Posts by Corinnette69

thanks so much Tega, you're right—it's the human connections that make for wonderful memories, and every trip I meet people who become friends. That's exactly what I need, and I hope the energy and good health last for a long time to come.

Thanks Jean Michel, what you're telling me sounds really interesting. Do you have any idea about flight prices? Do I need to book in advance?

I’m really curious and interested in human connections, traditions, and architecture—I’d love to swim with turtles, see a volcano, and more!

thanks for your reply... darn, I hadn't thought about the formalities!

Hi everyone, I’m a 67-year-old woman who loves to travel, and for my third solo trip, I’ve decided to explore Indonesia. I’ll be there from September 1st to October 5th, and I’m really struggling to plan my itinerary. I’d love any advice you can share—I’ll read it all carefully. So far, I’ve booked my first two nights with a local host in Jakarta, and then I’m heading to Borobudur. That’s all I’ve got planned for now. Do you think I should book accommodations and transport tickets in advance? It seems really complicated, or could I just decide day by day based on how I feel? Thanks in advance for your replies!

between 10,000 and 20,000 CFA

Hi Gilles, yeah, I went hiking in the hills but with a guide from another association. Your tips were really helpful, thanks! Now I’m diving into planning my next trip 😉.

Yeah, I saw the shows that were really surprising and beautiful to me, and which are indeed designed to attract tourists. However, I saw another one in Abomey that felt more authentic. I think you can visit some cities on your own—Ouidah is easy, but Cotonou and Porto-Novo are trickier in my opinion because they’re big cities. There weren’t any places that disappointed me because I was open to everything the country offered. I went to discover the people and African culture (for architecture, I had a blast in Uzbekistan last year). That said, you’ve got to stay zen because time is *very* flexible for them. With Denis in Dassa, I went to see cheese being made in a Fulani village—nice experience. I loved the tata semba, spent 2 nights on Lake Ganvié, swam in Lake Ahémé, and adored the beaches of Grand-Popo, even though the sea is dangerous. Watching the fishermen pull in their nets was amazing. On the other hand, I didn’t really enjoy the food, except for the street-bought doughnuts and pineapples.😏

Hi Marie, to answer your questions, yes, it's Natitingou and you can go there without any problem. Eight weeks seems like a lot to me, and you're right to go to Togo, but you'll end up exploring the country more thoroughly than I did. Just so you know, the palaces of Abomey are still under construction. For transportation, there are motorcycle taxis called "zem." The drivers wear different colored shirts depending on the city. The price is very affordable, but you should haggle if they try to overcharge. However, I often accepted their fare because it's so little for us. On the other hand, if you're staying a while, I recommend buying your own helmet for about 8 €—it'll be cleaner, and you'll have one since they usually don't provide them. As for car taxis, depending on the condition of the vehicle, it's more or less comfortable, but either way, you'll be packed in like sardines. I recommend the buses, which aren’t much more expensive but are way more comfortable for traveling between major cities. A little tip: I stayed with Tata Edith in Abomey—it was great! At every place I stayed, they found me a guide. It’s essential because you can’t visit the cities or tourist spots alone; you need to move around a lot. If you have any other questions...

Hi everyone, and thanks to all of you who shared your experiences with me. I got back on Monday after a month-long trip, and I’m absolutely thrilled—I never felt unsafe or harassed at any point. I made it all the way up to Natitingou, and had some amazing experiences (met some wonderful people and guides—feel free to ask me for advice if you're interested). There were a few less pleasant moments, like dehydration, the "elastic" concept of time, chaotic roads, and overcrowded taxis, but that’s just Africa. It’s a country where people live with very little, but they’re not miserable—in fact, the women are stunning. Anyway, it was an unforgettable trip, and I might just feel like exploring another country on this continent soon.

hi, I’m sticking with my trip and leaving on January 5th

With great pleasure

Hi Françoise, I’d love it if you could share your addresses with me

Thanks everyone for your advice—I won’t take any unnecessary risks and will stick to the safe regions since you’re telling me there’s so much to see in the south.

I’m finding my peace again 😄 could you give me the contact details for your guide? It’s a guarantee they’re good, and I’ll definitely have tons of questions—I get my book tomorrow. Have a great day

Thanks Béatrice, I’m reassured—I won’t take any risks, but I’ll try to fully experience my trip. I’m waiting for the *Petit Futé* guide I ordered to start planning my itinerary. I’m really starting from scratch!

I was excited to go to Benin, but I'm starting to regret choosing this destination after seeing the recommendations from France Diplomatie :/ On the other hand, their map shows you can head further north in the country while avoiding the border towns

Hi Nadine, I’m a bit disappointed—I’d planned to stay for a month, but now the territory to explore seems really limited.

hi Béatrice thanks for your advice—I’d booked an Airbnb from January 8 to 11 in Ouidah, but you’re saying it’s better to go to Grand Popo instead. Now I’m not sure what to decide. What’s the difference between the festivals in these two places?

Thanks for all your posts—I’ve decided it’ll be Benin! I’m leaving for the whole month of January. Now, time to get to work planning the itinerary. 😎