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Vos impressions sur le Sri Lanka English translation pending
by Choupada · 2003-02-08 · 7 replies
🙂 voila! c'est bientot fait je m envole pour le Sri Lanka

j'aimerai savoir si j'ai bien choisie ma destination🤪 pour ceux qui veulent me conseiller je serai ravie d'ecouter vos experiences😮

merçi! je part avec nouvelles frontieres😉
In Memory of Jamie Muir (1942–2025)
by Taamaden · 2026-05-15 · 1 reply
Musician, monk, painter: The metamorphoses of Jamie Muir

James David "Jamie" Muir, a talented drummer and percussionist and brief member of King Crimson, who left the world of pop music and show business to retreat to a Buddhist monastery in Scotland before dedicating himself almost entirely to painting, passed away last year at the age of 81. His artwork was recently featured in two exhibitions in Cornwall and London...

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1942, Jamie Muir attended the College of Art there in the 1960s. Early on, he was drawn to jazz.

Later settling in London, Jamie Muir played jazz trombone before turning to percussion. Influenced by American drummers like Tony Williams, Kenny Clarke, and Milford Graves, as well as musicians such as Pharoah Sanders and Albert Ayler, he gravitated toward free music, meaning improvisation. It was during this time that he began assembling an arsenal of household objects he later used alongside his standard drum kit: rattles, whistles, horns, chimes, bells, gongs, sheets of metal, shakers, drums, and plastic bottles.

After a brief stint in a multimedia group, Jamie Muir worked with choreographer Lindsay Kemp (as did David Bowie), played music in the short-lived jazz-rock group Sunship (with guitarist Allan Holdsworth, formerly of Soft Machine), and became involved in the ensemble known as The Music Improvisation Society, with Derek Bailey, Hugh Davies, and Evan Parker between 1968 and 1971. The Music Improvisation Society recorded an album for the ECM label in 1971 (never reissued on CD except in Japan) and a posthumous album (1968–71). Both records gained a cult following among fans of experimental and improvised music. After this experience, Muir played in Pete Brown’s Battered Ornaments and then in the band Boris with Jamie Peters, Don Weller, and former Colosseum member Jim Roache. He also briefly joined Assagai, an Afro-rock group featuring South African and Nigerian musicians from the legendary South African band Blue Notes (including drummer Louis Moholo, saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, and trumpeter/flutist Mongezi Feza).

In the summer of 1972, Robert Fripp, leader and guitarist of King Crimson, whom a journalist from *Melody Maker* had suggested meet this percussionist from the English experimental scene, invited Jamie Muir to join the new King Crimson lineup he was assembling: Robert Fripp (guitar, mellotron), David Cross (violin), John Wetton (bass), Bill Bruford (drums), and Jamie Muir (percussion). "King Crimson was the ideal for me because it was a rock band that had more than three brain cells. I was very much more an instrumental style of musician rather than being song-based, and there weren’t many other bands that I would have been any good in. I was extremely pleased and felt completely at home with Crimson." Once formed, the new group honed their sound on stage from early October to mid-December 1972 (see the 1972 live albums in the discography below), before recording the album Larks’ Tongues in Aspic in early 1973. A grand album, one of the band’s best, and one of the best of the 1970s.

However, after a concert at the Marquee Club in London, Jamie Muir left not only the band but also the music world entirely, with immediate effect. During the six months Muir spent with King Crimson, his presence completely upended the group’s philosophy, loosening the notoriously strict rules imposed by Fripp and pushing the boundaries of improvisation. Jamie Muir’s contribution—clearly heard on Larks’ Tongues in Aspic—was to introduce a touch of anarchy into Robert Fripp’s music, which was usually so tight, rational, and meticulously structured.

Muir returned to Scotland, to the Samye Ling Monastery near Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway (in the south), where he spent several years as a Buddhist monk, the pleasures of his former life giving way to retreat and meditation.

Muir came back to London and music in the 1980s, playing and recording with Derek Bailey and Evan Parker from the Music Improvisation Company, as well as with former King Crimson member Michael Giles on the soundtrack for the independent British film Ghost Dance (1983).

In 1990, Muir left music behind once more and increasingly devoted himself to painting, a discipline he maintained until his death. In his later years, he began exploring digital art as another form of expression.

In recent years, he lived in Penzance, Cornwall, where he passed away in February 2025.

Hery

Discography:

A. Jamie Muir with King Crimson: • Larks’ Tongues In Aspic (1973) • Larks’ Tongues In Aspic (The Complete Recordings) (2023, 4 CDs) • Cosmic Muir (1998, Japan, unofficial release) • The Beat Club Bremen 1972 (1999) • Live at the Zoom Club Frankfurt, Germany (October 13, 1972) (2002, 2 CDs) • Live in Guildford (November 13, 1972) (2003) • Live in Newcastle (December 8, 1972) (2019, mono) B. Jamie Muir and other projects: • The Music Improvisation Company: The Music Improvisation Company (1970) • The Music Improvisation Company: 1968–1971 (1976) • Derek Bailey / Jamie Muir: Dart Drug (1981) • Michael Giles / Jamie Muir / David Cunningham: Ghost Dance (1996) • Evan Parker / Jamie Muir / Paul Rodgers: The Ayes Have It (2001)

Links:

https://www.jamiemuirart.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDyf0ofV5n4 (King Crimson: "Larks' Tongues in Aspic") https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgoKT8hEBFQ&list=RDJ2FjbpvX8dA&index=2 (Michael Giles, Jamie Muir, David Cunningham)

The musician

The painter

The band (l. to r.: Muir, Fripp, Cross, Bruford)
Four days in Doha in January 2026
by 4yne · 2026-02-22 · 74 replies
Hi everyone,

This short stay in Doha is part of a longer trip. It lets us break up a flight to the Seychelles.

Friday, January 16, The Corniche

Despite the adventures we had the day before (read about it here), we just can’t get up later than 8 a.m. Our minds are a bit clearer and a bit more positive after some sleep.

View of the Corniche from the 12th floor.



Breakfast is sumptuous—it really lifts our spirits.

On this Friday morning, almost everything is closed, so we head out to explore the Corniche, which is just a few hundred meters from our hotel in Old Doha.

A marathon is happening today on the Corniche, so the road is closed and empty, making it easy to cross. The palm-shaped streetlights are gorgeous when they’re lit up at night.



A little reminder of Qatar’s once-thriving pearl trade.



A memory of a much more recent past.



The sun is shining, but it’s not very warm—just 19°C at the hottest part of the day. Tough luck, last week it was 24°C.

The walk along the crescent-shaped Corniche is pretty long. From the old town to the modern center, where massive Dubai-style towers rise, it’s a 6 km promenade along the waterfront.



Many dhows are docked, waiting for tourists to take a little cruise in the bay, but visitors are scarce.



The skyscrapers are so stunning, you can’t help but admire them.







to be continued...
Nisyros: Greece’s most beautiful island?
by Lhorizon · 2025-12-20 · 20 replies
Hi everyone,

I hesitated for a long time before publishing this travel journal since it’s been 8 months now since I left Nisyros. But in the end, I found it too beautiful to keep quiet about. So here we go—I finally got around to writing it. Nisyros is a stunning little Greek island, and luckily, it’s well hidden. Located a good twenty hours by boat from Athens, its distance from the Greek mainland deters most tourists from visiting. That’s what makes it an off-the-beaten-path destination. So much for the general info.



Before diving into the details, I should mention that I visited by bike (despite its severe and constant volcanic elevation) as part of a solo trip from France to Turkey. Why this detail? Because out of the ten countries I crossed and the dozens of sites I saw, Nisyros is one of my top three favorites (along with Pag Island, off-season, in Croatia, and Albania for its overall beauty—stunning natural landscapes and the incredible hospitality of its people). Anyway, welcome to this travel journal dedicated to the lovely little volcanic island of Nisyros…



I arrived one beautiful morning in Mandraki, the island’s main port. The twenty-hour boat ride from Athens went by like a breeze. I slept on the deck for three or four hours, sprawled on a bench that was more or less sheltered from the wind. At this time of year (it’s May 2nd), tourists aren’t exactly flocking here, so the boat was far from full. My first glimpse of Nisyros is classic Greek island scenery: blazing sun, an azure sky, and an even deeper blue sea. The trip is off to a great start. I quickly found a small, out-of-the-way hotel (I’m one of those people who avoids crowds as much as possible when traveling, which is getting harder and harder to do). While everyone else from the boat turned right out of the port toward the center of Mandraki, I went left! My nice little hotel was just a hundred meters away, facing a pretty little Orthodox church whose red color contrasted beautifully with the deep blue sea.



I dropped off my panniers in my room so I could ride light for once, then headed toward the next village: Pali. It’s a small fishing village that apparently comes to life a bit in the summer with a few tourists.



As I pedaled along the dock, I passed right by a guy sitting in a chair in full sun. Unfazed despite the sweat pouring down his forehead, he untangled his fishing net with a precision that commanded respect. I gave him the obligatory kalimera (good morning), but he reacted like a deaf-mute—no response at all. On the other hand, his employee answered me kindly from the trawler docked right next to him. Standing on deck, he was also untangling a mess of nets and invited me aboard to chat. That’s Mohamed.



Communication wasn’t easy since he only spoke Greek and I didn’t, but he was cheerful, and his joy was contagious. He proudly showed off their catch of the day: two beautiful rays and a few brightly colored fish. We chatted like that for about fifteen minutes.



When it was time to hit the road again, I said goodbye to Mohamed, who smiled back. But this time, his boss—still dripping sweat in his chair under the scorching sun—greeted me too. Turns out he wasn’t deaf or mute after all.



I continued along the coast since that’s where most of Nisyros’ beaches are. They start lining up just outside Pali. These are black sand beaches, which can’t hide their volcanic origins.



Yesterday afternoon in Athens, I met Peter and Michelle, a Dutch-French couple, while we were waiting for the ferry to depart. The Greek sailors were on strike, so we ended up waiting about twelve hours before setting off. Anyway, we had plenty of time to chat, and Peter, who’s lived on Tilos—a small island near Nisyros—for about twenty years, told me that many migrants pass through these two islands. Most come from Afghanistan and Syria, fleeing authoritarian regimes and the massacres that come with them. They’re looking for *anywhere* else where the future can’t possibly be worse. Peter explained that you often find their belongings on the local beaches. And sure enough, I didn’t have to look far to spot some—clothes, life jackets…



I glanced around, hoping to see one of them to maybe exchange a few words, but no—no one. I was completely alone.



I got back on my bike and spent the rest of the day wandering aimlessly, just exploring this beautiful part of Nisyros. I also picked up some supplies because tomorrow, I’d be heading inland for two days, deep into its four-kilometer-wide caldera to explore the volcano. I’d be sleeping in a tent, so I needed to stock up on food. After a restful night in a real bed—something rare on this bike trip (and I won’t even mention the shower…)—I finally set off for the volcano (I’ll share details about that charming little hotel with the amazing breakfasts at the end of the journal). To reach Stefanos (the name of the main crater), I had to climb to the top of the caldera. It was hot, and some of the slopes were between 10 and 15%, which is steep, especially with a 54 kg bike. But who cares? I was admiring the scenery, and I have to say, I was surprised by how green it was. The higher I climbed, the more beautiful the vegetation became. It stood out against the blue of the sea, and the landscapes inside the island were truly stunning. So, I stopped every five minutes to take photos. Every now and then, I’d come across cows in the middle of the road—or goats in the trees! They climbed with the agility of monkeys to munch on the leaves. I couldn’t get a photo of them because they’d all scatter before I got close. It was actually the noise they made climbing down that tipped me off to their presence. Two villages sit at the top of the caldera: Emporios and Nikia. I passed the first one without climbing up to it, then continued to the second. And let me tell you, Nikia was love at first sight! I found myself pedaling through tiny streets, some barely wider than my bike with its panniers. The walls were white, and the doors were painted in all sorts of colors—green, blue, red… The streets were empty, and silence reigned. But it wasn’t a dead silence. It was more like the kind you find in small, secret, peaceful places. The village exuded tranquility, calm, and well-being. I leaned my bike—with all its gear—against a wall without locking it. It was the first time on this trip that I’d done that. Sure, its weight made it more like a tank than a bike, so you’d have to be *really* motivated to steal it, but here, for some reason, I felt completely at ease. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest move, but I go a lot by instinct, and here, it felt right. So I left my bike there and went to eat a little farther away, at a small restaurant on the village’s main square. It’s famous all over Greece for the beautiful mosaic that covers and decorates the floor. Once I’d eaten and drunk my fill, I hopped back on my bike, which had waited patiently without running off. And the best part? After riding uphill all morning to reach the top of the caldera, all I had to do now was coast downhill to the volcano. Pure bliss in such breathtaking scenery.
October Photo Contest Theme: Doors
by Muriel18 · 2025-10-01 · 89 replies
Hi everyone!

This theme has probably been done before... but not recently, at least 😉 Doors—open, closed, of houses, castles... even if only the threshold remains. Since I’m not home, I don’t have access to my photos right now, and regarding the rules, I’ll let you refer to one of the previous contests.

Photos can be posted until Thursday the 23rd at 11:59 PM (Paris time). Voting will take place from the 24th to the 30th of October, and the results will be announced on the 31st during the day.

See you soon! 🙂
Moving near Aix-en-Provence
by Freshco13fer · 2025-09-20 · 10 replies
Hi everyone,

I’m looking for info on villages around Aix, like Fuveau, Bouc-Bel-Air, or even Éguilles and Venelles? We’re a couple with a child living in the Paris region, and I’ll be relocating to Aix-en-Provence in spring 2026. We’d love to swap our apartment for a house with a pool within 20-30 minutes max of central Aix, with a budget of around 650k €.

In terms of climate and geography, I’ve read that Aix is in a basin where it can get really hot. What about the surrounding villages that are a bit more elevated, like Venelles? Is it just as stifling?

For a family, which area would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
Looking for feedback and advice on a Thailand-Laos-Cambodia itinerary plan
by Pled · 2025-09-03 · 76 replies
Hi everyone, I’m starting to plan my next trip to Southeast Asia this winter (2.5 months, leaving in early December), and here’s a rough outline of my route—I’d love to share it with you and hear your thoughts and tips.

- I’ll start in Bangkok and already have three spots I’ve marked: Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Uthai Thani (I haven’t been to any of these places yet). - Next, I’d like to cross the country from west to east to reach the Laos border. I’d love suggestions for any interesting stops along this route—I don’t know this part of Thailand at all... - Then I’ll head into Laos, probably at Savannakhet (you can usually get a visa at the border). - > I’m tempted to spend a week in Hoi An, Vietnam, since I loved that city and the area when I visited two years ago. No visa needed for Vietnam now, so it could be a nice little detour. On the map, it doesn’t look too far, but I know you’ve got to be careful with these things, and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. Any opinions on this? - Back to Laos (maybe via Dakta), and I’ll head south along the Mekong, probably doing the Bolaven Plateau loop that I missed last time. Then Paksé, the 4,000 Islands... I’ve been before, but I’d happily go back. - Crossing into Cambodia, I’ll follow the Mekong down to Phnom Penh (I know this area and love how untouristy it is). From there, I’ll probably spend a few days in Kep (quieter than Kampot). Still undecided, though. - Then back to Thailand (BKK), likely by plane from Phnom Penh since the borders between the two countries are currently closed (plus, let’s be honest, Cambodian roads... ;-). We’ll see how things look when the time comes. - After that, I’d like to explore southern Thailand, taking it slow with short hops. I’ve got my eye on Khao Sok National Park, and I’ve heard good things about Krabi... Again, I don’t know this region well, so any info or tips would be great.

So, I think this should be doable in 2.5 months, especially since I prefer short hops of 300 km max to avoid getting too tired, and I like staying 2-3 days in each place to explore. Plus, I’ll take a week off to relax if I find a spot I love—maybe by the sea for some real downtime.

Thanks for your feedback and for sharing your favorite spots! Pascal
Terrible experience at MMV Arêches-Beaufort – bed bugs + total disregard
by Duplo13 · 2025-07-09 · 1 reply
Hi everyone,

I’m posting this as a not-so-pleasant experience, but one I think is important to share.

We stayed at MMV Arêches-Beaufort at the end of June 2025 (from the 21st to the 28th), in room 317, as a family with our young daughter.

Everything was fine until the night of June 25th to 26th, when we discovered a bed bug infestation right next to our bedhead. We’d already slept 4 nights in that infested room without noticing anything. Needless to say, the shock was huge, especially with a little one.

MMV offered to relocate us, but by that point, trust was completely broken. The rest of the stay was spent in constant stress: disinfecting, isolating our belongings, and worrying about bringing these pests home with us.

They refunded our stay (which was the least they could do), but they’d also promised compensation of 150 €, which was never paid. Since then, no news at all. We felt erased, ignored, and not taken seriously.

I’m sharing this not to stir up controversy, but to warn other travelers. We thought we were staying in a reliable residence with responsive customer service—it wasn’t the case.

I’m genuinely wondering: Am I an isolated case with MMV? Have others experienced similar situations (bed bugs or a lack of consideration when problems arise)?

Thanks to those who take the time to read this. And above all, be wary when everything seems "too good on paper."
That's Kenya too...
by Solene40 · 2025-05-16 · 150 replies
Hey fellow travelers,

I'm back in the "travel journal" section to share our 15-day adventure in Kenya in November 2024. It was pretty much our first time in East Africa (since Zanzibar doesn’t really count 😜).

As usual, I’m sharing the journal I made for our loved ones—still as casual and cheerful as ever, just to give them a little break from their tough workdays 😄.

We organized the whole trip ourselves, and to be original here LOL, we took some *very* well-trodden paths: Naivasha, Tsavo, and Diani. But what I loved about this country is that it’s so easy to go off the beaten track—even on the "tourist highways" 😉.

So, if you're a safari fanatic or after stunning wildlife photos, you might be disappointed. But if you want to discover other sides of Kenya, you might just find what you're looking for 😉.

Looking forward to sharing this fun journey with you all 😊.

Feedback on 14-day Florida itinerary with a child
by Valju08 · 2025-05-16 · 8 replies
Hi everyone, We’re planning a trip to Florida during Belgium’s Carnival break, from February 14 to March 1, 2025. I’d love your help putting together our itinerary and getting ideas for family-friendly places to stay 😊 We’ll likely book a multi-destination flight, arriving in Miami and departing from Orlando. Here’s what we’d really love to do: - Visit beaches like Sanibel Island—we’re huge shell collectors 🐚 - See alligators in the Everglades and take a tour there - Spend some downtime in the Keys to relax a bit - Head to the Kennedy Space Center since my son is obsessed with astronauts and rockets - Maybe hit one of Orlando’s theme parks (we were leaning toward Universal, but the prices are just outrageous 😬) - Explore some cool spots in Miami.

We’d also prefer not to switch hotels too often—maybe at least two nights in each place? And no more than a 3-hour drive between stops.

Here’s our rough plan so far: Day 1–3: Miami Day 3–5: Keys Day 5–7: Everglades, Naples, and Sanibel Island Day 7–11: ??? Day 11–14: Orlando and Kennedy Space Center

As you can see, I’m not sure whether to add more days to the places we’re already visiting or if we should swing by Clearwater or somewhere else? Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations!
Transport and ferries in Flores
by Vanes77 · 2025-03-04 · 15 replies
Hi, I’m traveling with my 13-year-old son in June and July 2025 for 6 weeks—2 weeks in Flores and 4 in Sulawesi. I don’t want a super "roots" trip because long transport times eat up too much time, so I’d prefer to use only private or shared drivers whenever possible since I’ve read that public transport really slows you down. That said, I don’t want to hire the same driver for the whole trip because I think it’d be way over budget.

My first question is about transport times and approximate costs. I’d like to double-check the times I’ve seen because it’s not clear to me whether they’re for private vehicles or public buses: - Labuan Bajo – Denge (Wae Rebo): 5–6 hours ???? - Denge – Ruteng: 3 hours ???? - Ruteng – Bajawa: 4 hours ???? - Bajawa – Moni (Kelimutu Volcano): 3.5 hours ???? - Moni – Koka Beach: 1.5 hours ???? - Maumere – Koka Beach: 2 hours ????

My second question is about the Maumere–Makassar ferry. It’s impossible to find a clear answer—PELNI’s website shows only about 2 ferries per month, but Rome2Rio mentions a daily departure (with a return the next day, like the Labuan Bajo–Makassar route, I assume). I’d really like to avoid flying since it’s so expensive on this route.

My third question: I’ve read that flight tickets are more expensive when bought from France than from Indonesia. Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks so much for your help! This is my first post on the forum in ages, so I hope the length doesn’t scare anyone off.

Best, Vanessa
White as snow, let's chat here!
by Attila · 2025-02-02 · 253 replies
And nowhere else...😉
St. Lucia and iSimangaliso: Stories from Different Trips
by Michel85200 · 2025-01-30 · 9 replies
Hello there,



As mentioned in the title, this is a travel journal focused on St. Lucia and iSimangaliso ("this place is miraculous" in Zulu) over various trips spanning about twenty years.

The Elephant Coast stretches from Hluhluwe Umfolozi, through St. Lucia and iSimangaliso, all the way to the Mozambique border near Kosi Bay and Tembe. This region was conquered by the Zulus (for context, in the 19th century, the Zulus were just one Bantu group among many—it was a local Napoleon, Shaka, who was both cruel and inventive, conquering and subjugating all other groups to form the Zulu nation). The Tonga were the big losers in this area, and a certain "animosity" is still very noticeable... With our two guides (one Zulu and the other Tonga), we ran into some Tonga folks—definitely not a warm atmosphere. The Tonga were pushed back into the marshes. Fish traps are their main source of wealth. (iSimangaliso is a lagoon and marshland area with several interconnected lakes—it used to be called Vetland Park, and for good reason.) So, lakes, fishing with fish traps...





Traditionally done with raffia boats



Made from forest raffia



Where we spotted a particularly rare and endemic bird (whose name I can’t remember... and I can’t be bothered to dig through my notes)

Here, those are eagles

And they’re pretty brave because... they’re not far away...





Yet we still swim there... with supervision...



So, between St. Lucia and Mozambique, you’ll find marshes, lagoons, lakes, and coastline, with our Tonga friends, Zulu friends, and—just a bit further up—the Tembe... and their king. (I’m showing off a bit because I got to see a king up close, ate in the same room as him, and even talked to him!)

Originally, the Boers tried to farm there... including sugarcane...

But... between the hippos, snakes, crocs, and malaria-carrying mosquitoes... They lost count of the deaths and disappearances.

The story goes that when Madiba (Mandela) came to power, he passed through the area and convinced them to turn it into a natural space that would attract tourists—and that’s when the big change happened.

And it’s pretty incredible to see how this place has evolved, going from extreme poverty to a certain level of gentrification... How this once "chaotic" area saw shops, roads, and housing spring up (I’m mainly talking about Mtubatuba, the nearby Black town). In fact, in St. Lucia now, the homes that aren’t tourist accommodations can be counted on one hand.

St. Lucia has become a "seaside resort"... very busy during school holidays and certain weekends, increasingly cosmopolitan (20 years ago, speaking French was exotic—now it’s completely ordinary).
How surprising this Sultanate of Oman is
by Solene40 · 2024-10-22 · 144 replies
Hey fellow travelers,

We’re a couple in our fifties who’ve been traveling independently for ages—mostly in Asia, a bit in Africa, very little in the Americas, and never ever in West Asia until November 2023, when we discovered the Sultanate of Oman.



If we waited so long to explore this part of the world, it’s because a few questions were nagging at us, like: Can two Landais party lovers like us survive 15 days without apéro 😄? Or, more seriously: Can a feminist like me enjoy traveling in such a conservative country?

That is the question (and I feel your pain with this unbearable suspense 😅).

Ready to dive in?

PS: Apologies in advance for the casual tone of this travel journal—it’s the one I shared with our loved ones in real time, which explains everything.
Resuming discussions and returning to Madagascar
by Rotsaka · 2024-10-12 · 28 replies
Oh, the good news—the site is back up after such a long closure. I think many of us were really missing it, though some have moved on to other forums like Routard. Hopefully, activity will pick up little by little. Travel habits have probably changed post-Covid, and some regulars won’t be coming back for all sorts of reasons. But for the rest of us, the forum is here for travel journals and pre-trip questions. Anyway…

Back to the main point: my last trip to Madagascar was a while ago now—about a year—on the High Plateaus during the austral winter. It was really chilly, and to be honest, my feelings were mixed between the joy of returning to Madagascar and the sadness of seeing the state of the country. The infrastructure is crumbling, and the population is sinking into poverty at unprecedented levels. The country’s closure likely had immeasurable consequences, compounded by destructive cyclones. Even secondary cities have seen large numbers of rural people arriving in search of work, while some rural areas barely allow survival. I’ve never felt such despair over the situation in 20 years.

From Tana to Fianar, it was nothing but heartbreaking observations. Probably made worse by the drizzle and cold typical of that season in the region.

In a few weeks, I’m planning to return to the High Plateaus and also Sainte Marie. On that note, a few questions: has anyone stayed at Samaria Cosy Lodge, and what did you think of it? On Île aux Nattes, which hotel would you recommend for a few peaceful days, ideally on the coast best suited for snorkeling?

Thanks in advance
Voyage Montréal - Italie - sud de la France - Espagne - Portugal English translation pending
by Tifanny034 · 2020-08-07 · 15 replies
Bonjour, nous comptons faire un voyage en été qui fera ce circuit. Est-ce vous avez des incontournables à visiter pour une famille de avec 3 enfants ? Nous comptons louer une voiture et faire le trajet en voiture. Merci beaucoup

Le trajet sera: Montréal-Italie-Sud de la France-Espagne-Portugal

je modifie mon message pour le temps de voyage. Nous avons 14 jours au total
30ème anniversaire de la mort de Luigi Nono (Italie) English translation pending
by Taamaden · 2020-05-12 · 0 replies
« Luigi Nono : un nom. Une œuvre musicale. La musique d’un nom. Le nom d’une musique » (Edmond Jabès, poète et ami de L.N.)

En souvenir d’un grand compositeur

Ses œuvres sont provocantes et tout de même destinées au peuple : le compositeur Luigi Nono est l’un des plus grands représentants de l’avant-garde d’après-guerre, qui a donné des impulsions importantes pour la Nouvelle Musique. Le 8 mai 1990, il est décédé dans sa ville natale, Venise. Trop tôt...

Depuis les années 50 – la grande époque de la musique d’avant-garde se forgeant essentiellement à Darmstadt et Donaueschingen –, Luigi Nono fait sans aucun doute partie des compositeurs les plus importants de l’histoire de la musique contemporaine (avec Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Luciano Berio, György Ligeti, etc.). Désigné comme le compositeur le plus politisé de sa génération, Nono et sa musique ont été le carrefour des débats esthétiques et idéologiqes les plus importants : musique et politique, texte et musique, signification textuelle et sémantique musicale, technique sérielle et expression artistique, technologie moderne et idéologies, les problèmes essentiels de la musique sont fortement remis en question. Estimé par les professionnels de la musique contemporaine, utilisé et de la même façon abusé pour des enjeux politiques, Nono reste une figure énigmatique extrêmement attrayante, trop peu comprise par ses contemporains, et ce fait est encore valable même trois décennies après sa mort...

Luigi Nono reconnaît très tôt la parenté entre les musiques des différentes époques et les arts : son grand-père était peintre, son oncle Urbano sculpteur. Au Conservatoire de Venise, Nono entre en contact avec la musique vocale polyphonique de la Renaissance. De plus, la Seconde Ecole de Vienne (Schönberg, Berg, Webern) et des compositeurs comme Strawinsky et Bartók ont également une influence énorme sur lui dès le début. Etudiant des Cours d‘été internationaux de Darmstadt, il s’associe à des étudiants d’Arnold Schönberg. En 1955, une fille de Schönberg, Nuria, devient son épouse.

Ses œuvres des années 50-70 peuvent être considérées en fonction de leur inscription dans une idéologie marxiste et gramscienne (Il canto sospeso / Canti per 13 / La terra e la compagna / Varianti), et on rencontre les thèmes qui préoccupaient la Gauche européenne à l’époque : la guerre d’Algérie (Intolleranza), l’assassinat de Malcolm X (Contrappunto dialettico alla mente), la guerre de Vietnam (Siamo la gioventù del Vietnam), le mai 1968 (Musica-Manifesto n.1 : Un volto, del mare – Non consumiamo Marx), le Holocaust (Ricorda cosa ti hanno fatto in Auschwitz), des mouvements de libération en Amérique du Sud (Como una ola de fuerza et luz), le monde du travail au capitalisme (La fabbrica illuminata) etc.

Dans la deuxieme moitié des années 70, Nono change lui-même le cap : des œuvres comme Con Luigi Dallapiccola (1979), le quatuor à cordes Fragments: Silence, A Diotima (1979-80) ou le deuxième journal polonais Quando stanno morendo (1981) dépassent même les attentes de ceux qui ne le soupçonnent pas d’être un "compositeur engagé", étant d’abord perplexes face à un Luigi Nono changé aussi bien sur les plans humain que compositionnel, jugeant les quelques idées d’autrefois obsolètes et démodées et exigeant absolument de "mettre l'imagination autant que possible en avant".

La période artistique de Nono qui suit et dure jusqu’à sa mort, est en particulier marquée par une seule œuvre monumentale, Prometeo. Tragedia dell’ascolto, un drame qui ne se passe que dans et avec les sons, un drame entre la musique et les auditeurs. Pour le compositeur, ce "Prométhée", basé sur un collage de textes fragmentés qui vont d’Äschylus jusqu’à Walter Benjamin, en passant par Goethe, Rilke, Hölderlin et Nietzsche, et cela en italien, grec et allemand, ce Prométhée donc correspond à "un voyage d’une île à une autre île", à un labyrinthe dans lequel les chemins se croisent et se perdent. Prométhée incarne la situation humaine actuelle : "L’homme et la loi, l’homme et sa recherche continuelle de l’inconnu, l’homme et la construction des nouvelles lois et leur transgression. Prométhée, c’est l’homme avec son éternelle soif de nouvelles terres et de nouvelles frontières. C’est la révolte contre la restauration qui empêche l’arrivée des temps nouveaux" (Luigi Nono).

Fondazione Archivio Luigi Nono

Voici mes "charts Nono" (pas dans cet ordre, mais tout à recommander vivement !) :

i) Il canto sospeso* : Barbara Bonney, Susanne Otto, Marek Torzewski, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Berliner Philharmoniker, Dir. Claudio Abbado (Sony) ii) Polifonica – Monodia – Ritmica / Canti per 13 / Canciones a Guiomar : Angelika Luz, United Voices, Ensemble UnitedBerlin, Dir. Peter Hirsch (Wergo) iii) Como una ola de fuerza y de luz / …sofferte onde serene… / Contrappunto dialettico alla mente : Slavka Taskova, Maurizio Pollini, Sinfonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Dir. Claudio Abbado (Deutsche Grammophon) iv) Prometeo. Tragedia dell’ascolto : Ingrid Ade-Jesemann, Susanne Otto, Helena Rasker, Peter Hall, Solistenchor Freiburg, Ensemble Modern, EdHSS, Dir. André Richard, Ingo Metzmacher, Peter Rundel (EMI Classics) v) La fabbrica illuminata / Ha venido, Canciones para Silva / Ricorda cosa ti hanno fatto in Auschwitz : Carla Henius, Barbara Miller, Kinderchor des Piccolo Teatro, Chor des RAI Mailand, Schola Cantorum Stuttgart (Wergo) vi) Al gran sole carico d’amore : Claudia Barainsky, Maraile Lichdi, Melinda Liebermann, Staatsopernchor und Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Dir. Lothar Zagrosek (Teldec/Warner) vii) Fragmente: Stille – An Diotima : Arditti String Quartet (Montaigne)

Hery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58YmocJewH0

*Il canto sospeso est une cantate pour soprano, contralto, ténor, chœur et orchestre, écrite entre 1955 et 1956, à partir d’extraits de lettres de condamnés à mort de la résistance européenne.
Voyage à moto Royal Enfield en Malaisie, Philippines ou Vietnam English translation pending
by Anne42 · 2020-05-10 · 8 replies
bonjour j'ai recherché sur VF mais pas trouvé pourriez vous peut être m'aider? voilà nous sommes un couple de retraités dynamiques (c'est comme ça que l'on dit!!), aimons les voyages (surtout depuis que nous ne travaillons plus : 3 mois en inde l'an passé et 3 enfin plutôt 2 finalement cette année en asie du sud est) et la moto (tranquille, à notre rythme, nous avons une BMW 1200 et aimons partir ailleurs avec, allemagne, auvergne, pays basque, alpes…) mon mari aura 60 ans en octobre 2020 comme cadeau d'anniversaire je voudrais lui offrir une balade en royal enfield (son rêve) mais en asie du sud est car c'est là que nous programmons notre prochain grand voyage en 2021 (?), ça va se préparer avant octobre et comme je veux lui garder la surprise il faut que ça rentre dans ce cadre (car au départ il aurait aimé la royal enfield en inde du nord) donc auriez vous ou connaitriez vous des pistes pour un road trip (en couple ou dans un petit groupe) en royal enfield en malaisie, philippines ou vietnam? cordialement anne solages
Se raconter nos galères en voyage English translation pending
by Zezettedez · 2020-04-01 · 5 replies
Salut a tout les confines, Au Botswana nous le sommes aussi a partir de demain minuit. Faisant partie du personnel de sante, je ne le suis pas. Peut etre, pour sortir de cette morbide atmosphere, pourrait on se raconter nos galeres en voyage, parce malgre les merveilleux carnets de voyage, tout ne se passe pas comme attendu..
Des nouvelles du Costa Victoria? English translation pending
by Chanchan54 · 2020-03-19 · 22 replies
bonjour je devais embarquer sur le costa victoria à Mumbai pour un retour sur Venise en un mois, le voyage d'une vie, attendu, une carotte après un début d'année difficile.... sauf que l'embarquement était prévu le 29 février et que le virus était en plein essor. Nous avons décidé de ne point partir, un gros coup au moral et a priori costa ne veut rien entendre. Pourtant je suis comme je peux car l'information a l'air d'être sanctionnée le parcours des bateaux de croisière, de nombreux ont eu des soucis, une ambiance pourrie, de nombreuses escales supprimées et surtout des cas de coronavirus. Je n'arrive cependant pas à avoir des infos sur le costa victoria, quelqu'un sait il si ce bateau rencontre des problèmes de virus et des problèmes d'itinéraire ; et comment et où va se faire le débarquement des passagers, prévu à Venise ? merci pour vos infos une amatrice de croisière dans le passé, le futur se fera en fonction des réponses de costa, c'est pas bien engagé
Les pays que... vous avez les moins aimés English translation pending
by Draz938 · 2020-03-11 · 2 replies
Bonjour à tous et toutes, en préparation d'un TDM, je vais poser la question à l'envers, c'est quels pays que vous avez le moins aimé (et pourquoi)? Effectivement les sites avec les top 10 ou 20 des pays que les voyageurs aiment, il y en a plein. Dans l'autre sens, très peu, j'aimerais avoir vos avis, vos ressentis? merci
Pico ou Flores avec des enfants en plus de Sao Miguel et Santa Maria (Açores) English translation pending
by Cloeje · 2020-02-25 · 5 replies
Bonjour à tous, nous partons 18 jours avec 2 enfants et 4 et 6 ans fin juillet début aout aux acores. J'envisage de passer 7 jours pleins à Sao Miguel et 4 jours à la fin à Santa Maria pour que les enfants profitent des plages de sable. Entre les 2 j'aimerais ajouter une autre ile. Je souhaitais initialement aller à Flores mais en lisant les commentaires, je me demande si cela est adapté. Mon 2e ne marche pas énormément et il est devenu trop lourd pour le porter dans un porte bébé. Par conséquent je me demande si les points d'intérêts seront accessibles pour nous. Aussi je tiens à faire une excursion pour aller voir les cétacés et j'ai cru comprendre que Pico était le meilleur spot pour ça. Savez-vous si cela est faisable sur Flores également ou Sao Miguel?. Je suis preneuse de vos conseils et de vos bonnes adresses de logements avec des enfants! Merci infiniment d'avance
Informations sur l'état actuel de l'île de Saint-Martin English translation pending
by LaetitiaGrnd · 2020-02-07 · 10 replies
Bjr Je recherche des informations fiables sur l'état de l'Ile à cette date qu'en est il de la reconstruction et est ce possible d'y passer un séjour agréable en Mars 2020 notamment Antilles françaises Oyster Pond Quels conseils donneriez vous merci par avance
Difficultés pour l'e-Visa pour l'Inde English translation pending
by Georgesloss · 2020-01-19 · 28 replies
Attention: la procédure d'evisa pour l'Inde est un cauchemar pour le voyageur. Sans parler des multiples bugs qui obligent à recommencer la procédure à de nombreuses reprises avant d'arriver à son terme, je viens de me voir opposé 3 rejets successifs sans explication, la dernière demande ayant été entièrement revue par une personne particulièrement compétente... Et ce alors que la demande de visa de ma femme (faite par mes soins) a été acceptée du premier coup. L'arbitraire bureaucratique est donc poussé à son extrême, ce qui est une honte pour ce pays. Etant à moins de 2 semaines de ma date de départ prévue, je risque donc de perdre mon billet et de m'orienter vers un pays plus accueillant. A moins de sauter dans un TGV urgemment pour aller déposer une demande de regular visa au prix fort... sans aucune garantie non plus, d'ailleurs. Si quelqu'un a des suggestions, je suis preneur. Sinon, un bon conseil: ne jamais acheter un billet d'avion pour ce pays sans avoir au préalable obtenu son visa...
Étapes pour la boucle de Mae Hong Son (Thaïlande) English translation pending
by Bruno31 · 2020-01-07 · 7 replies
Bonjour je m'interroge sur les étapes le long de la boucke de Mae Hong Son (à 2 roues motorisé). Je ne vais pas partir très tôt le 1er jour (arrivant juste la veille à Chiang Maï), aussi je me demande s'il y a des haltes sympa avant Mae Sariang (je ne compte pas rouler de nuit et je table sur une vitesse moyenne basse). Devrais-je prévoir plus de temps sur le tronçon CM - Mae Sariang ? Ma 2ème étape pourrait être Mae Hong Son (à moins qu'il soit particulièrement recommandé de s'arrêter à Khun Yuam ?) Je pense rester une journée pour MHS et ses environs. Puis le 4ème jour aller vers Soppong : peu de km mais trajet très tourmenté semble t il ? Est ce que je devrais prévoir de visiter Tam Lod ce jour-là ou bien le 5ème ? 5ème jour : ballades autour de Soppong (comment trouver un itinéraire court et sympa pour marcher ?) 6ème jour : il me faut impérativement arriver à CM ce jour-là, le trajet est il réalisable depuis Soppong ou faut-il que je me rapproche de CM le jour 5 ? J'ai déjà eu l'occasion d'aller à Paï, et pas envie d'y revenir - sauf à y faire étape si nécessaire, bien entendu.

C'est pour le mois de janvier : est il facile de trouver des hébergements sur place ou bien faudrait il réserver ? Merci d'avance de vos infos pertinentes !
Six jours pour visiter la ville de Marrakech English translation pending
by Coco3826 · 2019-12-23 · 20 replies
Bonjour à toutes et à tous !!

Nous avons 6 jours plein fin février et comptons aller à Marrakech . Est ce suffisant pour avoir un bon aperçu de la ville ? Peux t-on meme envisagé une excursion autour de la ville , quoi voir ? Une location de voiture est-elle indispensable si on reste sur la ville ? Merci pour vos réponses et joyeux Noel à tous, Christophe
Pinion ou VAE? (vélo) English translation pending
by Comont60 · 2019-12-20 · 26 replies
Bonjour a tous Je suis devant un grand dilemme je pensais quitter mon fahrrad avec rohloff pour un VAE et on me déconseille surtout chargé et dans les côtes. Par contre les conseil donnés serait de prendre un vélo avec transmission PINION.

vos avis camarades alainenvadrouille.fr
Découvrir la Dominique ou la Martinique avec un bébé de 7 mois English translation pending
by Joleeeene · 2019-12-03 · 4 replies
Bonjour à tous,

Avec mon compagnon, nous avons une très grosse envie d'aller découvrir l'ile de la Dominique fin mars, avec notre bébé qui aura 7 mois, mais je me demande si c'est bien raisonnable...

Nous avons pas mal voyagé et randonné, mais encore jamais avec bébé (on fait notre premier petit voyage "cool" avec elle dans le sud du Portugal dans 10 jours...).

Je ne trouve pas de carnets ou récits de voyage à la Dominique avec un bébé. Si certains d'entre vous ont tenté l'aventure, je serais donc ravie d'avoir votre retour !

D'après mes recherches, les conditions sanitaires / sécuritaires ne sont pas mauvaises. Mais je suis plus dans le flou et inquiète sur les infrastructures et le personnel de santé en cas de pépin (on ne sait jamais) ?

Autre interrogation, est-ce que nous allons vraiment en profiter sans frustration ou être trop limités dans nos déplacements / randonnées / activités ?

La plupart des ballades me semblent a priori plutôt accessibles avec un bon porte-bébé. A l'exception de la rando de bowling lake (mais bon, si je suis réaliste, je ne suis même pas sure d'avoir la condition physique pour la faire moi-même d'ici mars).

Le cas échant, savez-vous s'il est possible/facile de faire garder son bébé une demi-journée pour faire cette randonnée ? Je sais que ça se fait pas mal à Bali par exemple, mais clairement, on n'est pas sur le même type de destination... !

Une autre option, peut-être plus raisonnable, serait la Martinique, mais j'avoue que la Dominique et son côté sauvage/nature nous tentent beaucoup plus...

Merci d'avance !

Myriam
Holi, Fête des couleurs dans la région d’Agra en mars English translation pending
by Malinlevert · 2019-11-16 · 11 replies
Bonjour,

Nous serons dans la région d’Agra en mars. Je m’interroge quant à la ville qui nous permettra de fêter Holi de manière pas trop chaotique. Je pensais aller à Varanassi mais j’ai lu qu’il y avait beaucoup d’hommes alcoolisés et que l’ambiance n’était donc pas « bon enfant ». Orccha serait peut-être une bonne alternative ?...

Merci de vos réponses.
Retourner à Tsarskoïe Selo (Pouchkine) en Russie English translation pending
by Zorba · 2019-11-06 · 11 replies
J'avais visité cet endroit magique en hiver, c'était le bleu du palais, celui du ciel, la neige immaculée et les ors. Bien sûr l'intérieur du château renferme le fabuleux cabinet d'ambre. J'ai envie d'y revenir. Ma question est de savoir si on peut encore y accéder et comment ? J'interroge chaque voyageur qui revient et à chaque fois c est pour me raconter un échec.

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