Results for "Delta+|+55"

Hello,

We’re thinking about our next destination for June 2026, and northern Brazil seems like a great option for that time of year.

We were considering a 15-day trip from Fortaleza to São Luís (or the other way around), but I’m worried it might not offer enough variety in terms of sights and landscapes. We were thinking of doing a trek in Lençóis Park, visiting Jericoacoara, the Parnaíba Delta, etc.).

The other option would be to take a domestic flight and add the Salvador de Bahia region and Chapada Diamantina, but that would require about 3 weeks.

Do you think exploring the coast between Fortaleza and São Luís is enough for a trip if we don’t kitesurf? Or is it better to combine this part of the country with another region (Salvador? The Amazon?)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Have a great day

Hi everyone, we arrive in Hanoi from March 6th to 8th, then head to Ninh Binh from the 8th to 10th. I’d planned to sleep in Halong on the 10th because on the 11th we’re doing an overnight cruise with the Peony. On the 12th, we’re staying in Cat Ba—I’m not sure if we should stay the 13th too? Back to Hanoi to go to Ho Chi Minh City airport for two nights, I think. Then the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre. We’ve booked two nights in Phu Coc to leave on March 19th for Hanoi and fly back to France on the 20th. Nothing’s set in stone yet, but I could really use your help—is going to Cat Ba necessary? We love the nature side, and Ben Tre seems essential. Is going to Phu Coc too much? Please be kind, but if you can give me some guidance, that’d be a huge help. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I’m finalizing my trip starting from Namibia. When I arrive in Divundu, I’d like to head straight to the Khwai area early in the morning to one of the campsites in the Khwai Development Trust. Is the drive doable with a good 4x4 in a day? We’ll spend 2 nights in Khwai, then 2 or maybe 3 nights in the Moremi area (Third Bridge/Xakanaxa/Mboma) before heading back to Maun to wrap up our journey. Is that too much time to spend in each place?

We’d also like to do one or two boat excursions in the delta. Any suggestions for the best options and operators?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice! Best, Patrick

Hi there, The least we can say is that neither the internet nor guidebooks are overflowing with info on Thrace, this region in the far northeast of Greece (part of which is also in Bulgaria and Turkey). Needless to say, if anyone’s already visited this "eastern" Greece, I’d love to hear ANY tips about it. I’m planning to spend 4 or 5 days there next May, with a rental car. The distances seem pretty big, and I don’t want to rack up too many kilometers at the risk of being a bit disappointed—especially, what do you think of the Evros Valley, near the Turkish border? Thanks in advance.

Hello, Active and fit senior here—I’ll be in Thailand and neighboring countries for 3 months starting mid-December. I know these places well after spending many winters there over the years, but I’m not keen on traveling solo anymore, even though you do meet people along the way when you’re on your own. I haven’t bought my flight ticket yet. If you’d like to chat about it, I’d be happy to. Jeanette

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!

Hello everyone, We’re heading to Vietnam for 14 nights over the Christmas holidays as a family of four—I haven’t booked anything yet. I’d love your insights on Halong Bay (or Lan Ha Bay). We’re torn between going or not and spending an extra night in Ninh Binh (or somewhere else you’d recommend! Somewhere with a more picturesque vibe) given the late-December weather and cost (which agency do you recommend?). The upside might be that we’ll be there during the low season, so maybe fewer tourists? (Even though it’d be New Year’s Eve night.) Here’s our itinerary: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City around 1 p.m. 2nd night in HCMC (no time for the Mekong Delta ☹️) Flight to Da Nang 3 nights in Hoi An Bus to Hue, 1 night in Hue City visit, overnight train to Ninh Binh 2 or 3 nights in Ninh Binh? Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay? 2 nights in Hanoi Departure Thank you so much in advance for your invaluable tips!

Hello everyone, We came back enchanted from our first trip to Namibia and we're already thinking of going back. We did the classics: Etosha, Twyfelfontein, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei... Our guide suggests doing the Caprivi Strip over 10 days, alternating 2 nights in a lodge and 2 nights in a tent. Given that we love landscapes but especially wildlife observation, I wonder if after spending 4 nights in Etosha and having visited Botswana twice, Caprivi offers different animals to see and if the wildlife is generally abundant. The videos I've seen online don't really captivate me. It seems quite similar to the Okavango Delta. What do you think? Are there other circuits we should prioritize? Both in our seventies, we prefer staying mainly in lodges. Thanks in advance to those who can give us advice

Hi there, we're heading to Antarctica in February for the trip of a lifetime! After spending 3 weeks on the boat, we'd love some advice on how to extend our trip. We were thinking of staying in Buenos Aires, which we’ll have visited on the way there. So we’re considering exploring the areas around the capital. Any ideas for a week of discoveries? Thanks so much for your input!

Hi there, 🙂

The point of this contest isn’t to photograph Mathilde or even to frantically click the "report" button on every post in a thread.

It’s to post **road signs**!

Whether they’re official or not...

Funny or serious...

Of all shapes, all colors, in all languages...

The rules are the same as usual—I’ll let you check out the previous contests for reference. 😛

Just a quick reminder:

- Max of 3 photos per person.

- One photo per post (preferably embedded 😉) with a caption and the photo number.

Submissions close on **Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM Paris time**.

Voting starts on **Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM** (and not a second before… 😇), Paris time, and ends on **Monday, September 29, 2025, at the same time** (still Paris time).

Results will be posted on **September 30, 2025**, sometime during the day!

Ready, set, snap!



(To discuss, it’s here…)

Hi there,

We're planning to visit Yellowstone between mid and late September (yes, I'm leaving it to the last minute for bookings...). I was initially planning to arrive and depart from Salt Lake City, which I’d also like to explore. It turns out that flights to SLC are 300 € more expensive than flights to Jackson Hole, even though the connection goes through... SLC! I’ve checked on several comparison sites from different locations, and these prices remain pretty consistent.

Does anyone know what it would cost if I skip the connection to Jackson Hole from SLC to take advantage of the cheaper fare and then fly back from JH instead?

Thanks in advance!

Sylvain.

Hi there, we're planning a trip to La Paz, Mexico at the end of December for a family of four. Which airline should we take? Where should we fly from? Are there any "layover countries" that are cheaper than others? Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Hello,

I’m planning and organizing a wonderful trip to Vietnam from mid-March to mid-April 2026, traveling independently for a month with my wife to enjoy her new retirement. Here’s a summary of our itinerary: We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of Wednesday, March 18, and depart from Hanoi on the evening of Thursday, April 16. First, I’d like to head to Ho Chi Minh City because the temperatures are high in that region in mid-March. After that, we’ll visit Phu Quoc Island and then the Mekong Delta. We’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City and take a flight to Hue for 2 days, then Tam Coc / Ninh Binh (2-3 days), and Cat Ba Island with a visit to Lan Ha Bay (4 days). We’ll spend a few days in Hanoi, followed by 3-4 days in Sapa with some hikes, and then the Ha Giang loop (4 days). (I’m a motorcyclist—I ride a BMW trail bike and have taken care of renewing my international license.) We’re considering renting a motorcycle or bicycles when needed, except in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The weather in northern Vietnam in early April should theoretically be decent. Finally, we’ll return to Hanoi before heading back to Paris and the Pays de la Loire. Unfortunately, I’m skipping Angkor in Cambodia. I’d like to have a guide for 1 or 2 days in Sapa (which typical agency would you recommend?), and I’m wondering if I should book an agency for the 4 days in Ha Giang. I prefer my independence and don’t really like the "group" aspect of agencies. I’ll rent a 150cc motorcycle, and my wife will ride with me. Other questions: What are some good, typical accommodations to book in the places we’ve identified? Thanks for any info. Did I forget anything, or should we adjust our itinerary? Thanks for your help and advice. Pimarguibou

And off we go again for what’s certainly our last trip to the American West... After the disaster of September 2022, the diabetes flare-up, and the pulmonary embolism, we’re spending ten days in the spots we missed and some unlikely places. After flying over Scotland, still English,

Greenland, still Danish,



And Lake Huron, still half Canadian,

We land early in Detroit... a nightmare of an airport. A long, dreadful baggage check process, but we still make it to gate A10 just in the nick of time—only for disaster to strike! My passport has my first and last name, my boarding pass has my first and last name, BUT not on Delta’s computer—so we’re denied boarding! We head to the Air France-Delta-KLM desk, where an employee listens to us sympathetically. He books us two seats on an 8:30 AM flight to SF... Then passes us off to two colleagues who offer us a night in a hotel... and send a message to the baggage service to keep our checked luggage safe... In the end, we go to bed earlier, wake up earlier, but since we’ll still get some sleep on the plane, we might be able to look back on this whole mess with a smile... well, we hope so, anyway. 10:17 PM in Detroit—time to sleep. Our clean clothes and toiletries are in the plane. We’ll bounce back!!;

I'd love to get some suggestions for central Vietnam in February for seniors. We'd like to stay in one place, near a beach, and visit the surrounding areas. Then after a month, we'd head to the south of the country.

Hi there, here’s the first draft of the itinerary I’m considering for Africa, leaving in late/mid-October 2025 for a duration of 5 months.

The idea is to cross Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Just to clarify, I don’t have a driver’s license, but I’m used to traveling by hitchhiking, carpooling, or any other type of transport. My must-sees, which I really want to visit, are the Namib and Kalahari deserts, the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, and the sandbanks of Vilankulos.

So if anyone has already done this route, more or less, I’d love to hear all your practical tips, especially for getting around within these areas.

Travel style: no problem with big contrasts—whether it’s sleeping in a tent/hammock or a fancy hotel. Budget: flexible (I think).

Hi there,

Okay, I’m starting to get really nervous about this airport and the transfer... Could you please reassure me about the route I need to take?

PLEASE MESSAGE ME ON FACEBOOK AT LOUISE ANDREE DELORME—it’ll be quicker for me. Seriously, I’m even willing to give a little something financially for your help!! We’re leaving this Monday, March 3...

Flight with Delta Air Lines Flight 2625 Departure from Montreal (Quebec) at 6:00 PM Arrival at Atlanta at 9:00 PM Terminal 1 (Layover 1 hour)

Flight with Delta Air Lines Flight 1229 Departure at 10:00 PM Atlanta Terminal S Arrival at Fort Lauderdale at midnight Terminal 2

I don’t have any gate numbers yet... I guess we’ll get those when we present the e-ticket?

From what I understand, I stay in Terminal 1 and head south to find the gate—is that right? Is it walkable or do I need to take the train? Is it well signposted or is it a nightmare?

--

Return trip (this seems more complicated) Delta Air Lines Flight 1168

Departure from Fort Lauderdale at 5:00 AM Terminal 2 Arrival at Atlanta at 12:00 PM Terminal S (Layover 1 hour 15 minutes)

Delta Air Lines Flight 2597 Departure from Atlanta at 9:00 AM TERMINAL 1 Arrival at Montreal at 11:00 AM

What I understand is... Terminal 2 means international flights. So I need to head south to Terminal 1 (domestic flight?)

Is that where I take the Plane Train or a bus?

Thanks to whoever takes the time to help!

PS: We don’t have any luggage... just a bag that fits under the seat. Thank goodness! !

Hi there, We’re heading to Senegal for the first time at the end of February as a group of four, and we’re eager to make the most of our 7 days. So, not much (if any) downtime—just a heads-up! ;) For such a short trip, we’ve had to make some tough choices. We’ve decided to skip Lompoul due to the 24/7 noise and light pollution from the mine. Casamance is too far for this time around. We love animals and birds (and it seems late February/early March is still a good time to spot migratory birds). We’re planning to rent a car. Putting all these factors together, here’s the rough itinerary we’ve come up with: - Day 1: Dakar, Gorée - Day 2: Kayar, Saint-Louis, Lac de Barbarie - Day 3: Makhana, Djoudj Bird Sanctuary, Lac de Barbarie - Day 4: Drive to Somone - Day 5: Bandia, Somone - Day 6: Saloum Delta - Day 7: Saloum Delta - Day 8: Return to Dakar Airport

What do you think? How much extra does it cost, roughly, to hire a guide compared to just renting a car on our own? Thanks so much for your insights—we really appreciate it! Christophe

Hi there!

In August, I’m planning a flight with a layover between Las Vegas and Pointe-à-Pitre. Departure from Las Vegas at 11:50 PM – Arrival in Miami at 7:50 AM Layover from 7:50 AM to 9:55 AM Departure from Miami at 9:55 AM, arrival in PTP at 1:10 PM

I’m a bit stressed about the 2h05 layover. What do you think? Is that enough time?

Thanks for your replies! Marc

Hi everyone, We're a family of five: two adults and our three kids (18, 17, and 13 years old). We’ve just bought our flight tickets for Vietnam from August 6th to 26th, 2025. We know it’s not the best month to explore Vietnam, but we don’t have a choice—our vacation is in August! We’ll pack ponchos ;-) I’ve read a lot of blogs online, but I’d love your advice, please: Here’s the itinerary we’re considering: We’ll arrive in Hanoi (2-3 days), and if the weather allows, we’d like to head to Sapa to discover the landscapes, rice terraces, and mountains... (2 days). We’re not planning to book anything (train, hotel, etc.) because we’ll decide based on the weather whether to include this stop or not. Do you think it’s doable to not book anything in Sapa for a family of five? After that, we’re planning to explore Lan Ha Bay and the surrounding areas, Ninh Binh... (4-5 days). I’d love your tips for exploring this area because I’ve read so much that I’m a little overwhelmed... Ideally, we’ll then head down to Hue and Hoi An. We’ll enjoy a few days at the beach (4-5 days). Then Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta (3-4 days). What do you think of this plan for 21 days? If you know any great spots, guides, etc., I’m all ears! Especially for Lan Ha Bay and the surrounding areas, as well as the Mekong Delta. And of course, any great tips you’d like to share. There’s info scattered around the forums, but I’m struggling to find recent updates. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks to those who help us prepare for this trip! Happy travels to you all ;-) Florence

Among the many road trips you can take by motorbike in Vietnam through breathtaking landscapes and making unforgettable encounters, these three circuits on legendary routes and trails are entirely doable—but best done in the dry season to avoid tropical downpours and flooded or muddy road sections.

These circuits are "classics," and you can also add "The Mekong Delta," which is easy to explore off the beaten path since it’s mostly on paved, flat, and sometimes straight roads. For those who’ve completed one of these circuits, we’d love to hear about your experience! !

Bonjour à tous et toutes,

Il y a quelques années, j'avais fait cette photo jointe sur l'un des monuments funéraires du cimetière du Père Lachaise. J'avais à l'époque, posé la question de sa signification sur le forum, mais pas vraiment de réponse satisfaisante. Reste mon interrogation, donc je "reviens à la charge " avec cette photo. Merci à tous les chercheurs, connaisseurs... Pour ma part, ce n'est pas le 7 en lui même qui m'intrigue, mais le quadruple sur fond de delta lumineux! Bonne journée

Hello everyone, 🙂 This month’s theme is: places, departure or arrival scenes. The places include: train or bus stations, passenger ports, and airports. Here, for example, is Beijing West Railway Station This is Beijing West Railway Station. You can submit a photo of the whole place, a part of it (inside or outside, the platforms), or a detail (like a station clock) as long as it clearly shows it’s a departure or arrival spot—such as a timetable display. Or here’s another example:

Even if you’re not in one of these places, a departure or arrival scene is welcome: Example: Early morning departure from a pagoda at Inle Lake (Myanmar) as people head back to their villages in the surrounding hills

A vehicle about to leave:

People are also allowed, as long as they’re clearly identified as travelers about to depart or who have just arrived. Bus station in Thailand (a photo I’d shared for the "solitude" theme)

Another example: in the foreground, a boat docked, and just above, another that has just left (Rangoon, Myanmar—these boats serve cities in the Irrawaddy Delta, and in some areas, they’re still the only means of transport for locals).

You can also include departures or arrivals from races, but again, it must be at the start or finish, not during the race: Boats before the start of the Route du Rhum in Saint-Malo:

Participation: Each participant can submit up to 3 photos, until Tuesday, September 22 at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a short description (comment, location, etc.).

Voting: Every VoyageForum member can vote for the 4 photos they think are the best, based on their own criteria and the theme (I’m trying this format this month). Voting will take place from Wednesday, September 23 to Tuesday, September 29 at 11:59 PM Paris time.

Photos should be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 4 points - 2nd: 3 points - 3rd: 2 points - 4th: 1 point

Each member can vote only once for 4 photos. No ties for 4th place with half a point each.

The winner is the photographer whose photo receives the most points. Results will be announced on September 30. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing October’s contest.

Give me two or three days to put together the slideshow—I’ll definitely reach out to Masterpo via PM for advice if I’m stuck (and if he’s willing).

Good luck to everyone—may the best photographer win! Let’s get started! For discussion, it’s here

Salut la communauté ! Préparant actuellement un voyage (ah bon ???) a vélo je me posais une petite question (grosse en fait). Je compte faire en moyenne 115km par jour avec environ 1100m de dénivelé, en moyenne. Est ce extravagant ?? Sachant que je fait pas mal de VTT mais que je n'ai jamais fait de vélo de route. Et que j'aurais environ 20kg de bagages. Devrais je baisser mes distances journalières ? Combien de mois avant le départ s'entraîner ? Merci de vos (précieuses) réponses. Ps: j'aurais 18 ans au moment du voyage. Encore merci !!!

Bonjour,

Nous prévoyons de traverser la Croatie en vélo cet été, pour cela nous laisserions notre voiture à Rijeka mi-juillet avant de la retrouver mi-août après être remonté en bus depuis le sud du pays. Est-ce que vous sauriez ce qu'il existe comme solution de parking longue durée à Rijeka ou dans ses environs sans que cela ne coûte une fortune ? Difficile de trouver ce genre d'informations dans les guides de voyage...

Merci et bonne journée

Caroline & Jérémie

bonjour a vous tous, je commence a préparé un projet de 4 mois en Asie, et je voudrais savoir quelle îles voir en Indonésie et philippines. je commencerai mon voyage par un mois au Vietnam. puis les Philippines je pense 3 semaines l’Indonésie 3 semaines Apres le Sri-Lanka 1 mois les Maldives je ne sais pas encore combien de temps mais je pense 2 semaines et je finirai par une semaine a Dubaï. si vous avez des endroits a ne pas manquer des lieux a éviter, des bons plans je suis preneuse!!! en attendant vos messages, je vous souhaite une belle journée Isa

Bonjour à tous!

Mon conjoint et moi avons effectué en novembre dernier notre premier périple en Afrique, en Namibie. Un merveilleux voyage de plus de 3 semaines qui aujourd’hui encore me laisse rêveuse et un peu dépitée à l’idée que je ne retrouverai probablement jamais un voyage similaire procurant un tel sentiment de liberté et de bonheur, avec des paysages de dingue et des safaris en prime. Lors de ce voyage mon conjoint m’a demandée en mariage, je suis donc en pleine prospection pour l’organisation du voyage de noces! 😎

Nous aimerions dans l’idéal part fin mai / début juin 2021 (sachant que ce n’est pas figé), pour une durée de 2 semaines en Afrique Australe. Nous rejoindront ensuite les plages - sûrement Maurice ou Seychelles - pour une dernière semaine). L’idée serait de louer un 4x4 (sûrement avec tente sur le toit).

J’ai pensé à un itinéraire démarrant au Kgalagadi (j’étais déçue de ne pas l’avoir inclus dans notre voyage en Namibie) et terminant aux Victoria falls, en passant par le Delta de l’Okavango et Chobe sur environ 2 semaines. Je n’ai pas encore bien peaufiné l’itinéraire, l’idée serait surtout dans un premier temps d’avoir vos retours sur la faisabilité d’un tel parcours en 2 semaines. L’autre option serait de suivre un itinéraire du Cap à Kgalagadi.

Les deux itinéraires vous semblent-ils faisables sur 2 semaines? Y en a-t-il un à privilégier? Je trouve peu de récits concernant le premier parcours de Kgalagadi aux chutes, peut-être que ce n’est pas la meilleure option?

Merci d’avance pour vos conseils!!! 🙂🙂

Caroline.

Bonjour J ai une question concernant air france. Nous devions partir en norvege le 23 mai. Vu la situation actuelle j ai annulé les billets d avion le 25 mars. Depuis aucune nouvelle. De plus nos réservations ont été supprimées sur notre compte. Que dois je faire. Attendre l avoir. Merci de vos réponses.

Plusieurs mois ont passé depuis notre retour du Nord-Ouest américain, et cette période un peu particulière est l’occasion rêvée de me consacrer enfin à la rédaction de ce carnet de voyage !

Quatrième roadtrip aux USA. C’est en Août 2019 que nous décollons pour Seattle. Cette fois, nous explorons la partie Nord-Ouest des USA, ce pays qui nous passionne depuis le premier roadtrip en 2014. 27 jours de voyage, au travers le Washington, l’Idaho, le Montana, le Wyoming et l’Oregon…ça promet encore de magnifiques découvertes 🙂 Cette année, certains grands parcs sont au programme comme Glacier NP ou encore Yellowstone (non, on ne s’en lassera jamais !), mais nous avons aussi mis sur notre parcours des State Park bien moins touristiques et des petits endroits isolés mais magnifiques comme on adore !

JOUR 1

Ma maman et mon frère sont arrivés chez moi la veille car ils vivent en province, et ce matin pas question d’avoir du retard. C’est le grand jour ! Celui qu’on prépare depuis un an !

Vers 5h du matin, nous recevons un mail de la compagnie aérienne qui nous indique 1h de retard au décollage, on se laisse donc 1h de sommeil supplémentaire.

Porte K49 - 11h10 l’avion décolle. Nous avons choisi à nouveau de voler avec Delta Airlines, et mis à part ce retard de 50min, nous n’avons, comme d’habitude rien à signaler. Les services sont au rendez-vous.

Cette année, nous avons un peu moins de chance que les voyages passés, en ce qui concerne la météo. Nous n’avons pas la chance de voir le Groenland, les côtes canadiennes.



Nous atterrissons à Seattle en début d’après-midi. Il fait gris, et froid ! On attend un moment près du hangar Alaska Airlines, et ben, étant donné la météo, on pourrait se croire en Alaska 😉



On arrive à la douane, ils nous séparent pour nous interroger un par un. Seul problème, maman parle très mal anglais, voire pas du tout ! Ce qu’on signale immédiatement, mais ils tiennent absolument à ce qu’elle réponse par elle-même aux questions. Ce qui après unpeu d’angoisse nous laisse un souvenir mémorable lorsque le douanier demande si elle a de la nourriture avec elle, sa réponse : « oui bonbonsss » 😄

Tout ça derrière nous, on se dirige vers le bâtiment qui regroupe tous les loueurs de voiture. Tout est très bien fléché dans l’aéroport de Seattle. Nous savons qu’il nous faut prendre un shuttle. Il y a la queue, et nous sommes sous la pluie ! Welcome !



Arrivé au guichet Hertz, pas d’attente. Nous sommes plutôt satisfaits de notre réservation car quelques jours avant le départ, je me reconnecte sur leur site pour vérifier que tout est en ordre. Je réalise alors que les tarifs pour notre catégorie de véhicule ont bien changé et qu’ils sont plus intéressants que lors de notre réservation il y a plusieurs mois. J’appelle Hertz qui constate également, modifie la réservation et s’engage immédiatement à rembourser les 400€ d’écart. Au guichet nous avons également une discussion concernant les assurances des passagers de la voiture. Et la personne est très à l’écoute, se renseigne plusieurs fois à notre demande, pour finalement nous éviter un surcoût, très peu courant chez les loueurs américains ça !!!

C’est donc de bonne humeur que nous descendons au parking, retrouver le véhicule qui nous est attribué. C’est un Chevrolet TAHOE. Maman fait quelques pas en arrière, stupéfaite. « Mais je ne pourrais jamais conduire cet engin !!! ». Avec mon frère Raphaël, nous, nous sommes ravis ! Après les contrôles d’usage, rayures, essuie-glace, niveaux, roue de secours… cette fois EN ROUTE !



On ne change pas les bonnes habitudes, premier arrêt, Walmart ! Il est à peine à 10min de l’aéroport. Nous arrivons sous une pluie battante, 30 secondes dehors pour rejoindre le magasin suffisent à nous tremper ! Nous sommes fatigués du voyage donc la liste de courses préparée à l’avance est bien utile. Seul petit problème, impossible de trouver une bombonne de gaz pour notre réchaud, et ce malgré l’aide d’un vendeur. Cette année, nous avons amené avec nous les barres de céréales pour les randos, on avait un mauvais souvenir des versions américaines et on a bien fait ! On arrive à la voiture, on se dit comme dans la pub, on va utiliser le pied pour ouvrir le coffre car nous sommes chargés et il pleut toujours. Mais rien ne fonctionne. La clé nous permet d’ouvrir chaque porte, chaque fenêtre, mais on ne trouve pas dans la précipitation comment ouvrir le coffre 😕 Quelques minutes plus tard, problème résolu, courses rangées… mais nous sommes trempés comme des soupes 😎



Maintenant, direction REI. C’est certainement notre seule occasion d’y faire un tour pendant ce voyage. Et puis, on a toujours besoin de gaz pour le réchaud. 25min plus tard, on arrive au parking sous-terrain, il est gratuit pendant 1h puis 2$ pour 3h. On a adoré ce magasin ! Et on a trouvé les quelques articles qui nous manquaient. Mais il est temps de partir. Nous avons décidé de ne pas dormir à Seattle, pour économiser un peu. Résultat, encore un peu de route.



Après 30min, nous arrivons au Best Value Inn de Lynnwood. Petit motel sans prétention, mais propre, personnel accueillant. Parfait pour une nuit d’après voyage. Une fois les bagages déchargés, on range les courses dans les glacières. Et on ne se fait pas prier pour se mettre au lit !

Bonjour, Nous avions prévu un séjour au Botswana en novembre prochain. Tout est réservé y compris les billets d'avion et la réservation des sièges. J'ai versé un acompte au guide pour ses services, la réservation des emplacements dans les parcs, les entrées ... Budgetair vient de me prévenir que la compagnie LUFTHANSA vient d'annuler les vols A/R et qu'ils procéderont plus tard au remboursement des billets. Seul reste maintenu le vol Johannesburg/Maun (le vol retour Kasane/Johannesbourg est annulé aussi. J'attends maintenant de notre guide qu'il me dise si nous devons tout annuler ou s'il faut attendre. D'ici novembre on peut espérer que l'épidémie sera terminée en Europe mais qu'en sera-t-il en Afrique? Je ne sais pas si je dois faire ouvrir un dossier d'annulation dés maintenant chez ALLIANZ où j'ai pris une assurance voyage. C'est stressant. Je suis doublement déçu car après un magnifique voyage organisé par Africa coeur safaris (2 français) en 2017, j'ai déjà du annuler le voyage prévu en 2018 pour cause de maladie. Je recommande cette agence qui nous a proposé le circuit idéal pour découvrir le Botswana depuis le delta de l'Okavongo jusqu'aux chutes Victoria au Zimbabwe.