Earlier, wandering the streets of Copenhagen, surrounded by all that gentrified bourgeois Europe that flew in on low-cost airlines, strolling around with their eco-moralizing attitudes amid fashion shops and rainbow-flagged international trinket stores, I found myself missing the Russians from Almaty and the Volga Germans from the cities of Temirtau.
Deep down, I prefer them.
They know who they are, their gender dynamics are more clearly defined—often to the benefit of women, in reality—and they carry something; they look destiny in the face. You might see Islam there, but very often it’s more about Orthodox orientalism.
In any case, they’re growing, they’re stirring, and not by looking toward us—except maybe toward a sick man of contemporary history.
Agnès is about to head to Central Asia, and it’s going to change her in so many ways
I really have no idea what you’re basing that on.
Probably just a wild imagination.
Oh, I just came across a cooking show about khachapuri.
It made me want to go back to Georgia so badly!
Especially since the country seems way cozier than it was 12 years ago.
There’s one country that changed me in so many ways.
The country that’s (or was) probably talked about the most on this forum.
The United States.
How can people settle there—it’s a mystery!
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Hi there.
This country (which I don’t know much about) is said to be close to Russia, but in what way exactly? Economically, militarily, or tourism-wise—I get that. History’s there, after all. But if it’s about the democratic model, they’re far from progress and moving forward into the future.
You don’t read travel journals, you’re not interested, that’s something you’ve said over and over.
So how can you know how I travel and what I hope to find in my trips?
My views on different topics aren’t obstacles to my travels.
Except for the need to disguise myself to travel, which isn’t the case in the countries I visit.
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So how can you know how I travel and what I hope to find there?
You’ve talked about it quite a bit recently.
Apart from the obligation to dress up to travel, which isn’t the case in the countries I’m targeting.
What you call "dressing up" as a requirement only applies to a handful of states, and even then, it’s less strict than you think.
Georgians are very hard to figure out—somewhere between Orthodox traditions and a more conventional Eastern mindset. The population is much closer to Russia than to Europe, both in spirit and societal habits. Their impossible-to-learn language isolates them, and Russian remains the language of international communication.
The country that’s (was) perhaps the most talked about on this forum.
The United States.
How can one settle there—it’s a mystery?
Personally, between settling in the USA and Georgia, I think I’d still prefer Georgia...
And I’m saying this after spending a few months working in Miami.
Settling in the USA is sink or swim.
If you don’t have two jobs just to get by, if you don’t work like crazy, no one will help you at the slightest existential setback there.
At the risk of quickly becoming a fentanyl-addled zombie in homeless neighborhoods.
But why would you want me to figure out Georgians? I’m not a cop.
and yet, it’s less strict than you think.
Really?
There’s no problem walking around in a knee-length dress and hair blowing in the wind in Iran and Afghanistan (the only countries in question)?
Honestly, the media just makes stuff up—they should hire you instead...
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Oh really?
There’s no problem walking around in a knee-length dress and hair down in Iran and Afghanistan (the only countries in question)? 😮
A knee-length dress—or shorts for men—is pretty inappropriate in a lot of places.
That said, it doesn’t *strictly* cause "problems."
For your hair, in Iran, they’ll say it’s respected about 70% of the time in cities, not 100% everywhere, and often it’s just elegant scarves over the hair.
You’re making a big deal out of two or three countries you wouldn’t even visit, I think.
Moving to the USA is sink or swim.
If you don’t have two jobs just to get by, if you’re not working like a dog, no one will lift a finger to help you if things go south. You risk becoming a fentanyl-addled zombie in homeless neighborhoods fast.
Absolutely.
And more practically, eating well can feel like an obstacle course in some areas. You’ve gotta love junk food... And have the means if you want to eat healthily.
As for housing, it’s often subpar, and insulation? What’s that?
Let’s not even get into the ideology of a growing part of the population or the deep religiosity of many Americans.
You left out racism in your portrait. Between whites (Westerners vs. Latinos), between Black people (long-established vs. "imported"), between every color of the rainbow...
Though, let’s be real, that’s everywhere these days.
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For your hair, in Iran they’ll say it’s respected 70% of the time in cities—not 100% everywhere—and often it’s just elegant scarves over your hair.
You’re making a big deal out of two or three countries you wouldn’t even go to, I think.
Go tell that to Mahsa Amini’s family.
Would you dare?
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For your hair, in Iran they’ll say it’s respected 70% of the time in cities—not 100% everywhere—and often it’s pretty elegant headscarves.
... And pushing the limits of intellectual dishonesty even further. But you’d be wrong not to try it just to see how far decency will hold you back.
The 30%—are you pulling those stats out of your pointy hat?—who wouldn’t respect it do so at the risk of their lives. And some have paid the price.
Have you heard of "Women, Life, Freedom"?
Given some of the connections these past few days, people who’ve been absent are suddenly logging back in.
There must be some kind of trigger. It’s really sad, all this.
« 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
There must have been some kind of triggering event
The email mentioned?
No, look a little further back. I don’t feel like talking about it except in hints.
« 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
Sometimes, given your reactions, I wonder who I’ve really been talking to here for years. Sure, you read the French official press diligently, sure, you hate it when people question the versions it puts out—but still.
Iran is a large state, not a monolithic bloc. There are social classes, a bourgeoisie, an administrative elite, a religious elite, nations, media, and a domestic policy with its own stakes—just like France, for example, which isn’t exactly free from police violence, exploited by both sides.
What happened to this young woman is devastating, but it also needs to be read and reported in context, with motives and surrounding circumstances.
Saying it’s commonplace in Iran—I don’t think that’s fair.
But it did happen, yes.
... And pushing the limits of intellectual dishonesty even further. But you’d be wrong not to try just to see how far decency will stop you.
I’m tired of this way of moralizing at everyone who has a different take on things. It’s a bit too easy—the outraged blame—when it shuts down analysis.
The 30%—did you pull those stats out of your pointy hat?—who don’t comply do so at the risk of their lives. And some have paid the price.
I’ve been to Iran—it was a while ago, admittedly.
More recently, quite a few travel videos, street scenes, in public transport, on YouTube or elsewhere. What I saw makes me think 30%.
Here too, between a rural area and a bourgeois street, it’s not the same story.
There’s no problem walking around in a knee-length dress with your hair down in Iran and Afghanistan (the only countries in question)? 😮
It’s not just in those two countries that it’s an issue.
In most Muslim countries, actually. (And increasingly so, which wasn’t necessarily the case before.)
I’ve never walked around in a knee-length dress in Egypt either, nor in Syria, nor in Jordan...
Iran now:
Even if their situation isn’t enviable, Iranian women have always had the right to drive, study, and work. Saudi women, despite some progress in that area, did they have that possibility a few years ago? The thing is, we demonize some countries and not others...
I went to Iran a few years ago, and the image I got of the country was quite different from the one presented by the media. That same year, I was given the best-selling book *Not Without My Daughter* by Betty Mahmoody. On the cover, there’s a photo of a woman with her face completely covered. That’s a lie. I never saw covered faces in Iran.
But it’s true, the hijab is still mandatory there. And yes, it’s shocking. As a tourist, I couldn’t escape that rule either.
Back then, I had quite a few conversations with women. They were exhausted by the mandatory hijab and the morality police checks.
Afghanistan, I don’t know firsthand. From what I read and hear, it’s hell on earth. And yet, during the decade of the Russian occupation supporting the Afghan communist government against the Islamist Mujahideen rebels, women in Kabul had enjoyed a certain Western-style freedom. They’ve fallen from quite a height since then.
Poor women. 😕
(Just to be clear, I’m not saying I support the Russian political regime... But credit where credit’s due.)
To get back to the topic, Georgia is a beautiful country. I really love Central Asia (even if Georgia isn’t exactly in Central Asia...)
It’s not just in these two countries that it’s a problem.
There are actually a whole bunch of countries where it’s better not to be a woman.
Not necessarily Muslim ones, either. (I’m thinking of India.)
But as far as I know, only two countries kill over a lock of hair.
Even Saudi Arabia no longer forces women to cover their heads.
I’ve never walked around in a knee-length dress in Egypt either, ..., or in Jordan...
I have.
I went to Iran a few years ago, and the image I got of the country was quite different from the one presented by the media.
Yes and no.
Yes, Iranians as a whole aren’t religious fanatics.
They drink, they party, they have mixed-gender relationships...
Basically, they enjoy life and would love to do so openly.
No, the Iranian state isn’t any different from what’s described in the news.
When I mention Iran or Afghanistan, I’m talking about the current regime, not the people in those two unfortunate countries.
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That’s the whole difference between us, Jean Luc; I don’t pass moral judgment on viewpoints that aren’t my own.
Am I the Monsieur Jourdain of morality? I’m simply offering support to a participant stunned by your Prévert-style inventories.
And look at how condescendingly you treat those who oppose you with different viewpoints. But you never doubt your own... moral superiority.
I should refrain from expressing viewpoints, even referenced ones...
Who’s asking you to refrain?
At most, it would be appreciated if you made an effort to drop your specious reasoning. If their repetition were just tiresome, we’d put up with it—even if it’s tough—but too often, your bitterness and victimhood obsessions are an insult to the oppressed (the *real* ones, mind you, those oppressed today by regimes you favor).
As for these “referenced viewpoints,” you’ll find them across all ideologies—so many groups are convinced they hold the truth. Does that make them *universally* valid? That’s what you imply to anyone who doesn’t applaud you, and they end up belittled.
... because they ruffle your feathers?
Did I ever say that? My hair’s as stubborn as your neck is stiff. Though Attila seems to really mess with your style.
Georgia has mostly moved much closer to Russia.
And especially the opposite.
(The problem with propagandists is they can never think against their own certainties.)
Agnès is heading to Central Asia soon—it’ll change her perspective on a lot of things.
In Egypt, I didn’t stroll around in a dress—I wore cropped pants and a tank top, and I regretted it. It was evening in the streets of Cairo. You never think enough about these things.
And yet, during the decade of Russian occupation aimed at supporting the Afghan communist government against the Islamist Mujahideen rebels, women in Kabul were able to enjoy a certain Western-style freedom. They’ve fallen from quite a height since then.
It was the USSR, not Russia, and it was even better for them during the 20 years of American occupation. And now, they’ve fallen from a great height. Just giving credit where it’s due... 😉
(even if Georgia isn’t exactly located in Central Asia...)
Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll add that the project to join the EU and NATO is written into the Georgian constitution.
I’m still seeing, much to my surprise, fewer travel journals, way fewer messages, and way fewer questions.
I don’t see many new members logging in, and I see quite a few connected members who aren’t participating—or aren’t participating anymore.
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 don’t know about?
Where have the old-timers gone, and what are they doing with their time now?
What’s really going on?
« 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
No joke?
Come on, come on.
I left Georgia on August 8, 2008, on a Turkish coach, half an hour before the Russian missiles hit Gori. The people I left behind hated Mr. Saakashvili and the Americans in Hummers parading on the hills of Tbilisi and buying up villas and land.
I even ran into B. Ivanishvili once in a while.
Those same people have been marching in recent weeks for the country’s EU membership, waving European flags, even though back then they completely rejected the idea, mocking their "orientality."
So much for grand principles and moral lessons...
I don’t know why I seem to irritate you so much, Agnès, Laurence, one or two others, and yourself, but I’m waiting for your experiences and arguments—yet they never come.
As a former member—I’m not necessarily representative of the group, though 😛—I read but don’t always feel like participating. I often sigh and roll my eyes, and not just in this discussion.
Travel journals poured in as soon as the site reopened, but most were reposted from other forums.
The photo contest is on life support.
I wanted to ask questions about Istanbul but found answers right away on the GDR.
In quite a few discussions, there’s a lot of "insider" talk.
Something escapes me because, in my opinion, VF is still attractive, and I don’t see which other sites could compete.
You’re right. And yet, the one created by former VF members is doing really well. Fewer people, but more activity.
Was there a real break between pre- and post-Covid?
Yes, or rather, between before and after VF reopened.
Does it just take more time for some to discover the site or learn it’s active again?
I think after 6 months, the deal is sealed.
Do people now prefer a form of quick consumption on sites like FB or others I don’t know?
Who are "people"? Not me, that’s for sure.
Where did the old-timers go, and what are they doing with their time now?
The Georgian constitution, which provides for joining the EU and NATO, dates back to 1995.
I don’t know what it is about me that irritates you so much, Agnès, Laurence, one or two others, and yourselfs, but I’m still waiting for your experiences and arguments—yet they never come.
Perhaps you should try reading without preconceptions.
Alright, you read the French official press diligently, alright, you hate it when people question the versions it puts out, but still.
We’ve told you before: there’s no such thing as the "French official press." That only exists in the imagination of conspiracy theorists. If you’d like, I can put together a selection for you tomorrow on the same topic from *L'Humanité*, *La Croix*, *Le Figaro*, *Le Monde*, *L'Opinion*, *Les Échos*, *Libération*, etc.
You’ll see there’s just as much difference between them as there is between you and me.
I’m struggling to copy the Kola method—post a message and then disappear.🙂
There isn’t, and never has been, a Kola method.
Maybe just a passing weariness with certain overbearing presences, and definitely other priorities… rather than the obsessive goal of having the last word.🙂
Yes, Iranians as a whole aren’t religious fanatics.
They drink, they party, they have mixed-gender relationships...
In short, they enjoy life and would love to do so openly.
This is especially true in big cities.
Drinking is still pretty tricky, but it does happen sometimes—just in secret, of course.😉
We never managed to find any when we were there. Back then, the only thing available was "Islamic beer," which has no alcohol at all. You’ve gotta really like it...
You’ve probably heard this before: the "official French press" doesn’t exist.
You might want to be a bit more nuanced, though, because we’re seeing a well-orchestrated consensus in French public opinion—a result of this non-pluralistic press. For example, today it’s clearly "Trump is evil," yesterday it was "Putin is evil," and before that it was "Zelensky, the brave captain" or "Raoult, the conspiracy theorist." The timing is perfect: you go to social gatherings, and you’re served the day’s talking points on who’s the "good guy" or the "bad guy." As for the arguments? They’re simplistic, nonexistent, or just plain wrong.
Yet the "conspiracy" is based on the fact that the press is state-subsidized—even *L’Humanité*—so you can’t bite the hand that feeds you. The media is in the hands of a few billionaires, with all the consequences you can imagine for newsrooms. There’s no major opposition newspaper left. The press has far fewer journalists than it used to, which is why it often just regurgitates AFP dispatches.
With your usual talent, I trust you to gather articles on the same topic from different newspapers. As for me, given my laziness, I could point out topics that don’t appear in the mainstream written or broadcast media. Is that a consensus too? I’m thinking of a serious issue with major implications that the whole world is talking about—but it’s completely absent from national news outlets. Radio silence, as they say.
That’s why I feed my conspiratorial appetite with all the alternative channels online. But I’m a glutton for punishment, so I still enjoy LCI for the spectacle (especially Nivat’s outfits) and to know what the ideological "ready-to-wear" of the moment is.
I’ve never been to Iran (see: mandatory disguise).
I could’ve looked the other way at one point because the mullahs’ madness seemed to be giving way to modern desires.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and things quickly reverted to normal.
My ex went to Iran. He liked it.
He drank alcohol. It was the vehicle’s driver who organized (and offered...) that forbidden moment.
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If I follow your reasoning, the press is under government orders.
So why this? (It’s just one example among many.)
Would this kind of article be accepted by Putin in his country?
By the mullahs in Iran?
By the dictator ruling North Korea?
I don’t think so...
And then you write yourself that you find media with dissenting voices.
So there are necessarily multiple opinions accessible to everyone.
Finally, if Putin is described as a monster, and if that’s the truth, it’s normal for it to be stated everywhere.
No serious journalist would claim the opposite of what they believe just because others think the same way.
That’s absurd.
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People are completely unaware of how mass manipulation methods have progressed over the last 70 years.
The media are honest and always tell the truth, I swear it to you straight up and with my boots on 🤪
« 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
If I follow your reasoning, the press is under government orders.
No, it's more nuanced than that, and I think that's precisely what you're missing—the nuance. Subsidized "opposition" media know how far they can go without being under orders.
So why this? (It’s one example among many.)
This article is an example of what’s still tolerable.
Would this kind of article be accepted by Putin in his country?
By the mullahs in Iran?
By the dictator ruling North Korea?
Of course not; but beware of the phrase: "comparison is not reasoning."
I don’t think so...
And then you write that you find media with dissenting voices.
Yes, on the internet, there are plenty—thankfully, otherwise it would be stifling.
So there are necessarily multiple opinions accessible to everyone.
Yes, for those with internet access.
Finally, if Putin is described as an ogre, and if that’s the truth, it’s normal for it to be stated everywhere.
If Putin *were* an ogre, it would be normal to denounce him; but *is* he an ogre?
No serious journalist would proclaim the opposite of what they think just because others think the same way.
That’s absurd.
I didn’t understand that last sentence. I think editorial pressure on journalists is very strong.
I wanted to say that no one’s gonna write the opposite of what they think just because everyone else thinks the same way.
Example:
The whole forum writes 2+2=4.
A newcomer arrives.
They think 2+2=4.
They’re not gonna post 2+2=5 on the forum just because everyone else wrote 2+2=4—even if they feel like being contrary or don’t wanna look like they’re following the crowd...
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For example, today it's clearly "Trump is evil," yesterday it was "Putin is evil," the day before it was "Zelensky, brave captain" or "Raoult, conspiracy theorist." The timing is perfect—you go to meeting places where they serve you the phrase of the moment about the "good guy" or the "bad guy" of the day. As for the arguments, they're simplistic, absent, or just plain wrong.
I don’t know which press would take its readers for idiots (that does exist, but it’s another topic), nor which meeting places you frequent, nor who this they is serving you such... basic statements (euphemism). But it’s easy—yes, easy—to look elsewhere.
Far from the caricature presented, if you’re willing and able to spend a little time—perhaps at the expense of time lost here tilting at windmills—if you’re a bit curious, cross-check information, aren’t put off by length or the sometimes dense erudition of articles that analyze the substance without ideology, and don’t shy away from less conventional sources—like the internet—it seems possible to form an informed opinion without giving in to the trend of the moment: picking a side.
I could point out topics that don’t appear in the written or audiovisual press. Is that a consensus too? I’m thinking in particular of a serious issue with major implications that the whole world is talking about but is completely absent from national media. Radio silence, as they say.
You’ve piqued my curiosity—will you shed some light on this?
I don’t know which press—assuming its readers are idiots (that does exist, but that’s another topic)—or what meeting places you frequent, nor who this "they" is that feeds you such... basic assertions (euphemism), but it’s easy, really, to look elsewhere.
Meeting places: these are my friends, acquaintances, or conversations with shopkeepers. Readers aren’t idiots, but they’re incredibly easy to manipulate if we go by the results. I don’t trust print media or mainstream outlets at all.
I confirm the current trend: it’s "Trump is evil"; Putin has dropped off the radar for now. What’s your experience?
Far from the caricature presented, but if you’re willing and able to spend a little time—perhaps at the expense of time lost here tilting at windmills—if you’re a bit curious, cross-check information, aren’t put off by length or the sometimes dense erudition of articles that analyze the core without ideology, and don’t shy away from less conventional sources—internet and others—it seems possible to form an informed opinion without giving in to the current trend of picking a side.
I confirm that by taking the time, it’s possible to form an opinion from open sources, carefully cross-checking information or trusting reliable sites, or reading essays on a given topic. That way, you avoid basic propaganda or LCI.
"I could point out topics that don’t appear in print or broadcast media. Is that a consensus too? I’m thinking in particular of a serious issue with major implications that the whole world is talking about but is completely absent from national news and airwaves. Radio silence, as they say."
You’ve piqued my curiosity—will you shed some light on it?
Sorry for not saying more; it’s a topic that will eventually come out. Alternative media are covering it. We’re not going to flood this travel forum with comments on such a trivial subject.
All I know is that you have a regrettable tendency to use inclusive writing, even though the Académie française has dismissed it for excellent reasons. That said, it probably doesn’t stop you from being a great traveler. Most participants on this forum are likely good-natured and pleasant to meet while traveling—let’s not forget that.
Holding a grudge against someone isn’t good; it doesn’t make the person involved any better.
« 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
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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)"
J'ai gardé comme habitude, de me moucher à l'évier, et de me laver ensuite les mains, coutume ramenée d'Inde, parfois, ca choque certains non voyageurs quand je suis prise en flagrand délit...
Aussi, quand je tombe en panne de pq, ca ne me dérange pas, sauf si j'ai de la visite... 🤪
Maintenant je reviens d'avoir baladé le chien (d'un copain en vacance), portant djellabah et bottine tibétaine... 😏😏😏 Ah pour sur si j'avais croisé des locaux, sans doute aurais je choqué?😏
Enfin, tant que je ne suis pas à cracher par terre au resto et à m'accroupir sur le bord d'une autoroute bouteille d'eau en main...
Et vous, vous ramenez des coutumes au pays?
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.
en parcourant le forum pour glaner des infos pour mon prochain voyage en thailande, je vois souvent les mots "voyageur, grand voyageur" mais aussi "touriste" donc pour vous quelle est la nuance?
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?
Vraiment déçu du Costa Rica ! Pura vida ? L'arnaque du siècle !
( Costa frica pure vide ).
Le pays où les animaux sont en liberté et les hommes en cage .
3 semaines en décembre dans ce pays et bien plus jamais. . Imaginez la bande annonce d'un film qui paraît intéressant, et en allant le voir vous vous apercevez que c'est un ''nanard'' et que les meilleurs moments tenaient dans la bande annonce.
Et bien c'est ce que l'on a ressenti avec le Costa frica pure vide .
Nous avons ma femme et moi pas mal voyagé et nous ne nous attendions pas à nous tromper a ce point.
Dans les grands axes nous avons fait :
Sant José
Alaiela
Limon cahuita Porto viejo manzalino ( côté caraïbe)
Jaco quepos manuel Antonio ( côté Pacific)
Et d'autres courts passages dans les villes intermédiaires.
Notre mécontentement c'est fait crescendo de la sorte:
Arrivés à l'hôtel le taxi nous dépose dans une petite rue devant un portail métallique blanc avec les fenêtres du RDC entravé par des barreaux. Nous le regardons dubitatif mais l'enseigne correspondait .
Il s'approche du portail appuie sur la sonnette le buzzer retentit et la porte s'entrouvre .Hôtel pas trop mal pour le prix , à 10 minutes à pied du centre ville, mais avec effet " Fleury merogis" garantie.
Jusqu'ici tout va bien .
Après la douche et après avoir repris nos esprits, nous partons faire un tour au centre ville.
Ce qui a commencé à nous interpeller sur le trajet c'est de voir quelques maisons avec barreaux aux fenêtres au RDC et même au premier étage.
Sur le coup nous nous sommes dit que le quartier de l'hôtel ne devait pas être trop top .
Le centre ville de san José :
C'est une ville quelconque pas dépaysante avec une rue piétonne et un petit mercado où vous pourrez manger local sans artifice. Très peu de touriste pour ne pas dire pas du tout ce qui vous permettra de vous noyer dans la population . Nous déjeunons et avons des difficultés à nous faire comprendre car hormis un ou deux magasins l'anglais n'est pas parlé.
Sur le trajet du retour à l'hôtel nous empruntons un autre chemin et en papotant et flânant ma femme me fait remarquer une belle maison blanche à étage complètement barricadé façon fort Nox.
Dès cet Instant on s'est mis a regarder les façades des maisons et des immeubles et lá , glauque de chez glauque, la plupart des façades ressemblent à des prisons avec barbelés pour certaines.
Bien que refroidi nous nous sommes dit que c'était peut être l'effet grande ville et que tout le pays ne devait pas être comme ça .
Jusqu'ici tout va bien.
On se pose un peut a l'hôtel on prend un verre au bar de celui ci. La nuit tombe tôt vers 17h30 . Sur les coups de 19h30 on repart pour le centre pour dîner . Un peu flippant le soir pour une capitale, le centre était quasi désert et hormis les chaines de fast food , trés peu de restos ouverts et pas grand monde dans les rues .
Des bars avec agent de sécurité devant .
Je ne dirai pas ce soir là que nous nous sommes senti en insécurité mais la nuit tombée on s'est dit que les barreaux aux fenêtres n'étaient pas la pour rien . Premier jour sur place un peu mitigé.
Le lendemain journée ville et environ , et sentiments inchangés .
Jusqu'ici tout va bien.
Direction cahuita par bus ,4 h de trajet
Paysages très vert , mais vite lassant la route longe la forêt et traverse quelques villes où villages et à la campagne aussi autant de maisons prisons .
Le bus nous dépose à la station terminus de cahuita, nous sommes 4 a descendre . C'est un village, que dis-je un bourg , c'est simple cahuita c'est une ligne droite et une perpendiculaire et franchement la le doute commençait à s'installer sur nos visages . Quelques restos qui appliquent 13 % de taxes et 10 % de service soit 23% .on pose les affaires a l'hôtel , et on part visiter ce lieu . En 20 minutes on en fait le tour , on déjeune et devions aller jeter un œil a ce fameux parc .
L'entrée est sur donation , enfin l'entrée c'est comique , il y a un chemin en bord de forêt qui longe la mer et voilà le tour et joué.
Jusqu'ici rien ne va plus .
Là on s'est dit que c'était une belle fumisterie mais n'ayant pas été très loin nous décidons de revenir demain pour approfondir.
On rentre a l'hôtel , on se pose, et sur les coups de 20h00 on sort dîner . Et bien , 2 restos ouverts et rues désertes .
Flippant !
Le lendemain on approfondit la visite du Pseudo parc et là vraiment on a compris.
Chemin qui longe la forêt en longeant la mer , 2h de parcours aller et idem retour où vous croisez les animaux qui veulent bien montrer leur museaux
Une belle connerie " tout ça pour ça "
Plage avec plein de morceaux de bois et de cadavres de noix de coco . on s'est demandé si les photos sur le net n'étaient pas retouchées , car la mer trés agitée n'est pas du tout bleue azur
Mais oser appeler ça un parc c'est comique et ressemble à un nouveau concept..
Quand on repense aux avis émis sur le net , on a commencé à se dire que des professionnels ayant des intérêts dans ce pays épiés et contrecarrer tous avis qui risquerait de nuire a leur business.
Dommage que nous n'avons pas pensé a regarder les avis négatifs avant , nous l'avons fait pendant et je dois dire que cela nous bien aidé, car nous nous sommes demandé si nous n'étions pas devenu trop exigeant grâce où a cause nos nombreux voyages, mais non quand c'est pourri c'est pourri .
le parc de manzalino est encore plus comique il y a un début de chemin qui longe la mer mais que sur 500 mètres et ensuite plus rien vous devez escalader dans la boue et vous frayer un passage dans la foret . nous avons fini pieds nues car la boue nous arrivé aux mi- mollets . tout ca pour croiser un raton laveur et un survol de perroquets
On s'attendait pas a voir l'Arche de Noé mais on a vu plus d'animaux a bali au Mexique en thailande en allant voir les temples ou en baladant que dans ces soi disant parcs !
puerto vierjo non loin de cahuita et apparemment plus vivant et bien oui ça pouvait pas être pire !
sur le lonely planet il était question d'ambiance caribéenne et de soirées endiablées et bien peut etre que cette époque a eu bien lieu mais ce n est plus le cas et le très bon son reggae diffusé un peu partout n'y suffit pas .
le soir a puerto viejo un peu plus vivant que cahuita mais ça c'est pas difficile ; pas enormément de touristes voir trés peu, pas de marché de nuit mais 2 à 3 boutiques ouvertes avec leurs t shirts à 20 dollars et même constat qu' a san jose.
Pas grave on a profité de la plage et du soleil qui lui était fidèle au rendez vous.Notre programme devait inclure le parc de tortuguero mais après avoir échangé avec d'autres touristes qui en revenaient nous nous sommes ravisés sachant que nous devions faire côté pacifique le parc de manuel Antonio.
Pour repartir côté pacifique vous êtes obligés de reprendre le bus et passer par sans José . 5 h cette fois ci et ensuite il faut changer de terminal de bus et c'est reparti pour 4h30 pour arriver à quepos .
Ville étape qui permet de se rendre a manuel antonio plage et parc !
ville à l'image de ce que nous avons pu voir jusqu'à present c'est à dire : qui se dérsertifie dés le
coucher du soleil sachant que la journée il n y a pas foule ! ( mais ou sont les touristes ?, )
toujours autant de barreaux aux fenêtres et cette sensation de s'être trompé d endroit
7 km plus loin ; manuel antonio plage et parc
la plage est très belle et assez vaste mais ne vous attendez pas à avoir une mer bleue turquoise car les vagues font remonter le sable en surface et donnent une couleur marron a l'eau ;
le long de la plage boutiques et restos sur 300 mètres et plus rien ; quand au soir après le coucher du soleil la ville se couche aussi .
parc de manuel antonio assez vanté pour la richesse de sa faune nous l'attendions de pieds ferme car quand vous exprimez votre mécontentement concernant les parcs de cahuitat et manzalino , la mode est de vous dire
''mais non il faut faire le parc de monteverde ou manuel antonio '' en fait quoi que vous fassiez ou disiez on vous dira '' mais tu aurais dû aller là bas ou ici
revenons à notre fameux parc ; entrée 16 dollars de mémoire et contrairement à ce que l'on a pu nous dire on ne s'y bouscule pas !
des guides a l entrée équipés de longue vue vous proposent leurs services moyennant une trentaine de dollars
le parc ; un chemin planchéié ou pas dans la forêt qui longe par moment de magnifiques criques et plages .
Dès notre entrée dans le parc , un attroupement qui prenait en photo une biche qui mangeait des feuilles,
un peu plus loin un guide accompagné d'un groupe de 5 personnes marquent l'arrêt, le guide vient de lever le bras et pose sa longue vue ! il leur montre à un centaine de mètres niché sur une branche : un colibri mais oui vous avez bien entendu un colibri! certains en regardant à travers la longue vue s'exclamaient:" oh my good ! amazing ! incredible"
on a cru un moment qu'ils avaient découvert une licorne ou qu'ils étaient à jurassic park et qu'ils venaient de croiser la route d un tyranosor rex !
le concept est comique; regarder un oiseau ou un autre animal à travers une longue vue ! car trop loin ! idem qu'à la télé non ?
pour notre part on a croisés des singes , des fourmis, un tatou, un iguane et le cul d un paresseux qui montait à l'arbre ! amazing incredible !
nous sommes restés quelques jours à manuel antonio pour profiter de la plage en changeant souvent d'hôtel car les prix variés du simple au double du jour au lendemain pour des prestations honteuses ; en plus ils vous annoncent un prix en dollars pour le convertir à leur guise ! des voleurs!.
Alajuela ville proche de l'aéroport avec un mall sur deux étages et marché local au centre ville ! sans interêt si ce n'est la proximité avec l'aéroport !
Ce que nous avons appreciés :
Le climat et la ville de san jose qui avec le recul est la ville la plus authentique que nous avons traversés .
Ce que nous n'avons pas appreçiés en plus de ce que nous venons de citer :
Les costaricains qui ne sont pas très avenants ni communicants , l' anglais qui n' est pratiquement pas parlé , même pas par les medecins de l'hôpital de Quepos où ma femme victime d'une intoxication alimentaire y ait passé, ( merci Google translate) , l'obésité omniprésente des Costaricains qui s'alimentent à l'Américaine, l'insécurité, les bobos ecolos qui quittent leur lodge à 150 dollars en mini-van avec guide pour visiter les parcs et autres sites puis reviennent se barricader dans leur forteresse la nuit tomb��e (oh my god amazing incredible), le panneau bleu à l'entrée des villes qui acceptent ce mode de paiement ; "acceptamos american express" les parkings devenus payants par la seule présence d'un gars qui surveille vos voitures , les prix affichés en dollars , le coût de la vie (hotels rerstos taxes ), les paysages trop verts et pas assez fleuris , les plages rien d exceptionnelles , la pollution dans les villes où les gros camions trucks américain sont rois , les eaux usées rejetées directement à la mer . Hormis la jungle il n'y à rien a visiter, aucun vestiges , ruines , monuments , digne de ce nom .
Bref , nous pensons ma femme et moi que la publicité faite pour ce pays soi disant ecolo est surfaite , mais que c est un peu le pays à la mode du moment ! Il y a beaucoup mieux , moins cher , et plus authentique .
Avec le recul nous gardons que les bons moments et nos belles photos , mais si c'était à refaire .............
Avant de vous quitter petit message à tous ceux qui n'aiment pas que l'on puisse avoir un avis divergent du leurs :
Et bien certaines choses ne se discutent pas , et á ceux qui voudraient nous faire croire qu'en 3 semaines on n'a pas le droit de critiquer un pays ou d exprimer un ressenti , et bien comment pouvez vous l'encencer en si peu de temps. Belle supercherie, Costa frica pompe à fric , pura vida , pure vide sidéral.
Si vous aimez passer vos soirées barricadé dans votre douillé hôtel le soir tombé , et bien ce pays est pour vous .
Pour les autres : fuyezzzzzzzzz !
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 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?
Il y a quelque années, j'étais parti avec un groupe d'amis donner un coup de main dans une petite école rurale à côté de Thiès, au Sénégal.
Ambiance détendue mais travailleuse, avec les mains dans le mortier, la rigolade, les échanges, et tout ce qu'une COOPERATION peut engendrer.
Aujourd'hui, le petit projet vole de ses propres ailes.
Voulant profiter des richesses du Sénégal, on est parti faire un peu de tourisme dans le Siné Saloum. Une fille de notre groupe est tombée malade (crise de paludisme) et on a décider de l'emener voir un médecin dans un grand complexe touristique juste à coté. Malgré son état, il a fallu montrer patte blanche (si j'ose dire) pour entrer. Elle a été soignée et va bien depuis.
Cette "étape" dans ce centre style Club Méditerranée à la sauce teutonne, ressemblant au Grau du Roy en plus chic à été pour nous une vision d'horreur : Piscines, immenses bassins artificiels teintés de bleu, de rose ou de vert (!!!!), animateur hurlant autour d'un concours de teeshirt mouillés ou d'escalade de cocotiers, et toubabs rotis, ou rosés.
L'ensemble de l'hotel était ceinturé d'un immense mur derrière lequel s'était constitué un petit bidonville de marchands de souvenirs digne des derniers faubourgs de Dakar
En repartant, on a vu un minibus de clients de retour "d'excursion", avec masques, tissus et djembés - Souvenirs d'Afrique ?
Ce sera peut être le leur ?
Quel sera l'impression des gamins agglutinés devant les grilles de l'hotel ?
Quel sera l'impression des serveurs noirs en "costumes traditionnels africains", servant à tour de bras cocktails et glaces ?
Pour moi, qui ai connu l'Afrique très jeune, et dans la brousse, cela reste une vision d'horreur, gravée en moi.
Sur V.F. ce genre de vacances ne semble pas être le lot commun des internautes, et c'est bien la raison de mon inscription.
Avez vous aussi connu ce genre de voyage intersidéral ?
Comprennez vous les martiens ?
Leurs motivations sont elles pacifistes ?
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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