Without a license or a car, if it's like in Brittany, you're stuck at home; it's impossible to get a job without having a car and a license.
Of course, you have to pay for it.
Let’s take a resident near Quimper, for example. Nantes is at least a 2.5-hour drive, Paris around 6 hours.
We can compare everything if you want, no problem.
Besides, I don’t see how the fact that people in Auvergne are isolated could justify others being almost as badly off.
I don’t know if I should add that Brittany is at least three times more populated than Auvergne.
.. I don’t know... Maybe understanding that most of the positions in question shouldn’t fall under a state-run civil service managed like the military?
Recruiting by region, obviously, is the least we could do.
The French obsession with the state, with civil service, with being taken care of and assigned a lifelong mission.
Honestly, I don’t really get the plan.
The point is really simple to understand—or maybe I didn’t explain myself well.
French people whine nonstop with their mouths full, while there are tons of people living in misery around the world.
I don’t want to sound like I’m pitying anyone, but just think about what a migrant fleeing a war-torn country (like Syria or Libya) has to endure.
Recruiting by region, obviously, is the least one could do.
That would be a good solution, yes.
However, I’d venture to say that the central state—basically the French state (as opposed to local authorities)—doesn’t want to because there have been too many abuses in the past: financial mismanagement, local authorities spending central government transfers without restraint...
I think that’s the main reason the housing tax was scrapped.
No contest, Macron wants to regain control of all that.
Some local authorities took out "toxic" loans before the 2008 crisis (particularly with Natixis, to name names) and were in financial trouble not so long ago.
It seems to me that France and its central state don’t need anyone else to dig financial black holes—though, admittedly, voters have repeatedly approved this since... well, forever. Treating non-Parisians like minors under guardianship is a classic move.
Michel
Hiring by region, of course, is the very least that should be done.
That would be a good solution, yes.
However, I’d venture to say that the central state—basically, the French state (as opposed to local authorities)—doesn’t want to because there have been too many abuses in the past: financial mismanagement, local authorities spending state transfers without restraint...
I think that’s the main reason behind the elimination of the housing tax.
No question about it—Macron wants to regain control of all that.
Some local authorities took out "toxic" loans before the 2008 crisis (particularly with Natixis, no need to name names) and were in financial trouble not so long ago.
Recruiting by region, of course, is the very least one can do.
Well, no...
And then "Brittany for the Bretons"—that eerily echoes the slogan of one of this region’s unfortunately more nationally prominent political figures.
Did I say that?
I said that the idea of enlisting people with quasi-military status to parachute them anywhere, then moving them around like pawns under the pretext of unifying the nation was an outdated idea—one that no one in Europe supports or shares, in any case.
We’re seeing the results: a total collapse in education, depression and resignations at every level, to the point that if things keep going like this, we’ll have to stop classes on Thursday evenings because there won’t be enough staff to make it through the week.
We can keep pushing a model that’s completely exhausted and ill-suited to today’s world, or we can have the wisdom to let go of universalist pretensions and stop believing we’re the only ones standing tall, right, and proud in the face of the whole world.
Michel
Nope...
And then there’s "Brittany for the Bretons," which eerily echoes the slogan of one of this region’s unfortunately more nationally prominent political figures.
I don’t think so.
It’s true that compared to Ireland, which is similar in size and geographical location, they lost out in the game of history.
Few people can place Auvergne on a map, though. 🙂
Michel
Peanuts for the inhabitants of a mountainous region without motorways...
Aren’t your Bretons a bit spoiled?😄
Total collapse of education, depression and resignations at every level, to the point that if this continues, we’ll have to stop classes on Thursday evenings due to a lack of staff to make it through the week.
As I’ve already told you—but apparently you’re blind—all civil servants are in the same boat, yet they’re not all quitting or depressed.
The malaise among teachers must be coming from somewhere other than the centralization of exams.
Besides, when they leave the national education system, they don’t hesitate to take other civil service exams... 😄
I said that the idea of enlisting people with quasi-military status to parachute them anywhere, then moving them around like pawns under the pretext of unifying the nation was an outdated idea
Equality.
That’s the foundation the system rests on.
The same exam across the entire country to give everyone the same opportunities.
Besides, unless you’re completely clueless, you know in advance where you might be transferred when you take an exam.
Exams help less attractive regions. A kind of compensation for those areas.
Someone from the Paris region will likely stay in their childhood homeland.
But strangely, they don’t want to...
She tells me I cry all the time,
That I’m like a little child
Who no longer loves his games, his life, his mom.
She says I cry all the time,
That I’m downright mean, never happy,
Downright mean, never happy.
As I’ve already told you, but apparently you’re blind, all civil servants are in the same boat and aren’t all resigning or depressed.
That’s not at all what teachers’ testimonies show—they highlight huge differences in how staff are managed between the National Education system and other public sectors.
So, teachers’ distress must be due to something other than the centralization of competitive exams.
Besides, when they leave the National Education system, they don’t hesitate to take other civil service exams... 😄
They have little choice—it’s a highly stigmatized status, and they often can’t do anything else. That said, they’re often victims of their own aspirations and the illusions of those around them, trapped by long-standing family influences.
So they do what they can.
Equality.
That’s the foundation the system rests on.
In Germany, is the system collapsing because these things are handled at the state level?
Which modern country confuses equality with equity like this?
I don’t know of any.
- I don’t know... Maybe understanding that most of the positions in question shouldn’t fall under a state-run civil service managed like the military?
Recruiting by region, obviously, would be the least they could do.
The French’s wild passion for the State, for civil service, for being taken care of and put to work for a lifelong mission.
Honestly, I don’t really get the plan.
Michel
France is one of the few countries with such a recruitment system for teachers.
It completely demotivated me—I preferred not to go into that world (for other reasons too), even though my studies were really suited for it.
You know, honestly, I think this system is in its final, painful throes, and it’s certain that in a few years, we won’t be recruiting teachers this way anymore.
The shift has already begun.
Michel
What to do?
Regional competitive exams?
- I don’t know... Maybe understand that most of these positions don’t need to fall under a state-run civil service managed like the military?
Recruiting by region, obviously, is the least we could do.
The French obsession with the state, with civil service, with being taken care of and assigned a lifelong mission.
Honestly, I don’t really get the plan.
Michel
France is one of the few countries with such a recruitment system for teachers.
It completely demotivated me—I preferred not to go into that world (for other reasons too), even though my studies were really suited for it.
This is not at all what emerges from teachers' testimonies, which highlight huge differences in staff management between the National Education system and other sectors of the civil service.
I know both sides... :)
it’s a very stigmatizing status
Being a teacher and Breton is a real ordeal...
In Germany, the system is collapsing because these things are handled at the state level?
Even in Germany, there must be "Bretons" who whine because they voluntarily moved to Bavaria when they didn’t want to leave their native Berlin...
All that's left is disparagement when the arguments are flimsy.
The overbearing centralism and state control is an indefensible stance, incompatible with the aspirations of today's European citizens. It's already isolated and exotic, and it will succumb to a Europe of nations.
It's quite ironic to note that the supporters of this centralist model are incapable of envisioning Europe, terrified as they are of not being able to imagine anything other than a star-shaped structure, where they would no longer inevitably be the center.
Michel
This is not at all what emerges from teachers' testimonies, which highlight enormous differences in staff management between the National Education system and other sectors of the civil service.
I know both sides...🙂
it's a very stigmatizing status
Being a teacher and Breton is a real ordeal...😇
In Germany, the system is collapsing because these things are handled at the state level?
Even in Germany, there must be "Bretons" who whine because they voluntarily moved to Bavaria when they didn't want to leave their native Berlin...
Hi Catherine,
you’re in a good position to know what they say in Italy: France climbs onto Germany’s shoulders to look taller.
Hello,
To refocus the discussion on the topic and accommodate everyone’s rainy constraints during this dreary, damp winter, I suggest clarifying the question:
Why is this tendency to see the grass as greener elsewhere so distinctly French?
What does it stem from?
A cultural trait, a worldview, a type of society?...
Hi,
Well... I’ll answer... since I’m one of those who went off to wander elsewhere. 🙂
What I found almost unbearable when I lived in France was the tendency there to spin stories about itself.
Here’s a very concrete example, taken from this morning’s press: "Macron, the lonely leader of a convalescent Europe" (Le Monde). Oh, how beautiful solitary heroes are!
France is a country that constantly generates its own myth. And I don’t like grandiose myths.
The wry fatalism of my adopted country suits me much better.
Mick, no aggression intended—I know you love Italy a lot. Have you ever thought about moving there? (We’re still on the topic of "elsewhere" being better.)
I think life must be more enjoyable there. Italians are generally friendlier, and the food is just better. 😛
hi
when I was 30 or 40, I would’ve done it if I’d studied science (engineer, doctor, for example) instead of law (French law, obviously) with no job market appeal in Italy.
now, I’m retired, but too many personal things (family, assets to manage, etc.) keep me from moving abroad anywhere.
if I had to do it (but I won’t), yeah, I’d go to Italy, Tuscany—not for the climate (I have the same in Provence), nor for the cost of living (same as France). For that, there’s Spain and Portugal, but for me, they’re too out of the way for traveling around Europe.
Mick, no offense meant—I know you love Italy a lot. Have you ever thought about moving there? (We’re still on the topic of elsewhere being better.)
I think life must be more pleasant there. Italians are generally nicer, and the food is better 😛
All I want is to live like a European.
With European freedoms.
Apparently, that’s too much to ask.
But I’m not worried—it’ll happen, it’s just a matter of time.
You’re incapable of shifting your perspective, stuck in that dirigiste, French-centric worldview. You don’t even realize it doesn’t work. The French have their own idea of harmonization in Europe—they want everyone else to do things their way 🤪.
Michel
All you can do is deflect when you’ve run out of your already thin and repetitive arguments... 🙂
Hi,
When I was 30 or 40, I would have done it if I had studied science (engineer, doctor, for example) instead of law (obviously French) which had no interest in the Italian job market.
Now, I’m retired, but too many personal things (family, managing assets, etc.) keep me from moving abroad anywhere.
If I had to do it (but I won’t), yes, I’d go to Italy, Tuscany—not for the climate (I have the same in Provence), nor for the cost of living (same as France). For that, there’s Spain and Portugal, but for me, they’re too far out of the way for traveling around Europe.
Mick, no offense meant—I know you love Italy a lot. Have you ever thought about moving there? (We’re still on the topic of elsewhere being better.)
I think life must be more pleasant there—Italians are generally nicer, and the food is better 😛
Okay!
It’s always the same issues that come up: having a job that allows you to move abroad, leaving loved ones, etc.
In my case, it’s the first point that’s the problem—the rest, not so much.
For retirees, it’s definitely appealing to live in a country that’s cheaper and less taxed. Though I’d say it mainly interests those with a small pension, to improve their purchasing power.
At least you’re not far from Italy—you can go there regularly 😛
"I’d say it’s mostly of interest to those with a small pension, to help improve their purchasing power."
Unless I can’t "eat my fill," it’s not the standard of living that would make me move to another country (I’m talking about long-term residency, not travel). I’d miss my kids and French and European culture way too much.
And a pension that’s too small outright prevents you from even considering moving somewhere else... Being poor at home isn’t always (or even at all) being rich somewhere else.
I’d talk about average incomes, though—now *that’s* a different story.
Portugal is increasingly attracting retirees—with a 1000 € pension in France, life is tough, but in Portugal, it’s much better. It also appeals to those who want to pay less in taxes.
Of course, it’s personal, but if I were retired, I wouldn’t stay in France. I don’t feel attached to this country. That said, I can’t see myself living outside of Europe...
All of this is very personal, that's true.
With a 1000 € pension, you have to break all material ties in France (no duplicates possible: two rents are a no-go, and owning a house in France plus renting in Portugal—with 1000 €, I just don’t see how).
Or sell everything here to buy there? Yeah, possible.
With 1000 €, you’ll be scraping by... here or elsewhere.
Of course...
France’s usual passions: the state’s omnipresence in transport, communications, education, energy, housing—often monopolizing them at the expense of quality and service; an obsession with centralism, to the point of not even being able to imagine what a (con)federation is; the conviction of being the universal model in terms of identity and culture, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary worldwide; a poorly managed and still explosive colonial past; legalism; and hegemonic ambitions over the language...
None of this is universal or even beneficial, yet it all sounds like unquestionable truths to most people—dogmatic ones at that.
Hey,
I also forgot—it’s actually crucial—that in Haute-Provence, I have my olive trees. For the first time this year, the weather let me start pruning them. Sure, people might say I could sell them and buy others in Italy, but would you tell someone who’s in love that they should just change partners?
Another reason: my place in the Basque Country, where we spend (in chunks) 2 or 3 months a year. That’s already far enough—Italy would be even farther...
If you have ties to France, it’s normal to be loyal to it.
To address the title, we’re not obligated to think that somewhere else is better than our own country.
France is a country that constantly generates a permanent myth about itself.
Yes.
And, more seriously, this annoying tendency now seems to be affecting neighboring nations. Some Bretons are severely affected.
For now, the grass has never been so green in Brittany. Worse, it’s growing in the middle of winter while in South Africa it’s dying in the middle of summer.
What I found almost unbearable when I lived in France was the tendency there to spin stories about itself.
Here’s a very concrete example from this morning’s press: "Macron, the lonely leader of a convalescent Europe" (Le Monde). Oh, how beautiful solitary heroes are!
That’s the classic and symptomatic theme of French culture’s obsession with the "providential man"...
By the way, the magazine Marianne devoted an entire article to this.
In other words, in France, people love "providential figures" capable of a certain personality cult, bordering on narcissism...😏
France is a country that doesn’t seem able to govern itself autonomously without orders "coming from above" (as Alexandre Jardin put it in one of his interviews).
In other words, it needs an eternal, transcendent icon at the national level, like De Gaulle was.
France is a country that constantly generates its own myth. And I don’t like grandiose myths.
At least there are two of us who share the same opinion 🙂
The problem is that by constantly generating this permanent myth, the country ends up going in circles.
I went to Portugal, including at LIDL, okay it's a bit cheaper than in France, but you still can't live like a nabob on 1000 euros a month
Like a nabob, of course not, but still better than in France. Restaurants are cheaper (bigger difference than with shops), same for real estate.
After all, it depends on your situation in France (homeowner, family, etc.). In France, in a big city with 1000 € and rent, you live very poorly (I know what I'm talking about). Then there are even cheaper places than Portugal, sure, I just used it as an example because the country is attracting more and more French retirees. It's not the place that makes me dream in itself (but I don't dream of anything, actually).
It’s all very personal, that’s true.
With a 1000 € pension, you have to break all your material ties in France (no duplicates possible: two rents are a no-go, and owning a house in France plus renting in Portugal—with 1000 €, I just don’t see how).
Or sell everything here to buy there? Yeah, possible.
With 1000 €, you’ll just scrape by... here or elsewhere.
Yeah, it definitely depends on your ties... I talked about it with my mom, for example—she could sell and live better there. She doesn’t really have ties left, but an unknown country, the language, losing her bearings—she’s not motivated.
Me? I’d love to find a place I love and just go. Oh well! !
With 1000 € a month, once you've paid your rent, utilities, and normal expenses, I guess even in Portugal you can't go out to eat very often—even if it's cheaper.
But I don’t have anything against people who leave; no issue with that at all.
Just saying: no, we don’t always think the grass is greener elsewhere. That phrase, as it stands, doesn’t mean anything.
With 1,000 € a month, once you’ve paid rent, utilities, and normal expenses, I guess even in Portugal you can’t go out to eat very often—even if it’s cheaper. But I don’t have anything against people who leave; no issue with that idea at all.
But just: no, we don’t always think the grass is greener on the other side.
Also, keep some savings for round trips back to France if you need medical treatment. A lot of retirees who moved to Portugal still get treated in France. Go figure...
I was just thinking earlier, while driving and listening to the radio, that there’s no shortage of examples illustrating France’s situation: centralist, authoritarian in a hierarchical way, very 19th-century, and far from the standards of other European countries when it comes to freedoms, human rights, and society.
The discussion was about the prison system, and experts agreed that it’s outdated. They also acknowledged that while some progress—meaning better conditions and greater efficiency—has been made over the past few decades, it’s only happened under pressure from European legislation, not because France took the initiative itself.
This is just one example among many of a country still clinging to an authoritarian system that’s now obsolete, with a passion for the State, which is portrayed as virtuous and indispensable according to dogma.
This example can be applied, *mutatis mutandis*, to other administrative sectors, like transportation, which lag behind the average because they’re weighed down by monopolistic legacies and endless exemptions from privatization that EU membership was supposed to enforce.
With 1000 euros a month, once you've paid your rent, bills, and normal expenses, I guess even in Portugal, you can't go out to restaurants very often, even if they're cheaper.
But I don’t have anything against people who leave—no issue with that idea at all.
But just to say: no, we don’t always think the grass is greener elsewhere.
That phrase, as it is, doesn’t mean much.
Well, way more than in France...
That said, net income doesn’t necessarily mean much. I live on less than 1000 € a month and manage to go out to eat about once a week and travel regularly. It’s all about good deals, resourcefulness, etc.
It’s easier if you have a property to sell before moving somewhere else (so no rent to pay).
My mom, who lives on a half-pension of 800 €/month plus some cleaning jobs on the side, would have gained purchasing power by selling her place and moving to Portugal (just an example—the country) instead of staying in PACA, which is a very expensive region.
Still, I get that taking the leap isn’t easy when you don’t speak a word of English, you’re afraid of being alone, or you don’t know the country, etc.
Otherwise, there are countries cheaper than Portugal, but you’ve got to want to live there (cheaper European countries like Ukraine don’t attract many people... and yet with 1000 € there, you’re basically rich)
It must be said that for decades they’ve been told that France has the best healthcare system (which is far from Bloomberg’s opinion). Within a few months’ difference, the Portuguese don’t die any more than the French. We’ve just seen with Johnny and France Gall—when you have a fatal illness, you die just as much in France as anywhere else (except you pay more).
With 1000 € a month, once you’ve paid your rent, bills, and normal expenses, I suppose even in Portugal you can’t go out to restaurants very often, even if they’re cheaper. But I don’t have anything against people who leave—no issue with that idea at all.
But just this: no, we don’t always think the grass is greener elsewhere.
Also, keep some savings for round trips to France if you need medical treatment. Many retirees who’ve moved to Portugal still get treated in France. Go figure...
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"It seems to me that poverty would be less painful in the sun" wrote Aznavour...
Not sure...😕 Who can prove that people in hot countries are happier than others?
What do you think?
Is it better to live in Montpellier than in Lille?
Are the Pygmies happier than the Inuit?
Are Canadians less happy than the people of Louisiana?
Are there more French expats in hot countries?
And your travels? Do you choose your destinations based on the climate?
Do you rejoice when a bit of sunshine appears?
Bonjour,
Je m'appelle Marion. Dans le cadre de ma reconversion professionnelle, en tant que Travel Planner, je suis à la recherche de quelques personnes (couples avec ou sans enfants) pour échanger afin de mieux comprendre vos besoins et vos envies de voyages.
Cela durera environ 30 min avec moi par téléphone ou en visio 🙂
Je n’ai rien à vous vendre!
N'hésitez pas à me contacter si vous le souhaitez, bonne journée.
Who’d like to share their best and worst travel memories in a few lines?
For me, it’s watching the TAJ MAHAL at sunrise and getting chased by dogs at the top of a mountain pass in GREECE on the way back from ISTANBUL.
THANKS GUYS
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?
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