and that’s it.
Nothing’s going right anymore.
We thought it was a total scam, but since we hadn’t gone far, we decided to come back the next day to explore further.
We returned to the hotel, relaxed, and around 8:00 PM, we went out for dinner. Only two restaurants were open, and the streets were deserted.
Creepy!
The next day, we explored the so-called park more thoroughly and really got it.
A path along the forest by the sea—2 hours there and 2 hours back, where you see animals that feel like showing their faces.
A total joke—"all that for this?"
The beach was full of wood debris and coconut husks. We wondered if the photos online were edited because the sea, very rough, wasn’t the azure blue we’d seen in pictures.
But calling this a park is a joke—it’s like a new concept.
When we thought about the reviews online, we started to suspect that professionals with interests in the country were monitoring and countering any negative feedback that could harm their business.
Too bad we didn’t check the negative reviews beforehand—we did while we were there, and it helped. We wondered if we’d become too demanding after all our travels, but no—when something’s bad, it’s bad.
Manuel Antonio’s park is even more ridiculous—there’s a short path along the sea for about 500 meters, and then nothing. You have to climb through mud and hack your way through the forest. We ended up barefoot because the mud was up to our calves. All that to see a raccoon and a few parrots flying overhead.
We didn’t expect Noah’s Ark, but we’ve seen more animals in Bali, Mexico, and Thailand while visiting temples or just walking around than in these so-called parks!
Puerto Viejo, not far from Cahuita and supposedly livelier—well, it couldn’t be worse!
According to Lonely Planet, it had a Caribbean vibe and wild nights, but maybe that was a long time ago. The good reggae music playing everywhere isn’t enough.
In the evening, Puerto Viejo was a bit livelier than Cahuita, but that’s not saying much. Very few tourists—if any—no night market, just two or three shops open selling $20 T-shirts. Same vibe as San José.
No big deal—we enjoyed the beach and the sun, which was reliable.
Our itinerary was supposed to include Tortuguero Park, but after talking to other travelers who’d just been, we changed our minds, knowing we’d be visiting Manuel Antonio Park on the Pacific side.
To get back to the Pacific side, you have to take the bus and go through San José again—5 hours this time—then switch bus terminals and another 4.5 hours to Quepos.
A stopover town to get to Manuel Antonio’s beach and park!
A town just like the others we’d seen—deserted as soon as the sun sets, and not exactly bustling during the day either. (Where are all the tourists?)
Still as many bars on the windows and that feeling of being in the wrong place.
7 km later: Manuel Antonio beach and park.
The beach is very beautiful and quite large, but don’t expect turquoise blue water—the waves stir up the sand, giving the water a brownish color.
Along the beach, shops and restaurants for about 300 meters, and then nothing. At night, after sunset, the town shuts down too.
Manuel Antonio Park is highly praised for its wildlife, so we were eager to see it. When you express dissatisfaction with Cahuita or Manzanillo parks, the response is always, "But you should’ve gone to Monteverde or Manuel Antonio!" No matter what you do or say, they’ll tell you, "You should’ve gone there or here."
Back to our famous park—entry was about $16, and contrary to what we’d heard, it wasn’t crowded!
Guides at the entrance with spotting scopes offered their services for about $30.
The park: a mix of boardwalk and dirt paths through the forest, sometimes running alongside beautiful coves and beaches.
As soon as we entered, a crowd was taking photos of a deer eating leaves.
A little further on, a guide with a group of five stopped. The guide raised his arm and set up his spotting scope! He showed them, about 100 meters away, a hummingbird perched on a branch. Some, looking through the scope, exclaimed, "Oh my God! Amazing! Incredible!"
For a moment, we thought they’d discovered a unicorn or were in Jurassic Park and had just crossed paths with a T-Rex!
The concept is comical—looking at a bird or another animal through a spotting scope because it’s too far away. Isn’t that what TV is for?
For our part, we saw monkeys, ants, an armadillo, an iguana, and the backside of a sloth climbing a tree. Amazing, incredible!
We stayed a few days in Manuel Antonio to enjoy the beach, changing hotels often because prices varied wildly from one day to the next for shameful services. On top of that, they’d quote a price in dollars and convert it at their discretion—thieves!
Alajuela, a city near the airport, has a two-story mall and a local market downtown! No interest except its proximity to the airport.
What we liked:
The climate and, in hindsight, San José—the most authentic city we visited.
What we didn’t like, in addition to what we’ve already mentioned:
Costa Ricans aren’t very friendly or communicative. English is barely spoken, not even by doctors at Quepos Hospital, where my wife ended up with food poisoning (thanks, Google Translate). The widespread obesity among Costa Ricans, who eat like Americans. The insecurity. The eco-hipsters who leave their $150 lodges in minivans with guides to visit parks and other sites, then return to barricade themselves in their fortresses at nightfall (oh my God, amazing, incredible). The blue signs at the entrance of towns that accept this payment method: "We accept American Express." Parking lots that become paid just because a guy is watching your car. Prices displayed in dollars. The cost of living (hotels, restaurants, taxes). Landscapes that are too green and not flowery enough. Beaches—nothing exceptional. Pollution in cities where big American trucks rule. Sewage dumped directly into the sea. Aside from the jungle, there’s nothing to visit—no ruins, monuments, or anything worth seeing.
In short, my wife and I think the hype about this supposedly eco-friendly country is overrated. It’s just the trendy destination of the moment. There are much better, cheaper, and more authentic places.
In hindsight, we keep the good memories and our beautiful photos, but if we had to do it over...
Before signing off, a little message to those who don’t like hearing opinions different from theirs:
Well, some things aren’t up for debate. And to those who’d have us believe that in 3 weeks, we don’t have the right to criticize a country or express our feelings—how can you praise it in so little time? What a scam. Costa Rica is a money pit. Pura vida? Pure cosmic emptiness.
If you like spending your evenings barricaded in your cozy hotel after dark, this country is for you.
For everyone else: run!
Hello,
Since the war between Russia and Ukraine, nothing is simple anymore for traveling to Belarus due to sanctions.
No more direct flights from the EU to Minsk.
Driving is a huge hassle, especially crossing through Poland at the only open border in Brest—you can wait 2, 3, or even 4 days just to get through by car.
The least painful driving option is to come via Lithuania and cross at the only open border, with a minimum wait time of 8 hours, sometimes up to 20 hours or more!!
Controls are very strict and annoying on both the Lithuanian and Belarusian sides. Avoid bringing alcohol, food, or cigarettes—everything will end up in the trash, especially when leaving Belarus for Vilnius, where the Lithuanians are tough, even with EU citizens.
The joy I once knew when visiting my wife in Minsk is sadly over—it’s now a real ordeal.
The fastest solution is to fly. My wife travels to France by taking a bus to Kaunas in Lithuania, where you can catch a flight (though not daily) to Paris Beauvais or Charleroi in Belgium with Ryanair, for example.
For the return trip, it’s the same: a flight to Kaunas and then a direct bus from the airport to Minsk.
The bus crossing is quicker than driving—the 250 km journey, including border checks, takes about 6 to 8 hours for buses leaving Lithuania around midnight, but controls are still strict at the border.
The biggest challenge is finding flight schedules that align with the bus routes between the two countries, given the unpredictable border crossing times.
Now, my wife travels via Charleroi in Belgium (near Brussels), and you can take a train to Paris. Alternatively, you can fly into Beauvais and take a bus to Paris (Porte Maillot).
For those driving, note that EU insurance and assistance policies no longer work in Belarus or Russia. You’ll need to get local insurance, usually limited to third-party liability (I don’t think full coverage exists?), as well as mandatory medical insurance. This is available at the border.
You now have to pay highway tolls—no more BELTOLL boxes. Instead, you pay a flat fee for the duration of your stay. Stop at the first gas station after crossing from Lithuania to fill up on fuel and cigarettes.
From what I know, Lithuania bans carrying more than 60 € in cash, but there’s no limit for USD (though it’s capped at $10,000??).
With a Visa card, you can now withdraw 1,000 rubles per week (about 270 €)—two months ago, it was only 500 rubles!!
For now, you can still pay by card in shops and gas stations.
However, major retailers like KORONA (which may be Russian-owned??) no longer accept foreign Visa cards.
Unfortunately, the additional sanctions announced by the U.S. on August 5, 2025, against Russia—and possibly Belarus—aren’t promising for the future.
After 20 years of visiting Belarus, I’m truly saddened to see the joy of living in this country with my wonderful wife turn into such a bleak situation, all because of human folly.
Hi everyone!
I’m putting together our travel itinerary for Veneto at the end of April. And the more I look and research potential sites to visit, the more I find!
We’ll only be there for a week—my family and I—including 3 days in Venice. So we have to make some choices...
I plan to rent a car when we arrive in Venice and head straight to Bergamo, which would be our first stop. We’d leave the car at the airport when we return to Venice so we can explore the city at our leisure.
What do you think:
1 night in Bergamo (a 2h15 drive from Venice airport),
1 night in Garda,
1 night in Verona,
1 in Padua, and
3 in Venice—would that be doable?
Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences! :)
Now that the curtain has fallen on the past year, it’s time to see what’s happening around here.
It seems pretty quiet, but I’ll read more in detail later.
First, I need to tell you all an anecdote.
My eldest little girl, in her third year of law school, was really scared she wouldn’t pass the year.
I told her:
“Trust yourself, you’ve worked so hard, and worst case, if you fail, you’ll just redo the year.”
“But I don’t think I’ll make it—they changed the rules, and if I mess up even one unit, I have to start all over.”
I knew her grades weren’t exactly stellar, and with what I was about to say, I wasn’t taking much of a risk.
“Here’s the deal, sweetheart: if you pass, I promise I’ll take you to India, just the two of us.”
I have to admit, India is a country I’ve talked about so much to all my grandchildren that in their minds, it’s become a magical, mythical place (hmm).
July had barely begun when my phone rang, her name flashing on the screen.
“Mamido, I did it!”
My promise came rushing back—oh no, oh no, oh no!
“Congratulations, sweetheart!”
A little shyly, she said:
“Is the India trip still on?”
And me, replying:
“Of course it is!”
And that’s that—a promise is a promise, or you risk losing that precious trust that keeps hearts warm and at peace.
We’re leaving in February. Only 8 days—yikes, the carbon footprint!
But we can’t miss her tutorials, or she’ll be kicked out.
Personally, that works just fine for me.
Going to India has become a challenge for me. It’s far, it’s exhausting, I sweat, I hate mosquitoes, the spices bother my mouth when I used to love them. There’s noise all the time—at night, the dogs bark nonstop, and we almost get run over. I’ll get lost in the streets because my sense of direction has vanished. I don’t like rice anymore. All that chaos and those cultural differences that once enchanted me now just overwhelm me.
But I promised.
The upside—and it’s a big one—Raman, the same driver I’ve had forever, will be at the airport with a sign with our names. We’ll stop at the same little shop for chai (or tea, plain and simple) with that aroma that intoxicates me, halfway through the trip.
It’ll be a tiny trip—staying with friends, I’ll show her a few places I love: Chidambaram, Mamallapuram, and the clinic where I worked. Then we’ll head back.
My little girl will go home to her parents.
As for me, I’ll leave right away for our Scottish island with Homme for our chilly winter.
How can you love a country so much you want to live there, then suddenly reject it, no longer able to appreciate what once made it special?
That’s the mystery of love, I guess.
I’ve visited the U.S. four times myself, including two long road trips. The last one was just this past August...
I won’t be going back. I already felt guilty last August, but recent policies have finally convinced me: the humiliation of Zelensky, authoritarian excesses, Gestapo-like methods for detaining people of foreign origin, the murder of innocent people (a mother shot dead), corruption, insane "tariffs," skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans, the abduction of foreign figures to secure oil, the requirement to disclose social media accounts, and now... threats and blackmail to forcibly take Greenland—a region that belongs to Denmark and thus the European Union!
The reality is that simply posting this could get me denied entry to the U.S.!
In this context, I just can’t keep spending money there. I loved my trips, but there are so many other countries with stunning landscapes to explore.
So I get why you’d want to travel there. I did, and I loved it. But once a country no longer respects any of the values that made us love it, why go?
How can we even consider traveling to a country that threatens to take one of our territories by force?
Hello everyone,
Controversial topic? Not necessarily—maybe just a reflection on a world to come.
I spent the last 15 days of August on a cruise in Greenland, from Kangerlussuaq to Tasiilaq.
I was utterly amazed by this unique world of rock and ice, the little houses in every color, a simple life that’s also complicated by isolation and climate, among other things...
I carry in my heart the kindness of the people I met, the raw and gentle majesty of the icebergs, the colors of the sky...
So, I can’t even imagine a massive presence of raw material prospectors, heavy machinery requiring roads to be built—if that’s even possible—changing their way of life... putting sled dogs out to pasture!
Do fast food and Greenland’s northern lights really mix?
I wouldn’t trade my memories for an ESTA!
All opinions are respectable, which is why this isn’t a controversy—but I’m sorry, I have a soft spot for *my* Greenland.
We’re a couple aged 58 and 63. We’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to South India in Tamil Nadu and a few days in Kerala. We traveled with a local French-speaking guide and his friend, the driver. They both live in Pondicherry. We spent 3 weeks with them in the most authentic way!
We covered just over 2,500 km and visited not only temples but also archaeological sites, museums, and small artisanal businesses making tiles, tea, sculptures, bronze, and silk spinning. We were lucky enough to visit a public school, attend a wedding, and even a death announcement in a small countryside village. We were fully immersed in the culture, food, noise, and colors—it was incredible!
The hotels and guesthouses we chose were very clean and mostly quiet. We’re returning from India with amazing discoveries!
We’re happy to share more info if you’d like!
M-Claire and Jean
This catchy and somewhat mysterious title comes from several questions I’ve been asking myself.
VF has been back open for a reasonable number of weeks and months now.
The number of visitors overall matches past averages, but the number of members online in the last 24 hours seems relatively lower than what we used to see.
Yet, to my surprise, I’m seeing fewer travel journals, way fewer messages, and way fewer questions.
I don’t see many new registered users online, and I notice a number of members who are logged in but either aren’t participating or have stopped participating.
Something’s not adding up for me because, in my opinion, VF is still appealing, and I don’t see which other sites could really compete.
Was there a real break between pre- and post-Covid?
Does it just take more time for some people to discover the site or learn that it’s active again?
Do people now prefer quick consumption on sites like FB or others I’m not familiar with?
Where have the site’s old-timers gone, and what are they doing with their time now?
What’s really going on here?
This isn’t exactly a traveler’s question... I’d like to know who handles the technical side of this forum?
I run a similar forum on a different topic (unrecognized children), and we’re dealing with a few technical issues that are slowly killing our forum... so I’d have one or two questions to ask 😊.
Also, I was wondering who created this forum... who the administrators or moderators are, etc.
I think this forum is great. Much better than Facebook, which I’ve been using since it shut down (so I’m happy to see it’s working again...)
Hi there, I’ve been traveling for 18 years now, at least 6 months a year, and as the years go by, I actually enjoy coming back to France more and more—a feeling I struggled with at first. I mean, we always think the grass is greener elsewhere.
But in the end, I find meaning in that saying about how there’s no place like home. I still love traveling just as much, but now my trips are shorter, and I enjoy spending more time in our beautiful country, even though I don’t hesitate to criticize it.
How about you? How do you handle coming back from your travels?
A few years ago, I went with a group of friends to lend a hand at a small rural school near Thiès, Senegal.
It was a relaxed but hardworking atmosphere—hands in the mortar, laughter, exchanges, and everything that a COOPERATION project can bring.
Today, the little project is flying on its own.
Wanting to explore Senegal’s riches, we set off for some tourism in the Siné Saloum. One girl in our group fell ill (a malaria attack), and we decided to take her to see a doctor at a large tourist complex nearby. Despite her condition, we had to "show our credentials" (if I may say so) just to get in. She was treated and has been fine since.
This "stop" at a Club Med-style resort with a Teutonic twist—resembling Le Grau-du-Roi but fancier—was a horror show for us: pools, massive artificial basins dyed blue, pink, or green (!!!!), animators shouting around wet T-shirt contests or coconut tree climbing, and sunburned (or sun-pinked) *toubabs*.
The entire hotel was surrounded by a huge wall, behind which a small souvenir-seller slum had sprung up, worthy of Dakar’s outer neighborhoods.
On leaving, we saw a minibus of guests returning from an "excursion," loaded with masks, fabrics, and djembés—African souvenirs?
Maybe those will be *theirs*?
What impression did the kids clustered at the hotel gates get?
What about the Black servers in "traditional African costumes," serving cocktails and ice cream nonstop?
For me, who experienced Africa very young and in the bush, this remains a haunting image.
On VF, this kind of vacation doesn’t seem to be the norm among users, and that’s exactly why I signed up.
Have you ever experienced this kind of interstellar travel?
Do you understand the Martians?
Are their motivations peaceful?
I’ve been wondering: Is it still reasonable to rent a car in the U.S.?
Apparently, since early January 2025—and very quietly—the most important insurance coverage, namely the driver’s civil liability, has seen its coverage amount drop from $1 million to just $300,000. This coverage is supposed to protect us from damages we might be responsible for while driving. We can go decades without a single scrape (especially if it’s our fault), but anything can happen in a split second. A motorcycle appearing out of nowhere, a misjudgment at one of those huge intersections with staggered traffic lights, and suddenly we could be deemed at fault for the accident. We’d then have to pay out of pocket for the other party’s medical expenses. Given what hospitals charge... it can easily exceed $300,000 and turn into a nightmare in no time!!! Plus, anyone who’s driven on American roads has seen those billboards for lawyers offering their services to accident victims. So on top of the sky-high medical bill, the lawyer will demand compensation worthy of a Hollywood movie!!!! So, is it even worth getting behind the wheel in America anymore? Well... that’s just my take! And on top of that, I haven’t found any insurance company that offers such high civil liability coverage. Chapka and others do offer coverage in the millions, but motor vehicles are excluded.... So here’s the thing... Unless I’ve "missed something," I’ve come to this conclusion: Renting a car in the U.S. is like playing Russian roulette! But maybe I’m being too pessimistic? What do you think?
My two bullfighting traditions when I'm back home in Camargue (France) and in Colombia (Caribbean) every time I return. 🤠
Details:
Bullfights (corridas) aren’t part of my two bullfighting traditions, but I respect those who attend them!!!
In these two ancestral bullfighting traditions—which aren’t bullfights—the Bulls and Toros aren’t killed or tortured, as some might think.
These are bull games where the animals return to their pastures afterward and only come back to the Arenas 2–3 times a year at most.
They spend 15 minutes in the ring for the Camarguais and 5 minutes for the Toros in the Colombian Corralejas.
They’re cared for and pampered. They’ll die of old age in miles of open fields.
The young people who face them are professionals, risking their lives to support their families and live their Passion for the Toro!!! 😄
https://youtu.be/yYKQer42HoQ
Colombian Corraleja in the link below (hope it works) 🤪
https://fb.watch/BMfmuCgQpG/
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