So where are they and what are they doing? (page 9 of 33)

Hello everyone,

Joël, For years, logging onto VF, reading you all, sharing my trips deep in China and elsewhere, giving info, presenting books, having a laugh with you, and even getting into debates with some of you—it was a big part of my life. Today, I drop by from time to time. I still read you. Less, though. As for chiming in...

Is it because of Covid? The comments posted by the forum’s founder before the site shut down? No. I just don’t feel like it anymore (I started writing this message over 30 minutes ago).

But now the mood strikes, so here we go... 🙂

These days, I drop by from time to time. I still read you all. Less often. As for chiming in...

First off, putting my avatar back—a mischievous little girl tangling string between her fingers. (Just an example, okay... )

This thread is really exceeding my expectations. Even though we're in a semi-virtual space, seeing all these great people pop up has a real effect. It feels like reuniting with classmates at the start of a new school year—minus the awkwardness. 🙂

It’s been quite the break.

hi

Yeah, it’s true things aren’t like they used to be. I posted a message yesterday about a private travel agency review and an itinerary for Brazil—no replies. Before, I feel like my post would’ve gotten comments pretty quickly. Such a shame!!!

Only one in a thousand gives more information than they ask for, right?

hello

Yeah, it’s true things aren’t like they used to be. I posted a message yesterday about a private travel agency review and an itinerary for Brazil—no replies. Before, I feel like my post would’ve gotten comments quickly. It’s such a shame!!!

Yeah, there definitely used to be more exchanges about travel destinations. There’s less now, or even none at all for some places. Why? Probably for the reasons mentioned in this thread, and also because a lot of new participants ask for advice but then disappear once they get the info, which is pretty frustrating. But that doesn’t seem to be your case. I can’t really respond to your post since I’ve never been to Brazil, except to see Iguazu Falls when we were in Argentina. Only the "travelers’ reflections" section and travel journals are still active. Come on, we’ve gotta stay hopeful! Anne-Claire

hi there

Yeah, it's clear things aren't like they used to be. I posted a message yesterday about a private travel agency review and an itinerary for Brazil, but no replies. Before, I think my post would've gotten comments pretty quickly. It's such a shame!!!

It's because the discussion thread isn't up to date! I'll take a look and try to respond with what little experience I have 😊

Good evening. We’re in the age of speed. All questions are now handled in Facebook or Instagram threads within dedicated groups. I follow a few (Laos, Cambodia, Botswana), and the posts are numerous with immediate answers (and sometimes wildly off-the-mark ones). Out of curiosity, I checked the “visitor count” stats Joël posted about online profiles: 90% of those with an age listed are at least in their fifties… This forum, given its history (I’ve been here for nearly 20 years), no longer fits the new ways of traveling. But that’s a good thing!! Here, at least, we greet each other, craft our messages, correct our mistakes, show respect, and listen (most of the time). We share by taking the time to tell stories—we don’t just “do” a country… And even if only a few of us remain, as long as this place lives on, we’ll keep exploring it with joy!!

When we don’t get messages like this all day, we all start biting our nails, don’t we? 😄

This forum, given its history (I’ve been here for nearly 20 years), is no longer suited to new ways of traveling.

But what *are* the new ways of traveling like? (Serious question)

Hi Anne-Claire,

A lot of new participants ask for advice and then disappear once they’ve gotten the info, which is pretty frustrating.

I can confirm—I had another disappointing experience with that just yesterday. So for me, that’s it!

Plus, the VF system automatically generates completely wrong location links compared to the place you’re trying to point to, and when you try to add your own link from Google Maps, it’s impossible. I reported it to the mods, but apparently, they’re MIA... It’s really discouraging!

It’s said that VF’s setup is better than others. I’m not so sure about that.

PS. In the last 24 hours: 12 new discussions on VF; 52 new topics on GdR

I posted a message yesterday about a private travel agency review and an itinerary for Brazil, no replies. It's such a shame!!!

99% of the members on this forum travel independently, which explains why you didn’t get a response to your question.

This forum, given its history (I’ve been here for nearly 20 years), isn’t really suited to new ways of traveling anymore.

But what *are* the new ways of traveling like? (serious question)

I don’t really have the answer, since I still travel the old-school way… My point was more about how people plan trips these days.

Case in point—just 10 minutes ago: Someone posted in the “Traveling to Botswana” thread: “Hi everyone, I’m open to any itinerary suggestions for my trip to Botswana in April. Do you know any 4x4 rental companies?”

April? 😐 I hope they mean 2026?

Good evening Anne-Claire,

A lot of new participants ask for advice and then disappear once they get the information, which is pretty frustrating. I can confirm—I had that same disappointing experience just yesterday. So for me, that’s it!

I just took a look at the discussion in question. I mean, a forum user with 10 posts in 8 years—you couldn’t really expect a flood of replies. But I agree, it’s annoying.

And then the VF system automatically gives completely wrong location links compared to the place you want to point out, and when you try to add your own link from Google Maps, it’s impossible. I reported it to the mods, but apparently they’re MIA… It’s so discouraging!

Really? I just posted a Gmap link—it worked (in the Morocco discussion).

PS. In the last 24 hours: 12 new discussions on VF; 52 new topics on GdR

We’ve already talked about GdR’s reliability here and there, so their forum… Without even mentioning the money they spend on SEO when you search

Oh really? I just posted a Gmap link, it works (discussion about Morocco)

Well, no, it never works with GM for me! Don’t get it.

Oh really? I just posted a Gmap link, it works (discussion about Morocco)

Well no, it never works with GM! Don’t get it.

Try with a ctrl C ctrl V

That’s exactly what I’m doing (Cmd C / Cmd V on a Mac)!

Still, it’d be nice if the mods could at least respond. This is the second time I’ve flagged an issue without hearing back. It’s really discouraging.

Frustrated, I’m just gonna drop it. 😕

Hello,

I’ve temporarily gone back on my decision to end my collaboration by replying to you in the Brazil section. 🙂

Oh really? I just posted a Gmap link, it works (discussion about Morocco)

Well no, it never works with GM! Don’t get it.



Maybe... In the box that pops up to insert a link, you have to delete the "https://"; that’s pre-filled. It creates a duplicate with the one already in the address you want to insert.

you need to remove the "https://"; that’s pre-filled.

Yeah, but that doesn’t change anything. Still a mystery...