Oh wow, it looks amazing in terms of "Environment"!
1-We're getting lazier and lazier
2- Winter in the Vercors always feels a bit long...
A few relaxed hikes and some snorkeling would be perfect... From what I gather, it's not too crowded or polluted...
I guess the fact that it's still a bit tricky to get to—even if it's easier and faster now—must help keep mass tourism at bay. Good thing!
Though I'm not sure my wife would easily pull off your "costume" like in the photo ;) Is a swimsuit allowed?
Personally, I'd be up for it... What's the closest "aérodrome"? Banda Aceh, I assume?
Yes, a flight from Banda Aceh and then less than 2 hours by boat.
I tried out this kind of "outfit" for a trip to India, thinking it would be super uncomfortable, but now I’m a total fan—it’s so comfy (super loose, well-ventilated clothes where I can sit in any position without worrying about showing my underwear 😄).
For bikinis, it’s simple: not recommended in public, but locals don’t go to the beaches 😐. We’d stop at guesthouses to eat and ask if it was a problem. They always said no, and I swam every day without being hassled—guess Sharia isn’t what it used to be 😏! !
Aaaah, I was waiting for you, Agnès! 😄
Yes, I’ve read articles like that before.
But I’m just sharing what I saw and experienced there firsthand.
And honestly, I was really surprised by how independent women were—nothing like what I’d read from my couch!
For the rest, I don’t judge cultures that are so different from mine.
Over there, they flog people; here, we lock humans up for loooong periods just because they weren’t born in the right place!!
Personally, I’d take 100 cane strokes over months of imprisonment (yes, I know they’re called "detention centers"—sounds nicer 😒).
Anyway, if you know of a perfect country, I’m all ears! 😉
I don’t know why, but there are more flows of political or religious refugees heading to Europe than to Indonesia...
Personally, I’d rather not have to deal with religious extremists who don’t like anyone—not even themselves—and who destroy all the world’s beauty because they can’t dominate it.
Sharia isn’t a culture. It’s a form of oppression.
Indonesian Muslim culture used to be a mix of a soft Islam and ancestral traditions.
Now it’s turning into brainless Islamism, imported from the Arabian Peninsula—the most dangerous colonizers that exist.
Like always, Agnès, I’m just sharing what I experienced during the 7 days we spent in the Banda Aceh province.
We were without a guide, I rode a scooter alone several times, and I didn’t come across any "brainless Islamists" (we even had beers every night—enough said 😄).
But I don’t doubt for a second that they exist!
It’s just that the reality on the ground is way more nuanced than the image portrayed of this part of the world.
But if you’ve read or seen it on TV, you probably know more than I do.
But there’s no need to agree or disagree, Agnès.
I’m not saying Islamic extremism doesn’t exist—I’m just saying I didn’t feel it more there than anywhere else, whether in Indonesia or in Casamance, where I just came from. The reality on the ground is far less black-and-white than what we’re told.
And since, for me, being a bit naive is a quality LOL, I’ll pile on with June, the manager of "our" guesthouse "made in Sharia" 😄
Your photos really made me feel it.
That’s why we’ll never agree on the topic of religious pressure.
And if there isn’t any, does that mean all those people being publicly whipped is just theater, something made up?
Would you recommend the destination to a gay couple?
Really Agnès, you’re not reading what I write, and I’m not trying to "sell" you anything 😅.
I’m not in denial about this Islamic extremism—I’m just saying I didn’t see it with my own eyes while I was there, which isn’t the same thing.
And I wouldn’t recommend this destination to overly affectionate couples (gay or straight), women in mini shorts, "vacationers," or... well, I wouldn’t recommend it to many people, actually 😅—except to Djalma and those whose curiosity about difference outweighs their preconceptions
Those last words don’t make any sense at all.
There’s no bias since even you advise against the destination for people who’d want to come as they are.
That just shows there’s an issue.😇
Definition of 'a priori': "based on information prior to experience."
So there are those who’ve read things and will never go there, and those who prefer to see for themselves if the reality on the ground matches what they’ve been told.
So there are those who have read things and will never go there, and there are those who prefer to see for themselves if the reality on the ground matches what they’ve been told.
That’s all I wanted to say.
Yeah, just like in every aspect of life, it’s the experience—the actual lived reality—that really matters.
Besides, strange customs and traditions we might call barbaric aren’t exclusive to any one religion. They exist among peoples we not long ago still labeled as primitive.
With the globalization of lifestyles and modernism, all of that will fade away quickly. We might even celebrate that—if the dark, unhealthy side of religion didn’t drag its vital, luminous energy down into the abyss with it. Hard to explain that to people who only rely on their brains and rational intelligence to understand life.
Some travel just to see beautiful landscapes and take nice photos… and to enjoy a drink on a terrace with a view. The local population, with their religion, festivals, and customs? If they didn’t exist—or if we could avoid them—it’d be ideal. I once heard someone say: Corsica would be so beautiful… without the Corsicans!
There are those who prefer not to fund extremism, and those who prefer to think about the people who don’t have the choice to live their lives as they’d like where they live.
Besides, you haven’t convinced me that what’s written in various newspapers I’ve read on sites like Amnesty International, or the testimonies of people living there, isn’t reality. My own experience in Indonesia also tips the scales. 🙂
I think we’ve covered the topic thoroughly—we won’t convince each other.
Still, our exchange will have the benefit of showing readers of this thread the different sides of this Potemkin village that is Pulau Weh.
This case isn’t unique, by the way.
To attract tourists and their money, a few exceptions to the dictatorial program are always welcome.
(I felt like I was interning at LFi—it was pretty funny. 😄)
Ah, thanks Jean Michel—I thought I’d lost my French, but you totally got what I meant! 😉
The upside of a destination like this, beyond being wild and untouched, is that the few other tourists you meet "speak the same language" as us: they’re more about curiosity and understanding what they see than judging it.
But I’m kinda glad Islam is so demonized in France (even though it’s so diverse) because right now, it’s the only thing keeping mass tourism out of these stunning places.
Just got back from Gambia/Casamance, where I spent a few days hanging out with "Muslim Rastas" (that’s how they describe themselves!).
Sure, they don’t drink alcohol... but man, do they smoke marijuana! 😂 !
Living among a population, sharing good times with the people you meet, and approving of a country's politics or religious rules are two very different things in my eyes. If we had to take those factors into account, we'd never go anywhere. In the US—a civilized country—death row inmates wait in prison for 15 years for their execution, which is constantly postponed... they also execute the mentally ill and minors...
Between going to Pulau Weh or an all-inclusive in the Maldives, my choice is quick... yet the rules governing those two places are quite similar.
The fear of being arrested, kidnapped, or falling victim to a terrorist attack—I get it... I now avoid certain countries I visited without worry when I was younger.
Will you tell us about Senegal? When you mention the rastas, one country comes to mind: Belize]😉
Yeah, that’s right, same here Jean Michel.
To be honest, I’d planned to tell you all about Sumatra, but given the vibe, I’ll hold off 😅.
Casamance might go down better, though—with its Islam that’s pretty tolerant of drugs and prostitution 😏.
(Belize has already caught my eye, but we’ve never taken the plunge!)
Hi there, I m really sorry if this question has already been asked several times I ve been scouring blogs, forums, and various sites for a while now, but I…
Hello everyone! In early July, we re heading to Indonesia for a solid three weeks as a family (my partner and I are in our fifties, and we have two daughters…
I’m planning to go to Koh Lipe.
Do you know a good site to book a boat ticket from Phuket?
And if you’ve visited any nice islands around Koh Lipe, I’d love to hear about them.
I’d like to go diving.
Thanks
Hi,
We're heading out at the end of the year to join family in Cebu. We're planning to spend a week in the area but are struggling to choose between these 3 islands... Ideally, we'd like to have 2 bases to explore two of them. Have any of you visited all three, and which would you recommend? We're into snorkeling, beautiful excursions, and would also love to connect with locals. And ideally, do all that without too much logistical hassle 😅
Thanks for your experiences/tips!
I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of markets. No matter where I go, in every country or city I visit, I won’t leave without having seen one. I’m mostly talking about food markets. I love the smells, the colors, and watching people from all walks of life stroll around. It’s like a mirror of a country’s culture, and I love soaking it all in.
Thai markets are particularly appealing to me. In my province, there are so many. Maybe more than elsewhere—I’m not sure—but every day, you can find a "Talat Nat." These are traveling markets that set up in specific places on specific days. They only stay open for a few hours. Some attract more shoppers than others because they have more stalls and a wider variety of products. Sometimes, they’re set up in pretty unusual spots: temples, roadside, even on train tracks...
On top of these, there are also markets in the city that stay open all day.
I’d love for you to share your photos of markets, local product stalls, and why not, let’s talk about gastronomy and cuisine too!
I’ll start with my favorite market—it’s 8 kilometers from my place and happens every Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM. I never miss a Tuesday unless there’s a downpour... 😉 It’s located in the countryside, in a village famous for its coffee (ThamSing), and inside the grounds of a slightly unusual temple. It’s easy to get to—over the past 10 years, the roads have been paved, which wasn’t the case before and made the trip a bit risky when it rained...
In the first two photos, you’ll see the temple courtyard on a normal day, without the market.
Hi, I’ve read that these two volcanoes are super popular and that there are *tons* of people for sunrise, especially in July. I’m looking for firsthand accounts from anyone who’s done it later, around 9–10 a.m.
Thanks for your help!
Laëtitia
We’re planning to spend two full days in Phnom Penh next January.
We really love markets, and I’d love to know which one you think is the most interesting in the capital? The Central Market (Psar Thmei) and the Russian Market are often mentioned.
Thanks in advance for your tips.
Have a great day,
I’m planning our summer vacation for August 2027.
We’re a family of 4, and here’s what I had in mind:
- Arrival in Surabaya (one or two stops, including Jakarta). 6 nights on Java Island (private driver, nights split between Bromo and Yogyakarta)
Budget airline.
- 7 nights in Bali: 4 in Ubud, 3 in Amed (with a rental car)
- And a 3-night stopover in Singapore.
During my trip to Thailand, I’ll be spending 2 nights at Tonsai Beach, near Ao Nang Beach, close to Krabi. Tonsai Beach is only accessible by boat, so I was wondering where I could safely leave my car at Ao Nang Beach for 48 hours?
Alternatively, at Ao Nam Mao Beach (on the other side), if there are shuttles to Tonsai Beach.
We’re planning a two-week trip to the Philippines in August (unfortunately, we don’t have a choice on the dates...) and we’ve seen, especially through many posts here, that a large part of the Philippines is advised against visiting. However, some areas might still be okay for this month.
Based on that, we’re considering the following itinerary:
• D1–D2: Flight from France to Manila, overnight transit in Manila.
• D3–D5: Camiguin — beaches, Mantigue, White Island, and a volcanic tour (staying at Balai sa Baibai)
• D6–D9: Anda — beach, snorkeling, rice terraces, Can-Umantad Falls, Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, waterfalls, and adventure activities (staying at Anda White Beach Resort)
• D10–D14: Siquijor — snorkeling, whale shark excursion in Oslob if possible, Apo Island, and sunset fishing (staying at Coco Grove Beach Resort)
• D15–D16: Return via Cebu and Manila, then international flight back to France.
We’ll be two families of four with kids over 20...
I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this itinerary is feasible, and I’m open to suggestions for other islands or activities from those who know the destination well.
Thanks for your help! :slight_smile:
Hi there,
We’re thinking of spending a month in the Philippines at the end of February and the beginning of March. What’s the tourist crowd like during that time—is it super busy? We’re not really used to booking accommodations, transport, etc., in advance.
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone.
I’m heading to Malaysia for five weeks over the holiday season.
I just found out that tourists can pay by QR code like locals (street food, small shops) to avoid using cash.
This works with apps like Wise or TNG eWallet.
Has anyone tried this system before?
Hi there,
We’re planning a backpacking trip to Northern Malaysia and northern Sumatra in February/March 2027. It’ll be our first time in these areas (we’re pretty familiar with the rest of Asia). Thanks in advance for your favorite spots and diving recommendations! It’s still very open-ended—we haven’t set anything in stone yet.
Thanks,
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hello fellow travelers, and thanks to everyone for keeping this blog alive!
It’s my turn to ask a question.
For our trip to Laos next year, I’m torn between using a local agency or organizing everything myself with the Lonely Planet guide and tips from VoyageForum.
If I plan it myself, will I still be able to find French-speaking guides on the spot or book excursions in advance?
Thanks for sharing your experiences, and if you have any recommendations for local agencies—just for excursions or even transportation—that’d be great!
Sylvie
Cinefil67
Hello,
I’m planning a trip to Vietnam with my partner, and we’re considering Ha Giang in October-November for 4 days on-site to do the loop by bus, since we’re not old enough to ride motorbikes.
I see there are sleeper buses—how does that work for sleeping at night, meals, etc.? And what are the rates per person for these 4 days and nights?
Then there’s Sapa—what’s the most practical way to travel between the two, or should we return to Hanoi?
I’d love recommendations for simple but decent hotels and any other tips you have.
Thanks so much! !
Hi,
Is it useful to rent a car from Puerto Princesa to get to El Nido? Are there any nice stops along the way?
I read that once you arrive in El Nido, most of the beaches and sights are accessed by boat, so I'm wondering if this rental is really worth it...
Thanks for your help
We’re 49 years old, love beautiful landscapes, meeting locals, discovering local food and traditions, and we avoid overly touristy places.
We enjoy hiking, cycling, running, and diving.
This is our first time in Thailand (my husband knows Bangkok).
We arrive on Friday, November 13th in Bangkok (city visit) and return on Friday, November 27th.
We’re considering heading south (possibly toward Krabi) from the 14th to the 18th to enjoy the beautiful beaches, go diving, and see Khao Sok...
Then back to Bangkok and on to Kanchanaburi to see the Sai Yok Noi waterfalls, followed by a bike visit to Ayutthaya.
From there, we’d take an overnight train to the north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Lantern Festival from November 21st to 25th.
On the 26th, we’d take a flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (city visit), and on the 27th, we have our flight back to France.
Does this itinerary seem too packed?
Should we remove some things to avoid feeling rushed and fully enjoy the trip?
Do you recommend anything other than Krabi?
Hello.
We’re joining our daughter in Ho Chi Minh City for Christmas—she’s studying there. There’ll be five of us adults, and we couldn’t choose our travel dates, so some flights are fixed. I’ve sketched out the following route, but I’m not sure if it all makes sense. This is our fourth trip to Asia (Thailand twice, Lombok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore). We often travel on a budget, love authentic spots, and enjoy meeting locals (we’ve done volunteer work and homestays).
18/12: Two of us arrive in HCMC
20/12: Head to Hanoi, where the boys land
20/12 to 23 or 24: Hanoi and day trips around—still deciding
23 or 24 to 26: Phu Quoc, so we can head south and spend Christmas by the beach (one son is crazy about the sea and fishing)
27 to 30: Mekong Delta, stopping in Ha Tien, Chau Doc, and another spot to get back to Ho Chi Minh City
1/1: Return flight to France.
What do you think of this plan—is it doable or totally unrealistic? Any recommendations for a one- or two-day trip from Hanoi (Phu Long, Mai Chau), or is it better to stick around the city?
Thanks in advance for your insights.
I’m planning a 28-day trip to the Philippines starting in the second half of April, and I’m skipping all the super touristy spots.
I’ve got some ideas, but they’re still a bit vague and scattered, and I’d love your help and tips to finalize my itinerary.
For this trip, I’m mostly looking for architecture, ancestral homes, cultural discoveries, local crafts, exceptional natural sites, and islands with beautiful, less crowded beaches—especially avoiding international tourists.
So here are my ideas, and I’d really appreciate your advice:
1- Surigao del Sur, if security allows: the Enchanted River in Hinatuan and Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City.
2- Iloilo City, Bacolod, Silay
3- The Heritage Town of Taal
4- Banaue and Batad
5- Romblon Island (Bonbon Beach and the marble workshops in Romblon town)
6- Bolinao Falls and Hundred Islands in Pangasinan
7- Baguio, Vigan, Laoag, and Pagudpud (Saud Beach and/or Blue Lagoon)
8- Guimaras Island, Samal Island, and Dinagat Island
I know logistically it’s impossible to cover all the spots I’ve listed in 28 days, which is why I’m counting on your advice to drop a few destinations that might not be worth the detour and highlight the must-sees.
Thanks in advance
Hi,
We're planning to visit this region as a couple for a few days during our trip to Vietnam.
What should we do with 3 to 4 days there, and how can we get around to the different spots?
Should we return to Sapa every day or stay in different places each night?
Any tips on accommodations, dining, and must-see sites?
Also, advice on traveling from Hanoi to Sapa.
Thanks so much for helping us prepare for this autumn 2027 trip!
Hi there,
We're planning a little trip along the west side, visiting KL, Malacca, then heading up to Penang and ending with a few days at the beach.
The most common option would be to finish the stay in Langkawi. My question: are there other spots with beautiful beaches on this coast where we could spend 4 to 5 days?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
hi everyone,
I want to travel in the north for 3 weeks in September-October 2026 to meet ethnic minorities, photograph mountain rice terraces and their harvest, and revisit Halong Bay—but maybe Lan Ha Bay instead. Can you recommend one or more local agencies?
Thanks, and happy holidays!
I’d like to know if it’s possible (and reasonable) to travel directly between Battambang and Kampot?
From what I’ve gathered, all the buses between these two destinations go back through Phnom Penh, which means we’d have to spend an extra night there in the middle of our trip. That’s not ideal for us.
Hello, South Sulawesi loop: Makassar-Ramang Ramang-Rantepao-Sengkang-Lake Tempe-Bira. Which direction should I take for this loop, starting and ending in Makassar?
Public transport preferred, and about 3 weeks in total.
Any nice homestays? And tips for solo travel?
Thanks, Françoise
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there,
After a stay in Hua Hin and before another in Chiang Mai, I’d like to break up the trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai into several stops. I’ve found bus and train routes on Maps, but I’m stuck on the connection between Ban Rai / Uthai Thani and then Nakhon Sawan (bus for the latter).
Does anyone have any idea where I could find info, maybe via Route 333?
I know my question isn’t super general or exciting, but if you can help, thanks!
I’d like to do a kind of personal retreat this winter and I’m looking for a destination near the sea (preferably an island) that’s quiet. Is that possible in Thailand, or should I consider another destination?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Dayi
This September, my partner and I are heading to North Sulawesi for 3 weeks. Our international flight is with Malaysia Airlines, departing from Paris. We have a layover in KL, then fly to Denpasar, followed by a domestic flight from Denpasar to Manado. We land in Bali Denpasar on 05/09 around 12:00 PM, and our flight to Manado is on 07/09 at 1:30 AM. The plan was to have at least one night (from the 5th to the 6th of September) between our international flight and our flight to Manado, just to recharge a bit since we're not 20 anymore 😛. My question is, given the very short stop in Bali (a day and a half), is it better to stay in Denpasar rather than go to Ubud for the night? I’ve been to Bali before, and from what I remember, even though the distances are short, transfers take a long time because of the extremely heavy traffic—but I was there in July, not September. I’m not sure if that makes a big difference?
If the answer is "it’s better to stay in Denpasar," are there any nice places to visit? There’s very little feedback about the city since tourists usually don’t stick around.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
