I’ve heard this phrase originated from Emperor Vespasian, in response to criticism about his initiative to charge for access to public toilets—toilets that still bore his name in France for a long time.
Definition: "A *vespasienne* is a public urinal for men, placed on sidewalks or in public areas like parks."
I didn’t bother looking for cards with no withdrawal fees; they all charge around 2% for payments and the same for withdrawals outside the eurozone.
I’m fine with that.
What kind of cards do you have? With what benefits, at least international withdrawals?
Michel
We all agree you’re paying to access your own money, right? 😄
We all agree that you pay to get your own money, right? 😅
Hi, I’m not sure I understand this statement.
Yes, it’s true you pay to get money unless you steal it from someone 😉
Hey, you’re right that you didn’t get it—though it’s simple
You pay to access the money in your account (your own money) outside your bank’s ATM network in France because even with a card that has no withdrawal or payment fees, you still pay fees inherent to foreign ATMs (whereas it’s free at the counter).
And as mentioned here and there, with cash, you often get discounts you’d never get with a card.
After that, if you’re like Attila and don’t exactly say which card you have with Fortuneo, we won’t know what you’re paying to get your money drop by drop, as is often the case with online banks.
It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do whatever you want with it, so yeah
Again, why wouldn’t you be able to do what you want with your own money?
Sure, in France—unless you’re making under-the-table purchases—you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can always withdraw everything from your account at any time in cash. If the amount is significant, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the questionnaire (personally, I always answer: "living without paying with my bank card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏
I remember not too long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € every week in 200 € bills to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?"
My answer left her stunned, I think. "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll turn to you because as of today, you’re the only person who knows about it." 😄
Once again, why couldn’t you do what you want with your money?
Let’s not get too heated... Mirandamouse meant that the money you deposit in your current account doesn’t *really* belong to you because the bank puts it to work—meaning it passes through other hands.
What’s a bank’s business? Managing deposit accounts for individuals and businesses, granting loans, and so on...
So money circulates within the financial system.
That said, if you want to withdraw 100 € as long as your account isn’t overdrawn, well, you can withdraw 100 € however you like.
I remember not so long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € every week in 200 € bills to keep it flat
What were you doing with that much cash on you? Heading straight to the casino to blow it all? 😛
Once again, why couldn't you do what you want with your money?
Don’t get so worked up... Mirandamouse meant that the money you deposit in your current account doesn’t really belong to you because the bank puts it to work—meaning it passes through other hands.
What’s a bank’s business? Managing deposit accounts for individuals and businesses, granting loans, etc...
So money circulates within the financial system.
That said, if you want to withdraw 100 euros, as long as your account isn’t overdrawn, you can withdraw 100 euros however you like.
I know the internet distorts everything for people who already distort everything themselves 🤪
But saying I’m overreacting when all I’m doing is asking the same question for the 10th time and getting answers that miss the point entirely 🤪
And otherwise, banks putting your money to work is their job, but it still belongs to you since you can take it all back (though it’s tough explaining this to people who don’t quite get it) 😄
It’s a bit tough explaining to people who don’t understand much anyway 😅
Hey, let’s not take the members of this forum for idiots either, or I’ll have to report this to the mods.
I’ll gladly copy that one 😏
And otherwise, before you report me (why, who knows?), since I do respect this forum’s rules and even provide some explanations about how banks work)
I invite you to reread your previous messages—maybe then you’ll understand why I said you didn’t get much 🤪
Cheers!!!
And otherwise, before reporting me (why?? who knows), since I respect this forum's charter and even provide some explanations about how banks work)
First, I didn’t use *tu* with you, and second, all you do is insult other people on this forum.
Please copy-paste any visible insult I’ve made on this forum, except for regional terms that might not be understood by people from other areas (mine being the Sooooouth ).
I simply replied that you didn’t understand much because you wrote earlier that you didn’t get it (read your own post)—is that an insult or just an observation??
Then, nothing new when someone lacks arguments but threatens to report to the mods.
And as usual, the whole *tu* vs. *vous* thing (even though using *tu* is the basic rule in forums for a friendlier vibe).
Please accept my apologies for being a bit too familiar by using *tu* with you. Whether you forgive me or not, just know it won’t happen again.
Best regards
You’ve got to shop around and play the competition.
It’s totally possible to pay nothing for basic services, as mentioned over and over again in this thread.
Some influencers are way bigger scammers than bankers with their dishonest investment advice.
Scammers too.
You can also throw in some travel-world players—agencies and Instagrammers alike.
After that, some people are just looking for a scam. The wake-up call is rough...
Anyway, I think the word "scam" is overused, especially in France where no one ever wants to pay for anything.
Hi Attila, how’s your kitty of the same name doing?
As you recommended, I went through 21 pages—what a job! 😏—looking for your messages where you hint at the bank card you use with Fortunéo without actually naming it (which forces me to check the general and specific terms for each card) to see what users really pay. Since you only mentioned that 20 € in fees weren’t an issue for you without saying how often you’re charged those 20 €, I’m trying to figure out if this online bank is worth it before checking user reviews.
Take care!
Agnès, even if you’re giving me the cold shoulder, I still want to clarify things so there’s no confusion.
I never said I was right to pay everything in cash except for my online purchases.
I’ve always wanted to know the advantages of paying or withdrawing with bank cards.
I won’t find out from you since you refuse to tell me the specific Fortuneo card you use (and that’s a real shame on a forum where exchanges can be super helpful).
So far, based on my extensive research (aside from private banks for the ultra-rich), the rest proves me right given the hidden or not-so-hidden fees.
I recently did a test—I have an account at La Banque Postale, which doesn’t have its own ATMs in my area. I made more than 3 withdrawals without fees at Crédit Agricole (the only ATM around), and boom—I was charged for those withdrawals.
So I continue to make large withdrawals ordered at my bank’s counter, which forces me to have an account at another bank that has safes I rent for next to nothing per year to store my cash in case my original bank goes bankrupt and only reimburses me up to the legal limit of 100,000 € (and I’d lose the rest). Or in case ATMs are all blocked during a war, for example.
Last thing: If I withdraw 20,000, 40,000, or 80,000 € or more in cash from my bank, just so twisted minds don’t think it’s dirty money or fraud, you should know that these sums come from my account, from my savings declared when they were deposited by my employers or life insurance providers, and part of the inheritance my parents left me when they passed away too soon (so this sum comes from my notary and was officially recorded at the time). That’s for those who watch too many movies or make up other people’s lives. 😄
If I did skim it like you say (which is possible, given how many messages there were), since we’re on a friendly exchange forum, would you be kind enough to share the name of the card you use with Fortuneo—either publicly or privately? I’m sure it’d be helpful to plenty of other members besides me too. 😁
So, since we're on a friendly exchange forum, would you be kind enough to share—publicly or privately—the name of the card you use with Fortuneo??
With you, I won’t know since you refuse to tell me which specific Fortuneo card you have.
Then if you’re acting like Attila, who won’t say exactly which card she has with Fortuneo,
That link is very informative—we learn you’re a woman who once changed her male username. That your bank card is Fortuneo, but you don’t specify which one.
Thanks for telling us the name of that card.
Please enlighten the members of this forum by finally telling us which fee-free card you use and which bank it’s from—thank you!!!
Could you clearly state which one(s) are your current bank card(s) that have no withdrawal or payment fees, so everyone here can benefit?
In short, can you finally tell us the name of this (these) card(s)?
I’ve compiled more info.
@Attila
Seriously... can’t you do something?
Attila, do something.
Attila, I’m sure you can answer!
Attila, won’t you make an effort?
Hey there, my favorite detective 😄 (cardboard version) 😉
Since we have to repeat ourselves and take the time to explain things like we’re talking to kids 🤪, over 7 years ago Attila asked the question and wondered why some people (many, in fact) pay for everything in cash during their trips, exaggerating about suitcases full of money (even though large bills exist) 🤪.
I’m asking her to share the name of her bank card with US—something normal in a peer-to-peer forum—so I can finally answer, 7 years later, why we prefer cash given the hidden (or not-so-hidden) fees tied to those cards she uses but won’t admit to. 😉
She refuses, and I know why (oh yes, my dear).
And I’ll take advantage of your follow-up investigation 😏 to add:
I can’t even imagine what would happen in case of war, cyberattacks on banks, or simply a total collapse of France’s electrical system—how will the millions of French people who’ll be scrambling to find working ATMs (with no money left to eat) manage?
And worse, what about all those online banks with no physical branches, most of which are based abroad? How will their customers even eat the day the whole system crashes—whether intentionally by an enemy (which could happen at any moment, be it the Russians, Islamists, etc.) or otherwise?
Let me laugh at the idea that you all live in a fantasy world 😆
Let me laugh at seeing you all live in la-la land 😂
If customs or the police catch you carrying a large sum in cash, you know you can be held in custody for that? And charged with money laundering.
Whether you carry cash or not while traveling is a question that really comes up if you're going to a country with high inflation like Argentina—not the case in European countries.
Let me have a good laugh seeing you all live in la-la land 😄
If customs or the police catch you carrying a large sum in cash, you know you can be held in custody for that? And charged with money laundering.
Whether you carry cash or not while traveling is a question that comes up if you're going to a country with high inflation like Argentina, which isn’t the case for European countries.
Oh really?? I didn’t know that. 😅
I also didn’t know I could carry up to 10,000 € in cash while traveling.
Actually, I don’t know anything 😄, so thank you so much for enlightening me—especially about this supposed money laundering when the money simply comes from my bank account (so it’s traced and completely transparent).
You’re really invaluable to this forum 🙏
It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do whatever you want with it, so yeah
Again, why wouldn’t you be able to do what you want with your own money?
Sure, in France—unless you’re making under-the-table purchases—you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can always withdraw everything from your account in cash at any time. If the amount is significant, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the questionnaire (personally, I always answer: "live without paying with my bank card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏
I remember not too long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € in 200 € bills every week to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?"
My answer left her stunned, I think. "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll turn to you because as of today, you’re the only person who knows about it." 😂
You have to answer questions, so you’re not completely free to do what you want.
You can’t just give it to someone else—you have to declare it and pay taxes. They can ask you questions about a withdrawal, and some banks limit transfers.
It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do whatever you want with it, so yeah.
Again, why couldn’t you do whatever you want with your own money?
Sure, in France, outside of under-the-table purchases, you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can withdraw everything from your account at any time in cash. If the amount is significant, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the questionnaire (personally, I always answer: "live without paying with my debit card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏
I remember not so long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € every week in 200 € bills to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?"
My answer left her stunned, I think. "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll turn to you because, as of today, you’re the only person who knows about it." 😂
You have to answer questions, so you’re not completely free to do what you want.
You can’t just give it to someone else—you have to declare it and pay taxes. They can ask you questions about a withdrawal, and some banks limit transfers.
No, my dear, not *questions* with an S—just one, which I already find intrusive because the bank teller asking me shouldn’t forget she’s paid with *my* money and that of others. It’s true I have that obligation, but it’s my right to tell her I’ll live off that sum without getting fleeced by ATMs and struggling to find the cheapest option. And if I want to give some to someone, who’s going to stop me? You and your somewhat nitpicky replies? As for transfers, I’ve never made any.
It’s crazy how people love to bow down when they’re not even obligated to. Pffffffffff
It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do what you want with it, so yeah
Once again, why couldn’t you do what you want with your own money??
Sure, in France—unless it’s under the table—you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can withdraw everything from your account at any time. If the sum is large, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the form (personally, I always answer: "live without paying with my bank card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏
I remember not too long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 euros every week in 200-euro bills to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?"
My answer left her speechless, I think: "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll come to you because as of today, you’re the only one who knows about it." 😄
You have to answer questions, so you’re not completely free to do what you want.
You can’t just give it to someone else—you have to declare it and pay taxes. They can ask questions about withdrawals, and some banks limit transfers.
No, my dear, not *questions* with an ‘s’—just one, which I already find intrusive because the teller asking me is paid with my money and everyone else’s. Sure, I have that obligation, but it’s my right to tell her I’m using the cash to live without getting fleeced by ATMs or struggling to find the cheapest option. And if I want to give some to someone, who’s going to stop me? You and your nitpicky answers? As for transfers, I’ve never made one.
It’s crazy how people love to bow down when they don’t have to—ugh.
And the worst part is that those who bow down want to force others to do the same, just because it annoys them that we don’t follow their lead. You’re a perfect example. I’ll never accept being a sheep.
After whether to carry cash or not while traveling, the question arises if you're going to a country with high inflation like Argentina
For Argentina, there was the option of wiring money to yourself via Western Union.
But apparently, it's no longer the jackpot it once was.
These kinds of countries are complicated.
Personally, it’s a deterrent for me (on top of the flight ticket cost...).
The only time I was forced to do this was in Myanmar.
Luckily, accommodations had been paid in advance! That saved me from carrying a suitcase of bills...
But the result was that we limited our spending at the start of the trip out of fear we hadn’t taken enough...
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
This obsession with carrying stacks of cash 😏
Did you know that 10,000 € in 200 € bills takes up less than half a centimeter when stashed in an ultra-flat, secure money belt hidden in your underwear?
You who know Colombia...
I walked from San Agustín to Popayán over three long days, passing by the sources of the Magdalena River. Back then, there wasn’t a single road... In San Agustín, they told me the area was full of bandits, so I hid my dollars in plastic bags inside the soles of my shoes—not in a fanny pack! 😏
You who know Colombia...
I walked on foot over three long days from San Agustín to Popayán, passing by the sources of the Magdalena River. At the time, there was no road at all... In San Agustín, they told me the area was full of bandits, so I hid my dollars in plastic bags inside the soles of my shoes—not in a fanny pack! 😏
Hey! Yeah, I spent six years in northern Colombia (the Caribbean side). But I never once visited the tourist spots—my approach is totally different. In Popayán, I only know the *Monumental* bullring. Personally, it’s a fanny pack that blocks bank data theft—I keep it in my underwear and, of course, sleep with it. 😄
In Colombia or anywhere else, I play the "out of sight, out of mind" game with money (I’ve got stacks on me, but no one knows). Of course, I keep a small amount to hand over in case of a robbery, but it’s not a big deal for me—being a former delinquent, I’ve got it under control. I see and sense things, and usually, anyone who might’ve wanted to rob me ends up becoming my buddy.
Otherwise, avoid scopolamine blown in your face or slipped into a drink—don’t let go of your glass or keep your distance when someone’s talking to you, like animals do.
Your shoe idea isn’t bad, but if they’re luxury shoes, you’ll get noticed and come back barefoot since everything gets stolen. 😄
The most common thefts are still foreigners’ and locals’ phones, and people being followed after withdrawing from ATMs.
Last tip: always leave before the end of a concert, festival, local carnival, or anything else—even lie to your Colombian friends, like "I’m gonna pee," but actually bail. 😄
Personally, I trust no one, and when I leave, I always make a (fake) detour while checking my rearview mirror—voilà! 😏
All this gives me a bit of a "feverish" feeling, you know?
« 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
10,000 euros in 200-euro bills is less than half a centimeter thick
A bank card is even thinner...
I'm no longer at (or not yet at...) the diaper stage.
Even less so with 10,000 €.
Anyway, spending 10,000 € on a single trip is something I don’t even consider.
Hey chamelle 😄 (chamelle being an affectionate term where I’m from)
You’re really nitpicking—I’ve never taken 10,000 euros abroad, but for example, 10 million Colombian pesos in 2020 (around 2,000 to 3,000 € for 40-45 days, which is fine).
And for a little story about paying in cash everywhere: I remember a food shop in an airport—I don’t recall where—I bought something like a mixed salad for 15 €. The seller refused cash, so I put the salad back and was about to leave. He called me back: "How much do you have on you?" I said 10 €.
The guy took it 😄, and I ended up eating for less than if I’d paid by card. 🤑
No, Betty, that’s some next-level madness, you know?
« 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
I think you should switch careers to comedy screenwriting.
The scene of a chick walking around Brazil with 20,000 euros would be a hit.
(Though you’ll need to work on your vocabulary...)
I think we should get the cameras ready for the next comedy film the day all ATMs in France are blocked for various reasons—like a cyberattack, an attack on the electrical system, or just a bank collapse (that’ll be wild).
I bet that day, some people will line up at my place to trade my paper bills for whatever goods they offer in exchange (I’m gonna make a killing). 🤑
As for working on my vocabulary, since I left school for good after three months in sixth grade, I know I’ve got work to do, but Uncle Google helps me a lot.
But I’m happy to take advice from forum members, like being less active on this site.
I’m especially thinking of two female pillars here who accuse me of "seeking an audience" when all I do is enjoy conversations—and if there aren’t any, oh well (at least I’ll have written what I think when I felt like it).
These same two people had me laughing when they claimed it’s pathological for me to need views, replies, and engagement—yet they’re all over the forum, their personal sites, their travel journals, and their blogs, and I’m forgetting more. 😄
The log in their own eye—ever heard of that? 😏😏
You’re quite the odd one, so odd that every now and then I get the feeling you’ve mixed up your gender—your written language is so masculine.
You’re a real firebrand, never parting with your lance, and like the Asian hornet (wreaking havoc on our beehives right now), you sting and tear apart anyone who doesn’t share your opinion.
Maybe you could just be a little more peaceful? I promise you—not everyone else is odious and foolish.
Even if I hardly come to the forum anymore, even if it often feels like an unpleasant echo chamber, people here are generally calm, open-minded, a bit sarcastic, and rarely mean.
Don’t wear yourself out replying to me—I’m on the forum too little, and by the time I’m back, plenty of water will have flowed under the Pont du Gard.
Hey, I just respond in the same tone when someone attacks me, and there are topics you deliberately avoid where that isn’t the case.
For the rest, having spent my childhood, adolescence, and job on a ranch practically surrounded by men, it probably affects my language.
And otherwise, as I’ve already said, I’m cool when people are cool with me 😉
That day, it’ll be gold bars we’ll need, not bills...
Not easy to hide in a G-string.
We’ll have to go back to grandma’s bloomers.
Still, there’ll be one good thing—no internet, so no logorrhea...
G-strings aren’t my thing at all, nor are grandma’s bloomers. Between the two, there’s the option of hiding money in your underwear, knowing that individual room safes in hotels can be opened at any time by staff resetting the code.
As for logorrhea, I prefer to call it "exchanges," and for so-called controversial topics, I see them more as contradictory debates, which I find the most enriching—as long as there’s no "aggression" from the start.
Someone on the forum said "my explosive arrival" when talking about me, even though my first post just explained that having been to Cuba after 2021 was a problem for traveling to the U.S. afterward. If the debates got heated, you’d have to see who started it (and stop always blaming me while ignoring others).
You don’t need much to put a euro back in the till.
I’ll let you soliloquize.
Even that’s a lie because I wasn’t soliloquizing—I was responding to your requests to exchange messages with me. And if you think that suddenly switching to *vous* will fool anyone who’s reading (if there’s anyone left), when all our conversations were in *tu*, they can tell when you’re addressing me by quoting my name. 🤪
Since you advised me to work on my vocabulary, it’s my turn to invite you to revisit the definition of *soliloquize* 😏. And maybe share with the group the name of your bank card that’s saving you so much compared to cash (original topic) 😄
Take care!!!
Actually, they’re telling you to stop acting like a show-off—it’s not a great look. Because right now, you’re scaring them off, and you won’t get anything good that way, sweetie. 😛
« 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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Je suis invitée a passer 18 jours au Venezuela chez des amis et j'ai peur. Entre les maladies, les kidnappings, les vols, la pénurie, le régime militair, je…
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.
"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?
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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