Results for "Cologne+|+38+>+196"

salut à tous,

je projette de faire cet été un voyage en espagne et au portugal. Je pensais pour ça utiliser le pass inter rail mais j'ai lu quelque part que ça ne valait pas forcément le coup pour l'espagne notamment parce qu'il y a trop de trains à supplément... si quelqu'un a déjà fait ce genre d'éxpérience je suis preneur de tout type d'info la dessus,

merci et à plus

bonjour

je pars a bombay avec 8 potos, on cherche a se loger dans le quartier Colaba pour un budget d'étudiant.

nous arrivons a l'aeroport a minuit. savez vous si il y a encore des bus, navettes ou autre pouvant nous y emmener a cette heure?

Salut a tous,

j'utilise mon velo depuis 15 ans à Paris avec bonheur.

Depuis, j'ai essayé de faire passer mon VTC sur les chemins de France avec plus ou moins de bonheur. D'abord, en lui mettant un sac à dos dessus (beaucoup de crevaisons). Récemment avec ma femme, on a décidé de s'équipper façon "pro". On est allé voir un vrai marchand de vélo et on lui a expliqué qu'on voulait aller de Slovénie en Croatie en pasant par la montagne. A l'(aller, on est passé en voiture en Allemagneet on a acheté des sacoches Ortlieb.

Pas de bol sur place, on s'est rendu compte que notre vendeur de vélo était un filou et que son vélo ne marchait pas en montagne avec 4 sacoches!

Du coup, sciatique et deux jours d'immobilisation! Récemment j'ai réessayé la bécane sur du plat entre la Baule et Noirmoutiers en me disant quez ce n'etait pas les Alpes et que ca irait. Tu parles: avec le vent de face, on n'avance pas avec les 4 sacoches et puis avec on VTC j'étais frustré de ne pas pouvoir suivre les chemins cotiers comme les VTT.

Du coup, je me dis que je vais vendre mon matos et acheter un VTT marathon avec un bob yak. Qu'en pensez vous et quels sont vos conseils d'achat de velo et de remorque? Merci beaucoup pour votre aide, j'an ai marre de galérer

Bonjour comme c, est mon premier voyage, j'aimerais savoir qu'est ce que nous avons le droit de mettre dans nos bagages a la main. Il y en a qui me dise que je n'ai pas le droit de mettre des canne sous pression. Est ce vrai??? et quoi d'autre ???? Merci de me répondre et il ne reste que 9 dodos (yé).

De San Pedro d'Atacama, nous pensons prendre une agence pour faire le sud lipez et le salar d'uyuni. Une fois à Uyuni, peut-on rejoindre le parc de Lauca au Chili et comment ?

Pouvez-vous recommander une agence ?

Merci de vos renseignements.

Non, je ne démarre pas une discussion. Mais il me semblait qu'il fallait absolument partager ce texte qui m'a beaucoup fait rire:

CONVERSATION REELLE CAPTEE SUR LE CANAL 106 FREQUENCE DES SECOURS MARITIMES DE LA COTE DU FINISTERE (GALLICE), ENTRE DES GALLICIENS ET DES NORD-AMERICAINS. 16 OCTOBRE 1997

Galiciens (bruit de fond) : Ici le A-853, merci de bien vouloir dévier votre trajectoire de 15 degrés au sud pour éviter d'entrer en collision avec nous. Vous arrivez directement sur nous à une distance de 25 milles nautiques.

Américains (bruit de fond) : Nous vous recommandons de dévier vous-même votre trajectoire de 15 degrés nord pour éviter la collision.

Galiciens : Négatif! Nous répétons: déviez votre trajectoire de 15 degrés sud pour éviter la collision.

Américains (une voix différente de la précédente) : Ici le capitaine! Le capitaine d'un navire des États-Unis d'Amérique. Nous insistons, déviez votre trajectoire de 15 degrés nord pour éviter la collision.

Galiciens : Négatif ! Nous ne pensons pas que cette alternative puisse convenir, nous vous suggérons donc de dévier votre trajectoire de 15 degrés sud pour éviter la collision.

Américains (voix irritée) :Ici le capitaine Richard James Howard, au commandement du porte-avions USS LINCOLN, de la marine nationale des Etats-Unis d'Amérique, le second plus gros navire de guerre de la flotte américaine! Nous sommes escortés par deux cuirassiers, 6 destroyers, 5 croiseurs, 4 sous-marins et de nombreuses embarcations d'appui. Nous nous dirigeons vers les eaux du Golfe Persique pour préparer les manoeuvres militaires en prévision d'une éventuelle offensive Irakienne. Nous ne vous suggérons pas, nous vous ordonnons, de dévier votre route de 15 degrés nord! Dans le cas contraire nous nous verrions obligés de prendre les mesures qui s'imposent pour garantir la sécurité de cette flotte et de la force de cette coalition. Vous appartenez à un pays allié, membre de l'OTAN et de cette coalition, s'il vous plait, obéissez immédiatement et sortez de notre trajectoire.

Galiciens : C'est Juan Manuel Salas Alcántara qui vous parle, nous sommes deux personnes, nous sommes escortés par notre chien, par notre bouffe, deux bières et un canari qui est actuellement en train de dormir. Nous avons l'appui de la radio de la Corogne et du canal 106 "urgences maritimes". Nous ne nous dirigeons nulle part, dans la mesure où nous vous parlons depuis la terre ferme. Nous sommes dans le phare A-853, au Finistère de la côte de Galice. Nous n'avons pas la moindre putain d'idée de la position que nous occupons au classement des phares espagnols. Vous pouvez prendre toutes les mesures que vous considérez opportunes car nous vous laissons le putain de soin de garantir la sécurité de votre flotte de merde qui va se ramasser la gueule contre les rochers! C'est pour cela que nous insistons à nouveau et vous rappelons que le mieux à faire, le plus logique et le plus raisonnable serait que déviiez votre trajectoire de 15 degrés sud pour éviter de nous rentrer dedans!

Américains : Bien reçu, merci...

Vfistes, disons que s'il faut trouver un titre de discussion, cela pourrait être les difficultés de la navigation...

Bonjour, je pars cet été en INDE et je cherche des infos sur les actions bénévoles possibles avec ou sans assoc. Je suis fortement motivée pour apporter mon aide que se soit pour la reconstruction, la distribution de vètêments, nourriture, l'aide direct aux personnes, la prise en charge d'orphelins, ... Toutes propositions seras la bienvenue dans la mesure de mes connaissances mais je pense qu'on peux faire qqchose de ma motivation et de ma bonne santé. Avis aussi à ceux qui voudrais partager cette expérience se seras avec plaisir. Merci de votre attention et de votre aide Sév

Bon, je n'ai qu'une 205 (gsoil)... et je me demande un peu ce que je fais ici, au milieu des gros calibres que je vois sur ces photos!

Mais j'envisage de partir au Mali (et plus loin si possible) en passant par la Mauritanie à l'automne 2005. Je partirai pour 6 à 8 mois.

Donc je serai reconnaissante à tous pour les tuyaux que vous pourrez donner pour la 'petite', tant au niveau des 'soins mécaniques', des modifications (pas trop grosses quand même, j'espère) à envisager, qu'aux trajets qui lui conviendraient.

Je souhaiterais poursuivre si possible au Niger, Burkina Faso, et pourquoi pas le Bénin.

Il est vrai que je pars seule en principe, mais je trouverai bien des voyageurs qui seront heureux de profiter de mes 4 roues!

De toute façon, ne vous gênez surtout pas pour me dire que c'est un projet fou si c'est ce que vous pensez...

Ce n'est pas la première fois que je fais quelque choses de pas classique. Dans ces cas là je sais très bien que je ne peux pas tout voir, et je me limite à des trajets et visites pour lesquels les riques sont calculés. Je ne suis pas une tête brûlée, mais je ne veux pas limiter mes explorations parce que je suis seule!

Quant à trouver quelqu'un pour partager tout ce voyage, c'est beaucoup trop complexe car je vais essayer d'aider ici ou là des associations sur place.

Merci d'avance Maryvonne

Hello,

Nous sommes en train, avec mon amie, d'établir notre itinéraire. Pour le moment il est sûr que nous ferons la route de Lima-Huancayo-Ayacucho. Après nous hésitons encore. Nous attérirons à Lima, nous voulons aussi voir Pisco et éventuellement Nazca. Alors mon dilemme, commencer par Pisco et revenir sur Lima pour prendre la route direction Huancayo et Ayacucho, ou alors partir directement sur Huancayo et Ayacucho et rejoindre ensuite Pisco en prenant la route directe. je dis ça parce qu'il semblerait que la route entre Ayacucho et Abancay ne soit pas très bonne, surtout pendant la période des pluies (nous serons la-bas les 2 premières semaines de mars).

Autre question, est-il utopique de vouloir voir: Huancayo, Ayacucho, Pisco, (Nazca), le canon del Colca, Arequipa, Cuzco et Machu pichu, et Puno en 2 semaines et demie.

merci pour votre aide!

Bonjour,

C'est quoi la monnaie en rep dom des pesos quoi? je ne trouve pas la correspondance pesos rep dom/euros.

merci

Bonjour à tous !

C'est la premère fois que je pars en Thailande (et en Asie d'ailleurs) et je n'ai aucune idée de si ce que j'ai prévu de faire est réalisable.

Je n'ai que 2 semaines pour faire le nord. En potassant les guides, je pensais faire Sukhotai, Chiang Mai, le parc de Doi Inthanon et partir ensuite vers Um Phang. Je préfère prévoir du temps car je n'ai aucune idée de comment sont les transports thailandais, surtout pour aller en direction de Um Phang depuis Chiang Mai.

Si vous avez des conseils ou des suggestions, je suis preneuse. Le but étant de découvrir le nord de la Thailande.

Merci pour les infos.

Nizou.

Afin de partir un peu moins au hasard, j'aimerai bouquiner un peu sur ce merveilleux continent... Quels livres me conseillez vous? je parle pas des lonely planete et compagnie, mais le genre de livre qui regroupe histoire, culture, paysages, etc.... On m'a parler aussi d'un roman sur 2 gars qui partent en 2CV et qu'il leur arrive plein de trucs (histoire vraie je crois...) mais me rappelle plus du titre....

Soit dit en passant je ne saurai que trop vous conseiller "carnets de Voyage" au ciné... (juste comme ça en passant...), mais je suis sur que des gens comme vous l'ont déjà vu, evidemment..... non? quelle honte ! ;)

Ah, tiens, un autre truc qu'a rien à voir avec la choucroute (ou presque) : Je vous incite vivement à lire "L'assassin royal" de Robin Hobb.... une épopée médiéval-fantastique hallucinante tellement c'est prenant. Y'a 10 tomes je crois mais j'ai dévoré les 6 premiers en 3 semaines..... Vraiment un très très très grand livre.... Tolkien c'est lourd, long et chiant à côté de ça... et ça a le mérite d'être très réaliste, sans pleins de gobelins, dragons et créatures bizarres et grotesques, juste un soupçon de magie subtile qui donne toute sa dimension au livre. Ooops, je me suis largement égaré je crois....s'cusez, mais c'est vraiment un bon livre...d'ailleurs j'y retourne.

A+, et n'oubliez pas le but initial de mon post ! :)

🙂Bonjour;

Je voudrais partir travailler en Angleterre, afin d'apprendre l'anglais,

mais je ne sais pas quel région choisir et je ne connais rien sur ce pays .

pourriez vous m'aider à trouver des documents et me faire part de vos experiences?

Merci

Bonjour,

J'aimerais bien partir une discussion sur les plus beaux souvenirs de voyages des membres, leurs plus beaux moments de bonheur en voyage.

Depuis que je voyage, je me suis aperçu que, en plus de faire de belles découvertes, je vivais aussi parfois des moments intenses de bonheur.

Quelques exemples : En Égypte, j'ai fait l'ascension du Mont-Sinaï et j'ai couché la nuit à son sommet. J'y ai vécu un moment de bonheur en assistant au lever du soleil de mon sac à couchage et un autre en descendant le mont Sinaï vers le monastère Ste-Catherine. Ce matin-là, le ciel était radieux, il y avait un de ces silences... Toujours en Égypte, une ballade sur la Corniche à Assouan en fin de journée en assistant au coucher de soleil, avec une vue imprenable sur le Nil. En Indonésie, mon séjour au Plateau de Dieng sur l'île de Java fut un grand moment de bonheur, ainsi que ma visite sur l'île de Komodo. En Tunisie, des visites à Douz et à Chénine furent des moments forts.

Et voilà à chaque fois c'est pareil !🙁 8 jours que je suis rentré et j'ai les boyaux à l'envers🤪, la tête complétement à l'ouest, branché constamment sur le net pour avoir des news des potes qui sont en voyage, sur voyage forum pour savoir ce qui se passe ( un peu mou en ce moment !) et on se pose des tas de questions.....

çà m'énerve dur parceque ( ne riez pas !), je commence à avancer en âge et je devrais quand même m'habituer mais il n'y a rien à faire, çà me fait le même coup à chaque fois et ma femme ne peut même pas me consoler, car elle c'est encore pire elle a le nez perdu dans les guides pour savoir ou vont nous porter nos pas prochainement et chaque soir quand je rentre du boulot ( eh oui, j'en ai encore besoin ), c'est de nouvelles destinations dont on parle à batons rompus....

Remarquez c'est ce que je préfére, discuter de voyages, mais quand je rentre comme là, çà me met un peu les boules parce que je me dis que je n'avais pas à rentrer, mais bon me direz vous caprices d'occidental gâté, surement que oui, mais quand vous venez de passer 3 semaines sur deux îles en compagnie de gens super sympas qui ne se posent pas de questions existentielles, que des centaines d'oiseaux multicolores vous réveillent chaque matin, que vous avez passé 3 nuits à ouvrir des yeux comme des soucoupes devant le spectacle incroyable des tortues "leatherbacks" venus pondre sur la plage devant votre guest, que des baleines vous frolent en pleine mer en laissant échapper leur petite colonne d'eau, que Micky avec son band vous a transporté dans son univers rasta toute la soirée et d'autres et d'autres eh ben oui en rentrant on a pas un super moral.....🙁

Je sais qu'en ce moment il y a bien pire, mais bon on est quand même là et on a aussi nos états d'âmes....

Allez Alan tiens bon la rampe, on va bientôt repartir, retrouver les frissons du voyage, et puis tant qu'il y a du soleil il y a de beaux jours avec....( euh ! j'ai vraiment la tête à l'envers )

Est ce que je suis seul dans ce cas....

Rassurez moi😉

A bientôt

March 2nd — Departure by bus from Latour at 6:50 AM. The journey isn’t direct: we pass through Elne then Corneilla. In Perpignan, I switch to a BlablaBus heading to Barcelona’s northern bus station. Before reaching Le Perthus, French police stop us to check IDs. Several people aren’t in order, but after about fifteen minutes, we’re on our way again. We’re checked again at La Jonquera: this time, the wait lasts almost forty-five minutes while police identify those in violation and wait for a vehicle to pick them up. The driver then tries to make up for lost time; we finally arrive at our destination half an hour late.

I quickly head to the Arc de Triomphe metro station, located 200 meters away: you have to cross the bridge along the bus parking lot, then walk through a large garden; the station is on the right before the garden entrance. The trip to the airport isn’t direct: I have to change at Tomasso and take the line to the airport, where I arrive at 1 PM.

At the Emirates counter, I learn my flight was just canceled due to the war in Iran; they offer me another flight for the next day. I have to wait at the airport until 7 PM before being taken to a hotel; the next morning, I’ll take a flight to Vienna (with an 8-hour layover), then an Air India flight to Delhi, and finally a flight to Kolkata. I agree: I don’t know Vienna, so it’ll be an unexpected discovery.

At 7 PM, a small group is taken to the hotel, 35 minutes from the airport, where we’re served a light dinner upon arrival.

March 3rd — A taxi picks me up at 6:30 AM; the flight to Vienna takes off at 9:30 AM and arrives at noon. I’m free until 7 PM; the metro is direct to the city center. The weather is pleasant and not too cold, luckily, since my clothes are light.

When I exit the metro, I spot the St. Stephen’s Cathedral tower in the distance and approach it: the roof, made of glazed tiles, is remarkable.



Entry is free, and the interior, a mix of Gothic and Baroque styles in the center, is stunning.



Not far from there is St. Anne’s Church



, also Baroque, adorned with beautiful frescoes



—a music concert adds an enchanting atmosphere to the visit. I continue my walk at random through the pedestrian streets lined with magnificent buildings: I’m charmed by the city.







Before heading back to the airport, I stop at a lovely tea salon. My flight will eventually leave with a delay.

Wednesday, March 4th — Delhi and a little luggage scare We arrive in Delhi shortly after noon. Immigration is quick, and good news: my bag was checked through from Barcelona to Kolkata. I head to the connecting terminal and arrive half an hour before boarding: the flight goes smoothly. Upon arrival, the luggage comes out quickly… except mine. After filing a report, I’m told my bag is in Delhi—I have to retrieve it before taking another flight. I didn’t know (or had forgotten): with the delays, I wouldn’t have had time to pick it up and make the connection.

I take a taxi to the Ichamati Hotel. The welcome is warm, and the room is clean but very small. Without my bag, I feel a bit lost—I have nothing to change into.

Tonight, I’m dining with Raja and his friends at a beautiful restaurant, an old colonial house turned into a hotel.





We’re happy to see each other and have a comforting evening together.

After a pretty disastrous weather-wise trip to Gran Canaria, we’re hoping this time the sun will shine in Puglia. It’s not a sure thing, though—the weather’s been awful all over Europe in early May.

For those who’d like to (re)read the story without the digressions, it’s here.

Saturday, May 16: This time we’re flying out of Charleroi (Brussels South): the ticket prices, flight times, and proximity all worked for us. The airport (Ryanair) was recently renovated... but it’s still not very well organized. There are hardly any seats in the boarding areas, and... the restrooms cost money!!! The flight goes smoothly, though, and we land in Bari a little late.

We quickly pick up our rental car, a very local-looking Pandina (even more so than the Fiat 500 in this region), and hit the Italian roads... and their unique driving quirks (like the fact that the countless road signs along the streets and in towns are purely decorative 😏, and that Italian cars don’t have turn signals 😮... except for rental cars).

About an hour later, we arrive at our first accommodation, right in the middle of the countryside near Monopoli. The owner isn’t there, but they’ve left us a ton of info via messages and even turned on the space heater, which is a nice touch. We explore the property:



And the next morning before breakfast, its immediate surroundings:





Sunday, May 17: After our "seaside" experience in Gran Canaria last weekend (packed with people and locals), we decide to start inland. After a hearty breakfast,



we head toward Alberobello, a super touristy village famous for its trulli—those stone houses with conical roofs. We easily find a free parking spot on a street near the Aia Piccola district, where some trulli are still lived in year-round.





We almost immediately come across the Trullo Sovrano (the only two-story one), which you can visit (but we skip it—it’s opening time, and there’s already a line).



From there, we head down toward the Basilica of Cosma e Damiano... but we don’t go in because there’s a mass.



Now we’re on the main Piazza del Popolo, which connects the two districts of Alberobello: Rione Aia Piccola and Rione Monti, the more touristy one.

Hi everyone, I’m sharing my draft itinerary with you because I just booked our flight tickets, and I feel like it’s quite late in the season. So, I’d like to be sure about my stops before reserving the hotels. I’ll be traveling alone with my two adult children. We want to prioritize outdoor walks, avoid too many indoor visits (both for budget and preference), and not spend too much time on the road.

D1: Arrival at 9 AM in Malaga, day in Malaga and overnight stay D2: Head straight to Nerja (1-hour drive) and spend the night there D3: Head straight to Granada (1.5-hour drive), spend the day and night there D4: Granada. Visit the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces tour at 5 PM) and spend the night D5: Head to Ronda (2.5-hour drive) and spend the night D6: White Villages and overnight in Ronda D7: Head straight to the Costa del Sol (e.g., Estepona), spend the day and night there D8: Return to Malaga to catch our flight

There you go! This itinerary takes into account that we’d like to do a circuit starting from Seville in a few years. That said, it’d be a shame to miss something doable from Malaga.

Questions: Since the Alhambra visit is only at 5 PM, and we’d already have the day to explore Granada, would arriving the day before be a mistake? Or should we skip this day and dedicate it elsewhere (Costa del Sol? Head toward Tabernas?)? The old town appeals to me, but maybe the Sacromonte neighborhood isn’t essential... Same question for Ronda: should we dedicate a full day to it, or combine Ronda and the White Villages in one day? Note that we love wandering around villages outside, so that might answer my question! :)

Final question: Is it better to rent the car at Malaga Airport or in the city? If we rent at the airport, we’d need a hotel with parking, which doesn’t seem easy. Or stay outside the city and park for free near the center if possible? I’ve read comments about taking a taxi to Malaga and then picking up the rental car at the airport the next morning. The taxi would really need to be affordable...

Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions for visits during this little circuit. Have a great day, everyone! Christine

Some trips are born twice.

Ours was supposed to happen in 2020. Everything was ready: the itinerary, the flight tickets, hotel reservations and Machu Picchu, the rental car, dreams of high altitudes and wide-open spaces. And then the world stopped.

Like so many other plans, our trip to Peru was put on hold. Disappointment was followed by a more concrete reality: paperwork, endless back-and-forth, and battles to recover some of the costs we’d already paid.

The years went by. Life moved on, with its shifting priorities and unexpected twists. Rescheduling this trip wasn’t possible until 2025.

The itinerary stayed mostly true to what we’d imagined five years earlier. One major difference, though—in 2020, we’d planned to rent a car and explore the roads completely independently. Most importantly, we hadn’t included the three-day Ausangate trek, due to lack of time.

For 2025, our plans evolved. 4x4 rental prices had skyrocketed, and when we looked at our schedule more closely, we realized quite a few days didn’t actually need a vehicle. So we made a different choice and opted for private drivers instead. A decision we never regretted. Always punctual, thoughtful, and available... they were so much more than just drivers.

All our reservations were made in January, except for the trek, which we booked in February.

Finding reliable drivers on our own was tough, so we asked Laurent from Tout Pérou to handle it for us. Going through Tout Pérou also gave us a discount on the train ride to Aguas Calientes, so Laurent booked those tickets too. He also bought our Machu Picchu entrance tickets at the same price we would’ve paid on the official website. When comparing domestic flight prices, we found it was cheaper to book from Peru, so Laurent took care of those as well.

This time, nothing was going to stop us. Peru was waiting. And we were ready. 🙂

...

" We’re ALL different, and so are our expectations when it comes to travel or leisure ". There are—without a doubt—as many ways to experience a trip as there are travelers!! For the two of us, it’s only our love of wild nature that guides us to East Africa. The stated goal of this trip was purely wildlife-focused, and NOT about discovering the country or its people.

...

Hello everyone,

Previously, I shared the account of a trip/safari in southern Tanzania in June 2024, in the Mikumi and Selous reserves.

This time, still in southern Tanzania, I invite you to join us in Ruaha National Park. (Then, depending on the number of images allowed in my quota, at the end of my story, we’ll return to Selous for the second part of the same trip.)

- This trip/safari took place in November 2022. - Our flight started in Marseille, heading to Addis Ababa, then Dar es Salaam (via Ethiopian Airlines). In Dar, we spent one night at a hotel near the airfield.

-1- During the layover in Addis Ababa. The Airbus A-350 in the early morning mist.



Reminder: Click on each image to enlarge it, if needed. .

From Dar es Salaam, if you want to go by road to Ruaha, it’ll take a very long and tiring day. 🤪

On previous trips, we’ve always taken a bush plane for this route. In this case, it took just over an hour and a half, with two short intermediate stops to drop off passengers at other bush airstrips.

Since I’m also passionate about aviation, I love these flights where you can admire the landscapes from low altitude while sitting right behind the pilot 🙂.

-2- These routes mainly use Cessna 208 Caravans.



At the Msembe airstrip, we’re greeted around 1:30 PM by a guide and a driver from our chosen lodge. They brought a picnic basket, which we enjoy at a nearby picnic area. We’re by the Ruaha River, completely dry—it’s scorching hot.

-3- The first mammals we encounter are a pair of female impalas, accompanied by a young male.



Reminder: Click on the image to view it in larger size. 😉

-4- To save the hippopotamus populations from certain death, rangers had to dig holes in the sand with bulldozers. Fortunately, water is present beneath the sand layer.



-5- This crocodile doesn’t seem to have been accepted as a swimming neighbor by the hippos...



We’ll explore along the river for 2-3 hours before crossing it at a ford toward the southern part of the reserve.

-6- The typical landscape of Ruaha, with its many baobabs.



-7- My buddy the R.L.B. is also here to welcome me.... 🙂 🙂



-8- As well as this little bee-eater... 😎



-9- ...which reminds us of the origin of its name...!



-10- Above a rare waterhole, a fish eagle keeps watch for fish...



...

*** Please wait until the end of the story for any questions or to share your own experiences in Ruaha. (Or via PM.) Thanks in advance for keeping this account smooth and enjoyable. 😉

...

*** I’m not an ornithologist, but birds are an important and unavoidable part of safari discoveries. You’ll find quite a few in the images of my story. 😎

...

Hello! 🙂

January 2026 Here we go again for new adventures and the pleasure of sharing them with you here! First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who helped me with the preparations, even with some last-minute improvisations just days before departure. Thanks to Montagnard74, Jojoone1, Songsam, Attila, Dennis2, NadegerFERM, and the authors whose travel journals about Laos inspired me (Montagnard74, Muriel18, Mavietongs...).

In this story, written by Richard and illustrated by me, we’ll tell you about the journey of four friends: Catherine, Richard, Nathalie, and Bruno. A reinvented but overall successful trip, filled with discoveries and surprises, the scents of spices and frangipani flowers, (too) spicy food, sunsets, and... one big mess.

Hello!

After a long travel hiatus, we’re (finally) back on the road for some getaways! Now with two kids in tow, we’re heading to Thailand for two weeks next February (a destination that’s stood us up twice before but seems perfect for our first big family trip).

We’d have loved to stay longer, but two weeks is already a great start and will be plenty enjoyable.

Key points: - Experience Thailand, not just live our usual routine in Thailand - Avoid crowds as much as possible, even though February will be busy - Not big city fans, so Bangkok (BKK) will be kept to a minimum - Focus on nature, the sea, forests, waterfalls, hiking, kayaking...

At this stage, here’s the rough itinerary I’m considering: - Arrival at 7 AM + a day in BKK

- DEPART for SURAT THANI (BUS) - Transfer + Khao Sok (overnight on the lake / in the trees)

- RETURN to Ko Samui - Transfer to Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao (snorkeling)

- RETURN to Khao Lak. While there: * Visit Ao Phang Nga Park by kayak * Excursion to caves / Ko Khao Phing Kan (the "007 beach" lol) * ALTERNATIVE = SIMILAN ISLANDS

- RETURN to KRABI or Koh Phi Phi * Visit Koh Hong or Koh Yao Yai

* Flight from SURAT THANI to BKK - If time left in BKK: - Explore BKK: Wat Pho / floating market / Maeklong Railway Market / Chinatown... - Or a day trip to Ayutthaya - Or a day at Erawan Waterfall (Haew Suwat) - Day +1 = Return to France

Questions I’m pondering: - Is this too ambitious? I think it might be... but since we’d rather see as much as possible than just lounge on a beach... - How to get around on this route? Bus or rental vehicle (which I’d prefer to avoid) - Are there any inconsistencies in the plan I’ve outlined? - Should I adjust any connections or prioritize differently? - Krabi vs. Koh Phi Phi? - Koh Hong vs. Koh Yao Yai?

We’ve booked the first night (using some leftover backpacking perks), but nothing else—so open to all ideas!

If you know a local agency that can offer advice (for a fee), that could work too, since the options feel endless...

Thanks so much for reading this far, and even more if you’ve got tips or suggestions to share!! Best wishes ;)

HIGHWAY 1

Highway 1 runs along the Pacific coast of California from Leggett in the north to Dana Point in the south. It's the longest state route in California, stretching 1,050 km.

It's famous for its breathtaking ocean views. That’s actually why it’s become such a popular route for road trips, with tons of attractions and points of interest all along the way.

After crossing the U.S. interior on our way out (see Road Trip USA 2023 - Part 1), we’re starting our return trip along this route from Leggett.

Videos are embedded throughout the summary. Please click on the image to start the video. To jump to a specific post, here are the appropriate links:

CALIFORNIA:

Scenic Overlooks on Route 1 Between Leggett and Fort Bragg The Pudding Creek Trestle Bridge in Fort Bragg Glass Beach - Fort Bragg Jenner Lookout Point - Highway 1 Goat Rock Beach - Sonoma Coast State Park - Jenner Point Reyes National Seashore - White House Pool Trail Point Reyes National Seashore - Limantour Beach Point Reyes National Seashore - Point Reyes Shipwreck Point Reyes National Seashore - Kehoe Beach Trail Point Reyes National Seashore - McClures Beach Trail Point Reyes National Seashore - Cypress Tree Tunnel Point Reyes National Seashore - Point Reyes Beach North Point Reyes National Seashore - Elephant Seals on Drakes Beach Point Reyes National Seashore - Point Reyes Beach South Point Reyes National Seashore – Elephant Seals Overlooks Point Reyes National Seashore - Chimney Rock Trail Point Reyes National Seashore - Point Reyes Lighthouse Trail Point Reyes National Seashore – Tule Elk Observation Point Bonita Lighthouse Trail - Sausalito Hawk Hill - Sausalito Battery Spencer Trail - Sausalito Rodeo Beach - Sausalito Point Cavallo - Golden Gate View - Sausalito Exploring Downtown Sausalito Visiting Sausalito’s Houseboats Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints - San Francisco Cruise to Alcatraz Island - San Francisco Visiting Alcatraz Island - San Francisco Civic Center - Downtown San Francisco Market Street & Yerba Buena Gardens - Downtown San Francisco Union Square & Financial District - Downtown San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 & Embarcadero - San Francisco Sea Lion Observation - Pier 39 - San Francisco Lombard Street & Cable Car - Russian Hill - San Francisco Macondray Lane Historic District - Russian Hill - San Francisco Grace Cathedral & Huntington Park - Nob Hill - San Francisco Telegraph Hill - San Francisco Chinatown - San Francisco Alamo Square & Painted Ladies - Western Addition - San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts - Marina District - San Francisco Presidio of San Francisco California Coastal Trail - Lincoln Park - San Francisco California Palace of the Legion of Honor - Lincoln Park - San Francisco Sutro Baths - Lincoln Park - San Francisco Queen Wilhelmina Garden - Golden Gate Park - San Francisco Bison Paddock - Golden Gate Park - San Francisco Portals of the Past - Golden Gate Park - San Francisco Strawberry Hill - Golden Gate Park – San Francisco Prayerbook Cross & Robin Williams Meadow - Golden Gate Park - San Francisco Hidden Garden Steps & 16th Avenue Tiled Steps - San Francisco Grandview Park - San Francisco Hike - Twin Peaks Three Summits - San Francisco Longboarding Down Twin Peaks Blvd in San Francisco Haight-Ashbury - San Francisco Corona Heights Park - San Francisco Mission Dolores - San Francisco Mural Frescoes (Part 1) - Mission District - San Francisco Mural Frescoes (Part 2) - Mission District - San Francisco Devil's Slide Bunker - Pacifica Mavericks Beach - Half Moon Bay Martins Beach - Half Moon Bay Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park - Pescadero What to See in Santa Cruz Visiting Capitola What to See in Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Lovers Point Park - Pacific Grove Castle Rock, Hurricane Point & Little Sur River Viewpoints Pfeiffer Falls Trail Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point & McWay Falls Highway 1 - Big Sur Viewpoints Salmon Creek Falls San Carpoforo Creek Trail Elephant Seal Vista Point - San Simeon San Simeon Pier Moonstone Beach Boardwalk Shipwreck - Estero Bluffs State Park Surfing Competition in Morro Bay Port San Luis Pier - San Luis Obispo Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove - Pismo State Beach Nojoqui Falls Park - Solvang Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Solvang, a Charming Danish Town in California Chumash Painted Cave - Santa Barbara Goleta San Marcos Rd & Cachuma Lake Vista Points - Santa Barbara Old Santa Barbara Mission Walking Tour of Santa Barbara’s Historic Downtown West Beach - Santa Barbara What to See in Ventura Paradise Falls - Wildwood Regional Park - Thousand Oaks Sandy Dune & El Matador State Beach - Malibu Point Dume Nature Reserve - Malibu Malibu Pier Road Trip in the Malibu Mountains Los Liones Trail - Santa Monica Santa Monica Pier Rodeo Drive - Beverly Hills Greystone Mansion - Beverly Hills Hollywood Walk of Fame - Los Angeles Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Los Angeles What to See in Venice Beach Venice Beach Skatepark ShoreLine Aquatic Park - Long Beach Alamitos Beach - Long Beach Naples Island - Long Beach Crescent Bay Point Park & Helser Park Kiosk - Laguna Beach Shell Beach at Twin Points - Laguna Beach Prairie Dogs at Agra Vista Point Top Gun House & Oceanside Pier Annie's Canyon Trail - Solana Beach (Via North Rios Trailhead Loop) Old Town San Diego La Jolla Coastal Trail - San Diego Balboa Park - San Diego Pacific Beach - San Diego Mission Beach - San Diego Ocean Beach Tide Pools - San Diego Sunset Cliffs Natural Park - San Diego Tuna Harbor Park - San Diego Seaport Village & Embarcadero Marina Park - San Diego Gaslamp Quarter - Downtown San Diego Coronado Island - San Diego Dead Dolly Lane - Alpine Galleta Meadows Metal Sculptures - Borrego Springs What to See in Palm Springs Robolights - Palm Springs Andreas Canyon Trail - Indian Canyons - Palm Springs Palm Canyon Trail - Indian Canyons - Palm Springs West Fork Falls Trail - Indian Canyons - Palm Springs Tahquitz Canyon Loop Trail - Indian Canyons - Palm Springs Desert Christ Park - Yucca Valley Pioneertown Salvation Mountain - Niland Slab City - Niland

The recipe for the cocktail: endless beaches, a dazzling palette of colors, some breathtaking hikes, and excellent cuisine...

For the tasting, follow along in the pages of this travel journal! 😉

Don’t forget your hiking shoes, a swimsuit, sunscreen, but also a sweater, your driver’s license, and your credit card...

Just over 11 hours of flight, and we’ll be setting foot on Mauritian soil!

Kattegat isn’t just the name of the village in the TV series *Vikings*—it’s also the stretch of water separating Denmark from Sweden... the sea, basically! And further north, you’ve got Norway and its fjords! Originally, I’d planned to just do a loop around Kattegat, with the *Under* restaurant in Lindesnes as our anniversary treat... but along the way, we thought, why not "push" a little further north, keeping an eye on the budget since we’d chosen to travel by car in June 2025 through Scandinavia.

Why by car when most travelers opt for a camper van, while others prefer the comfort of cruises? Well, because we don’t own a camper van, renting one is pricey, and then you’ve got to add fuel costs (those things guzzle gas!), ferry fees, and other "tolls." All things considered, we went for mostly rentals—especially since there were four of us at the start of the trip. We spent the first week in Denmark with our daughter and son-in-law. Then they flew back to Belgium, and we continued our adventure as a couple. For accommodation, we mainly booked Airbnb apartments, which helped keep costs down and, most importantly, let us prepare our own meals (diet, diet!). In this travel journal, you’ll discover (or rediscover, for those who followed my older ones) our unbridled love for theme parks, museums, unique experiences, and—especially in Denmark—Legos! Unfortunately, we didn’t do any hikes this year because the unpredictable weather had made the trails slippery, and since I’d already taken three tumbles during the trip, I didn’t want to risk another! In the end, we traveled for 32 days, covered 6,200 km, and most importantly, discovered the charming country of Denmark, marveled at Norway’s breathtaking fjords—all without suffering the heatwave that hit France and Belgium that June! If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

Following my first trip from May 1st to 11th, 2025: -Flight: easyJet Geneva-Olbia 11:50 AM-1:20 PM (306 € for 2) + 102 € for checked baggage (408 € total) -Flight: easyJet Cagliari-Geneva 12:45 PM-2:25 PM (308 € for 2) -Car rental: Olbia-Cagliari (rental: 338.31 € + 120 € for one-way drop-off) + 320 € mandatory insurance imposed by Centauro) 778.31 € total

*May 1st: ***OLBIA: arrived at the airport at 3:15 PM: 1-hour delay with EasyJet! 😕 Car rental issue** Big scam with B Rent (hard to find their counter because of poor signage—they demanded an extra 320 €! But after 5.5 hours, Centauro also charged 320 € for insurance!!!) On top of that, we only got the car at 6:30 PM. Due to the delay, we went straight to our accommodation after grocery shopping. -Bandi House via Mastru Giogliu, San Teodoro 0039 338 852 8569 70 € (very nice apartment, spacious, great welcome from Paola but hard to find) -Nearby: San Teodoro: stagno (birds) Lonely Planet p.159

*May 2nd: -Heading to Isola Tavolara: boat from San Paolo. It was a holiday weekend, and all the Sardinians plus tourists were heading to the island. Everyone wanted to visit the cave and all the beaches—so crowded we gave up. Plus, we had to wait for the first departure at 11 AM with a return no earlier than 2 PM, and all boats left at the same time, so everyone ended up at the cave simultaneously! GUIDES: Green Guide p.140 and Lonely Planet p.158 -Capo Coda Cavallo: beautiful spot with a stunning beach (reserve) -EAST COAST: Budoni, Posada, La Caletta (port) with many white sand beaches

*Orosei (Green Guide p.102, Lonely Planet p.201) and Galtelli (lovely medieval village) *Dorgali (Green Guide p.96, Lonely Planet p.205): don’t skip Pasticceria Mulas (exceptional pastries at very reasonable prices) -Agriturismo Nennelle in Loculi: great welcome at this fairly new site—a farm with sheep. Large room with private bathroom and outdoor tables/chairs. Small fridge, kettle, and coffee machine. 54 0039 3495343765 €

***May 3rd:*** -Hike to Gola Su Gorropu: magnificent 4-hour trek (Lonely Planet p.205, Green Guide p.96)

-Arbatax: Rocce Rosse: stunning red porphyry rocks at the end of the port (Green Guide p.87, Lonely Planet p.210) -Aer Sana in Arzana: a remote village with a very narrow, picturesque road (there’s actually a second one). Via Don Bosco No. 12. 68.60 € 0039 347 9601599 Great welcome from Bruna/message—decorated with lots of taste and care. One room with private bathroom and a super well-equipped shared kitchen.

***May 4th:*** -Supramonte National Park and Gulf of Orosei (Green Guide p.98, Lonely Planet p.201) -Arzana-Ussassai-Seui-Sadali-Goldoni -Aritzo: small village on a slope—very friendly locals -Antonio Mura Museum: Sardinian expressionist painter -Ethnographic Museum: quite comprehensive -Spanish Prison "Sa Bovida" (prison under Spanish rule where people were imprisoned for witchcraft) -Antico Restauro: Via Umberto 38, Fonni. Small Sardinian house in the village with little light but tastefully decorated. Warm welcome from Mario Loddo. 65.02 €

*May 5th: Gennargentu Massif and Supramonte -Orgosolo: Lonely Planet p.190, Green Guide p.123 -Nuraghe di Tiscali (Green Guide p.122, Lonely Planet p.207): allow over 1 hour of hiking to reach a slope with a cave (good shoes required) -Arrival in Nuoro: large city. Via Salvatore Manniri 39 (0039 33118617847). French expat living in Sardinia—very large, well-designed apartment on the 5th floor. 73 €

*May 6th: -NUORO (Lonely Planet p.186, Green Guide p.112) .Museum of Sardinian writer Grazia Deledda (1871-1936), Nobel Prize in Literature 1927 .Sardinian Ethnographic Museum -Ulassai: Stazione dell’Arte Maria Lai (1919-2013) (Lonely Planet p.212, Green Guide p.85). Major climbing spot in a charming little village -Jerzu: "La Finestra sulla Volla" Via Umberto I 551 0039 3403754751 72 € apartment with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and 1 kitchen

*May 7th: OGLIASTRA: -Jerzu to Tortolì via Barisardo: quite difficult route through narrow streets in various villages! Return to Porto Corallo, Capo Ferrato (Green Guide p.64) -Hotel in San Vito: "Su Furriadroxiu" Via Lamarmora 35/37 0039 3501041432 61.20 € (Green Guide p.65)

*May 8th: -San Vito -Armungia (Green Guide p.65): small village at 566 m with nuraghe and museum + fresco "Homage to the Sassari Brigade" -Goni: cork oak forests and Nuraghe di Pranu Muteddu (60 aligned menhirs and tombs) (Green Guide p.66, Lonely Planet p.197) -San Vito: restaurant "La Capinera" Via Nazionale 80, 09040: very good -From Villasimius to Costa Rei: Lonely Planet p.65, Green Guide p.60 .Punta Molentis: white sand, rocks, but very touristy -Capo Carbonara: military zone, not much to see -Accommodation in Cagliari: Villa Volta 18, Monserrato 0039 3480640592: 74.70 € Well-equipped studio, city center, quiet

*May 9th: -Visit to Cagliari with underground tunnels Regina at the foot of the citadel (elevator) (Lonely Planet p.48, Green Guide p.32) .Castello, prefecture, San Maria church .Charming and picturesque Villanova district -Barumini (Green Guide p.70, Lonely Planet p.90): Nuraghe di Su Nuraxi, 1500 BC with its tower and fortifications—the largest Sardinian site (UNESCO) Entry: 15 € with mandatory guided tour -Parco della Giara di Gesturi (basaltic plateau): great for hiking Presence of the Sardinian pony: small Sardinian horse -Accommodation in Sanluri: 2 Via Giacomo Mozart 0039 3495343765: 80 €

*May 10th: -Beautiful Isola di San Pietro: ferry from Portovesme to Carloforte (round trip) 33.50 € with car (Green Guide p.318, Lonely Planet p.81) 15 km long and 15 km wide .Carloforte: peaceful little town with its palazzi and colorful houses .Tonnara della Punta: former tuna cannery—can be visited by reservation .Capo Sandalo: with its lighthouse (nice little trail to hike) .La Caletta: beaches and cliffs .Punta delle Colonne: 2 trachyte formations—very pretty

-TOTAL: 2432 € for 2 -1400 km by car: 160 € for gas (between 1.60 and 1.76 €/L) -Food, including 2 restaurants: 265 € -Accommodation via Booking: 685 € -Flights: 614 € for 2 -Car: 708.50 € + one-way drop-off: 120 € + mandatory insurance of 320 € (not planned!)

We stayed in Iceland from August 27 to September 13, 2023. Actually, this was our second trip to the island.

During our first visit, we rented a camper van from Snail Motorhome Rental, a family-run business that provided outstanding service.

Unfortunately, we discovered that this company no longer exists.

So, we rented a camper van through a third party, specifically via the Nordic Travel Group website.

We chose City Car Rental, located near Keflavik Airport, because the rental cost was really appealing.

Apart from the quality of the sleeping bags and the size of the pillows we rented, our experience with this company was very positive.

We noticed a significant increase in tourism since our last trip in 2015.

Several sites have been redeveloped, and parking is now paid in many places.

Accommodations have multiplied, not only near major cities but also in remote areas.

One notable advantage, however, was discovering the wide variety of food products available in supermarkets. In 2015, the selection was very limited.

I invite you to continue reading this travel journal and watch the videos that will let you explore this destination, which has everything to charm outdoor enthusiasts.

Videos are embedded throughout the summary. Click on the image to start the video.

To jump to a specific post, here are the relevant links:

Hlauptungufoss, Midfoss and Bruarfoss Geysir, Blesi and Strokkur Gullfoss Brúarhlöð Canyon Faxafoss Kiðjabergsvöllur – Belvedere Kerið Crater Reykjadalur Valley – Hike to the hot springs Seljalandsfoss Gljúfrabúi Waterfall Seljavallalaug – One of Iceland’s oldest geothermal pools Skógafoss – Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail (partial) Kvernufoss Plane wreck at Solheimasandur Dyrhólaey Peninsula Reynisfjara Beach – Puffins and seals Vík í Mýrdal Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Skaftafell National Park – Svartifoss, Magnusarfoss & Hundafoss Svínafellsjökull Glacier Hofskirkja Church Fjallsárlón Glacial Lagoon (West) Fjallsárlón Glacial Lagoon (East) Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon Litlanefsfoss and Hengifoss Rjúkandi (Rjúkandafoss) Stuðlagil Canyon Selfoss and Dettifoss Krafla – Viti Crater Lake Krafla – Leirhnjúkur Lava Field Hverir Geothermal Site (Námafjall) Hverir – Hverarönd Geothermal Site – Blue Lagoon Grjótagjá – Hot Spring Cave Stóragjá – Hot Spring Cave Goðafoss Akureyri Zipline Hofsós – Pool by the Skagafjörður Fjord Víðimýrarkirkja Church Hvítserkur Rock – The Troll of Northwest Iceland Gislahellir (Gisli's Cave) Dynjandi (Fjallfoss) – One of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls Hellulaug (Natural hot spring pool) Stykkishólmur – Stykkishólmshöfn Port Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss Ólafsvík – Bugsfoss Lóndrangar Basalt Columns Arnarstapi Ytri-Tunga Farm – Seal watching Deildartunguhver Hot Spring Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Exploring Reykjavik Reykjavik – Whale Safari – Whale watching Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel Gígvatnsvatn Lake (Green Lake/Graenevatn) Seltún Geothermal Site (Krýsuvík) Kleifarvatn Lake Blue Lagoon Thermal Spa Gunnuhver Geothermal Site Reykjanes Peninsula – Reykjanesviti Lighthouse Reykjanes Peninsula – Valahnúkamöl – Reykjanestá Ægissíðufoss Super Jeep excursion to Landmannalaugar Hiking in Landmannalaugar Scenery along the way

This catchy and somewhat mysterious title comes from several questions I’ve been asking myself.

VF has been back open for a reasonable number of weeks and months now. The number of visitors overall matches past averages, but the number of members online in the last 24 hours seems relatively lower than what we used to see.

Yet, to my surprise, I’m seeing fewer travel journals, way fewer messages, and way fewer questions. I don’t see many new registered users online, and I notice a number of members who are logged in but either aren’t participating or have stopped participating.

Something’s not adding up for me because, in my opinion, VF is still appealing, and I don’t see which other sites could really compete.

Was there a real break between pre- and post-Covid? Does it just take more time for some people to discover the site or learn that it’s active again? Do people now prefer quick consumption on sites like FB or others I’m not familiar with? Where have the site’s old-timers gone, and what are they doing with their time now? What’s really going on here?

This trip took place in May 2023, a period of calm that later proved precarious. Day of May 17 Departure from Marseille on El Al (tickets booked by ourselves, while the stay itself was organized by Voyageurs du Monde). Before check-in, six or seven El Al staff members conduct a security check—quite understandable, but they do it in total chaos. They send people to the left, then block them, redirect them to the right, for no apparent reason. Most of the staff don’t speak French, which complicates things. They work at an incomprehensible slow pace, stopping the interview to do something else, then coming back and starting over... The flight goes smoothly, except for the meal service, which, for a four-hour flight that El Al delayed to lunchtime, is more than basic: a quarter-liter of water and a corned beef sandwich that’s absolutely disgusting and inedible. To get a coffee, you have to queue at the back of the plane. You end up missing Ryanair🙂 Arrival at Ben Gurion goes better than expected—the passport control is fairly quick, as is baggage delivery. Transfer to the Lily and Bloom hotel, Lilienblaum Street (easy to remember 🙂) As advised by Voyageurs du Monde, we book a table for the evening at the nearest restaurant, North Abraxas. Good atmosphere and decent food. We get a sense of the price level in Israeli restaurants. Around us, diners share dishes placed in the middle of the table. Much more convivial than our individual plates!! Day of May 18

The next morning, we go down for breakfast at 7:30 AM—a late hour, but the setup is slow, with the two servers taking their time. We ask the bartender for a long coffee and a black tea... It must be a complicated order because it takes him over 10 minutes to make it. He serves us with the grace of a dancer. A good breakfast if you’re not in a hurry, followed by a little stroll in the neighborhood, since our meet-up with Patrick Arfi, our guide for the day, isn’t until 10 AM. P. Arfi is a former publishing house director in Paris who has lived in Israel for a long time and has a vast cultural knowledge. After an initial chat, we head toward Jaffa, focusing on the Bauhaus buildings preserved by a clever urban policy that allows high-rise construction while maintaining old architectural ensembles.



This policy keeps the streets looking more human-scale than the usual high-rise districts in modern cities.

With the visit to Jaffa, Patrick introduces us to a fascinating slice of history, despite the temperature nearing 38°C. Jaffa, once an independent city, is now a neighborhood of Tel Aviv—a predominantly Muslim area. We notice a few buildings in poor condition. They belong to Palestinian families who left Tel Aviv. Otherwise, the city has been very well restored, apart from these few buildings.

A government agency rents out the ground floors of these buildings, which helps fund part of the security work. They also try to track down the owners and buy back the abandoned properties, but some refuse to sell. The visit is very touristy—most of the people we meet are tourists like us.













There’s very little local life, except in the lower part of the city. To be continued, as I’ve reached the allowed photo limit.