Results for "Alice+Springs+|+11+>+237"

Bonjour,

Est-ce que quelqu'un peut m'aider?

Je voudrais trouver les moyens de me rendre à Quito en partant de LIma.

Qu'en est-il via bus (durée)? Via avion (prix)?

En vous remerciant

🙂

Aline

Avant le premier vol commercial sur PTP, il y aura présentation du 777-300 le 19 mai avec un nouvel appareil qui viendra directement de Seattle avant de rejoindre Orly. C'est bien d'avoir une petite exclu, ça change!

Vendredi 19 mai 2006, il y a eu une présentation en avant-première du B777-300ER d'Air France Conjugué COI. Quelq'un pourrait en savoir plus sur cet info ? A noter que la classe Alizé, en plus de se doter de nouveaux sièges se dotera d'un nouveau logo.

bonjour je suis allée plusieurs fois en inde et mon reve etait de visiter le nagaland jai decouvert ce petit pays par son artisanat qui me fascinne jaimerai en savoir plus sur vos expériences merci aline

En juin prochain, Air France va mettre en service deux nouveaux 777-300ER (à terme il y en aura 7), non pas par philantropisme mais par mesure d'économie... En effet les 747 classiques (series -100 -200 -300) ne sont plus profitables au dela d'un baril de plus de 62$... Cependant je n'ai encore jamais eu d'info de la nouvelle classe Alizé, quelqun serait il informé?

les petites associations existent aussi et perdurent grace aux bénévoles qui s'investissent. Tous sont bienvenus: vous avez sûrement des qualités particulières; tous secteurs et tous bénévoles: allez visiter notre site tout nouveau…www.ppun.fr à bientôt? Aline

😉 Au revoir tout le monde

Je pars cet aprem a ma ville pour 2 semaines!!!

Si vous avez des questions, je pourrais peut-etre vous repondre alive!!!

ciaooooo😎

Est-ce que Sucre est une ville ou "il fait bon rester" 1-2 mois?(cours de langue, logement ds famille d'acceuil) Quel temp y fait-il en mais juin? Beaucoup de touristes?(je veux dire: les boliviens y sont-ils "habitués", trop??) Quel genre d'environnement? y a-t-il des montagnes ds les environs? visibles? Merci! Alizé

Bonjour !

Une collègue a mis sur sa liste de mariage : participation voyage au Cap vert, dégustation de cachura 15 euros. Est-ce une boisson ou un plat ???

Merci !

Aline

Je me permet de retranscrire sur ce forum un article provenant du site internet d un quotidient francais :

Chers disparus Mayas Quelque 45 000 personnes ont disparu durant le conflit guatémaltèque. Depuis la reconnaissance du génocide, en 1999, des fosses communes sont ouvertes. Photographe en terre maya depuis une dizaine d'années, Miquel Dewever-Plana a réalisé un reportage sur les exhumations.

Par Aline LECLERC jeudi 20 mai 2004 (Liberation - 06:00)

oups de marteau dans un gymnase du Quiché. Scellées, de petites boîtes en bois deviennent cercueils. Ceux de femmes et d'enfants massacrés il y a plus de vingt ans à Vipulay. Identifiés grâce à des restes de vêtements, leurs squelettes ont été retrouvés dans une fosse commune, comme les légistes en découvrent un peu partout au Guatemala. Jusqu'ici, ils n'étaient que «disparus». La «disparition forcée» fut une pratique courante de l'armée dans les conflits latino-américains, mais c'est au Guatemala, de 1962 à 1996, qu'elle fut la plus fréquente : des 200 000 victimes de la guerre, près de 45 000 ont disparu, dont une majorité d'Indiens.

Sans cadavre, pas de trace des massacres. Seules les exhumations réalisées par les légistes prouvent aujourd'hui les exécutions arbitraires d'enfants ou de femmes enceintes qui contredisent l'idée, toujours très répandue, que toutes les victimes appartenaient à la guérilla. Des procédures officielles qui se sont développées après la publication du rapport de la Commission pour l'éclaircissement historique (CEH). En 1999, celle-ci a conclu à l'existence d'un génocide, dénonçant la responsabilité de nombreux dirigeants guatémaltèques dans la planification des massacres et le recours à la politique de la terre brûlée, signes d'une stratégie d'élimination systématique de la population maya. Pourtant, ils jouissent toujours d'une totale impunité. Parmi eux, l'ex-général Rios Montt, responsable de la disparition de villages entiers lorsqu'il était au pouvoir, président du Congrès jusqu'en novembre dernier et candidat à l'élection présidentielle cet automne.

Les exhumations font ressurgir l'horreur d'un conflit que certains voudraient oublier. Aux légistes de soigner la mémoire défaillante du pays, premier pas vers la reconnaissance des atrocités commises et des souffrances endurées. Les familles, elles, peuvent enfin inhumer leur parent disparu selon les rites catholique, évangélique ou maya.

Sept ans après les accords de paix, le nouveau président, Oscar Berger, vient de s'engager officiellement à indemniser les victimes de la guerre.

apres longue reflexion, mon voyagiste ma vendu la classe galaxi de la star airlines en lieu et placee de la bataillaire amelioré de la classe alize de chez air france.aucun site web de star airlines.

qui a déja voyagé en classe galaxie et est telle une petite classe affaire oubien une fois de plus une betaille amelioré!.

merci de vos réactions si vous avez deja voyagé en classe galaxie!

Hi there!

After our Central Asia trip this summer, we’ll be setting foot in Africa for the first time next February with our three kids (ages 5, 13, and 17).

I’ve fine-tuned a little itinerary with ChatGPT based on our interests and expectations, and here’s what came out:

Tuesday, February 24 — Dakar

Landing at 1:00 AM

Early afternoon: visit Gorée Island

Back to Dakar, light dinner

7:00 PM: boarding the ferry “Aline Sitoé Diatta”

Overnight on board (cabin)

Wednesday, February 25 — Ziguinchor

Arrival between 9:00–11:00 AM

Staying with a local host

Stroll: Saint-Maur market, river port

Overnight in Ziguinchor

Thursday, February 26 – Saturday, February 28 — Casamance (Cap Skirring & Oussouye)

February 26: Ziguinchor → Carabane road trip, explore the island, overnight on the island

February 27: Cap Skirring, beach time

February 28: Cap Skirring, relaxation, stroll, beach

Sunday, March 1 – Tuesday, March 3 — Oussouye

Head to Oussouye (~1 hour)

Discover Diola villages, rice fields, market, handicrafts

Overnights: Oussouye (3 nights)

Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 — Sine-Saloum

Drive to Toubacouta via the Trans-Gambian Highway (Gambia)

Stay with a local host / camp on the bolongs

Activities: pirogue ride in the delta, Serer villages, biking, handicraft discovery

Overnights: Sine-Saloum (3 nights)

Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 — Petite Côte

Drive to Somone / Ngaparou (~3 hours)

Stay with a local host

Activities: beach, safari at Bandia Reserve, kayaking on the lagoon, craft market

Overnights: Petite Côte (2 nights, including Sunday, March 8, to enjoy the full day before the nighttime departure)

Monday, March 9 — Departure

Transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport (~45 minutes)

Flight leaves at 2:00 AM

I’ve got a few questions:

- Is an afternoon on Gorée Island worth it? I really want to go, but the ferry departure days are a bit limiting. - How easy is it to get around between these different stops? Can we find a taxi that fits all five of us? - Do you have any accommodation recommendations? I’d love to stay with locals as much as possible—we’re not looking for luxury, just a bed and a shower. - February 28 is my birthday, and I’d love to do something “special”: any ideas for a nice place to stay, a great restaurant, or an out-of-the-ordinary activity? We’ll be around Cap Skirring. - Does this itinerary seem coherent? I really want to visit Casamance, and we’d prefer to stay no more than 3 nights in the same place.

Don’t hesitate to share your tips! Thanks so much!

Hi there,

Has anyone here taken the cruise to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia with the cruise line Aranui?

hi there

I’ll be in Antalaha in October and need to get to Maroantsetra. I’ve heard it’s possible by boat, but I can’t find any info about it. So I’m wondering if I’ll have to arrange something with local fishing boats or something else, and whether it’s a risky trip since the sea can get rough on Madagascar’s east coast. Has anyone done this before, or just know anything about it? What do you think?

Hi there, I usually bring along a can or two of vegetables, sugar, tea, coffee, and even jam to start off my stay. Does anyone know if this is allowed when arriving in South Africa? I know that milk—even powdered—is banned, but I haven’t found answers about the other items. Thanks for your help.

Hi everyone, We (two adults, 74 and 70 years old) had already shared a travel journal about our first trip to the Philippines in February/March 2019 on this forum (https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9377175;search_string=carnet%20philippines). We had visited Manila, the Banaue rice terraces, Sagada, the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, Dumaguette), and on our way back to Luzon, the Taal volcano before returning to France. Delighted by this trip, organized by the French-speaking agency Alizé, we decided to further explore this beautiful country, this time focusing on Coron and Palawan. Before writing this journal, I should mention that these are personal comments and don’t reflect any differing opinions. Without any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the visits, hotels, and restaurants.

Preparations

We decided to return in mid-January 2025 and consulted three French-speaking tour operators to create a trip based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and budget. Comparing three operators helped us weigh their advice and make our choices. Only our first operator respected the budget, a second came close, and the third proposed a slightly more upscale trip. In the end, we chose the agency from our first trip. Our discussions helped refine our itinerary, and when we reviewed it point by point, the document provided was perfect, full of great tips. The most debated point was a 3-day, 2-night cruise between Coron and Palawan. We were tempted but worried about being the only "older" travelers among younger people and feared two uncomfortable nights. Reassured by our tour operator, we finally opted for this "exploration." We’ll come back to that later. Once the choice was made and dates set, we booked our international flights with Cathay Pacific for 750 € per person, which offers the best schedules (short layovers) at an acceptable price for flights arriving in Cebu. Our trip started on February 25 and returned to Paris on March 15.

International flights

The round-trip flights went smoothly. Cathay does the job well, without frills. The service quality seems to have slightly declined compared to our previous trips with them. Hong Kong Airport is huge but very practical. Note that not all airlines serve Cebu. Recommendation: Fill out your Philippine entry form within 72 hours before your flight. This can prevent issues with the airline (possible boarding refusal) and saves a lot of time upon arrival (see the Philippine embassy website).

Domestic flights

For our two domestic flights—Cebu to Coron and Puerto Princesa to Cebu—our tour operator chose Philippine Airlines and their propeller planes. No problems there.

Day 1: We landed around 12 PM (local time) after 17 hours of travel. A driver was waiting for us at the airport exit and took us to our hotel, intentionally chosen near the airport (Mandaue, about 10 minutes away) to help us recover and get a good night’s sleep before our early morning domestic flight the next day. The Mayoo Hotel, reasonably priced, was perfect for this. Large, beautiful room in a new building—clean, comfortable, with a spa. We could relax by the pool on the 16th floor and enjoy the city view. The breakfast was exceptional, and the staff was smiling, attentive, and helpful. An ATM in the lobby allowed for withdrawals. However, the hotel is in a neighborhood with nothing to see or do. We dined at the Korean restaurant K-GOGI across from the hotel—a real attraction and a great discovery.

Day 2: After a restful night, we were driven to the airport around 6:30 AM for an 8:10 AM flight from Cebu to Busuanga (Coron).



The flight was uneventful. Upon arrival, we paid 200 pesos per person for the Coron tourist fee before a 40-minute transfer to our hotel: Natura Resort, located outside the city in a secluded spot. The setting is stunning—a beautifully maintained tropical garden, a pleasant pool, and the option to book massages. The cottages are tropical-style with thatched roofs, simple and unpretentious.



The owner, who speaks French, told us that given the heat and our ages, climbing the 721 steps to the top of Mount Tapyas wasn’t necessary. She gave us a few rooftop recommendations to watch the sunset over Coron Bay. After a good swim in the pool and a meal at the resort’s pleasant restaurant, we hired a tricycle to go into town. We were told it costs 150 pesos one way, and depending on the return time, it could exceed 250 pesos. But our driver gave us his WhatsApp number and charged the same price regardless of the time. He just earned two days’ worth of customers. He dropped us off at the port where bangkas (local boats) gather for day trips. It was the end of the day, so there was a rush. A few shops around the port sold waterproof bags for marine excursions at reasonable prices (compared to back home), after some bargaining. We wandered the town’s alleys looking for the Top Hotel, whose rooftop is famous. Indeed, it’s perfectly located to admire the sunset and enjoy a refreshing drink.







We dined nearby at a small Chinese restaurant, then just had to call our driver to head back. The night wasn’t entirely restful—our hotel had a soundtrack of all the countryside animals, and it seemed they had no set bedtime! :

Bonsoir à tous, Depuis le temps que je lis tous les sites et tous les carnets sur le forum je me lance enfin à poster mes interrogations sur l'organisation du voyage prévu normalement en septembre sinon l'année prochaine si on ne peut pas partir (comme ça tout sera prêt) ! La question du jour est : est ce réalisable pour des quinquagénaires randonneurs occasionnels mais en montagne de faire en une journée : - Départ de Torrey - Moonsape Overlook - A/R Long Dong Silver - LWHC - Goblin Valley - route vers Moab pour la nuit sans courrir, je ne veux pas me sentir prise par le temps.

Merci pour votre aide. Aline

Bonjour à tous,

Je prépare mon voyage mi mars en direction du Guatemala pour 3 semaines.

Nous allons nous arrêter une semaine à Flores.

Nous avons trouvé sur certains blogs de voyage la possibilité de réaliser un trek de 5 jours pour El Mirador.

Toutefois, je n'arrive pas à trouver les informations suivantes : - Le noms des agences réalisant ce trek - est ce possible de réserver en avance - Quid de nos gros sacs à dos ? devons nous les emmener avec nous dans la jungle ? ou devons nous les laisser à Carmelita ? - devons nous avoir des sacs de couchages ?

Si vous avez des infos ou un retour d'expérience, je suis preneuse.

Un grand merci d'avance

Aline

Bonjour, J'ai un projet de voyage en l'Alberta, mon itinéraire est le suivant Calgary, Edmonton, Jasper, Lac Louise, Banff et retour à Calgary. Est-il préférable pour la vue du paysage de partir de Calgary vers Banff jusqu'à Jasper. D'après mon plan je partirai de Jasper vers Banff jusqu'à Calgary. Est-ce qu'il y a une différence pour l'attrait du paysage?

Merci beaucoup de faire le suivi rapidement. Aline

Bonjour à tous, Je viens d'avoir l'agence Azur Croisières par qui mes parents et beaux parents ont achetés la croisière. La personne vient de m'assurer qu'il n'y avait pour l'instant aucun changement et que la croisière est maintenue. Par rapport à tous ces soucis nous avons attendu pour faire les visas pour l'Inde et je vais le faire dés cet après midi en passant par visa express. Peut être que vous avez d'autre site plus rapide. Merci pour les infos.

Bonjour,

Je souhaite faire un excursion de deux jours au départ de Marrakech en février avec une voiture de location. Voici l'itinéraire prévu: Marrakech - Lalla Takerkoust - Asni- Imlil - Sidi Fares - Ourika - Marrakech

Est-ce un itinéraire intéressant? Possible en deux jours? Possible avec une voiture de location en février?

Je pensais dormir à Imlil, est-ce une bonne idée?

Avez-vous des conseils ou retour d'expériences à me donner?

Merci beaucoup,

Marie-Aline

Après e fabuleux voyage de pâques (https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9613741;search_string=Cecile;page=3) dans l'ouest américain pleinement réchauffé par un soleil estival

Cécile invite ses ados une semaine à New York avec toujours le même guide.. Pour ma part, 3° voyage ...celui ci moins axés musées, cloitres.. plus ados !

1er souci: gros merdouille avec Opodo: impossible d'enregistrer notre bienfaitrice au départ d'Air France ! la sympathique télé-supportrice de clients mécontents et inquiets me calme: vous avez bien vos 4 numéros de siège sur les 2 vols (Lyon- Bruxelles - JFK)..

on verra cela demain à 6h30 en arrivant ...pas très envie de partir à 3 sans mon sponsor !

la suite demain et en direct depuis mon Google pixel 3a , soit disant un excellent appareil photo

à plus ! en direct à chaque fois

Bonjour à tous

Qui connaitrait le prix actuel d'un taxi pour le trajet Aéroport Las Americas à Boca chica un dimanche en Décembre 2019 pour deux adultes et deux valises aux environs de 13h ? Ou sinon pour se rendre à l'arrêt des bus expresso de Boca Chica (s'il y en a) ? Merci de vos retours Cordialement LENA

Bonjour,

Nous sommes une famille avec deux filles de 4 et 6 ans. Nous pensons à la Crete, pour un voyage de 2 semaines, en juillet ou aout 2020. Nous pensions prendre un seul hébergement et louer une voiture, est-ce envisageable ou bien ce serait mieux d'avoir 2 ou 3 hébergements différents d'apres vous ? Que nous conseillez vous de visiter ? Nous conseillez vous d'aller voir d'autres iles également ?

Merci pour vos conseils !

bonjour quelqu'un peut t'il me renseigner si l'aéroport de Miami est loin du port d'embarquement des bateaux de croisières .

Bonjour.

Nous recherchons une auberge sympathique dans le village de Khoujir, sur l'île d'Olkhon (lac Baïkal) pour notre séjour le mois prochain, avec un budget de 50 euros par nuit.

On cherche une auberge sympathique, avec une bonne ambiance, mais je suis peu convaincu par ce que je trouve pour l'instant. J'ai songé à la fameuse auberge de Nikita mais certains retours sont peu positifs.

Merci.

Bonjour,

Nous sommes une famille avec 2 jeunes enfants. Nous arriverons en Australie le 1er Juillet, soit au début des vacances scolaires. Nous prévoyons visiter la Gold Coast, puis remonter vers Cairns, le tout en 17 jours. Nous aimerions privilégier les sites gratuits, mais je pense qu'il n'y en a pas beaucoup dans la première partie du trajet, et j'ai peur qu'ils ne soient pas disponibles. Nous aurions aimé avoir de la flexibilité et avancer selon notre grès, mais avec les vacances, nous devrions peut être mieux réserver en avance... Quels campings nous conseillez vous svp ? Tous vos conseils seront les bienvenus !

Merci !!

Bonjour !

Nous sommes une famille de 4, nous avons un longue escale fin juin a Bangkok (arrivée 1h30 du matin, et repartir 19h30). On cherche un hotel pour passer la nuit et relaxer un peu. Pas forcément le grand luxe, juste qqe chose se sécuritaire. Peut-être bien placé, pour pouvoir voir quelques petites choses rapidement avant de repartir à l'aéroport.

Que nous conseillez vous svp ?

Merci !!

Bonjour, Nous prévoyons cet été de faire Pékin - Moscou en transmongolien / transsibérien. Notre programme est fait. Le hic pour le moment est le prix des vols aller Paris-Pékin et retour Moscou-Paris ; il nous est proposé deux vols simples pour la modique somme de plus de 3000 euros/pers!!! Peut-être que quelque chose nous a échappé ? Est-ce que les voyageurs qui sont passés par là pourraient nous dire comment ils ont fait pour les vols? Merci d'avance..

Hello everyone,

We (3 adults: 68, 65, and 25 years old) are just back from a short trip to the Philippines, and I’d like to share a little summary of our journey. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum about this destination and answers the questions of those who aren’t familiar with it. I should also mention that my comments are personal and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions. Since I don’t have any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the sights, hotels, and restaurants.

Preparations: We chose this destination in December and quickly booked our flight tickets (540 € with Turkish Airlines) for a departure on February 16 and return on March 5, 2019. We then contacted two French-speaking tour operators based in Manila, asking them to put together an itinerary based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and our budget. We wanted to see the rice terraces in northern Luzon, the hanging coffins in Sagada, before flying to the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, etc.), and the Taal Volcano, while limiting our nights in Manila as much as possible. In the end, we opted for Alize, whose itinerary and quote matched our request almost perfectly. Our exchanges helped us refine our circuit.

International flights: The round-trip flights went smoothly. Turkish Airlines, while not at the level of Asian or Gulf airlines, does the job just fine.

Day 1: We landed on time (6:15 PM) on Monday, February 16, at Terminal 3. We exchanged our euros (near the car rental counters), and I can confirm the exchange rate was very good. On the way to the St. Giles Hotel (decent and affordable for a transit night), we got our first glimpse of Manila’s dense traffic. The Makati district, where our hotel was located, offers a wide choice of restaurants, so we grabbed a quick bite to recover from the trip.

Day 2: This day was dedicated to transferring to Banaue. Fortunately, we had a comfortable van and an excellent driver for this journey, which took all day (8 to 9 hours with stops). We got a taste of driving in the Philippines—and it’s terrifying. You wouldn’t want to drive on these roads. The first thing that struck us was the relatively good condition of the roads and the cleanliness (a change from other Southeast Asian countries). This impression lasted throughout our trip. Around 6 PM, we checked into our room at the Banaue Hotel (large, charm-free, but with a beautiful view of the rice terraces).

Day 3: With the help of a local guide, we took a jeepney to Batad. And then—wow! The rice terraces form an amphitheater overlooking the small village. Under the sun, it’s simply spectacular and breathtaking! Even though we’re familiar with rice terraces (Sapa, Bali, Thailand, etc.), we were dazzled by so much beauty. We spent the day walking along the terrace walls. This place is timeless and fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, we returned to the hotel exhausted (due to our ages and lack of exercise). We had dinner with our driver at the Las Vegas restaurant in the center of Banaue. The meal was decent, cheap, and the Filipino owner played the guitar to accompany our dinner.

Day 4: Today, our driver took us to Sagada. The mountain road offered spectacular landscapes (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Along the way, we stopped in Bontoc to visit the small but interesting anthropological museum. It features old photos and various objects from the Ifugao tribes, as well as a reconstruction of primitive dwellings. We then went on a short hike in Sagada with a very friendly local guide who explained the region’s funeral rites. The walk started at the communal cemetery before reaching “Echo Valley,” where we saw the first coffins hanging on the cliff. We continued to the “Underground River” and a small waterfall, ending our journey in the “Lumiang Cave” burial cave. All in all, this day was very interesting. On the way back, we made a few photo stops. In the evening, on our driver’s recommendation, we ate at the “Bistro,” a French enclave in the center of Banaue (good pizza, roasted quail, homemade fries).

Day 5: Today was a transfer day. To limit fatigue and nights in Manila, our tour operator arranged a flight from Clark to Tagbilaran (Bohol), saving us 2 to 3 hours of driving. But to catch our flight, we had to leave very early: 5:30 AM. Our kind driver dropped us off on time at the airport. To use it, we had to pay a 150 PHP tax per person. The Philippine Airlines flight (15 minutes) left early and was far from full. Upon arrival, we were taken to the Loboc River Hotel, on the banks of the river of the same name. A very charming lodge lost in a tropical garden. We stayed in a stilt cottage overlooking the river. We relaxed a bit in the lovely pool. This place is really great—the staff is charming, and the food is excellent for a reasonable price.

Day 6: This day was dedicated to exploring Bohol. The program was classic, starting with the tarsier sanctuary. We saw a few specimens in a small garden, each pointed out by a staff member. It was both good and disappointing because the animals were in pseudo-freedom in a small enclosure. Then we went to the “Chocolate Hills” and climbed 240 steps to admire the panoramic view of the hills—but by 10 AM, it was crowded. On the way back, we stopped at the butterfly garden, which was uninteresting: tiny, with few butterflies. We consoled ourselves by photographing beautiful flowers. To please our teen, we stopped at the Loboc Eco Tourism Adventure Park and crossed the river lying down, suspended from a steel cable (300 PHP). Finally, we had the traditional lunch-cruise on the Loboc River. It was a factory-like experience, and the meal was unremarkable. The only good thing was the singer on each boat and the lush vegetation. Afterward, we visited colonial churches and the cathedral, remnants of the Spanish presence, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved dip in the pool. Note that for those interested, there’s an arena near the hotel where cockfights are held every Sunday—something Filipinos are passionate (if not obsessed) about.

Day 8: Very early departure for the port. We boarded a *banca* in search of dolphins. After about an hour of sailing, we were lucky enough to spot around a hundred dolphins. Our boat then headed to the small and charming island of Pamilacan. After a walk through the little village, we came across locals traditionally building a boat. They told us it takes about a month to finish their outrigger boat. Then we had to choose our snorkeling spot between the coral garden, the fish park, and the turtle enclosure. Note that a fee is charged for each spot: 150 PHP per place and per person. It felt a bit like we were being ripped off, especially since the spots weren’t amazing—we’d see much better on Apo for much less. We had lunch on the island at one of the many small eateries (350 PHP per person).

Days 9 and 10: On our return, we were taken to the Bohol Sea Resort on Panglao Island, where we stayed for 2 nights. It’s a small, recent establishment in a quiet corner of the island. It’s relaxing—maybe a bit too much. It has a nice pool and access to Danao Beach, but the view is blocked by a flotilla of boats. We didn’t try their diving school. The meals were good. If we had to do it again, we’d skip this stop to spend more time in Negros.

Days 11 and 12: We took a fast ferry (Ocean Jet) from Tagbilaran port to Dumaguete and were taken to the Thalatta Resort, about 20 km away near Zamboanguita. We stayed there for 2 nights. Let’s just say it was our favorite. It’s a small place facing Apo Island. The rooms are simple, and the pool, nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, is fantastic. The staff is friendly, and the meals are very good. The hotel has its own diving center (snorkeling gear provided) and its own boats. We booked the Apo Island excursion: 1,350 PHP per person, including lunch. It was incredible: magnificent corals, colorful fish, and turtles of all sizes. The crew was endlessly kind and didn’t hesitate to dive to guide us to the best spots. In short, a perfect day. This site is ranked among the top 5 diving spots in the Philippines. Since we were lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday morning, we explored the surprising Malapay Market, a 10-minute walk from our hotel. You’ll find numerous stalls selling vegetables, fruits, live or dried fish, and handicrafts. Enclosures are set up for selling livestock (calves, zebu, pigs). There are also restaurants. We were lucky to see two pigs roasted traditionally on a spit. There are few Europeans, and the people are warm. A great moment. We left this beautiful place with regret because we didn’t have time to visit the island or go swimming with whale sharks.

Days 12 to 15: From Dumaguete port, we took a short crossing (1 hour with Ocean Jet) to Siquijor Island to reach the Coco Grove Beach Resort. A beautiful hotel nestled in a spacious tropical garden. Several restaurants and bars, 4 pools. Despite the size of the place, it remains intimate. You can snorkel (corals and fish) right in front of the beautiful beach. We stayed in a very pleasant duplex suite. For those interested, there’s a spa and a diving center. You can also take the Apo Island excursion (offered at 1,950 PHP). We spent our days relaxing between the pool and the beach. In the evening, the sunsets over Negros and Apo were stunning. We booked an island tour with a comfortable tricycle from the hotel (1,500 PHP). The circuit was classic and allowed us to go around the island. We discovered beaches, the famous 400-year-old ficus tree with its enormous roots, and its equally famous foot bath with its cleaning fish. Then we visited the St. Isidore Convent before heading to the Cambugahay waterfalls and their four pools. The setting is idyllic, and the water is surprisingly good—we had a lot of fun swimming. We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the island, where you can see Apo, Cebu, and Negros. In the end, Siquijor turned out to be a real little tropical paradise. Since the hotel restaurants were expensive, we dined at nearby establishments: Fuego (clean, good—excellent raw fish—and quiet), Chekesch (louder), and the very pleasant Baha Bar, which brews its own beer and offers more refined cuisine.

Days 15 to 16: We left at dawn to return to Dumaguete and its airport by ferry. We had breakfast at the Coco Grande Hotel, an annex of the previous one. The Philippine Airlines flight went smoothly. A driver took us to the town of Taal. We stayed at Paradores Del Castillo, right in the heart of the old town. It’s a charming old house with only 6 rooms. The various rooms are decorated with antiques—a real little museum. The garden is pleasant and opens onto the town. It’s an old early 19th-century house converted into a hotel, beautifully arranged with 6 rooms in the heart of the city. The restaurant in the garden is very pleasant and offers a panoramic view. We visited an old Spanish house before heading to the beautiful Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Philippines. A mass was in progress, allowing us to gauge the Filipinos’ fervor before we could visit. When we left, it was dark, and we could admire the illuminated building. We ended our evening by exploring the night market with its many fruit and skewer stalls. A nice surprise. In the morning, we were taken to the shores of Taal Lake, an ancient caldera where a second volcano has formed in the middle of the lake, which in turn contains another lake. We boarded a *banca* to reach the island in the middle of the lake. This was followed by an uphill walk, made difficult by the high temperature (36°C) and the dust on the path. The dust was worsened by the many horses carrying (or bringing back) the less courageous. To illustrate the difficulty of the climb, the trail is marked by the Stations of the Cross and its 14 stations. We were panting while our guide trotted far ahead. Our effort was rewarded when we reached the summit and its viewpoints over the inner lake and the surroundings. The wisps of smoke seen here and there confirmed we were on an active volcano. Inside the lake, there are supposedly 45 small volcanoes, one of which emerged during its last eruption in 1911. On the way back, we had lunch by the lake before returning to Manila and the Bayleaf Hotel, whose main merit is its location in the Intramuros district. In the late afternoon, we walked along the walls of the old city. We had dinner on the hotel’s panoramic terrace overlooking the city and the bay.

Day 17: Last day! Our tour operator joined us for a tour of the Intramuros district. He enriched the visit with comments on the history, geopolitics, and economy of the Philippines. We visited the Manila Cathedral, destroyed 7 times in the past (6 earthquakes and the 1945 bombing). It’s beautiful, and its stained glass is magnificent. We couldn’t enter the San Agustin Church, the oldest Catholic building in Manila. We passed by the memorial to the Battle of Manila, which claimed over 100,000 lives. We visited the area around Casa Manila, which was closed on Monday, and had a drink at Barbara’s cabaret, located in a historic house. A very enriching morning. Then we went to the Mall of Asia, the world’s largest shopping mall, to buy some souvenirs (Kultura store) before being taken to the airport. We exchanged our last pesos at the buying rate right after check-in. The return flight went smoothly. We regretted not being able to use the facilities of Istanbul’s new airport, as its opening was delayed by another month.

Finances: In the end, we spent 1,640 € for the international flights, 4,200 € for the stay (hotels, visits, various transports) with the agency (whose professionalism we can only praise), and about 700 € for meals, tips, and souvenirs.

Summary: Luckily, we had beautiful weather throughout our stay, with temperatures between 26 and 35°C. Discovering the Philippines was a wonderful experience. The diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Filipinos, the cleanliness, and the truly delicious fruits (especially pineapples and mangoes). We were never harassed, unlike in many touristy countries. On the other hand, the food, though generally cheap, wasn’t exceptional. Since this country is so vast, we might return in the near future.

Though I’m not a specialist on this destination, I’m happy to answer your questions based on my experience.

Bonjour

Quelles compagnies recommandez vous pour les vols internes en Australie svp (notamment est de l'Australie) ? Idéalement les moins chères, c'est certain, mais nous aurons aussi des affaires pour 1 mois de voyage en hiver, alors pas les compagnies qui autorisent un maximum de 5kg de bagages svp ;-) Pour tous vos autres conseils (hébergements, transport routier, incontournables...) on est preneurs aussi !!

Merci! :)